“"This is the last will and testament of Jebadiah Marsden",” he said. His voice took on a declaiming quality. “"To my only living son, Charles Marsden, I leave — "”

At that moment there was a commotion from out in the hall, and the sound of the unctuous clerk saying, “You can't go in,” before the door was flung open, and there, on the threshold, was... the leonine gentleman!

He was looking even more impressive than Rebecca remembered him. His mane of dark blonde hair was gleaming in a shaft of sunlight. His jaw line, devoid of the stubble that had adorned it the previous evening, was revealed in all its strength. The planes of his cheekbones, now that his hair had been brushed back from his face, were even sharper than she had remembered them, and his lips were full and firm. His clothes were immaculate. Beneath his many-caped greatcoat Rebecca glimpsed a blue tailcoat and cream breeches, pulled tight across his powerful thighs, and beneath them a pair of highly polished black boots.

But what is he doing here? thought Rebecca.

Her question was quickly answered. Charles, starting up, said warmly, “Joshua!”

Joshua? thought Rebecca in astonishment. This was Joshua?

No. It couldn't be.

He was the complete opposite of the picture she had built up in her mind. Where was the dandy she had imagined? True, his clothes were in the height of fashion, but he wore them with an air of wildness that spoke of plains and prairies rather than drawing-rooms. And as for being able to make himself agreeable..!

“Joshua!” cried Hetty with pleasure. “We had given up all hope! How wonderful to see you again.”

And now a new problem pushed its way into Rebecca's mind. What would he say when he turned his head and saw her? She found herself dreading the moment. If he mentioned the incident, she dreaded to think of Hetty's horrified response!