Free A Dangerous Masquerade by Linda Sole

would be secure for some years with an endowment of five thousand francs plus whatever further funds he could squeeze from his contacts.
                  While he was perfectly able and willing to fund them himself if need be, it amused him to make the English government pay.  They were a tight-fisted lot in Westminster and he would enjoy squeezing them a little.
                  He had been walking for a few minutes before he sensed he’d picked up a tail.  Deliberately lingering with a lad selling newssheets, he watched as his shadow bent to fiddle with a buckle on his stout boots.  If Renard’s slave was watching him so much the better, but it might be best if he lost the man rather than lead him straight back to Constance’s house.  Seeing a cab draw up across the road, he moved swiftly between the traffic and jumped in, giving the driver the address of a hotel two streets from her home.  Hopefully, by the time his shadow caught up, he would have given him the slip.  He wasn’t quite ready to confront Renard yet and when he did, he intended to have the advantage.
     
     
    Constance’s stomach rumbled as she stirred the thick soup.  She was hungry and it was past their time to eat but Moraven had not yet returned.  Looking anxiously at the silver watch she wore pinned to her gown, she wondered how long he would be.  Much longer and the soup would be spoiled.
                  ‘Why do you wait for him?’ Heloise grumbled.  She had taken her portion and eaten it as soon as it was ready.  ‘He will not consider your feelings and may not return at all.’
                  Just as Constance was pondering the truth of her words, the knocker sounded.  She smiled.  ‘I think that is Moraven now. Please let him in and try not to be rude, Heloise.’
                  ‘You’ll rue the day you let him stay here,’ the old woman prophesised as she shuffled out of the kitchen.
                  Constance was ladling soup into bowls as he entered.  She placed two bowls onto the table and then a dish of fresh crusty bread and a crock of butter.  Cheese, apples and biscuits were already on the table.
                  ‘I am sorry to be late,’ Moraven said.  ‘You should have eaten, Constance.  In future please do so.  I may be delayed and there is always the chance that I may not return at all, through no fault of my own.’
                  A chill trickled down her spine and her gaze flew to his face.  ‘Were you attacked?’
                  ‘No, but I was followed.  I think I lost him before I came here but I dare say they will discover my whereabouts before long.  I should warn you that Renard is as much my enemy as yours.  Once he knows who has been asking questions about him, he may well try to dispose of me.’
                  ‘I told you he would bring trouble,’ Heloise muttered darkly.
                  ‘I am already in some danger,’ Constance replied and tried not to show anxiety.  ‘My lord is trying to protect me, as well as deal with his own affairs.  I think we must be grateful for his protection.’
                  ‘I have friends who will help us,’ Moraven told her.  ‘I had not expected to need them just yet, but I believe it may be a good thing to have Sister Helene’s house watched – and this one too.  I cannot always be with you.  Your servant has a strong arm but he is only one man.  Renard is ruthless.  If he feels threatened he will strike at us, but perhaps the weakest link is the nuns’ house.’
                  ‘Yes, perhaps,’ Constance said.  ‘It is the reason I let Pierre stay there at night.  Once we have the doors locked we are safe enough here.’
                  ‘Yet I found it easy enough to get in,’ Moraven reminded her.  ‘I will have a man watching the house by this