A sob rose in her throat as she realised the role in life that lay ahead for her.
Madame Lacombe, the valet’s wife.
*
Towards midnight they stopped at an inn on the London road. Serge’s plan was to travel beyond the Capital and take ship at Tilbury docks.
They were led through a series of low-beamed, smoky corridors and up a narrow stairway to a room under the eaves.
Serge left Elvira to unpack her carpet bag while he went down to attend to the skinny nag that had drawn them so valiantly thus far.
Elvira threw off her cloak and gazed about her.
Her eyes alighted on the large mattress on the iron bedstead and she felt suddenly weak with dread. Serge had bought her and married her, fair and square.
Whatever he felt for Delphine, he would no doubt insist on his conjugal rights.
Tremb
