Beyond the Duke's Domain: Ducal Encounters Series 4 Book 4 Page 12

  ‘I don’t know; not yet. Mr Adler is making enquiries; trying to discover where the girls are taken to, and more importantly, where the horrible men who exploit them go to enjoy their company.’ Lucy noticed that Ariana’s accent became more pronounced when she was agitated. ‘When we know that, I shall of course listen to what plans the gentlemen come up with, always assuming they deign to enlighten me.’

  ‘They cannot exclude you,’ Lucy said with determination.

  ‘I wouldn’t put it past them to try, but I shall not allow it. Anyway, once we know, I shall consult you on the matter.’

  ‘It seems reasonable enough that I should want to exercise my new horse and that you would accompany me,’ Lucy said with an impish smile. ‘Our being such close friends won’t raise suspicions.’

  ‘My thoughts precisely.’ Ariana stood and leaned down to kiss Lucy’s brow. ‘I shall see you later—but now, if you will excuse me, the children will be wondering where I am.’

  ‘Yes, you go, and I will idle the afternoon away pondering upon your problems.’

  ‘I’m sorry to have burdened you, today of all days.’ Ariana bit her lip. ‘I feel guilty.’

  ‘Not a bit of it. I am happy that you felt you could confide in me.’

  It felt to Raph as though he and Ariana were dancing around one another; strangers with a special bond. His sister had turned into an exquisite beauty, and she alone didn’t appear to realise it. He could understand why a man of Basingstoke’s low morals would have her in his sights. The fact that she had evaded him and finished up living beneath the protection of his arch enemy must have rubbed salt into an open wound.

  He reined Hurricane in alongside Lord Amos’s horse as they crested a hill at the end of an exhilarating gallop. Both men leaned forward in their saddles as their horses drew breath, and Raphael admired a view that probably seemed commonplace to Lord Amos. Fields dappled in sunshine spread out below them like a patchwork quilt. In the distance men were bending to the task of making hay. Raph and Lord Amos sat there for a few minutes watching the bucolic scene before them, neither man feeling the need to make idle conversation

  ‘How are we going to prevent Ariana from doing anything impulsive?’ Raph asked eventually. ‘You know her better than me nowadays, so I would value your opinion. I don’t feel that I have earned the right to lay down the law.’

  ‘It wouldn’t do you any good to try it, trust me on that score. It would only serve to drive a wedge between you,’ Lord Amos replied. ‘She has become very independently-minded, through necessity.’

  Raph expelled a mirthless chuckle. ‘That much I have already discovered for myself. I wonder if she would have told me the complete truth about her ordeal if Lord Romsey hadn’t raised the subject.’

  ‘Even I did not know it all. Ariana keeps too much to herself.’

  ‘I am to blame.’ Raph thumped his fist against his thigh, startling Hurricane, who swivelled on his haunches before settling again. ‘I thought they were safe, but should not have taken anyone else’s word for it. I should have found a way to check on them more regularly.’

  ‘You had other priorities.’

  ‘Which I should not have had. I was reluctant to continue with my clandestine work after the war ended. I felt I had done my duty.’

  ‘But Spain’s equivalent of Clarence persuaded you, I expect,’ Lord Amos said with a wry twist of his lips.

  ‘Precisely. There are men like that in every country. They play upon our patriotism. They flattered me by pretending my skills were unique—and I will confess that I had a thirst for seeking out our enemies. They realised that and played upon it.’

  ‘It’s not an unfamiliar story. Speak to my sister Portia’s husband when you meet him.’

  ‘I only agreed to continue working for the government for a limited amount of time on the understanding that my lords and masters would keep watch over my sisters. But weeks turned into months, and then years, and I was in too deep to give up. I received reports that assured me the girls were safe and happy, even after they had been kidnapped, damn it!’

  ‘I understand your anger.’ Lord Amos paused. ‘As to Ariana, I would advise against keeping anything from her. When Adler reports back, we need to ensure that she is made fully aware of his findings and told what we intend to do about them. If she feels satisfied that we have matters in hand, there is an outside possibility that she will leave things to us.’

  Raph rolled his eyes. ‘I admire your optimism.’

  ‘If all else fails, we can lock her in her room, but if we do that, I wouldn’t put it past her to climb out the window.’

  Raph threw back his head and laughed. ‘No more would I.’

  ‘Don’t worry; it wasn’t a serious suggestion. My children would have something to say on the matter if I deprived them of her company.’

  ‘I cannot imagine where she found such a fierce determination to do as she pleases. It is not at all the Spanish way.’

  ‘I expect it was born of necessity, given what she observed and endured.’

  Raph shuddered. ‘Don’t remind me.’

  ‘Come on,’ Lord Amos said, when Falcon shifted impatiently beneath his weight. ‘These two are getting restless. I’ll show you another way into the village and they can stretch their legs again in the process.’

  After Lord Amos had introduced Raph at the tavern in Compton village and the two men had refreshed themselves with ale, they returned to the Park. Raph caught a glimpse of Miss Boyd, her sister and Cal Harrison riding in the other direction. None of their party observed him, and he was forced to quell his disappointment. He found Lucy Boyd a delightful distraction and was glad that Ariana had forged a friendship with the pretty and forthright young woman. It wouldn’t surprise Raph to learn that she, with her modern ideas on family life, had been the one to encourage Ariana’s rebellious streak.

  Or perhaps it had been the other way around.

  When they returned to the Park, Amos discovered that Adler had yet to unearth anything of interest to them. He had matters in hand, but they would be required to exercise a little more patience.

  ‘Take some time off to smell the roses,’ the duke told Raph, slapping his shoulder.

  Raph was unsure what the comment meant. It was undoubtedly an English colloquialism, but he understood enough to realise that he would be obliged to bide his time, at least for now. He couldn’t recall the last occasion upon which he’d had nothing to do that didn’t require looking over his shoulder every two minutes, always wary of danger and trusting no one.

  He joined the gathering on the terrace, then went up to change when everyone else did, looking forward to the evening’s party to celebrate Miss Boyd’s birthday a little more than was perhaps appropriate.

  Amos noticed Ariana slip onto the terrace a little after everyone else.

  ‘Where did you disappear to?’ he asked her when the children had been herded, protesting, back inside and they were temporarily alone.

  ‘I did not realise that I had to ask for permission to leave the estate,’ she replied waspishly.

  ‘Stop being difficult,’ Amos chided. ‘You know that is not the case. Be nice and satisfy my curiosity.’

  ‘I told you I would not be riding this afternoon. I have already exercised Cinnamon. I hope you were not expecting to…’

  ‘You shouldn’t go off the estate unescorted until we have caught Cutler.’

  ‘I only went to see Lucy, since you seem determined to involve yourself in my affairs. Besides, I have been leaving the estate regularly on my own since I came to live here and no one has attempted to threaten or kidnap me.’

  ‘Your affairs are of the greatest possible interest to me,’ he replied mildly, remaining calm and weathering the worst of her Latin temper. Her new-found defensiveness was a cause for concern, since it implied that she had been up to mischief. Be that as it may, the ruse worked and she sent him a coy smile.

  ‘I think it most unreasonable of you not to allow me
to throw a tantrum.’

  ‘I get enough of those from the children, and I’d have thought that you do too.’ He turned with her as she strolled away from the house, across the lawns. ‘I rode out with your brother this morning. He finds it hard to relax now that he has nothing to do but relax, and so spends his time worrying about you.’

  ‘I wish he wouldn’t. I have become accustomed to taking care of myself.’

  ‘I believe that Spanish men take their familial duties very seriously. He feels he let you down and is seeking to compensate.’

  Ariana conceded the point with a small sigh. ‘Spanish men are even more territorial than their English counterparts, that is certainly true.’

  ‘Then spare a thought for Raphael’s feelings and at least pretend to need his guidance.’

  Ariana waved the suggestion aside. ‘You expect me to subject myself to his authority simply to save his feelings? And then like as not he will respond to another call to patriotic duty and leave me high and dry.’ She turned away from Amos. ‘I don’t think I could bear the pain of separation from him again. The uncertainty and not knowing whether he is alive or dead would be the end of me.’

  ‘I understand better than you could possibly know. But perhaps Raphael doesn’t intend to continue with his line of work.’ Amos didn’t repeat what Raph had told him earlier. That had been a private conversation and it was up to Raph to tell his sister what his intentions were. Amos shuddered at the thought of Ariana returning to Spain. ‘Raph has suffered in his own way, and now he is tearing himself apart because he thinks what happened to you is his fault.’

  She let out a wistful sigh. ‘I know.’

  ‘Anyway, I am your friend and you can tell me absolutely anything. Just promise me that you won’t deliberately put yourself in the direct path of danger. Steer clear of Basingstoke. He is cruel and vindictive.’

  ‘I am not afraid of Lord Basingstoke,’ she replied stoutly.

  ‘Then you should be. That is just the sort of attitude that will result in disaster. Leave it to us, Ariana.’

  ‘Are you patronating me?’ Ariana frowned. ‘Is that the right word?’

  ‘Patronising. And no, I wouldn’t dare. I am merely trying to make you see sense.’

  She laughed. ‘I think there is very little you wouldn’t dare do, and no one would attempt to prevent you because you are a man, and therefore capable of taking care of yourself. Naturally, a feeble woman cannot possibly make the same claim.’

  ‘I don’t make society’s rules, Ariana. Nor do I ordinarily try to prevent you being yourself.’ He lowered his voice, wondering why he had instigated this conversation. Attempting to keep her safe was one thing, but since they were all waiting for Adler’s report, there wasn’t much chance of her doing anything rash in the meantime. Or so he sincerely hoped. ‘Besides, I rather like the person you have become.’

  ‘You will make my head swell,’ she protested.

  ‘Not a chance. You don’t have a vain bone in your body, which is unusual enough to make you unique.’

  ‘Como? What are you saying about my bones?’ She blinked up at Amos, as though she didn’t understand the nature of the compliment. Her remarkable green eyes widened in confusion and she indulged in the charming habit of nibbling at her lower lip. Amos looked away, worried that he wouldn’t be able to control his reaction if he continued to watch her.

  ‘We had best return to the house,’ he said, more abruptly than had been his intention. ‘You will want to ready yourself for the party.’

  They retraced their steps in silence, but Amos noticed Ariana sending him frequent sideways glances as they walked. He would have given a great deal to know what thoughts occupied her at that moment. By the time they parted in the entrance vestibule, Amos was no closer to having decided. Ariana was an enigma—one moment lively and challenging, the next introspective and vulnerable, impossible to read. Only when she was with the children did she completely let her guard down—showing endless patience, clearly in her element.

  Amos made his way to his rooms to bathe and change, wondering how dedicated she would be when she had children of her own to care for.

  ‘At least we now know for a certainty,’ Zach said, as he accompanied Frankie up the stairs and they entered their private rooms together.

  ‘You were speaking with the doctor for a long time out of my hearing. I hope you were not berating him for a situation that is not of his making.’

  ‘I have become accustomed to the idea and I accept that the guilt is entirely my own,’ Zach replied. ‘I simply wanted his reassurance. He told me that you must take the usual care, but there shouldn’t be any difficulties until your time comes—and hopefully not even then. All the same, I have insisted upon a specialist from London coming down for your confinement.’

  ‘Is that really necessary?’

  ‘The subject is not up for debate,’ Zach told her firmly. ‘I will not take any chances with your wellbeing. This house hasn’t been the same happy place since Crista’s death. If you were to be taken from us as well, it would be the end of me too.’

  Frankie reached up a hand and gently stroked Zach’s jaw. ‘Well then, I shall acquiesce with grace.’

  Zach grunted at her. ‘So I should hope.’

  ‘Shall we steal Lucy’s thunder and tell everyone tonight? All your cousins will be here. Well, those who live close enough,’ Frankie said, ‘which is all of them bar Ellie. It seems like the ideal opportunity.’

  ‘Tell them by all means,’ Zach responded, running his lips down the back of her neck and causing her to shudder.

  ‘What news from Adler?’

  ‘Nothing as yet. After the last problems we had with Basingstoke, Adler managed to insert an under-gardener on the estate who is loyal to him. He reports anything untoward to Adler.’

  ‘Oh? You don’t mention anything.’

  ‘I didn’t know myself. Adler has many irons in many fires and keeps his own council until a particular situation requires him to do otherwise.’

  ‘He knows how busy you are and tries to ease your burden.’

  ‘Very likely.’ Zach frowned. ‘But the fact that he hadn’t heard anything about Cutler’s activities and Basingstoke’s involvement in them implies that it’s a very closely guarded secret.’

  ‘If indeed Basingstoke is involved,’ Frankie pointed out. ‘You are assuming that he is, but I cannot help wondering if that’s because you want him to be. You have been looking for an opportunity to expose his questionable activities for a while, and this business would give you the ideal opportunity to be rid of him once and for all.’

  ‘Perspicacious as ever, my love. Basingstoke is everything I dislike most about our class. He is entitled and arrogant, and cares little about the welfare of the people beneath his care. He gives us all a bad name, conveniently overlooking the fact that with privilege comes responsibility. Even so, I hope I am not so desperate to see the back of him that I will invent evidence to suit my purpose. His downfall, no matter how well deserved, will reflect badly on the aristocracy as a whole and provide those opposed to our privileges with yet more ammunition for their cause.’

  Frankie waved the suggestion aside. ‘I know you would never act unjustly, no matter how badly you might be provoked.’

  ‘You are right to say that we have no actual evidence of his involvement other than Ariana’s recollection of his voice. Given her terrifying situation at the time, that cannot be depended upon. Even so, this business has Basingstoke’s grubby hands all over it. It’s just the sort of scheme that would appeal to such a debauched character. He can make money and indulge his depravities.’ Zach shuddered. ‘God alone knows why men find it so satisfying to force themselves upon unwilling girls. There are plenty out there who would welcome their advances, if only because they require financial recompense.’

  ‘Men like to feel dominant, I suppose. I wouldn’t expect you to understand that need.’

  Zach flexed an amused brow. ‘I am glad to
hear you say so.’ He bent to kiss her brow. ‘But now I shall leave you to prepare for the evening ahead and do the same thing myself. Rest for a while first, my love. You need to keep your strength up. Doctor’s orders. I would join you but I have business with Adler.’

  ‘Very well.’ Frankie wrapped her arms around Zach’s neck and kissed him. ‘I shall be the model mother-to-be on this occasion and do precisely as I’m told. You just see if I do not.’

  ‘Ha! Excuse me if I remain to be convinced,’ Zach replied from the safety of the open doorway which prevented the cushion that Frankie hurled at him from finding its mark.

  Chapter Nine

  The pleasure Lucy took from wearing the lovely gown Petra insisted she had made was tempered by recollections of her conversation with Ariana. She had been shocked when her friend revealed the extent of her suffering and full of admiration for the manner in which she had outwitted her captives—strength born from desperation.

  Ariana had waved that admiration aside, insisting that she had only been thinking of Martina’s welfare. That, Lucy knew, was precisely what Petra had always done for her, putting Lucy’s welfare ahead of her own aspirations without once complaining. She had acted in a maternal role ever since their own mother had died when Petra had been just thirteen, and Lucy felt thoroughly ashamed of herself for now resenting Petra’s preoccupation with her own children.

  How could she have been so selfish?

  But Petra’s sacrifices, selfless though they had been, paled into insignificance when compared to the obstacles that Ariana had managed to overcome. And now Ariana had put it all behind her and was making a new life for herself, only to have the entire business dragged up again. There would be nightmares, Lucy knew. She herself had been protected by Petra from the full scale of her father’s improprieties, but his disgrace still invoked terror when she drifted between wakefulness and sleep, incapable of controlling her subconscious thoughts.