She had to have been the dark secret that scared the dying, old man and later set off a chain of vengeance killings.
His grandfather wrote that she had gone missing about twenty years ago, maybe more or maybe less…the timing was not precisely written down.
Had she been held in that tower room at Thornwycke Hall?
Were there rumors of a young woman held prisoner there at the time?
Of course, he could have asked Carver or Ernfield, perhaps even Mrs.Crabbe about it.But it was possible these long-time retainers had been involved in some way.Not in actually harming her, but had seen something or later learned something that they kept to themselves even after the death of Alex’s grandfather.
He raked a hand through his hair in consternation.
Interrogating Carver would not be easy because Tulip adored him and trusted him.
But Alex had mixed feelings about his estate manager.
The man was obviously competent and had handled management of the Davenport estate with diligence and devotion.
He wanted to like Carver.
However, it was not a stretch to imagine Carver would keep silent about his grandfather’s misdeeds in order to preserve his position as estate manager.
Estate managers were well paid and often held in high regard.
Would Carver toss it all away to tell the truth about a girl who had gone missing two decades ago?
William Hester was the man to question first, for certain.
Better yet, Perty Hester was the one to engage in casual conversation.
Women knew everything that went on in their village.
She would remember the details of any scandals or mysteries about a young woman’s disappearance.
The Hester residence was a pleasant house built of golden stone situated on a quiet square just off the town’s high street.Ivy covered the facade of the house and there was an abundance of flowers in the garden.
Alex noticed a woman bent over a rose bush with pruning shears.
The woman turned out to be Perty Hester herself.
She dropped her shears and rushed toward the carriage the moment she spotted Tulip descend from it.“Tulip!My sweetheart!Oh, what a joy it is to see you!”
Tulip ran to her aunt and the two of them embraced with fierce delight.“I missed you so much, Aunt Perty!”
Alex marveled at the depth of love between them.
When they ended their joyful reunion, Tulip introduced her aunt to Alex.
“Your Grace,” Perty said, her eyes wide as she bobbed a curtsy, obviously daunted to be addressing a duke.
He gave a nod in return.“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs.Hester.My wife has said nothing but good things about you and your husband.”
The woman’s expression turned to one of dismay.“Oh, Tulip!You are now a duchess.How am I to address you?”
“As you always have,” she insisted.“And you are not to treat me any differently, unless we are in public and formality demands it.But even then…”
“Don’t you worry, love,” her aunt said.“I know my place in your heart and in society, too.Don’t ever worry that you might slight me or your Uncle William.We know we shall always hold a place in your heart, even if the silly rules of etiquette forbid you to show it.Now, come in the pair of you and I’ll put the kettle on for us.”
She called over one of the boys who obviously did odd chores around the house.“Peter, run to the shop and let Mr.Hester know his niece has come to visit.”
