"Do you know the name?"
"Of the nunnery?" Oliver racked his brain. "Saint Beatrice, I believe. I got some information on her, during our engagement period."
"It's funny you mention Saint Beatrice's. When I heard who your bride was, I recalled some odd gossip about that place," Alexander said.
"What sort of gossip?" Oliver's eyes narrowed.
Alexander shrugged lightly.
"My aunt in London is acquainted with a Lady Winslow, who is a patroness of several charities. According to their chatter, there were whispers that Saint Beatrice's wasn't merely a pious refuge for orphans. Some say the girls there were kept under excessively strict control, perhaps even mistreated."
Oliver felt a prickle of concern at his friend's words. He folded his arms over his chest.
"Mistreated? In what way?"
"Hard to say," Alexander replied. "My aunt only mentioned it in passing, something about one girl who claimed the Mother Superior there was more interested in securing wealthy husbands for her wards than in their spiritual well-being. That, and a few hints of harsh punishments used to keep the girls in line. Could be idle gossip, of course. But it stuck in my mind."
A muscle in Oliver's jaw twitched. Harsh punishments. Wealthy husbands. He recalled the night after their wedding, when she had looked at him and asked if he wished her to provide him with an heir straight away.
If what Alexander was saying was true, then perhaps it offered some explanation to what occurred that way.
What had they taught this poor girl? That her sole purpose was to bear sons as quickly as possible?
"Is something the matter?" Alexander said when Oliver had been quiet for too long.
"I'm thinking that perhaps those whispers are not entirely baseless," Oliver ran a hand through his hair. "She did exhibit some odd notions. Things that now make sense if she was, as you say, kept under extremely strict control."
Alexander's expression grew sympathetic.
"I'm sorry to hear it. She seemed innocent, from what little I saw at the wedding. Not the sort of girl to scheme or manipulate; if anything, she looked frightened that day," Alexander offered.
"If it is true, then I need to do the right thing by her."
"You've done right by her so far," Alexander replied, "You married her and gave her your protection. That is no small thing."
"Protection is more than a ring and a title," Oliver muttered, almost to himself. "I must speak with Theodore."
"Now?" Alexander asked.
"Well, now is as good as a time as ever.
Oliver said his farewell and walked briskly toward the main house, leaving Alexander to pack up the sparring equipment.
Oliver found Theodore in the small library off the main hall. He was startled visibly when Oliver entered, spinning around to face him.
"Oliver," Theodore stammered, eyes wide in surprise. "I didn't hear you come in."
"I imagine not," Oliver replied, closing the library door firmly behind him. "You've been quite determined not to hear or see me for days now."
"If you've come to lecture me again…"
"I've come to do far more than lecture," Oliver cut him off. He advanced a few steps into the room. "We need to speak about the Duchess."
At 'the name, Theodore shifted uncomfortably. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated.
"I suppose we do," he muttered. "Though I doubt she wishes to speak with me."
"Did you expect her to? After the disgrace you nearly caused her? Still, whether she wishes it or not, you owe her a great deal, starting with a sincere apology."
