Ducal Encounters 01 - At the Duke's Discretion (6 page)

She saw Reece out, locked the door firmly behind him, and trudged up the stairs, almost too tired to lift her feet. She hated the person she had been forced by circumstances to become. The things Reece’s masters forced her to do were diametrically opposed to the standards, instincts, and morals that shaped her character. In short, she simply could not live the life that had been forced upon her for much longer. She knew it was unwise to make decisions that affected others as well as herself when she was too tired to think straight, but something she had seen in Reece’s eye when she challenged him earlier told her things would only get worse for her if she did not fight back.

Enough was enough!

She wanted to be able to walk down the street with her head held high and her conscience clear. Reece was not the only one capable of underhand conduct, but Crista would use her brains rather than threats and intimidation to make her point. She paused on the top step and nodded decisively. Regardless of the risk to others, it was time for her and her uncle to stand up to Reece.

***

Reece strode away in a disgruntled frame of mind. Cristobel Brooke had chosen an unfortunate time to develop a rebellious streak. It would have to be curtailed before she did something to overset their very profitable scheme. He fingered the bangle she had just finished making, now safely wrapped in a velvet cloth and secured in his pocket. She really did have the most exceptional talent. It was a disappointment that she was unprepared to be more reasonable. She worked for them under duress, refusing all payment for her services. If she was more realistic about her circumstances, she could soon become a wealthy woman of independent means. Well, that was females for you. Not an ounce of sense between the whole damned lot of them. Was it any wonder that men ran the world?

Why her refusal to accept payment should bother Reece so much was a puzzle. If Miss Brooke declined her share, it meant more for the rest of them. She remained detached from their nefarious activities, never showing any curiosity about the pieces she made for them, and her attitude of superior disdain infuriated him. He would break through her reserve if it was the last thing he ever did. Edward Reece was not prepared to be gainsaid, especially by a chit of a girl who had precious little to be superior about.

His mood lifted when Reece reminded himself that her father had taught her far better than anyone knew. No one would ever guess this bangle was the work of a woman rather than that of a skilled tradesman of many years’ standing. Well, like it or not, she would be producing a very great deal of the same for Reece over the coming months. Reece would just have to give her a little reminder of what was at stake if she even thought of refusing.

Miss Brooke had something else about her that fascinated Reece, which possibly explained his disappointment at her disinclination to befriend him. Reece enjoyed more than his share of success with the fairer sex, but Miss Brooke seemed oblivious to his charm. Her attitude baffled him. She was not exactly beautiful. She was certainly not well-born and, since her father’s death, had no obvious means of supporting herself. She could not use her skill as a jeweller once her uncle retired, which he would soon be forced to do. His eyesight, much as he denied the fact, was failing. No other respectable establishment would employ a woman to do a man’s work, no matter how skilled at it she happened to be.

Perhaps it was her disinterest in him that had made Reece want her the moment he set eyes on her. Unfortunately, Reece was under strict instructions to let her be, at least until she had outlived her usefulness. Only the thought of doing precisely as he pleased with her when their business was complete kept Reece’s lust in check, though his imagination still sometimes spiralled out of control. He could, and did, purchase as many women as he felt the need for, but they were willing. There was something about a reluctant one, about the way Miss Cristobel Brooke looked down her pert little nose at him as though he was beneath her notice that heated his blood. It didn’t help matters that she dressed in men’s attire. Attire that graphically displayed every delectable curve on her body.

Reece slowed his pace, hampered by his reaction to such thoughts. He had been within a hair’s breadth of pushing her across her work bench and having his way with her that evening in retaliation for her rebelliousness. She had no business talking back to him in such a fashion. Being entertained at Winchester Park had given her ideas above her station, and that attitude could not be permitted to go unpunished. The problem was, he was unsure how far to push her. She was not as biddable as her weak father had been, and threats against her uncle and sister would only get him so far. The wretchedly naive girl had standards. Reece blew air through his lips as he strode on towards his destination, frequently glancing over his shoulder to ensure he was not being followed. He could have told her having standards didn’t fill empty bellies and that God helped them as helped themselves in this world. Still, she would find out soon enough, if she continued to defy them.

Much as he hated to admit to his inability to control her, Reece knew she was too important not to pass on intelligence of her rebellion, which was why he was making this unscheduled call. He made a habit of always covering his own back, thinking it better to share even the smallest concern with his employer, rather than seem inefficient if matters ran out of control. His loyalty and straightforwardness had seen him rise fast within the ranks of the organisation he worked for, and he had no desire to see that situation come to an end, thanks to a woman who was unaware quite what she had taken on.

He reached the manor house on the edge of the village occupied by a respected resident whose reputation was beyond reproach. Miss Brooke knew nothing of his involvement in this business. She didn’t know of anyone except Reece. Even if she did harbour suspicions regarding this gentleman and voiced them, no one would believe her. Reece lifted the front door knocker. It was answered by a maid who dipped a curtsey and stood back to allow him in. He handed her his hat and gloves.

“Is the master expecting you, sir? He didn’t say.”

“Just tell him I’m, here, Mary. There’s a good girl.”

“Wait here then.”

Reece patted her rear, causing her to giggle. She was an obliging little chit, always willing to lift her skirts without a fuss if Reece had an itch that needed scratching. She was grateful for the attention and the monetary reward she received for her services. He had a feeling she provided the same service for her employer, although the matter had never been discussed between the two men.

“He’s in the library, sir,” Mary said, returning quickly. “He said to go through.”

Reece tapped on the library door and opened it when bid to enter by the room’s occupant. The gentleman seated behind an imposing desk put his quill aside and looked up at Reece.

“I hope there is a good reason for this unexpected visit,” he said in a quiet, yet steely tone.

“I thought it best to come in person to inform you Chesney has taken a commission to design a special suite of jewellery for the duchess’s birthday.”

“Damn it, man, why did you permit that to happen?”

“I could hardly stop him.” He shrugged. “Lord Amos came to the shop when I happened to be there, and Chesney took me by surprise by suggesting the idea. I am supposed to be his assistant so could not object.”

“You think Chesney planned this as a means of disrupting our business?”

“Very likely. He’s a wily old fox and actively hates being involved with us. The girl didn’t know. She seemed as surprised as I was to hear about it. Then both of them had to go up to the big house and show them designs.”

The gentleman scowled. “They have seen the girl up at the big house?”

“Well, I could hardly go. They would have caught me as a fraud in a heartbeat. No, she is supposed to have drawn up designs. Well, no
supposed
about it. She did.”

“When did they go to the Park?”

“Yesterday.”

“And I am only just hearing about this?” The gentleman’s scowl became lethal. “I ought to have known at once.”

“You were in London, sir. I did not think it wise to risk committing such information to a letter and could hardly leave the village and Miss Brooke unsupervised. I came tonight, having heard of your return.”

“Hmm, this is deuced inconvenient. I wish I knew what they made of the girl drawing up the designs. Is there any possibility they might realise who she is?”

“Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing. I cannot believe she would be foolish enough to drop any hints, given she
is
now involved with us. No one will ever believe she helps us against her will, especially since we can prove her father’s involvement.”

“I had hoped the rumours circulating about Chesney’s eyesight would turn the Sheridans against him. Obviously, that didn’t work, and their continued patronage will slow our business down considerably.”

“I realise that, but it will only take a week for the duchess’s work to be completed.”

“We have other commissions due before then. We are already running behind.”

Reece extracted the emerald bangle from his pocket and placed it on his employer’s desk. He picked it up and examined it closely. “Superb,” he said with evident satisfaction. “But what of the necklace we need to go with it?”

“She says she won’t make it until she has done the duchess’s commission.”

The gentleman thumped his clenched fist on his desk. “Perdition, since when did a slip of a girl start calling the shots in this organisation?”

“We need her, sir,” Reece said mildly. “The old man can’t work nearly as fast as she does, and she knows it.”

“For the love of God, we didn’t have this trouble when her father was alive. Perhaps you should remind her of the consequences if she continues to defy us.”

“She knows well enough, which is the only reason why she helps us. But she is temperamental, and I get the feeling that if we push too hard she will push back.”

“Which will implicate her and her precious family.”

“And put us in gaol.”

“Hmm, there is that. God preserve me from headstrong women!” The gentleman fell into momentary contemplation. “I suppose a week’s delay can be explained away, but I don’t want her to think she has won this particular skirmish or there’s no telling what she might try next.” He leaned back in his chair, pausing to think. “There must be some way to bring her to heel. What does she fear the most, apart from her uncle’s health and her sister’s reputation, neither of which seem sufficient to make her completely obedient?”

“Well…” A slow smile spread across Reece’s face. “She hates to be touched.”

“I won’t have you despoil her. At least not yet. If you strip her of her dignity then she will definitely defy us. Woman are odd that way.”

“It doesn’t need to come to that.”
And you don’t need to know if things get out of hand
. “But if I can get to her when she’s away from that shop, I can put the fear of God into her.”

Reece’s employer rubbed his chin in his cupped hand. “Do what is necessary to secure her continued obedience.”

“She sometimes walks on the common when she finishes work for the day.”

“Well, that sounds ideal. No one walks there much.” The rigidness left the gentleman’s shoulders. “I will leave the particulars to you to decide. I don’t need to hear them. I also do not relish having to tell our London masters we cannot control the girl. I placed my faith in you, Reece, because you assured me you could manage matters. Do not make me regret that decision.”

“You will have no cause to do so.”

“Good.” He stood up. “You did right to tell me about this, but do not come back again unless it is absolutely necessary. We cannot be seen together.”

Reece nodded, relieved to have escaped further chastisement. His employer was not a pleasant person to be around when he was displeased. “You can depend upon me, sir.”

Amos filled the following day by involving himself in the business of the stud. He had been able to ride almost before he could walk and horses were in his blood. He had never seriously considered doing anything with his life that did not directly involve them. When he finished his tenure at university and was in need of an occupation, he had sold the idea of an innovative new stud to Zach and persuaded him to let him to run it. Six years later, it was an established and respected enterprise, having earned a reputation for producing decent Nonius foals, extensively used by cavalry regiments in Europe.

“I am glad you stopped by,” Amos said to Zach as they stood together at the paddock railings, watching the two mares who had arrived the previous week and were ready to be covered that day. Zach’s two Irish wolfhounds Phineas and Phantom had their noses to the ground, following the trail of rabbits until they became bored and slumped down at Zach’s feet. “I discovered something rather strange last night that I wanted to discuss with you.”

“In the Crown and Anchor?” Zach flexed a brow. “There are always strange activities in that establishment. That is part of its appeal. One never quite knows what one is likely to see or hear.”

The stud workers gently led the mares inside to prepare them. Both went willingly enough, which was a good sign.

“I left Nate to enjoy Martha and have absolutely no wish to learn the particulars of their strange activities.”

Zach laughed. “Very wise. But what did you do while our baby brother was earning his spurs?”

“I took a turn about the village.”

“And, let me guess, your perambulation just happened to take you past a certain jeweller’s establishment?”

Amos sent his brother a speaking look. “Am I that transparent?”

“I believe we were all taken with Miss Brooke’s passion for her designs, Amos, to say nothing of the lady herself. At first glance she didn’t seem especially pretty, but her eyes are remarkable, saving her from being plain.” Zach grinned. “As to her body−”

“Leave her alone. I saw her first.”

“Aha, I though as much.” Zach roared with laughter, startling the horses. “Sorry, Amos, but I’ve never seen you like this before. Please tell me you plan to sweep the beguiling Miss Brooke off her dainty feet and stand with her in front of a parson at the earliest opportunity. That way, you and she can beget a dozen children, saving me from the trouble of producing an heir, and also diverting our mother’s matrimonial ambitions away from me.”