Isolde froze. Aye. Whatdidthat mean?
“Mr. Gilbert and Lady Lavinia arrived right as Mr. Ledger returned from his visit with Your Grace in Oban,” Fredericks said. “It is my understanding that your cousin and his wife did not believe the news of your survival. Mr. Ledger continued to work for another two weeks or so after returning, completing the tasks Your Grace had assigned him. However, Mr. Gilbert became more agitated the longer Ledger continued to act on your behalf. He accused Ledger of spreading falsehoods and attempting to defraud the duchy.”
“How in heaven’s name was Ledger defrauding the dukedom by asserting my survival and tending to tasks given him? The man has nothing to do with the duchy’s purse or financial accounting.”
“I had wondered the same, Your Grace,” Fredericks said, his dry tone indicating his low opinion of Cousin Aubrey’s intellectual abilities.
Allie snorted, folding her arms. “So what became of Ledger then?”
“He was dismissed immediately. Lady Lavinia said he needed to be made an example of.”
Tristan’s brows drew down into a thundercloud. “She. Said. What?” He enunciated each word with biting fury.
Isolde placed a hand on his arm.
I’m here, she wanted him to understand.We will conquer this together.
Tristan’s muscles relaxed under her palm, though his eyebrows remained narrowed.
“I was rather alarmed, as well, Your Grace,” Fredericks said. “Mr. Gilbert sacked Mr. Ledger immediately without a recommendation.”
Tristan pinched the bridge of his nose. Isolde thought she heard him mutter, “Bloody cretin,” but she wasn’t sure.
“Disgraceful,” Tristan said. “Why was I not notified immediately of all of this?”
Fredericks floundered. “As staff, we were uncertain as to your location, Your Grace. And Mr. Gilbert approves all post, so . . .” The butler drifted off.
“And Ledger? Why didn’t he send word?”
“I cannot say, Your Grace.”
Isolde slipped her palm down Tristan’s arm, lacing her fingers with his. He gripped her hand with reassuring warmth.
“Find Ledger. He can’t have gone too far,” Tristan ordered. “Assure him that his dismissal was not warranted and that he will be reinstated immediately. Hopefully, the man will provide us all with answers.”
“I shall see it done at once, Your Grace.” Fredericks bowed and motioned the footmen to leave. “We shall have your rooms readied within the hour.”
“Excellent. That will be all, Fredericks.”
“Your Grace.” Fredericks bowed and closed the door behind himself.
Silence hummed in the wake of the butler’s departure.
Isolde looked from Ethan and Allie to her husband.
“Come,” she said. “Let us eat and get some rest. I daresay this will all seem more manageable come morning.”
5
As much as Tristan trusted and valued his wife, the problems plaguing his household and staff did not seem more manageable come morning.
No.
Rather, they were multiplying.
Tristan rose with the sun, unable to sleep any later despite his long journey the day before and equally late night waiting for his chambers to be readied.
He pressed a kiss to Isolde’s bare shoulder—grateful she had chosen to remain with him rather than retire to the duchess’s bedchamber next door. He was even more grateful for her level-headed calm.
