I sat still as a statue.
“We’re making it into a wine cellar and buttery,” hecontinued.
“I see.”
What he meant was, the dungeon Dad-not-Dad had down therefor whatever reason he had it was being repurposed.
“It will be in the way during construction.There’s nowhereto put all of it until it’s done,” Carling said quietly.“And I’m used to it,milady.I can wait.”
“Of course,” I replied.“But could you, perhaps, use myfather’s study in the meantime?”
Hs expression grew tender, because of my words, as well aswhat he was about to say.
“Lady Corliss suggested that same thing.You are both mostkind, but it simply wouldn’t be proper.”
One thing Carling exceled at was being proper.
“Very well,” I murmured.Then said, “Though, this does segueus rather well.”
And surprisingly, it did, thank gods, because I had a plan,but I didn’t have a plan on how to broach it.
He appeared confused.
Damn.
As mentioned, I had a plan.It might come to nothing, butconsidering I had a man to look after, it was worth a shot.
I took that shot.
“Lord Remington shared that my father had access to somerather…colorful characters.”
Carling’s eyes widened.
I hurried on.
“I don’t know if word reached your ears, Carling…” I didknow.Everything reached his ears.“But my intended had a spot of trouble lastnight.”
“I had heardsomething of this, milady.”
“Well, you see, he’s very strong, so you couldn’t tell thismorning, but he was injured in the fracas.To the point a physician had toattend him last night.”
“My goodness,” he said with alarm.
“He’ll be fine…eventually.”I put more weight on the lastword than was needed.
“Well, that’s good to hear.”
“He’s supposed to be resting.”
Carling said nothing.
“He’s not.”
Carling stared at me.
“Because he’s concerned about this matter, and he is rathera man of action.”
“He is that, milady,” Carling mumbled.
