Page 59 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘I cannot tell you that.’
She glared at him. ‘Cannot or will not?’
‘Both, for your own protection. It will be resolved soon, one way or the other, but in the meantime you can be of great service to me.’
‘How?’
‘The open day. You can be sure that Redrow will be here. Don’t wander into any isolated parts of the grounds and make sure you are never alone.’
She swallowed. ‘He will not attempt to do anything to me. At least, not here. He will be more concerned about you being so intimate with the duke and Lord Romsey, I expect.’
‘Perhaps, but it doesn’t do to underestimate him.’ He grasped Martina’s shoulders and closed the distance between them. ‘Please do as I ask.’ She felt the full force of his intense gaze boring into her features. ‘I cannot afford to be distracted at this particular moment.’
‘I will, of course…’ She looked up into eyes as dark as obsidian and swallowed as she observed the unguarded passion that smouldered in their depths. Something stirred to life deep in her core; some primeval sensation that made her feel alive, desirable and immensely curious.
‘Thank you.’ He lowered his head and briefly covered her lips with his own. He broke the connection again almost immediately, leaving her bewildered by the paradox of pleasure and longing that gripped her.
‘What was that for?’ she asked, moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue, feeling dazed, half wondering if she had imagined the brief kiss.
‘For being so brave.’ He sighed deeply. ‘Come along, we’d best join the others before I forget myself completely.’
Chapter Sixteen
‘This must seem especially poignant for you,’ Frankie said sympathetically when Zach joined her in her dressing room prior to their going down together on the day that the Park was thrown open to the villagers. ‘After all, it’s synonymous with your mother’s birthday and I know how much you still miss her. We all do. She was a remarkable lady.’ She smiled up at Zach, who couldn’t resist swooping in to steal a kiss. ‘Only now that I have stepped into her shoes do I fully appreciate just how smoothly she kept on top of the domestic arrangements here at the Park, to say nothing of charming the opposing villagers into treating one another with relative civility.’
‘True,’ Zach replied, admiring his wife’s svelte form clad in lemon muslin sprigged with shades of cream and green. ‘But we both know that another fatality overshadows the death of my mother, who would have been the first to admit that she enjoyed a long and fruitful life.’
‘Indeed.’ Frankie closed her eyes and lowered her head. ‘In daylight hours I probably spent more time with Crista than Amos did and we had no secrets from one another. I miss my confidante and friend more than I can say, and I will never completely recover from her loss.’
‘I understand, but life goes on, my sweet, and I am proud of the manner in which you keep your feelings contained.’
‘We are all of us acutely conscious of presenting a united front for Amos and his children.’ Frankie picked up a shawl that matched her gown, glanced out the window at the brilliant sunshine and as quickly discarded it. The heavy rain of two days previously had cleared the air but now might not have happened since the county was once more in the grips of a stifling heatwave.
‘I recall my first attendance at this event as a guest. It was Crista’s first time too, and she almost caused a riot by accidentally catching the cricket ball before it crossed the boundary, thereby securing victory for your team.’
‘I had forgotten about that.’ Zach chuckled. ‘Amos will be feeling it.’
‘Which is why I suggested that Charlotte, Josh and Leo be permitted to remain down for the entire day. They are old enough and begged to be included anyway.’
‘You are a wise woman, your grace,’ Zach said, nodding his approval. ‘Having to consider his children’s feelings will be just the distraction Amos requires.’
‘There are distractions enough in this house, especially today.’
Zach smiled. ‘I will not deny that I enjoy having all my brothers and sisters here for a few days. My cousins too. We shall be a merry party and Amos will not be permitted to brood.’
‘With all the preparations and the constant comings and goings, you have neatly avoided telling me what Clarence and Mr Braden were doing closeted in your library with you and your brothers for so long the other day.’
‘Why must there be anything particular about that?’ Zach lifted a negligent shoulder. ‘We often take refuge in my inner sanctum.’
Zach glanced out the window and watched an army of servants working under the gimlet gaze of Faraday, laying out trestles and setting them up with the platters, cutlery and glassware that were reserved for this occasion. Tents were being pitched to accommodate the various attractions. The largest and guaranteed to be the busiest was that supplied with ale by one of the local taverns. This year it was the turn of The Ploughman in Compton. Zach chuckled, aware that the Shawford residents would take full advantage of the free ale, all the while complaining that it was inferior to that served in the Crown. He happened to know that both establishments were supplied by the same drayman.
Frankie rolled her eyes. ‘Because there always is something particular where Clarence is concerned. What vital matter of state are you being asked to intercede with on this occasion?’
‘Nothing to do with me,’ he said, warding off the suggestion with the palms of his hands pushed towards her in a display of ignorance that probably didn’t convince her. ‘Don’t start seeing conspiracies everywhere you look, my sweet.’
She sent Zach a suspicious look but probably understood from his implacable expression that he would tell her nothing more. When it came to her protection, there were no measures that he wouldn’t take, including risking her ire if she thought he was keeping things from her.
‘The Redrows will be here today,’ he said.
