Page 49 of The Wise Daughter
“Who is that?” she asked, pointing.
Two men exited Raven Manor.
“Ah. It’s Carver. I assume he is seeing to the repairs we discussed.” It was a comfort knowing he could always rely on his steward to manage the affairs of his estate.
“Yes, but who is the other man with him, the one with the blue scarf?”
“I believe that is Vander, one of the servants. Why?”
Her brows scrunched together. “Because that is the man I saw fleeing the castle today.”
Chapter 18
Norastiffened in her saddle and fidgeted with her gloves, loosening them only to tug them tight again, but it kept her from spurring Locket into a restless gallop. No matter how much Nora tried, she couldn’t relax into the easy rhythm of Locket’s canter.
“I still think we should have insisted on seeing the inside of the manor.”
“You heard Carver’s explanation. There were too many repairs underway. The house was unfit.”
Nora scoffed. “I’m sure it was.”
“Did you not believe him?”
“I don’t know.” She pressed her lips together in frustration. “I don’t know because I didn’t go inside and see the state of things myself. If Mr. Vander is one of our thieves, it would be an easy business for him to steal from Raven Manor, easier than stealing from the castle. And it makes a convenient stop for him before he or anyone in league with him can leave for London with the things they’ve stolen.”
“It sounds like you’ve really thought this through.” Aaron kept pace with her, staring ahead. “I’m sure Carver would have told me if anything had been stolen.”
She wasn’t going to leave her arguments behind so easily. “Well, what have you to say about Mr. Vander and his parcel?”
“You heard their explanations as well as I did. He was carrying tools. Nora, they had reasonable explanations.”
“Of course they did!” She reeled Locket to face him. “And this is why you have not yet discovered the thieves. You trust Ruthers. You trust Carver, and you trust Vander. Little wonder the thieves have managed to go unnoticed for so long.”
Aaron grew still and silent. She could tell she had injured his feelings, which she instantly regretted, but she had only spoken truth. It was especially vexing to see him ignoring so many possibilities.
“I’m sorry, Aaron.”
He took his time before speaking again. “I’m sorry you’re disappointed, Nora, but I’m the duke. I represent law and order, power and privilege. Those are burdens I take very seriously. I cannot parade through the village accusing people simply because their actions and motives are not immediately obvious to me. I must be careful. The people of Ravenglass are meeting me for the first time. My servants are finally forming opinions based on their own experiences with me. I can’t let my first moments with them be filled with accusations against them. I almost made a terrible mistake with our chimney sweep. I don’t want anything like that to happen again. Please understand, Nora.”
She released a slow, audible sigh. Sunlight shone against his strong frame, emphasizing the wave in his hair, the pleasing structure in his cheek and jaw, the focus in his eyes, and the earnestness in those perfect, asymmetrical lips.
“I do understand, Aaron, but unless you catch a man in the act of stealing, I doubt you’ll ever discover the thieves.”
“Perhaps not, but if your strategy is to always watch for reasons to mistrust a person, I’m sure you will find them. You told me that there are many types of thieves, and I believe you are right. Doubt is one ofthe worst. It steals our faith and ruins our chance at happiness. If you cannot ever trust me, Nora, I don’t know how to help you.”
Their horses knickered and bobbed their heads as if they agreed with him. Nora blinked several times, her eyes beginning to sting. She rubbed Locket’s neck while Aaron’s words, sharp yet true, fought for space in her thoughts.
“I want to trust you, Aaron. I don’t want to always doubt, but if I am to help you, I need to question everything and everyone. Our chimney sweep is free today because I was careful with my doubts. I realize you have responsibilities as the duke, but I don’t bear the same burdens of authority. I won’t remain impartial in matters concerning the thieves.”
“But Nora,” he spoke low and tentatively, “you are now stepping into a role of responsibility as the duchess, as my wife.”
Shivers ran through her as wind blew across her neck. Aaron had used those words before, but it struck her differently this time.Wife. Duchess. Responsibility.Each word was an impertinent bird, flitting above her head to see if she would catch it. Aaron’s gaze burning as she floundered was too much just then.
She didn’t remember kicking Locket’s flanks, but Locket was now bounding in a full gallop back the way they had come. Nora was glad. The wind cooled her, and in the freedom of escape, she could wring out the fears and worries she had been soaking up for so long. She needed to be bounding just then, outrunning life’s changes until she knew which ones she wanted.
Wife.
Well, the Duke and Duchess of Ravenglass might have need to be careful, but Nora was not the duchess yet.
