A Dangerous Masquerade

by Linda Sole

  A little smile touched her mouth as she left her room and went down to the kitchen. From what Heloise had told her, she would find him eating breakfast there. The smell of freshly-brewed coffee told her that she was not wrong and she walked in to see that he had demolished most of the ham she had recently bought and was eating her home made pickles with evident enjoyment.

  ‘You have a good appetite, sir.’

  ‘You may buy some more,’ he replied. ‘I think you cannot grudge me breakfast?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Constance said. ‘I am sorry there was not much for you to choose from. We live frugally here.’

  ‘Did the comte leave you no money?’

  ‘Very little, sir – unless it is hidden. There is silver and jewels but I have not yet sold anything.’

  ‘Because it belongs to the comtesse. You told me last night. What if she never returns? Can you live here this way forever?’

  ‘No, I do not think so. The comte had a relative who might claim the estate. I am trying to prevent that happening, but if Madeline does not return soon…’

  ‘You call her Madeline. Does she permit such familiarity?’

  ‘I mean the comtesse of course. I was her companion as well as her maid.’

  ‘Had you known her long before she married?’

  ‘My father taught her brother languages. She also had lessons for a while – and then the comte offered for her and her father made her wed him. She wept and refused but he locked her in her room until she agreed. I came here with her because she asked me to be her friend and help her.’

  ‘I see…’ Moraven frowned. ‘Her father was not kind. No caring father would force his daughter to marry a man like that. If his reputation was true he was a depraved creature.’

  ‘Yes, sir. He was an evil man. My poor lady was ill served by her father.’

  ‘You care for her you said?’

  ‘Yes, sir. I loved her.’

  Moraven finished his coffee and touched the napkin to his lips. ‘It is years since I made my own breakfast. I am glad to discover I have not lost the skill.’ He stood up and looked at her. ‘Well, Constance, are you ready to take me to meet your children and the nuns who care for them?’

  ‘Yes, sir, if you wish it.’

  ‘You will need a cloak in case it is cold out.’

  ‘Thank you. I have it in the hall.’ Constance hesitated, then, ‘What did you mean when you said you might be able to help?’

  ‘You spoke of a man called Andre Renard? Do you or the nuns know where he can be found?’

  ‘I know little of him, but I believe Sister Helene might know more.’ Constance wrinkled her brow. ‘What do you know of him? I saw something in your face last night when I spoke his name.’

  ‘You are observant, lady. If the man is who I think he may be, he is also my enemy. If Sister Helene can tell me his whereabouts, I may be able to make sure that he does not trouble her or the children again.’

  A shiver went down Constance’s spine. She did not ask but she had a feeling that this man could be ruthless. If Andre Renard had made an enemy of him he could be in serious trouble when he was found.

  ‘That would be a blessing,’ she said. ‘Sister Helene said that God would provide and it seems she may be right.’

  ‘I am not sure that I was sent by God.’

  ‘No, perhaps not,’ Constance replied and laughed softly. ‘However, Sister Helene says that He moves in mysterious ways.’ She looked up at him as they went out into the hall. ‘Please, do not tell her that I stole your purse. If she knew she would give it back to you – and she needs the money.’

  ‘If all is as you told me, you need have no fear. I do not know what you have heard of me, but I can be generous when I choose.’

  ‘Thank you…’ Constance’s cheeks heated as his gaze dwelled on her face. ‘I am sorry I stole from you. It was wrong and I’ve learned my lesson. I shall not do it again.’

  ‘I on the other hand am not in the least sorry. If your Sister Helene can point me in the right direction, it is a small price to pay.’

  ‘I am sorry I cannot tell you more,’ Sister Helene said almost an hour later. ‘I know he comes and goes from Paris, but I heard recently that he was due to return quite soon. I have been told that he lives in a chateau just outside the city but I cannot give you its direction. However, I believe he is often to be found at the Rouge Coq in the evenings. I saw him there once when I went to find a child I’d heard of. He is an evil man, though his looks are not ill. Some might think him well favoured in a harsh manner. However, he has a small scar close to his left eye.’

  ‘You are certain of that?’

  ‘Yes, quite certain. Does that help you, sir?’

  ‘Yes, considerably. The man I came here to find answers that description, though he goes under many names. He is a dangerous man, Sister. You would do well to be wary of him.’

  ‘He does not frighten me, my lord. I serve God and in doing His work I am protected. When my time comes I hope to go peacefully, but if the Lord deems otherwise I shall accept His will.’

  ‘Andre Renard answers only to the Devil,’ Moraven said. ‘Your work is too important to lose your life carelessly - so I hope you will take care, and I thank you for your help.’

  ‘Please come again when you can, sir.’

  ‘I shall find other ways of helping you. The comtesse has risked much to support you, but you need an endowment to keep you safe in the future. I have many acquaintances and will see what can be done.’

  ‘How kind. God is good to send you to us.’

  ‘Are you certain it was He?’ Moraven laughed and left her. He approached Constance, who was playing with one of the children. ‘Come, madame, I shall escort you back to your home.’

  Constance inclined her head, taking the arm he offered.

  ‘Was Sister Helene able to help?’ she asked as they walked back through streets that were beginning to feel much warmer as the sun rose higher.

  ‘Considerably. I have some clues and I shall find him – unless he finds me first.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Do not look back now, but we are being followed.’

  Constance’s hand tightened on his arm. ‘For how long? Did he see us leave the house?’

  ‘I am not certain. I’ve been aware of our shadow for the last few minutes but not immediately. You should take great care, Constance. A man like Renard would find a use for a lovely girl like you. If he snatched you, you might disappear never to be seen again.’

  A shudder ran through her. ‘Please, do not! I am sure he does not even know I exist.’

  ‘I hope that is so for your sake – but perhaps I should continue to live at your house in order to protect you.’

  ‘I trust you are not serious, sir?’

  ‘Why not?’ he asked and looked down at her. ‘What have you to lose?’

  Chapter Three

  What had she to lose by allowing him to stay? Her stomach tightened with a spasm of nerves and her hand lifted from his arm a little, but then she took hold of her nerves, lifting her head to look him in the eyes.

  ‘Has the loss of your purse truly left you unable to pay your hotel?’

  ‘I can arrange for a transfer but that will take some days and at the moment I have not a penny to my name.’

  ‘Then I must in all conscience offer you a bed and board,’ Constance said. ‘However, you must give me your word that you will not seek to take advantage of the situation.’

  His eyes gleamed darkly, a hint of humour at their depths. ‘I do not think that you would easily succumb to blandishments, madame – and I am not lost to all decency. I would never force an unwilling woman. Why should I when they are only too eager to climb into my bed.’

  Constance glared at him. ‘You think highly of your own charms, sir.’

  ‘Do I?’ Moraven laughed. ‘Perhaps it is my fortune and my rank that makes the ladies so eager. I have a handful of titles and the estates to go with them
, Constance. Does that make me more interesting in your eyes?’

  ‘It makes you a self important fool if you think I care a fig for your money.’

  ‘Indeed? I did not notice you offer to return my purse?’

  Her cheeks heated. ‘That was different. I took your purse for the children. I should not fall into your bed in order to become rich and titled. I have little interest in such things.’

  ‘That is as well, my dear. I am not likely to make a thief my marchioness.’

  ‘Oh you!’ Constance fought the urge to hit him. She withdrew her hand from his arm and walked on quickly, wishing that she had never set eyes on him. What cursed stroke of fate had made her choose to steal this man’s purse?

  Moraven did not increase his pace to keep up with her, but as she opened the door of her house and went in he was close enough to prevent it being slammed in his face.

  ‘You were not thinking of leaving me on the street?’ he asked, a mocking smile on his lips.

  ‘You deserve that I should,’ she fumed but made no attempt to prevent him from following her into the house. ‘If you are to stay here – why not fetch your things from the hotel?’

  ‘To do that I must pay for my board. I believe I owe in the region of fifty gold guineas – or its equivalent in francs.’

  ‘I have that amount of your money…’ Constance began and then wished she’d bitten her tongue off first as she saw the gleam in his eyes. ‘You are no gentleman, sir. I believe you have some wicked plan. You think I shall succumb to your charm if you stay here.’

  ‘Not at all. As yet I have seen nothing in you or your character that would tempt me to begin a seduction. I do not care for acid-tongued viragos.’

  ‘Acid-tongue….’ Constance knew an urgent desire to fly at his face with her nails, but the laughter in his eyes stopped her. Damn the man! He was deliberately mocking her, trying to make her lose control. She fought her urges, looking down her nose at him in her haughtiest manner. ‘You enjoy mocking me, sir. Well, perhaps I have deserved it. I shall give you the money to pay your debt to the hotel and you may stay here – until you can arrange the transfer of funds.’

  ‘I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. I should prefer to have my own linen.’

  Constance ground her teeth. She was not sure why she had agreed that he could stay here for the time being, but to return sufficient funds for him to pay his bill was the least she could do. Had he denounced her to the authorities she might even now be facing trial, as a thief – and many would think that she had disposed of her mistress in order to take her things.

  She was dangerously obliged to him, for he might denounce her at any time if he wished. Yet somehow she knew she was safe – in that regard at least. Whatever his plans entailed they did not include seeing her hung for her crime.

  A little shiver ran down Constance’s spine as she realised just what she’d risked when she stole his purse. Had he been other than he was, her life might have been over. Hanging was the punishment usually given for thefts of much smaller amounts than she’d taken.

  ‘Wait there and I shall give you the money.’

  Constance went into her little sitting room. She had placed the money she needed at the bottom of her sewing basket. Taking a handful of gold coins, she counted them and then returned to the hall. Heloise was staring at him, a suspicious look on her face.

  ‘Why is he still here?’ she asked.

  ‘He is to stay here for a while,’ she said. ‘He will not interfere with us, Heloise. All he needs is a bed and food.’

  ‘And where shall we get food to feed a man like him?’ Heloise sniffed. ‘I can’t prepare the meals he’s used to…nor wash his linens.’

  ‘I shall do that,’ Constance said. ‘Moraven will eat simple meals, as we do. I shall bring fish fresh from the market today and good bread. A thick soup will be sufficient and some cheese to follow.’

  ‘If it is as good as the ham and pickles I ate this morning, it will more than suffice,’ he said and gave the old woman a blinding smile. ‘I dare say I can find a washerwoman to tend my linens. I would not put you to so much trouble, Heloise.’

  Heloise muttered something very French and very rude beneath her breath but he heard her and broke into a laugh.

  ‘Very true, granny, but I have my reasons for staying here – and they are not only what you believe.’ He held out his hand to Constance for the money, took it and pocketed it. ‘I shall return soon, ladies.’

  Constance turned to walk upstairs, but stopped as Heloise sniffed loudly. ‘Do not be cross with me, dearest Heloise. I took his money last night and he has none until he sends for funds. Besides, I was followed home today and it may be best if there is someone in the house.’

  Heloise made the sign of the cross over her breast. ‘Be careful, mistress. You take too many risks. I’ve warned you but you would not listen. There are evil men who would use you in terrible ways.’

  ‘Yes, I know that,’ Constance replied. ‘I wish the comtesse would return to take over her life. If I could hand over her fortune I would leave Paris. I think I might return to England. Perhaps there I could find a position as a French teacher.’

  ‘Do you think you look like a governess?’

  Constance sighed. ‘If the comtesse asks I could stay with her – but not in Paris because people would recognise me. If she wishes to live in the country I would go with her.’

  ‘I’m telling you, she’s dead. Why hasn’t she come back if she knows the old devil is dead?’

  ‘I do not know.’ Constance felt chilled. ‘I thought when she ran away that she might have gone with a lover. I believe there was someone she cared for when she was a girl, but he went away to be a soldier and she was forced to marry the comte. If she is not with her lover, she may be in trouble or even dead, as you say.’

  ‘You’ve done all you can for the nuns. You should think of yourself and leave Paris before it is too late.’

  ‘Perhaps I should,’ Constance agreed. ‘I shall wait for six months longer to see if the comtesse comes to claim her fortune – and then I shall leave and go to England.’

  ‘You will take me with you? You need someone to look after you.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Constance smiled. She wasn’t sure who looked after whom, but the old woman was a friend to her and she had no one else. Her mother’s family had refused to acknowledge her and her father had no family that she knew of, though he had been a gentleman’s son. As the third son he had no prospects other than what he could earn and Constance’s mother’s family had considered him highly unsuitable. When she chose him and eloped, they had cut her off without a penny and she had never heard from them again. Constance’s own letter had been rejected. Even if she went to England she could not expect help from that quarter. She would have to find work of some kind. If not as a governess then she must become a seamstress or take work in a tavern.

  Without a reference she would find it difficult to secure a position as a lady’s maid or companion, which is what she would have preferred. Madeline had taken her on, because they had known each other for several years and were almost like sisters. However, she would need a reference to find work elsewhere.

  Of course she could take the comtesse’s jewels and clothes and set up as a young woman of fortune – but she would be living a lie. While she was prepared to live this way here for the sake of the children and to preserve Madeline’s inheritance, she did not wish to carry such a burden for the rest of her life.

  Sighing, she went up to her bedchamber and took a purse from her cabinet. She kept her gambling money separate from her housekeeping and counted out the few coins left to her. It would have been sufficient for Heloise and herself, but she needed more if she was to feed Moraven. He had spoken of a title – was he a marquis as he claimed or just a smooth-tongued rogue? It hardly mattered. He would stay no more than a few days and then he would leave and she would never see him again.

  Returning to
the hall, she discovered that Heloise had disappeared. She could hear the sound of her singing off key in the scullery but decided not to risk disturbing her. Instead, she put on her cloak and bonnet and, taking her basket, went out into the street. The market was several minutes walk and it would take a while to make the thick soup she had promised her guest.

  ‘Are you leaving, my lord?’ The innkeeper looked at Moraven in concern. ‘I understood your stay would be longer?’

  ‘I may return in a few days or so,’ Moraven shrugged carelessly. ‘I have business elsewhere.’

  ‘I trust you were satisfied with our service?’

  ‘Yes, perfectly. You will keep the large trunk here until I send its direction?’

  ‘Yes, my lord. Certainly. We shall hope to see you again.’

  Moraven left the hotel, carrying his bags outside to the waiting cab. He gave the address and climbed inside, glancing out into the street as it drew away from the curb. Had he been followed? He did not think so, though he was sure that someone had followed them earlier that morning. Did that mean that it was she being followed and not he?

  He frowned as he stretched his long legs in front of him. The excuse he’d given Constance for staying at her house was a weak one for the hotel would not have demanded payment from such a prestigious customer. He had only to write a draft on his bank for the matter to be settled. Yet it suited his purpose to make her believe that he was penniless, at least until he could transfer funds.

  Why had he persuaded her to accept him as a guest in her house? Was it simply because he believed her in danger from Renard – or was she right to suspect an ulterior motive?

  She was certainly beautiful and there had been moments the previous night when he’d thought of her lying in the next room and felt his manhood harden. Had she been a different kind of woman – the woman he’d thought her when he discovered his purse missing – he would not have taken no for an answer.