“As do I.”
As he watched her turn to leave, but stop at the doorway again to look up and down the corridor before she hurried out, he couldn’t stop the smile from stretching across his swollen face. Perhaps he could hope she would be civil to him after this, and within time, maybe forgive him for being a mule’s back end? It would be a pleasure to become her friend.
Chapter Five
“Idon’t understandany of this,” Gavin grumbled, smacking his fist on the desk.
His secretary, Jacob McGuire, frowned. “Indeed, Your Grace. These books are very confusing. I wish your father’s secretary had kept better track of where the funds were going, and especially what was coming in.”
Thankfully, Gavin’s allergies had miraculously disappeared, and this morning he showed no signs of being disfigured for most of yesterday. However, his current headache was because he and his secretary were going over the books more closely, trying to find something that might point them in the direction of the missing money.
“Be honest with me, McGuire. Do you think we will ever discover who is stealing my money?”
The man in his mid-forties shrugged and scratched his balding head. “My opinion is that if we keep digging and trying to find some of your father’s other papers, we might just find the connection.”
Gavin groaned and leaned his elbows on the desk, resting his head in his hands. How many times did he have to curse his dead father? Why had the man done this to his only son? Gavin vowed that ifheever married and sired children, he would never leave them with this kind of struggle.
“I cannot think anymore today, unfortunately.” Gavin sighed and sat up straighter. “Let us give this matter a rest for a few days, and during that time, I shall have some of the servants search through the manor and see what they can find.”
“What about the other estates your father owned?” Jacob asked.
“My father only conducted business here, and that was because he was followinghisfather’s example. However, it wouldn’t hurt to send some of the servants to those estates to search as well. I will place them on the block to sell soon, so perhaps now is the best time to try to find missing ledgers.”
“You are correct, Your Grace.”
Gavin stood, and his secretary rose from his chair as well. “I do appreciate your assistance with this matter, McGuire. I beg your secrecy, at least for now. I don’t need my grandmother worried needlessly, or for the servants to think we can’t afford to pay them and start looking for other employment.”
“Of course, Your Grace. As always, I kept my client’s issues to myself.”
“You are a good man, and a wonderful friend.”
“As are you.” Jacob bowed and left the room.
Gavin stretched his arms above his head to release the kinks in his shoulders and back. He should get out of this stuffy office and stretch his legs as well. If only he could occupy his mind with something else, because trying to find the missing money was too stressful.
He stepped out into the hall. First things first—he needed to have Martin, the butler, send a missive to his other estates, and have the servants still in residence search through the manors for any hidden ledgers or books created by his father. Once their work was finished, he would, sadly, need to sell his lands.
Angrily he marched toward the other end of the manor, fisting his hands and cursing his father once again. He couldn’thelp but think of his Worthington cousins who held titles. They were all productive and didn’t have to worry about people stealing from their coffers. Perhaps he should contact his cousin Trevor Worthington, Duke of Kenbridge. There was a man who could handle several estates on his own, even though he was recently widowed.
A heavenly scent drifted all around him, and his stomach grumbled. It smelled like the cooks were busy making pastries. Of course, that only meant that the dowager duchess was having an afternoon social. If not now, then soon.
He turned down another corridor, heading for the parlor where his grandmother usually held her small gatherings. The closer he came, the more he heard women’s voices. The few times he had stayed at the manor, the old woman invited him to “drop in” to see her during her get-togethers. Of course, it didn’t take him long to realize she had invited young women merely to make introductions on the chance that he might become interested in one of them.
Gavin figured this time would be no different. After all, he was now living at the manor, and once again, she was having a party.
As he neared, he slowed his steps as he heard the women’s chatter inside the room. It sounded like they were aiming their grievances at some poor chap, even though Gavin hadn’t caught a name as of yet.
“He is as wicked as they come,” a younger woman spouted irritably. “The man had the audacity to try to pay off my chaperone so that she would leave me alone with him.”
Gasps ricocheted around the room. Gavin grinned. Why hadn’thethought of doing that in his roguish years? Why, it was pure genius. But at least he knew they weren’t discussing his exploits. Then again, his grandmother wouldn’t allow any such talk about her grandson in front of company.
“Then your chaperone is to be commended for not giving in and taking the money,” the dowager said in a strong voice. “But I must admit, there are worse men out there than that. You young ladies need to remember not to feel temptation to these types of men. Their charms will only ruin your good name, and you will never marry well once that happens. Not long after I married, my sister fell prey to a seducer, and her life has been miserable ever since.”
Gavin nodded. Aunt Mildred was the pitiful relative that the family never wanted to talk about, only because she fell in love with the wrong man, a man who could not return her feelings and wouldn’t do the right thing and marry her after taking her maidenhood.
Gavin now wishedhehadn’t been that kind of man. At the time, he never cared about anyone but himself. Hopefully, he had grown since becoming a duke. If not, he would certainly have to work on it.
He stopped at the door but stayed against the wall, not wanting to be seen just yet. Perhaps making his presence known during this particular conversation wasn’t a good idea, especially because he had probably seduced—or attempted seduction—with some of the young misses having afternoon tea with his grandmother. He knew at least one of them. Thankfully, Priscilla would keep that secret until her last breath.
