A Dangerous Masquerade by Linda Sole Page B

for the men who preyed on young children.
                  Moraven had felt sick to his stomach as Sister Helene related some of the children’s stories.  He was aware of such things, naturally, but it wasn’t until it was thrust on his notice and the child pointed out that he felt the full force of its meaning.
                  He had promised the nun that he would help her and he would do his best to keep that promise.  Her most pressing problem for the moment was for him to track down and deal with the man who was threatening her.  Most of the children had been run by pimps who worked for Renard and were under his protection. While he retained his network of influential friends and patrons they feared nothing, but cut off the head and the tangled web would begin to unravel.  It would never stop of course.  Abuse of women, children and some young men would always go on, but this was a particularly nasty group who used violence to coerce their victims.  Kill Renard and the men that had died in Spain in that ambush would be avenged – and many children would be able to live without the shadow of fear hanging over them.  If he saved Constance’s life into the bargain all the better.
                  His expression lightened as he recalled the look on her face when he lain on her bed the previous evening.  She had believed he intended to ravish her as payment for the purse she’d taken.  While he acknowledged the physical need she’d aroused, he had no intention of demanding payment.  However, should she wish to become his mistress he would be more than happy to oblige her. Just thinking of the possibility was enough to make his breeches extraordinarily tight about the crotch.
                  A smile played over his mouth as he imagined the situation.  He would set her up in her own house when this was all over.  Instead of wearing another woman’s gowns and jewels, she would have her own – gowns that became her colouring and jewels that set off her lovely eyes.
                  The smile vanished.  First of all, he had to find and deal with Renard.
     
     
    Constance was returning to the house with her basket over her arm.  It was filled to the brim with the ingredients she would need to make her soup, also bread, cheeses and a joint of beef she intended to cook for their supper the following day.  It was pleasant in the sunshine and for once she had not bothered to look over her shoulder.  Why should anyone follow her to the market and back?  If they knew where the nuns were living they would try to snatch the children back.  Heloise had warned her to be careful but most people believed she was the comtesse and as such she was surely safe from attack?
                  It was just as she reached the house that she realised someone was  behind her.  She glanced back, shocked to discover two burly men standing so close that it was obvious they intended some harm.
                  ‘I have no money to steal,’ she said, her heart thumping.  ‘If you want the food in my basket, take it…’
                  ‘It’s you we want, my pretty one,’ the man nearest to her said and grinned in a way that sent shivers down her spine.  ‘Come along nicely now.  Someone wants to see you.  You’re to explain why you’ve been interfering in his business, madame.’
                  ‘No,’ Constance said, stifling the scream that rose to her lips.  ‘I shall not come with you…’
                  ‘We’ll hurt you if you force us,’ the second man said.  ‘It would be a pity to mark that lovely white skin but you’ll heal…not that it matters much where you’re going.’
                  The leer on his thick lips made Constance shiver.  His meaning was so plain that she could not doubt she was in mortal danger.
                  ‘Let me be, sir.  I