“Pray, accept my heartfelt apologies for incommoding you so grievously. I am sure that you will admit the necessity.”

“Oh, that there were a man here to avenge me!” she raged.

His Grace tugged at the stubborn knot.

“There are three outside,” he answered blandly. “But I do not think they are like to oblige you.”

He removed her bonds and sat back in the corner, enjoying her. His eyes fell on her bruised wrists, and at once his expression changed, and he frowned, leaning forward.

“Believe me, I did not mean that,” he said, and touched her hands.

She flung him off.

“Do not touch me!”