Page 2 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘Parliament has a long memory and the patience of Job,’ Clarence replied.
‘This isn’t the first time I’ve known you become involved with tracking down supposed turncoats,’ Zach said. ‘People who hedged their bets by backing both sides. I know you’ve caught one or two as well, but they’ve never been publicly exposed, so what’s the point?’
Amos nodded. ‘I was about to ask the same question.’
Clarence chuckled. ‘Knowledge is power, my friends. Never know when it might come in useful. It might be in the national interest not to wash our dirty linen in public, but there are other ways to thwart the ambitions of enemies of state. His majesty’s government won’t permit them to benefit from their perfidious behaviour. Besides, they need to know that we know. Can’t have them thinking they got away with it.’
‘Perish the thought,’ muttered Amos.
‘In other words,’ Zach added, ‘they can either quietly leave the country or your shadowy masters will make use of their services.’
Clarence lifted a shoulder. ‘Something of that nature. I’m just a lackey who does as he’s told.’
Zach and Amos shared a simultaneous burst of laughter.
‘What precisely is your interest in Braden’s son?’ Zach asked.
Clarence flashed a puerile smile. ‘Funny you should ask…’
‘Oh God!’ Amos shook his head. ‘You’ve played right into his hands, Zach. Again.’
‘Jared Braden’s been living it large in Paris since the end of the war–’
‘Working for you, of course.’
Clarence nodded. ‘He has, as it happens.’
‘Why the devil would you employ the son of a man who supported Napoleon?’ Zach asked, scowling.
‘Such men sometimes make the most reliable agents, keen to prove their loyalty to king and country, and eager to restore the family name. Braden has given exemplary service until just recently, when he resigned from the service without explanation.’
‘Ah,’ Zach said, rubbing his chin. ‘You’re suddenly less sure of his loyalties.’
‘The foreign office isn’t fond of surprises.’
‘What’s it to do with us?’ Amos asked, leaning lack in his chair.
‘Braden’s back in England and has just finalised the purchase of Musgrove Manor.’
The brothers again shared a look. Zach let out a low whistle.
‘That estate’s been on the market for a couple of years. We knew it had been taken, but not by whom.’ It was rare for Zach not to be able to find out anything he wanted to know, thanks to the inventiveness and endless network of contacts forged by his emissary Adler. The estate in question was only a few miles from Winchester Park, Zach’s ancestral seat, and he made it his business to remain fully aware of local developments. A man in his position couldn’t afford to be taken unawares, especially since the unprovoked attack on Crista had exposed a weakness in his security that others might seek to exploit. That was why the future of Musgrove Manor had been of some concern to him. ‘There’s been a lot of activity on the estate. I know a local agent has been hiring household staff, but it’s going to take a fair amount of blunt to knock it back into shape.’ He sat forward. ‘Now I understand your interest. You want to know why Braden’s jumped ship and what’s made him decide to settle in this part of the country.’ Zach wouldn’t mind knowing that for himself. ‘He’s not a local man.’
‘And you think that Braden will leave his card here,’ Amos added, frowning.
‘He’s bound to if he wants to be included in local society. He’s a sociable chap, and popular with the ladies, so I hear.’
‘You’re not interested in how he made his fortune?’ Amos said, scowling. ‘I presume it was inherited, and none of us can look too closely at the scruples of our ancestors. You’re more interest in knowing what made the man suddenly resist pressure from the foreign office to continue spying on their behalf.’
‘Hardly spying…’
Amos’s hard expression caused Clarence’s words to trail off.
‘You don’t know how well provided for his father left him, and your masters are wondering how he suddenly came to be in a position to take on Musgrove Manor. There’s still a lot of skulduggery behind the scenes when it comes to Anglo-French relations.’ Amos absently rubbed the side of his chin as he thought the matter through. ‘We still don’t trust one another and someone in a position of authority has obviously upset the applecart by acting against British interests. You’ve lost control of the son who’s resigned without giving a reason, and because his father played both sides against the middle, you’re naturally suspicious.’
Clarence waggled one hand back and forth. ‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say that we’velostcontrol precisely.’
‘Of course you wouldn’t,’ Zach replied. ‘That would imply carelessness.’
