“You are correct, of course. I just feel poorly for the young woman, having to go through life without a father.”
The dowager wagged her finger at Priscilla. “Don’t you feel sorry for her or her mother. I’m quite certain while my son was alive, he gave his mistresses money and paid for theirtownhouses. As for Miss Georgina not having a father, her stepfather is a nice enough man, so she is just fine.”
“Lord Burns? I think I saw him outside the milliner’s shop yesterday.”
Confusion filled the dowager’s expression. “Are you certain it was Lord Burns? The last I heard, the man was lying on his deathbed.”
“Oh, well, then maybe it wasn’t him. I just saw a man with brown hair talking to Miss Georgina yesterday.”
The dowager shook her head. “That wasn’t Lord Burns. The poor man is nearly bald by now, and he is in his seventies.”
Priscilla finished eating her breakfast as she recalled the conversation she’d overheard between Miss Georgina and the man, thinking it very confusing. But it certainly made Priscilla believe that the young woman was spoiled, no matter her circumstances in life.
After swallowing the last bite, she took the linen napkin and dabbed her mouth. “I hope you will excuse me now. I’m eager to help Gavin.”
“Of course, my dear.”
Priscilla stood, but quickly stopped. “Do I need to wheel you anywhere before I go?”
The dowager swished her hand through the air. “Miss Priscilla, although I hired you as my companion, rest assured I just wanted womanly company. Martin has been pushing me around in my rollerchair for years. I shall be fine.”
Priscilla laughed and quickly left the room. She didn’t mind hearing that the dowager didn’t really need her. Apparently, fate had lent them both a helping hand.
She really shouldn’t run, but her steps were faster than they should be as she rushed toward the study. Turning the corner, she noticed a man walk out of the room, saying something to Gavin as he stepped into the corridor. It wasn’t until theman faced her that she recognized him as the man whom Miss Georgina had been visiting with yesterday.
Immediately, her mind filled in the missing puzzle pieces. Gavin had told her money was missing from his account, but didn’t have any idea how it was happening—but he expected it was someone who lived on the estate. Then there was that awkward conversation yesterday between Miss Georgina and Mr. McGuire.
Her legs stopped moving as she stared at the man walking toward her. He gave her a nod before passing.
Words were lodged in her throat, and she didn’t want to believe any of it. Yet what else could it be? Mr. McGuire would have access to Gavin’s money, and it seemed he was giving it to Gavin’s illegitimate, spoiled sister.
“There you are.” Gavin’s voice boomed through the air.
She swung her attention toward him as he came toward her. His smile widened more the closer he came.
“Before you say anything, I didn’t have the heart to let the maid wake you.” He stopped in front of her and caressed her cheek. “Do you forgive me?”
“I… I…” She swallowed hard. “Gavin, we must talk. Now.”
Without waiting for his answer, she grabbed his arm, practically pulled him into the study, and closed the door. She pointed toward the hall.
“The person stealing your money just left this room,” she declared, not knowing how else to tell him.
Gavin’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t look at her as though he didn’t believe her, but she couldn’t exactly tell what he might be thinking. He stared at her without saying a thing and blinked several times. She hoped he was just surprised at her statement.
“You see,” she continued, “I saw Mr. McGuire in front of the milliner’s shop yesterday, talking to Miss Georgina, and I overheard a little of their conversation. Yesterday, it didn’tmake any sense, but after your grandmother told me who Miss Georginareallyis, and after seeing your secretary leave the study just now, the conversation I overheard makes sense.”
Gavin inhaled a shaky breath and squared his shoulders. “Tell me what you heard.”
She proceeded to tell Gavin about Miss Georgina’s spoiled antics of wanting a new gown and pushing Mr. McGuire to get her the money before the balls she would attend. Priscilla tried to remember the conversation word for word, but knew she was probably missing something. Still, she was able to get the general idea across.
Gavin shook his head and moved back behind his desk to sit. He stared down at the open ledgers on his desk. “Why couldn’t I see it?”
“Because Mr. McGuire didn’t want you to.”
She moved beside him and touched his shoulder. Leaning forward slightly, she skimmed over the open page. Immediately, she noticed a spot and pointed to the line.
“See right here? He logged in an amount on April 14. The next day, he wrote another amount, but had already subtracted one hundred pounds. So when you add up these columns, you don’t see it written down as an expense.”
