Page 11 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘Truth to tell I just got here yesterday. I intend to get it working again, but first things first. I need someone locally to handle my business affairs.’
‘Then you have come to the right place. How can I be of service?’
Jared explained his legal requirements insofar as they related to his purchase of the estate. For now, he made no mention of the official documents he’d received from the foreign office.
‘That seems straightforward enough,’ Sheridan said. ‘I shall be happy to oblige you.’
‘When it comes to my personal affairs, things become a trifle more complicated.’
Sheridan chuckled. ‘I hear that a lot in my line of work.’
Jared returned the smile. ‘I am sure you do. My situation is that I am a younger son and have a grasping family who assume they will get their hands on my property in the event of anything happening to me.’ Jared firmed his jaw. ‘They are not aware that I have very different intentions.’
‘Nothing is entailed? No inheritances that must remain within the family?’
‘Nothing of that nature. Everything I have amassed came as a result of my own efforts.’
Sheridan’s expression sobered. ‘Well then, I’d say you are entitled to distribute your assets as you see fit. I assume that you wish to draw up a will.’
‘I do. In the event of anything happening to me, I want my brother to get no more than ten per cent of my total wealth.’ He fixed Sheridan with a hard stare. ‘He will not like it and will kick up a stink. With that knowledge in mind, would you be prepared to execute the will?’
‘Absolutely. We are accustomed to dealing with dissatisfied relatives. You will need to decide how you want the rest of your assets distributed, but there’s no need for you to rush into anything. You are a young man and you appear healthy. The question of the division of your assets need not be confronted for many years yet.’
‘I would prefer to have everything in order,’ Jared replied, thinking of the ambush that he had narrowly escaped from in London and his expectation of further attempts on his life. It wasn’t safe to assume that the traitor was responsible. It pained him to think it, but his brother had an equally compelling reason to want him dead.
‘As you wish.’ Sheridan appeared all business as he consulted an appointment book. ‘Would you like to call again the day after tomorrow? I can see you at eleven. Alternatively, I can visit you if that would be more convenient.’
‘No, I will come to you.’ Jared stood, as did Thor, who’d fallen asleep at Jared’s feet. Sheridan stood too and the men shook hands over his desk. ‘I am told I should consult with your cousin if I require to purchase a decent horse.’
‘Amos? Absolutely. He will see your right and give you a fair deal. I dare say the duchess will enjoy making your acquaintance too. She is very good at making newcomers to the district welcome and including them in her entertainments. You will find her gracious and down to earth.’
‘That is a comforting thought.’ Jared glanced down at his casual attire and flashed a rueful smile. ‘I will leave my card on a day when I am more suitably garbed. Good day to you, Sheridan, and thank you for being so obliging. I shall see you the day after tomorrow.’
Sheridan opened the door for him. ‘And good day to you, sir,’ he replied.
Jared was conscious of Sheridan watching him until he and Thor had quit the clerk’s office. He wondered if he had passed muster. If not, he knew better than to expect a warm welcome at Winchester Park.
*
Martina woke early, blinked the sleep from her eyes and at first couldn’t recall where she was. She shuddered and gave a little yelp when she realised that she was not in bed alone. Dread filled her for a few seconds, but her breathing became more regular when she recalled that it was her sister’s bed that she shared.
She was safe. For now.
She lay back and closed her eyes again, aware that dawn had not yet broken but knowing that sleep would not reclaim her. Her mind whirled as she considered her actions the previous day. Perhaps she should not have run away and disappointed the people who had gone out of their way to help her—most especially the duchess. But she couldn’t abide the situation she had found herself in for a moment longer. Anger coursed through her each time she considered the man’s audacity. She would scrub pots for a living rather than enduring the wandering hands and lustful looks from the master of the house in which she had been engaged to teach his daughters Spanish. A house where she ought to feel safe and where she had every right to be treated with respect.
She had been infuriated by his presumptive behaviour. He in turn had been incensed when she rejected his advances most forcibly, striking him over the head with a heavy book when he refused to stop pawing at her. He’d grown angry, slapped her face hard enough to make her head spin and called her a Spanish harlot who had no business putting on airs. He gave her an ultimatum; be nice to him or leave his employ. He seemed astounded when she chose the latter option, telling her that if she attempted to spread stories about him then he would destroy her name and reputation. She believed him too. He kept his true nature carefully concealed and was respected and looked up to locally. No one would believe her account over his.
He had assumed that Martina, not yet seventeen, was unversed in the ways of the world and would capitulate to his demands through fear. How little he understood her character! Experience of the harsh realities of post-war Spain had required her to grow up before her time. Ariana had protected her until they reached safety in England, but Martina had seen for herself just how fraught with danger their existence had been, how men of all ages looked at them both with lust in their eyes and bulges in their breeches. She had not survived all that just to give in to Redrow’s disgusting expectations.
And so she ran back to Ariana, her rock, her safety. But having arrived, she couldn’t bring herself to tell her sister the reason why she had left. She would have to come up with some explanation this morning, but had no intention of telling the truth. It would put the duchess in the position of having to believe her and cut the acquaintance with the Redrows—or worse, disbelieve her and brand her a liar. That in turn would reflect upon Ariana, who had finally found an element of peace and security here at Winchester Park.
Ariana had looked out for Martina all these years. Now it was time to return the favour.
‘You’re awake.’ Ariana sat up and smiled at Martina, looking fresh and vibrant even though she had just woken and her eyes were still puffy with sleep. ‘Are you feeling better?’
‘Considerably. Thank you for not asking questions.’
‘You were in no fit state to answer them yesterday and I shall not ask you today, don’t worry. I accept that things with the Redrows didn’t work out as planned and we’ll leave it at that. They were probably horrid to you and so did not deserve you. It’s not easy to be treated as a servant when we were brought up to be ladies, I can quite understand that.’
