Page 54 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘Precisely,’ Clarence replied, running a hand through his hair in evident frustration. ‘Besides, he doesn’t work directly for our department. He’s more of an advisor to a minister who thinks very highly of him and wouldn’t take kindly to our pointing the finger of suspicion at him or even questioning him without his prior knowledge and consent. Redrow is a wily individual with influential protectors.’
‘In Braden’s position, I wouldn’t return to government service,’ Vince said, ‘since he’s aware that he’s still not trusted completely, even after all he’s done to prove himself and redress the balance. Besides, it’s obvious that he doesn’t need paid employment and he’d probably prefer to stay here and knock his estate into shape. In his place, I’d politely tell you to find someone else to do your dirty work.’
‘I suspect that Clarence hit upon the nub of his difficulty a moment ago when he described the problems he might create if he tries to prove that Redrow is the guilty party, thereby exonerating Braden,’ Zach said. ‘He hopes Braden himself might have a few ideas in that regard and be persuaded to share what he knows.’
Clarence gave a weary sigh and inclined his head. ‘That’s part of it, I won’t deny it. His majesty’s government prefers not to wash its dirty linen in public. It makes for unrest amongst the masses and encourages awkward questions in the House designed to embarrass the prime minister, who’s already under siege anyway. But I do really need Braden’s help with the French as well, if we are to avoid a diplomatic incident.’
‘I doubt he’ll go up to London,’ Amos said. ‘Quite apart from the fact that he’s needed here to get his estate back up to scratch, he also won’t want to be dragged back into the fold, which is exactly what will happen. Ask Adam if you don’t believe me,’ he added, referring to his sister Portia’s husband, who was still called upon from time to time when Clarence had need of his particular skills. ‘Once in, it’s impossible to resign. Patriotic blackmail, as Adam once called it.’
Clarence chuckled. ‘An apt enough description,’ he said, probably thinking about his own failed attempts to take a back seat.
‘How many in this French delegation of yours?’ Vince asked. ‘We’re not under threat of invasion again, are we?’
Clarence slanted his eyes. ‘Hardly. There’s just the three of them.’
‘That’s how these things start,’ Amos said, picking up on Vince’s capricious need to tease Clarence.
‘Perhaps Braden will agree to talk with them here, in a social gathering,’ Zach suggested.
‘The open day,’ Vince said, his smile at Clarence’s discomfort fading. ‘That’s not a bad suggestion. What do you think, Clarence?’
Clarence pondered for a moment. None of the others interrupted him, aware that there were likely other factors that he hadn’t chosen to share with them that he would be required to take into consideration. ‘It might well work,’ he said slowly, ‘and make it possible for Braden to draw Redrow into revealing himself at the same time.’
‘Would you like me to send for him?’ Zach asked. ‘You can lay out the facts, and let him make his own mind up. But before he says a word, I fully intend to make it clear to him that he enjoys my full support.’
‘Yes,’ Clarence said. ‘Yes, do that. I’d like to see him now, this afternoon, if possible.’
Zach felt disadvantaged by Clarence’s languid response, wondering why he felt as though he’d just played straight into his hands. He moved to his desk, penned a few lines to Braden, rang the bell and asked Faraday when he answered it to have the note delivered to Musgrove Manor without delay.
‘And now, gentlemen,’ he said, leaning back in his chair, ‘we have nothing to do other than to wait.’
Chapter Fifteen
Jared was no nearer deciding how to use the knowledge he now possessed against Redrow when the duke’s note arrived. Curious to know why he had been summoned, he had Equinox saddled, whistled to Thor and lost no time in riding over to the Park. There was a possibility that he would get a minute or two with Martina in which to emphasise the inadvisability of her going anywhere near Redrow again—an opportunity that he couldn’t afford to pass up any more than he could ignore a direct summons from the duke. The rational side of his brain accepted that he owed Martina his thanks, since without her he would have no idea what Redrow’s plans were. But he was in no mood for rationality, aware that his gratitude would only encourage the irresponsible chit’s misguided attempts to procure her own revenge vicariously.
‘I won’t allow it,’ he told Equinox and Thor, his tone resolute. ‘She must be made to understand what a dangerous blighter Redrow actually is.’
Upon arrival at the Park, he was taken directly to the duke’s library.
‘Mr Braden, your grace.’ Faraday announced him and stood back to allow Jared to enter a room that the duke was not occupying alone.
‘Ah, I see.’
Jared firmed his jaw, irritated but not entirely surprised when he observed that Clarence Vaughn was one of the duke’s companions. Lords Amos and Vincent also lounged in chairs close to the open doors to the terrace but rose athletically to their feet when Jared was announced, hands outstretched, not a trace of animosity in their demeanours. Their cordiality caused Jared to rethink his initial impression. Romsey clearly had not asked the duke to summon him in order to throw unfounded accusations at him. Besides, Jared would take a dim view of the matter, very dim, if Romsey had discussed Jared’s private affairs with anyone else.
As Thor and the duke’s dogs wagged cautious greetings and circled one another, Jared shook the duke’s hand.
‘An unexpected pleasure,’ he said, not bothering to keep the sarcasm out of his tone when he could no longer ignore Romsey.
‘Thank you for coming, Braden,’ the duke said, ushering him to a chair and offering refreshments, which Jared declined. He glanced at Romsey. ‘Would you like us to leave you?’
‘Don’t go on my account,’ Jared replied, leaning back in his chair and crossing one ankle over his opposite thigh, affecting a casualness that failed to completely counter his rising anger at being manipulated. ‘How can I help you, gentlemen?’
‘The fact of the matter, Jared, is that I need your help with the French,’ Romsey said, with a transparency that surprised Jared. ‘The situation is in danger of running out of control.’
Jared flexed a brow, aware that Romsey would have been required to swallow a lot of pride in order to make such an admission—if it was true and not simply a ploy to drag Jared back into the fold. ‘I cannot work with men who mistrust me,’ he said, waving Romsey’s request aside with a casual flip of one wrist. ‘There are others who can take my place. No one is indispensable.’
‘The French like and trust you.’
