Page 62 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘Alone?’ She glanced around her. ‘In this crowd?’
‘Oh, it’s very possible to be caught unawares, especially in a crowd; take my word for it. What will you do if he molests you? Scream? Shout?’ He paused so that she could take in the raucous noise already erupting around the various tables, now that their occupants had suppressed their hunger by making short work of the duke’s excellent offerings.
‘I take you point. But don’t worry. I have promised the children that I will look after them. Their nanny has a sweetheart, a footman in service here, and should not waste the opportunity to enjoy the day with him. I don’t mind making myself useful and the boys, although boisterous, are no trouble and seem to think thattheyare taking care ofme.’
‘I am relieved to hear that somebody is.’
Jared’s gaze wandered over the noisy throng and settled at the trestles. He caught sight of Ramsay seated at the end of the one occupying the gentry, Redrow amongst them, but didn’t acknowledge the presence of either man.
The meal came to an end. The duke stood and made a short speech, thanked everyone for supporting the estate with their various endeavours during the past year, and invited them all to enjoy themselves. A raucous cheer greeted advice that Jared knew would be followed to the letter. Then everyone got up and started milling around.
‘I shall leave you to your charges,’ Jared said, when the boys came bounding up to her, begging to be taken to the apple-bobbing. ‘Just remember what we agreed.’
‘I didn’t agree to anything. You are being dictatorial, as usual.’ She stood when Leo tugged at her skirts. ‘Whatever it is that you’re about to do but don’t consider me a worthy confidante, try to make sure that you don’t get yourself killed whilst doing it. It would spoil the day for the villagers.’
‘I am so glad that your only concern is for their enjoyment,’ he said drolly.
‘Of course,’ she replied, standing and offering a hand to each of the boys, who immediately pulled her in the direction they wanted her to take.
‘Comeon,Martina!’
‘What else would it be for?’ she asked, glancing at him over her shoulder and surprising herself by sending him a mischievous smile.
Jared chuckled, stood up and cast a quick glance in Ramsay’s direction. Jared stretched, not once looking at Redrow, and slowly sauntered towards the wide gap at the side of the beer tent, leading to a deserted area used for storing empty barrels and not much else. He made his way there and Ramsay, with hat pulled low to disguise his features, followed him a few minutes later.
‘Where is he?’ he asked Ramsay. ‘Did he see me leave the terrace?’
‘He did. Couldn’t take his eyes off you or Miss Martina.’
Jared scowled. ‘Did he follow me here?’
‘He got up, that’s all I can tell you.’
‘Everyone did. If he didn’t see which way I came—’
‘If we’re right and he’s keen to know what you suspect, he’ll be here soon enough.’
But fifteen minutes later, there was still no sign of him. The two men got odd looks from the barmaids, the only people who came around the back of the tent to fetch fresh supplies, and saw nothing at all of Adler’s man.
‘We’re drawing attention to ourselves.’ Ramsay chuckled. ‘People will think that we’re looking for a bit of intimacy.’
‘It hasn’t worked,’ Jared conceded with a sigh. ‘Damn, I was so sure…Ah well, we’d best not linger here.’
Separately they returned to the festivities.
*
Martina had never known an atmosphere quite like it. If she hadn’t been so worried about Jared, and wary of crossing paths with Redrow, she would have enjoyed the proceedings immensely. Most of the games were unfamiliar to her but Leo and Josh were happy to explain the rules, such as they were. They persuaded her to duck her head into a barrel of water in the hope of picking up an apple with her mouth. She got soaked hair for her trouble and no reward. The boys taught her how to throw rings in the game of quoits and how to knock down skittles.
‘The tug-of-war!’ Leo jumped up and down. Martina looked bewildered and felt a little wary. Anything that referred to war still had that effect upon her. ‘We have to watch. Papa says that the villagers always win because they have a big blacksmith and no one can pull him over.’
A crowd had formed to watch the serious business of two teams of men attempting to prove their superior strength. A smattering of brave Sheridan males manned one team, along with several others of their set. Martina could see at once that Leo was right to fear the worst. The villagers were enormous, and very determined to make their point. The boys pushed their way to the front of the crowd, cheering like mad for Lord Amos, who was a participant.
The press of bodies concerned Martina. She felt uncomfortable in crowds and stepped to the back of the throng, aware that the boys would come to no harm. Caught up in the action, she didn’t sense anyone approaching her from behind until a hand snaked around her waist, the gesture covered by the mass of people milling around them, none of whom were taking the slightest notice of her. She turned her head and gasped in outrage when Redrow’s evil smile filled her vision.
‘Dining with the aristocracy like you were a lady of quality,’ he said in a quietly seething voice. ‘Who did you have to spread your legs for to be afforded that privilege?’
She wanted to shake off his vile hand but knew he wouldn’t let her go until he was ready to. She attempted to remain calm, despite her erratic breathing and palpitating heart. Jared had been right to say that no one would take a blind bit of notice if she screamed. No one would hear her. The tug-of-war had started and the noise coming from the spectators was deafening.
