Page 66 of The Wise Daughter
“It was difficult not to. It hurts to see anyone held captive by their own destructive habits, but it hurts worse to see someone held by the same captors I’ve broken free from.”
“Oh, Aaron. I wonder sometimes if you realize how kind and generous you are.” She brushed a hair behind her ear. “Why did you never mention Lord Bilford?”
“I never thought to trouble you about him. He was my father’s friend. I find him insufferable. Nora, I see the wheels turning in your head, but I’m not convinced a man of his standing, no matter how much I dislike him, would risk such degrading behavior as thieving.”
“And setting my room on fire.”
“That as well, for the sake of a bet.”
Her eyes, lovely and overflowing with warmth only an hour ago grew cold. “Wagers and the ridiculous debts incurred because of them drive men to desperate deeds. You should understand that even better than I realized. If I hear them spoken of as matters of honor one more time…” She twisted the strings of her reticule and shook her head. “If anything is rubbish, it is that notion. You must consider all possibilities, Aaron. Who knows what Lord Bilford might attempt if he feels entitled to your wealth or insulted by your rejection of his daughter.”
“I will look into it.” He observed her closely, realizing he should amend his statement. “Wewill look into it.” Their earlier moment was gone, but approval entered her eyes, giving him just enough courage to wrap an arm around her. “Naturally, I am more motivated than ever to bring our thieves to justice.”
Her silence might have discouraged him were it not for the timid smile and pink flush that bloomed across her cheeks.
“Then I assume, Aaron, that you will be careful to also question Mr. Carver’s involvement in all this. As your steward, he should have the accounts of these dealings.”
Aaron shifted as she turned to face him more directly. “Of course, but Nora, I still think we are wasting our time suspecting Carver.”
Her eyes grew thunderous. “But it isn’t Ruthers, and it isn’t Lord Bilford, and it isn’t the servants, so apparently our thieves are merely disgruntled apparitions.”
“Nora, I’m serious.”
“So am I. Lord Bilford is an obvious suspect who we must learn more about, but we cannot discount Mr. Carver. He must have known something about this.”
“Perhaps, but if he didn’t say anything, he was probably respecting my father’s wishes. He’s been Ravenglass’s steward for years. The thieving only started after my father died.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Aaron stopped the curricle, the horses huffing and stomping in place. “What do you mean, Nora?”
“Only that you were not here to see what was truly happening. If your father was ill, he might not have noticed the thieving, especially if it started small. If Carver was managing the ledgers, he could have taken advantage of the trust he was given. There is an abundance of evidence that things have not been right in Holmrook Castle for some time.”
She spoke gently, but all Aaron heard was a subtle accusation. Did she think him incapable of managing all he had inherited? Did she think him negligent or blinded by everyone?
He might have kept a calm appearance, but inside he was shaken. Nora was opening his eyes to horrible possibilities. Just when he was gaining confidence, his hold on life shredded, reminding him in the most confusing and mortifying way that he had even less control than he imagined. Perhaps he never had it to begin with.
What must she think of me?
She had kissed him that day, not a timid, testing kiss, but an eager, riveted kiss that made it clear how she felt about him. Yet now, with these unspoken accusations hanging between them, the determination to prove himself and keep her safe surged from his gut through every inch of him.
He would not let his castle crumble. He would not lose Nora.
Chapter 24
“Carver!”
Aaron strode through the castle that morning like a man marching to battle. He had searched for his steward the night before only to be told that Carver was attending to business with tenants in the village. This morning, as thoughts of his conversation with Nora wore on his conscience, he determined to confront Carver more directly and thoroughly than he had in the past about the ledgers.
He still couldn’t imagine Carver, so loyal and dedicated, ever betraying him, but Nora was right. Things had not been right in Holmrook Castle for some time. Now was the time to take a more active hand in setting things to rights.
“Carver! Carver!” Aaron poked his head into every room and hall he passed.
“Your Grace, what’s the matter? Has something happened?” Chuff emerged from one of the corridors, slightly winded, his plain cravat ruffled.
“Ah, Chuff. I’m looking for Carver.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I believe the entire castle is aware by now that you are. I’m sorry to report that I’ve not seen him. I believe he is outagain seeing to affairs at Raven Manor with Mr. Lacy. Is there anything I may help you with?”
