Page 25 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘Si.’She stared vacantly at the lake. ‘The embassy knows where we are, in case Raphael surfaces and looks for us. Every day we hope…’ She threw up her hands. ‘But we are also realists. It has been too long with no word from him.’ She arrested a single tear that slid down her face with the side of her index finger and snapped out of her melancholy. ‘But still, we are very lucky to be safely established here. We owe Lord Amos our lives.’
‘Why did you leave your position with the Redrows?’
She jerked upright and the closeness that perhaps he had imagined springing up between them was replaced by animosity. ‘I saw you,’ she said, glowering at Jared. ‘Withhim.’
Jared blinked at her, unable to account for her anger. ‘With whom? To the best of my knowledge we have not met before.’
‘I saw you in the grounds of the Redrow estate just a week or so ago, in conversation with Mr Redrow.’ She tossed her head. ‘I know it was you, so you need not bother to deny it.’
‘You’re quite wrong. I was in London a week ago and I can produce witnesses to prove it if you disbelieve me.’
‘Oh.’ She studied him for several long seconds and appeared to be convinced. ‘But I was so sure…’
‘Why it should matter to you I am at a loss to understand, but it clearly bothers you to think I know Redrow. I do, as a matter of fact. Until a few weeks ago I was a member of His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service in Paris and my path crossed with Redrow’s from time to time. He is an advisor to a government minister, and as an expert in Anglo-French relations he was often in Paris, advising various diplomatic missions. And since the matter interests you so much, I detest the man. He has the morals of an alley cat and I would never willingly seek his company.’
‘Then if it was not you with him…’ She closed her eyes and wrinkled her brow. ‘The man he was with looked so much like you but….’
‘A little heavier? A little older?’
‘Possibly. I was some distance away and I didn’t want to be seen. I didn’t lookthatclosely.’
Jared scowled. ‘Even so, it explains a lot.’
‘Who was he?’
‘You left the Redrows because he tried to take advantage of you,’ Jared said at the same time, his scowl intensifying.
Her breathing hitched. ‘How could you possibly know that?’ She looked worried and upset. ‘I haven’t told anyone.’
‘I have seen the way he behaves. I am aware of his activities in Paris, when the day’s work is done, and diplomacy is no longer a factor. He wouldn’t be able to resist someone as alluring as you, especially since you were in his employ and he probably assumed you wouldn’t reject him for fear of losing your position.’ He smiled at her. ‘I am sorry you had to endure his clumsy advances. Why haven’t you told your sister, or the duke, come to that?’
She spread her hands. ‘They have already been very good to Ariana and me, and have never once made us feel as though we are an inconvenience.’ She plucked abstractedly at her muslin skirts. ‘Not many families would be so kind to a couple of refugees; especially not families of such noble lineage. I don’t want to cause more trouble. The duchess and Mrs Redrow are friends and I don’t want to force her grace to take sides. Besides, who would believe me?’
He fixed her with a probing look of deep intensity. ‘I believe you.’
She widened her remarkable eyes. ‘You do?’
‘I do. Why should that surprise you?’
Martina shook her head. ‘He slapped my face and called me a Spanish whore when I would not…well, you know.’
‘The devil he did!’
‘I shall not go back. I am hoping that the duke’s brother, Lord Vincent, will let me fill the vacancy in his household. He has need of a nanny for his children.’
‘It must seem such a reduction in your circumstances for you to engage in domestic service. It’s obvious to me that you come from an influential Spanish family and were not raised in the expectation of having to work for a living, especially in such a lowly capacity.’
‘I don’t mind.’ She gave a casual shrug. ‘I like children. Their uncomplicated logic helps me to keep matters in perspect.’
‘Perspective,’ he corrected softly.
‘Si,perspective.’
‘Come,’ he said, reaching out a hand. ‘I have dried out and am more or less fit to be seen. I will escort you back to the house if you are ready to leave—and,’ he added, taking up the jar, ‘you can ensure that Leo gets his precious tadpoles.’
He waited to see if she would take his hand, sensing that she found physical contact with any man disturbing. But to his immense satisfaction, she slipped her hand trustingly into his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. He released her again as soon as she was standing and the two of them slowly retraced their steps, Thor at their side.
‘I have enjoyed our conversation,’ he said as they neared their destination. ‘And I apologise once again for embarrassing you.’
