THE minute Carlson turned his back to her and stealthily walked off, she tiptoed followed him, to be sure he would leave.

Soon, she saw his car disappear down the driveway, and as it did, her legs trembled. Then she hurried off out of the garden, and towards her room, her mind a storm of thoughts. How did she get herself into this mess? Why had she ever agreed to work here in the first place? She was trapped now, threatened by Carlson, who had made it clear that he would destroy her reputation in front of Lady Frances.

The sound of her footsteps echoed as she walked through the...