“And terribly frightening. I try to think of happy thoughts when I hear thunder. Is that what you do?”
She nodded, bouncing those curls. “And hide in de piwows.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Grace brushed back a loose strand of Lily’s hair and stood, finally feeling as if her pulse had resumed a normal pace. A double-dimpled smile crested the little girl’s face, stealing Grace’s heart forever.
Grace looked at the woman. “I cannot thank you enough for your help, Miss—?”
“Quinnly, ma’am. And you’ll know my brother. He works in the stables.”
“Yes, I’ve met him. He goes by Quinnly, yes?” Grace looked out the window, wondering how she should get back to the house without a horse.
“He does.” The woman glanced toward the window, as if reading Grace’s thoughts. “He’ll be home soon for a bite to eat, and I know he’d feel better escortin’ you to the main house.”
Grace’s shoulders relaxed with a sigh. “That would be wonderful.”
And in the meantime, Grace could get to know the ward of Havensbrooke.
Frederick’s day had gone from bad to decidedly worse, and it wasn’t even teatime.
Parks didn’t return to work the following morning, and his assistant had no idea of any impending travel to France, which only added more incentive for Frederick to go to the police. Frederick’s meeting with his brother’s solicitor proved a nasty business, especially when Frederick asked pointed questions related to certain investments. After only a half hour, Frederick left the office with all of the man’s paperwork related to Havensbrooke and in search of a new solicitor.
If Frederick had only pursued the financial particulars before now!
“I’m not meaning to pry, sir,” Elliott offered as the two of them sat in a pub overlooking Linton Street. “But if you’re in need of someone trustworthy, might I offer a recommendation?”
“I’d be grateful for it, Elliott.” Frederick sat back with a hard sigh. “Some of the finances are murky, and I need an honest, smart man to help me sort it out.”
“What about Andrew Piper, sir?”
Frederick’s attention shot across the table. “Grandfather’s former solicitor?”
Elliott nodded, looking quite uncomfortable at a chair in the pub across from his employer as if they were comrades, but Frederick trusted no man other than Blake more than he did Elliott.
“He was a young man when your grandfather took him on, and it’s not been four years since your brother replaced him.” Elliott cleared his throat and reached for the cup in front of him. “He had an excellent reputation.”
Why hadn’t Frederick considered him at the onset? Kind but shrewd, he’d worked with Grandfather for years.
“That’s an excellent notion, Elliott.” Frederick rapped a palm to the table. “Do you recall why Edward released him?”
Elliott scratched at the back of his neck and swallowed. “I believe Lady Celia wasn’t too keen on his financial advice.”
“He probably put a knot in her plans.” And how worse had it gotten when Frederick left the country? “I happened to see Mr. Piper before leaving for India, and we spoke of my grandfather. Do you think he still lives at the same London address?”
Elliott raised his cup. “It can’t hurt to start there, can it?”
“Then that is our next stop, directly after we locate a detective I’ve heard about.”
Elliott’s expression sobered. “Sir, may I ask you something?”
“Of course, Elliott.”
The valet’s brow pinched as his finger skimmed the rim of his cup. “I don’t understand what reason Parks or anyone else would have to harm you.”
“I have an unconfirmed theory on that score.” Frederick took a sip of tea before answering. “Money.”
“But Havensbrooke has been struggling for years, hasn’t it?”
“Exactly, almost as if on purpose. Which leads to the question of what happens if the estate is left without lord or heir and must then be sold.”
