Page 56 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘I would prefer it if the particulars that I have just related did not leave this room. I gave the duke and others my assurance of discretion. Reputations, to say nothing of future European peace, are at stake.’ Jared held up a hand to cut off Romsey’s response. ‘And please don’t tell me that it will be done in secrecy. We know how watertight Whitehall is not when it comes to confidences being breached.’
‘Very well, Braden. I will use diplomatic channels.’
And that, Jared knew, was the best he could hope for. ‘Thank you,’ he said.
The duke stood and poured whisky for them all. He handed the first glass to Jared.
‘You’re an honourable man, Braden,’ he said, ‘and a credit to your profession.’
Jared raised his glass in acknowledgement of the compliment. ‘For me the choices were easy. Either sink to the level of my father and brother, or distance myself by doing something more worthy.’
‘And you’ve been repaid by having to live beneath a cloud of jealousy and suspicion,’ Lord Vincent said. ‘There’s gratitude for you.’
‘You think your father was guilty of disloyalty?’ Lord Amos asked.
‘I think he hedged his bets,’ Jared replied. ‘But then so did a lot of people during the darkest hours of the war. My father was always out for number one, rather as my brother is now.’
‘The war’s been over for a long time,’ Lord Vincent said.
‘But memories endure along with grudges,’ Romsey replied, ‘and the bitterness will continue for another twenty years, I’m sure. Anyway, tell me why you suspect Redrow.’
‘The same accusations that have circulated about me apply equally in his case. He lives way beyond his means and is fiercely ambitious. He probably hopes to be honoured for services rendered to the crown and that requires blunt in order to cultivate the right connections.’
‘He was not privy to the secrets that have been leaked most recently about keeping the French out of our new trading links with America.’
Jared fixed Romsey with a look that implied he couldn’t possibly be that naive. ‘He was also never a-party to the talks, but he was always there, acting as the eyes and ears of his minister.’ Jared threw back his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘When it became apparent to me that we had a leak and that brows were being raised in my direction, I knew that my father’s disloyalty would count against me and that no one would believe in my innocence unless I could point a finger at the real traitor. I narrowed down the field of suspects on the basis of who knew enough to be of use to the French and had my man follow each of them, just to see whom they consorted with.’
‘We did that and got nowhere,’ Romsey said on a note of frustration.
‘My man Ramsay can be very inventive. He’s been known to disguise himself as a woman when the need arises, and very convincingly too.’
‘Did he get propositioned?’ Lord Amos asked, lightening the mood and making them all laugh.
‘Ramsay did mention that your people failed to blend in. He spotted them easily, so you can be sure that Redrow would have done, too. Anyway, suffice it to say that I narrowed the field down to two suspects. I was able to absolve Jenkins, who hadn’t been anywhere near Paris on a couple of vital occasions when we knew that we’d been betrayed, so by default Redrow had to be my man. I will also admit that he was at the bottom of my suspect list, so well did he cover his tracks, and I only had him followed in order to be thorough.’ He paused. ‘I saw him twice with Benoit, or more to the point, Ramsay did. He also saw something change hands. He thinks it was a substantial amount of cash but couldn’t get close enough to see. Anyway, that was sufficient to confirm my suspicions.’
‘You should have come to me,’ Romsey said on a note of mild censure.
‘I had no actual proof, other than what my man saw, and his evidence would have been dismissed on the grounds of his loyalty to me. Besides, as I said earlier, Redrow has gone out of his way to cultivate favour in influential places and his minister is very protective of him.’
‘Perhaps because if Redrow’s disloyalty is proven it will reflect poorly upon his own judgement,’ the duke suggested.
‘You have proof now?’ Romsey asked.
‘I do. I had not planned to tell you any of this, but since you asked for this meeting and appear to accept my word for the fact that I am no traitor…’ Jared allowed his words to trail off, wondering if they would have been so quick to accept that fact if he had not explained the source of his wealth.
‘Go on,’ Romsey said, taking a sip of his drink.
Jared did so. In a dispassionate tone he revealed the particulars of his brother’s visit, his clumsy attempts to extract money from Jared and the implied blackmail if he did not.
‘In other words, he felt guilty about selling me out and wouldn’t have been forced to do so if I paid his debts.’ Jared snorted. ‘Needless to say, I declined.’
‘Some family you have there, Braden,’ Lord Amos said, scratching his head.
‘You think Redrow has bought up all your brother’s vowels?’ Romsey asked.
‘I suspect that he has, which lends further proof to the fortune he must have amassed through nefarious means. But there’s more you should know, which proves Redrow’s guilt beyond doubt.’
Jared explained about his brother’s clandestine meeting with Redrow, inferring that it had been Ramsay who overheard their conversation and keeping Martina’s name out of it. He noticed Romsey and the duke exchange a prolonged look. Neither of them seemed happy.
