Page 41 of Masquerading with the Duke
Amos chuckled. ‘Apparently so. Anyway, it seems he engaged her in conversation for quite a while.’
Zach flex a brow. ‘Unclothed?’
‘My point is, I’m fairly sure she told him why she left Redrow’s employ.’
Amos had finally succeeded in surprising Zach. ‘She confided in a comparative stranger?’
‘I’m convinced that Redrow tried to take advantage of her.’
Zach scowled. ‘That is what Frankie thinks too.’
‘If it’s true then I would imagine that Martina thinks she encouraged the bounder in some way, which probably made speaking out to someone with whom she isn’t well acquainted a lot easier than telling one of us.’
‘I doubt whether Martina blames herself. She’s lived through enough debauchery in her short life to be more aware of the ways of the world than girls a lot older than she is. In their case, they will have been protected from all forms of unpleasantness.’ Zach paused to gather his thoughts. ‘It would have taken grit and determination to walk away from a position that Frankie secured for her; a further demonstration of her maturity, if any were needed.’ Zach closed his eyes and sighed. ‘What do you want me to do about it?’
‘I can’t see that there’s anything much you can do; not unless Martina tells us what happened and asks us for help, and I doubt whether she will. I’m more concerned about the masquerade.’
‘Because Redrow will be here and will recognise Martina, masked or otherwise?’
Amos nodded. ‘Redrow is an arrogant devil and I can’t see him settling for rejection, especially from a chit whom he didn’t need to employ anyway. Ariana tells me that the Redrow girls have no interest in learning and no aptitude for an understanding of the Spanish language.’
‘Mrs Redrow pretended there was a need in order to find favour with Frankie,’ Zach replied, scowling.
‘I expect so, and Redrow was obliged to pay Martina for services he didn’t think his daughters required, which must have rankled. So he decided to extract another type of service from her, not imagining that Martina would have the courage to reject him. The fact that she did will have infuriated him and his blood will be up. A crowded masked ball will be the perfect place for him to take his revenge.’
Zach mulled over his brother’s words, worried about the situation but glad that Amos felt so passionate about it. It was a further sign that he was slowly coming back to life. ‘I don’t have a high opinion of Redrow myself and wasn’t that pleased when Frankie took a liking to his wife. Be that as it may, Redrow might be feeling slighted but he’s not stupid and won’t try to force himself on Martina here, in my house. Quite apart from anything else, she’d scream the place down.’
‘And not be heard over the hubbub, if he managed to get her somewhere alone. Besides, there are other ways for him to restore his pride.’
Zach gave a grim nod. ‘Physical violence.’
‘Or spreading rumours. I get the impression that he’s good at that sort of thing. If he has an inkling about the circumstances that brought the girls here—circumstances that we’ve been at pains to keep confidential, well…’
‘Quite.’ Zach pursed his lips. Amos was right to be concerned. If anyone discovered that the girls had narrowly escaped being sold into prostitution, it would greatly affect their future prospects. They were both exquisitely beautiful, but they had no dowries, so only those well situated could afford to offer for either of them. One blemish on their reputations and that avenue would be closed to them. No matter how enticing, no gentleman worthy of the name would risk offering for a girl who might have been compromised. ‘Do you want me to rescind the Redrows’ invitation?’
‘Can you?’
‘Not without a compelling reason. Let me think on it.’ Zach slapped Amos’s shoulder. ‘What’s Braden’s problem with Redrow?’
‘Other than that he knows he tried to comprise a respectable young woman in his employ? That makes him the lowest of the low in my book; and in Braden’s too.’ Amos put his empty glass aside and scratched his chin. ‘Braden told me that his path had crossed Redrow’s in France many times and that he has the morals of a dog on heat. Braden clearly despises the man and the depth of his dislike must arise from more than disapproval of his conduct, but I have absolutely no idea what lies at the heart of Braden’s contempt for Redrow.’
‘Redrow isn’t one of Clarence’s diplomatic band, is he?’
‘No, I think he acts in some sort of advisory capacity to a government minister.’ Amos flexed a brow. ‘You’re thinking that he might be Clarence’s traitor?’
‘The possibility crossed my mind. But if Redrow is in position to hear sensitive information then I dare say it’s crossed Clarence’s too. Leave it to Clarence, little brother. I have too many other responsibilities to find the time to do all his donkey work for him.’
‘Yes well, you’re probably right. I’ll feel better if Braden’s at the masque.’
‘I heard Frankie issue him with a verbal invitation this evening, which he accepted.’
‘Good. I have a feeling he’ll take it upon himself to protect Martina; especially since he will have reached the same conclusion as we have.’
‘Well then, we’ll leave it at that. I’ll discuss it with Frankie, about Redrow worrying Martina, that is. She doesn’t need to know about Clarence’s problems.’ Zach rolled his eyes. ‘You know how impulsive she can be, and I don’t trust her not to rush headlong into affairs she doesn’t understand in a misguided effort to sort it all out for him.’
Amos choked on a laugh. ‘I feel your pain. Good night, Zach.’
‘Sleep well,’ Zach replied, heading for the stairs in his brother’s wake.
