“I’m sure they will turn up eventually.Why must you have them immediately?You haven’t the funds to undertake major renovations, do you?And aren’t we planning on touring the farms first?”
“Yes, the farms first because they are our primary source of income.But we also need to survey the structure of this house that was built centuries ago.There must have been secret passageways built into the walls to provide escape routes if ever Thornwycke Hall were attacked.It also follows that there must also be secret passages between some of these rooms that would allow someone with knowledge of them to slip through the house without being seen.Our bedchamber door can be latched to keep others out, but it will not keep out someone who knows a secret way into this room.”
“Do you think anyone on the staff knows of these secret passageways?”
He shrugged.“Possibly, but they won’t ever confess this to us.”
Tulip stiffened in his arms.“Should we start looking for those hidden doors now?”
“No, I’m just being a cynical clot and thinking aloud.I like to be in control of a situation, know where everything is, that’s all.But I’ve scared you, haven’t I?”
She pursed her lips.“A little.This house is already daunting, and made more so because so many dukes in succession have died here.”
“The last three did not die in this bedchamber or even in the house.As for my grandfather, he was old, sickly, and bedridden.It is likely he died of natural causes.”
“But you still have your doubts about the other deaths.”
He winced.“Only because they happened within so short a span of time.That is the only reason.I know they were ruled accidental and no one has proven otherwise.”
“But you could do it.”
“Assuming there is anything sinister to prove about them.I’ll keep my eyes open and ask questions.Anyone can fall off a horse while out riding, especially if they are riding recklessly fast.Anyone can drown, especially if they are wandering around drunk at night and stumbled onto the salt marshes as the tide came in.”
Tulip nodded.“It is extremely dangerous to be caught up in a changing tide even if one is sober and walking about in broad daylight.Surely, the predecessor dukes had to have known this since they’d lived here most of their lives.”
“My grandfather kept his sons and grandsons firmly under his thumb while he was alive.Once he died, who was to hold them back from all the destructive behaviors they learned from him?”
“I suppose.”She studied his features.“What are you thinking, Alex?”
He shrugged.“Nothing that makes any sense yet.Let’s worry about the estate and getting it back in order.Mr.Carver is going to give us a tour of the farms and dairy tomorrow.That could turn into a long day for us.”
“We haven’t talked about your findings yet.Anything surprising turn up in the ledgers you were studying earlier?”
He grunted.“Yes, but it was a good surprise.The farms and dairy are actually turning a small profit.The bad news is that my predecessors spent the income faster than it came in.”
“So we have to rebuild starting from nothing?”
“Yes, pretty much.But we do have the prospect of income, and that is important.We’ll need some luck to build up the Davenport coffers to any significance.A bad year would set us back and force us to pile on more debt.So, let us pray for good weather over the next few years to get us back on our feet.”
“What about the old cheesemaking works?”
“I would like to revive that, but I don’t know if it can be done this year.The estate has too little income coming in just yet.Not sure if there is enough to spare in getting that project started.”
“I knew Mr.Carver was a good man and could keep this estate going no matter how badly your predecessor dukes ravaged the assets.”
“I am vastly relieved you turned out to be right.Half the battle is reining in the profligate spending, and that ought to be fairly easy for us to do.”
“Yes, I agree,” Tulip said.“Our needs are not extravagant.I can sew new drapes and make my own gowns, if necessary.”
Blessed saints.
There was no pretense to the girl, just compassion and a desire to be helpful.No wonder his instincts had gone wild at the first sight of her and screamed at him to marry her.She was ready to be a true partner to him in every essence.
Gad, that felt nice.
“No,” Alex said with a gentle laugh.“I will not have myduchesswife reduced to a seamstress.But I appreciate the offer.What we need to do is decide upon the priorities and address them with proper budgeting.We’ll need to carefully allocate the income already coming in.Which problems are most urgent?I have my opinion on the top three.”
“And what are they?”
