It was much later when she was in the middle of a letter to Gertie that there was a knock on her door. Her heart leapt.
‘Who is it?’ she called.
‘It’s Mrs Clark,’ came the reply.
Instantly relieved, Norah got to her feet and opened the door. The housekeeper was wearing her usual dour expression. ‘What can I do for you, Mrs Clark?’ she asked politely.
‘His lordship wishes to see you in the drawing room …immediately.’
Norah’s heart plummeted once again. ‘But why … what’s wrong?’ she asked.
‘It’s not for me … or you … to question his lordship. Follow me,’ the housekeeper ordered and Norah had no choice but to follow. Her mind was racing with possible reasons for her summons, none of them good, and she forced herself to breathe normally as she entered the drawing room.
Lord Collingworth was alone, an imposing figure dressed in black standing by the window.
‘Ah good … Miss Dunn. Thank you for joining me. That will be all, Mrs Clark.’
‘Good afternoon, your lordship,’ Norah said politely as the housekeeper left, closing the door behind her.
‘You are probably wondering why I wished to speak with you so let me put you at ease. I only want to assure myself that you are comfortable here at Collingworth,’ he said pleasantly, his face bland.
‘Very much so, your lordship,’ Norah said stiffly. ‘Thank you for asking.’
‘You are certainly doing a remarkable job with my daughters. Lady Collingworth is continually singing your praises.’
‘You’re very kind, your lordship.’
‘Good. Well now that’s settled, I’d like you to come with me. I wish to show you something.’ He took hold of her arm and led her gently out of the drawing room. Without making a fuss, which could prove highly embarrassing, she had no choice but to accompany him as he walked her in silence through a part of the house she had never seen before. He stopped at a door, removed a key from his jacket pocket and unlocked it.
‘This way.’ He ushered her into the room and closed the door behind him.
Norah looked around fearfully. The room was minimally furnished with a bed and a simple wooden dresser adorned with two heavy, brass candle sticks.
‘What is it you wish to show me, your lordship?’ she asked nervously, her heart thudding painfully in her chest.
‘Oh, my dear, all manner of things,’ he smiled wolfishly at her and, with a flourish, he locked the door.
‘What are you doing? I wish to leave. Please unlock the door.’ Norah struggled to retain her composure as she walked to the door and tried the handle to no avail. She was trapped.
‘It’s high time we got to know each other better.’ He moved behind her as she struggled to open the door, placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed the side of her neck.
‘Let go of me!’ Norah pushed him away and ran to the other side of the bed. ‘I demand you release me this instant.’
Lord Collingworth shook his head as he removed his jacket, his dark eyes gleaming with anticipation. ‘I’m afraid you’re not in a position to make any demands.’ He licked his lips. ‘In fact, I believe it is I who will making the demands and you who will be obeying them.’
Norah looked around wildly for a means of escape. There was a small window she could squeeze her way through. She started to edge towards it. ‘I’ll scream,’ she threatened.
‘By all means, be my guest. Scream all you like. I can assure you it will increase my enjoyment enormously.’ He rubbed his hands together, his eyes locked on hers. ‘I’m afraid that window is also locked,’ he observed as she reached a trembling hand towards it. ‘I like to be prepared.’
‘You won’t get away with this,’ Norah’s eyes filled with tears at the hopelessness of her predicament and she could only watch, terrified, as Lord Collingworth unbuttoned his breeches.
‘Oh, but I will,’ he smiled. ‘Feudal rights and all that … or, failing that, your word against mine. I don’t think anyone will believe you when I have to reveal, reluctantly of course, that you tried to seduce me in the hope of becoming my mistress.’
‘You’re a monster!’ Norah sobbed.
‘No, my sweet thing … just a man. A man who is now in urgent need of your attentions. It’s time for you to remove your clothes.’
‘Never!’ she cried, her arms crossed protectively in front of her chest.
‘In that case, I’ll have to remove them for you.’ He strode suddenly across the room, grabbed her arms and flung her roughly on to the bed. Norah screamed and tried to free her arms but he was too powerful. He sat astride her and pinned her arms above her head with his left hand. Then, with his free hand, he looped her wrists with a piece of rope which was already tied to the iron rail at the head of the bed and pulled it tight. Norah cried out at the sudden pain and squirmed helplessly beneath him as he knotted the rope. For the first time, she recognised that she was completely at this man’s mercy and she clamped her eyes shut, trying to blot out the horrors she was facing.
Roughly, he pulled open her cotton blouse sending the buttons flying and tugged her camisole top downwards, ripping the delicate straps. She felt him feeling for the fastenings on her brassiere and then, as it came loose, grasping and kneading her small breasts with his large hands. He lowered his head and took one of her breasts in his mouth and she shuddered involuntarily as he licked and bit at her nipple. Then his mouth was on hers, forcing her lips open and thrusting his tongue
