CHAPTER FIVEThe Marquis’s voice seemed to resonate throughout the room.
Silva could for the moment only look at him as if she was hypnotised.
Then she blurted out the first thing that came into her mind.
“I locked – the door.”
The Marquis moved closer.
“Against me?” he asked.
“I did not think that you would come – here tonight because – I said I was tired.”
The words came rather jerkily from her lip as she was feeling frightened.
“As I have already pointed out,” the Marquis said quietly, “you are not Natalie. Then who are you?”
Silva drew in her breath.
“I am her cousin, Silva Hurst.”
“Her cousin!” the Marquis exclaimed. “And instead of Natalie, I have married you.”
Silva nodded her head miserably.
“But why?” he asked. “And, if there was to be a change of brides, the Duke shou
