Page 69 of Masquerading with the Duke
Martina smiled and shook her head. ‘I have learned how to survive. Redrow should have known I wouldn’t just give in to him, especially after yesterday.’
‘Yesterday?’ He frowned. ‘You said you did not see him.’
‘I said nothing of the sort. You asked me if anything had happened but I didn’t answer you.’
‘Contrary female.’ Jared let out a long breath. ‘Tell me.’
He looked angry when she explained how Redrow had accosted her at the tug-of-war. ‘You really should have told me,’ he said softly.
‘It doesn’t matter.’ She studied the floor and shook her head from side to side. ‘None of it matters anymore.’
The door opened and the duke and Lord Romsey came in.
‘Are you all right?’ they asked her simultaneously as the dogs whirled around the duke in a frenzy of delight.
‘Thank you, yes.’
And then in response to Lord Romsey’s request, she related the substance of her discussion with Redrow. The duke and Lord Romsey looked as astounded as Jared had been when she explained how she’d pretended to be a spy. She couldn’t understand their reactions. There was nothing remarkable about what she’d done. She’d just used her wits to protect herself; much as she and Ariana had been doing for years.
‘He gave you Benoit’s name?’ Lord Romsey asked sharply. ‘Are you absolutely sure?’
‘Yes. I remember it quite distinctly.’
‘Well then, we have him, since there’s no way you could have known it otherwise. Thank you so much, Martina,’ he said. ‘You have done a very brave thing and the government will be eternally grateful.’
‘They damned well won’t!’ Jared said, grinding his teeth. ‘Keep her name out of it.’
‘Easy,’ Lord Romsey replied, raising a placating hand.
‘You are entirely welcome,’ Martina said, feeling weak now that it was all over. ‘But now, if you will excuse me, I’ve had more than enough excitement for one night. Will someone kindly tell Ariana that I have a headache and have gone to bed, otherwise she will worry.’ She stood up and all the gentlemen in the room stood also. She did have a headache but also knew she wouldn’t get more time alone with Jared, so she had no desire to return to the ball. She had lost her appetite for dancing.
‘I will make sure that she knows,’ the duke said, opening the door for her. ‘You have done England a great service this evening,’ he added. ‘I’m not sure you will ever appreciate just how great.’
‘England has done a great deal for me, and so has this family.’ She bobbed a curtsey. ‘I am glad to have been able to repay you in some small way, your grace. Good night, gentlemen.’
With a lingering look for Jared, she left the room.
Chapter Nineteen
A week had passed since the ball. A week during the course of which Martina hadn’t once seen Jared. She knew he had gone to London to help Lord Romsey but she was a trifle miffed that he hadn’t seen fit to call on the day after the ball to enquire after her health. So much for his concern and gratitude, she thought with annoyance. Perhaps she had imagined his interest in her—an interest that transcended the question mark that hung over his reputation. But she had not imagined the look of sheer fury that had graced his features when he thrashed Redrow and rescued her from his vile clutches.
The storms had thankfully driven the heat away and the temperatures were now more moderate, as were tempers. But Martina was restless, and increasingly annoyed because no one would tell her what had happened to Redrow. Had her actions been enough to see him exposed, and what would be the consequence for him if they had? The duke assured her that he did not know and there was no one else she could ask. Frustrated, she felt ill-used and unsettled for reasons she was unable to identify.
She had taken to walking around the lake most afternoons, but on this occasion her solitary ramble was interrupted by a very familiar dog, who came bounding up to her, tail spiralling. She was quite out of charity with Jared and therefore annoyed when her spirits lifted at the sight of Thor. She crouched down and fussed over him. Jared followed in his wake, looking tired and dusty from the road.
‘I was told at the house that I would find you here.’
‘And here you find me. Have you come to swim? You look rather hot.’
‘No, you simpleton. I came to find you.’ He took her hand and led her up the steps to the boathouse veranda, where they seated themselves on the bench that afforded them an unimpeded view of the lake. ‘It’s so peaceful after London,’ he said in a reflective tone, watching a magnificent kingfisher swooping down and then taking to the wing again, a fish wriggling in its beak.
‘You did not come to admire the view, but since you are here it provides me with the opportunity to give you a piece of my thoughts.’
‘A piece of my mind,’ he said, smiling.
‘That is what I said.’ She tossed her head. ‘It was most inconsiderate of you to disappear without telling me what had happened to Redrow.’ That wasn’t precisely true. She did know that Redrow’s entire family had disappeared abruptly from their estate. According to the duchess, it was the talk of the district. ‘For all I knew, he could have been lying in wait, ready to attack me the moment I left the estate. I was scared half out of my wits.’ An exaggeration, but still…
‘You are not scared of anything. I have never met a braver female, or a more disobedient one. I warned you not to let yourself be isolated during the masque.’
