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“Other plans? How? You have no money or means to earn any.”

“I have a plan. You’re not to worry.”

“But I am worried. I don’t want you to end up like Isabel…”

“Isabel? Is that the name of Lord Tidworth’s previous mistress?”

Hattie pressed her lips together and then said softly, “That’s right. She too refused to return home and left with a bag just like yours.” She nodded at Maggie’s carpet bag. “A week later, they pulled her from the Thames. Poor creature.”

The rush of energy that had been flowing through Maggie’s body suddenly dissipated, and a cold fear gripped her. If her plan failed, she could very well end up like Isabel. She dropped her bag and sank onto her bed, deflated. “Perhaps I deserve Isabel’s fate. I’ve lived as a sinner these past five years. Even though Lord Tidworth’s wife is mad, she is still his wife. And I have wronged her. She’s likely only mad because of his ill treatment of her. I’ve been selfish and cruel, Hattie.”

“No, you haven’t.”

“I have. The Bible says—”

Hattie gripped her arm. “He’s not married. He lied to you about his mad ‘wife’ to gain your sympathy. The woman you met is his sister.”

“What?” Maggie felt as though someone had knocked the breath from her body.

“His sister, Lady Tabitha. He is bound by his father’s will to keep her out of the asylum and care for her. He resents her for it, but he has found good use for her.”

“That’s impossible. She’s Lady Tidworth.”

“She’s Lady Tabitha Tidworth, yes, because she was the daughter of an earl.”

Maggie clenched her fists and her chest burned with a thousand fires. She could not believe what she was hearing. How was it possible that she’d known Tobias for five years, yet not known him at all? Everything he’d told her had been a lie. “He cried, real tears, whilst telling me about his loneliness and his agony over his wife’s illness. I felt such pity for him because she despised the sight of him, when all he wanted to do was love her.”

“You were very young, innocent, and good when he brought you here. So innocent and so good that he knew his wealth would not have been enough to make you love him, and that’s what he really craves.”

“Love?”

“No. Control. A woman who loves with all her heart is easily controlled. He wanted your total and utter devotion and adoration, so that he could have the pleasure of using you as he pleased and then breaking you when he was finished with you. That way, you’ll never fully trust again, and no man will ever have the same control over you as he enjoyed. I know because I’ve watched him do it before.”

“Are you saying he never cared for me?”

“Not in the way you hoped. You were a lovely possession for a while—five years is a lot longer than most last. But he always gets bored.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about Lady Tabitha sooner? Why didn’t you warn me? I thought you and I were friends.”

“Because I was given strict instructions not to. One hint of the truth, and I would have been sacked with no reference.” She sighed and clutched her one hand in the other. “You know full well that I wasn’t always a maid. Who do you think ruined my late husband ten years ago? It was Lord Tidworth. He holds my loved ones and me by the throat. I have two grand babes, whose papa is very sick, and who rely on my wages. Lord Tidworth owns the home that shelters them as well. If I displease him, he’ll turn them out. I do what I must to survive and protect my family.”

Maggie swallowed, recalling the faces of her young siblings. She would have done anything to put food in their hungry mouths. Indeed, that was the only thing that gave her comfort now. Her time as Tidworth’s mistress had no doubt kept her brothers and sisters alive.

She refused to think of what would happen to them, now.

Hattie stepped forward, took her hand, and squeezed it. “And now you must do what is necessary to survive. He won’t offer you passage home again. And I am certain he will at least send some money to ease your father’s burden.”

The image of Papa gripping a sack of coins as he ordered her to go with Lord Tidworth came to her mind. Her chest burned. It was time for her to make her own destiny. Good or bad, at least the decision would be hers. “No. I shan’t return home. But you mustn’t worry.

“As a said, I have a plan.” She stood and picked up her bag. “I must go now, Hattie. Thank you for everything.”

“But what shall I tell Lord Tidworth? He’ll likely sack me for allowing you to leave before the carriage arrived.”

“No, he won’t. Not if you tell him I never returned home last night. He’ll assume I stayed at the Lyon’s Den, and I guarantee he won’t come looking for me there.” She blew Hattie a kiss, turned, and hurried from the room.

“Wait.” Hattie came racing after her as she headed for the front door. “What is this Dragon’s Den you talk of?”

Not willing to turn back, Maggie pulled the door open and stepped outside into the sunshine.