The more he thought of the situation, the more this seemed to be the only possible answer.
It was something that had not occurred to him until now after he had met Valessa.
There was certainly nothing notably vulgar about her and, when she had cried, she had seemed little more than a child who had got into trouble through no fault of her own.
He found himself feeling sorry for her.
How was it possible that she had been on the verge of suicide because she had no money and no food?
How was it possible that she was prepared to die rather than face his anger?
How was it possible that she had wanted to set him free?
The Marquis was used to dealing with people of all sorts and conditions and he had been noted as an exceptionally good Officer because of the way he looked after the men unde
