He had laughed at the family friend’s comment, thinking the man was being humorous. But Jacob reported hearing rumors that Gavin’s father had given him a depleting inheritance because of unwise investments. This, of course, made him delve into the ledgers, and just as the rumors predicted, he was losing money. If he couldn’t think of a way to quickly change things around and start earning, he would lose everything. It appeared as if his father had been more ill in the head before his death than first suspected.
Grumbling, Gavin pushed away from his desk and moved to the window to gaze out on the spring morning. He would thoroughly enjoy spending time outdoors, since the weatherappeared quite lovely today. Sadly, the disturbing news about his inheritance had ruined everything, and he cursed his parents. Why hadn’t they better prepared him for situations like this? But it was as if the duke’s responsibilities had been dumped on him and that everyone around him expected him to know how to fix it. He didn’t want to admit how worthless he felt from the overwhelming issue, especially when he had no clue how to dig himself out of this frustrating mess.
Gavin released a defeated sigh and leaned against the window. Another thing that bothered him was that he hadn’t been able to meet with his friends and cousins at the gaming tables for two months. Of course, he didn’t go there just to gamble. Catching up with these men was much needed, especially during this uncertain time in his life.
He was determined to find the person stealing from his coffers. He also needed to bring the family’s name back into good standing. So why were obstacles constantly being thrown in his way? Apparently, this was his penance for those rogue years when he had not cared about anybody but himself. He especially never cared about a woman’s feelings.
Miss Priscilla Hartwell’s hadn’t been the first heart he had broken. There was Miss Madeline Parker, who had bored him to tears, so he seduced her best friend, Lady Georgina Grisham. Miss Jane Eggert was the daughter of a penniless baron, and Gavin had convinced her that they would run off to Gretna Green and marry. Jane was older than him, but at the time, all he wanted was what most rogues wanted… another notch on their bedpost.
Groaning, he scrubbed a hand over his jaw. Perhaps he shouldn’t have said that to a woman who had been so desperate to find a husband.
He glanced back at his desk and the ledgers spread across the top. Hopefully, between him and his secretary, they would findthe reason money was disappearing and be able to pinpoint the culprit. Until then, Gavin wouldn’t be able to feel settled. But for now, he must think of other things, or he would turn insane with frustration.
Immediately, his thoughts shifted to the lovely woman with black hair and a feisty temperament that was now his grandmother’s companion. He recalled their time in the dark library last night, and smiled. He found the time spent with her had been rather enjoyable. He couldn’t remember ever being with a woman in a library without kissing—or more—happening. Yet nothing improper had transpired during the evening, except that he hadn’t been able to stop smiling after they went their separate ways.
He doubted Priscilla shared his enthusiasm.
As he returned to his desk and sat, he found himself grinning wider than expected for having such a rotten morning. Then again, thinking how he had felt like a knight in shining armor with Priscilla in the library made him want to find other ways to change her mind about him. He really could have just picked up the lamp and restarted the kindle, since he had done it many times. But instead, he’d made her believe they had to walk across the library for his candle in order to find their way out of the large room.
Gavin leaned back in his chair and pushed aside the ledgers in front of him. He couldn’t concentrate on this. Not now, with so many other things filling his mind.
As a boy, he and his older cousins had played in his grandmother’s library. At an early age, they all learned their way around that particular room without knocking anything off the shelves. Sometimes they played games with blindfolds just to see who was better at moving through the small maze of shelves without running into anything.
Of course, he wouldn’t make Priscilla aware of this. She would hate him for sure.
Gavin sighed in defeat. He knew he couldn’t stay in his study another moment. He left the room and let his long strides take him to the nearest door so that he could be outside, enjoying this beautiful day. He had always been the outdoorsman type. Even as a boy, he had spent more time riding his horse than working on his studies.
He walked to the stable and had his horse prepared to ride. He would stay around the estate today, although he enjoyed riding for hours most days. But certainly, being one with the horse and nature would clear his mind.
The groom brought his horse out, and Gavin mounted. Immediately, he pushed the steed fast, loving the feel of the air against his face. His mind opened, and he recalled when he had gone riding as a young boy. Being an only child, his closest friends were his cousins, but because they didn’t live close by, he relied on his horse to listen to his problems and gripes. If only the animal had responded with something rather than a neigh.
Gavin chuckled. As a boy, he thought that by wishing on a star, it would make the animals talk. What a wild imagination he’d had.
As a young adult, he was confident enough to ride to visit his closet cousins—three brothers, Trevor, Tristan, and Trey Worthington. Trey had been his favorite, and closest to Gavin in age. When they reached their maturity, both men became experienced rogues. Indeed, Gavin had learned from the best, even though now he wished he had not been taught to treat women with disrespect. He couldn’t count how many hearts he had broken. He really should apologize to Priscilla, if she would only listen. Hopefully, one day she might find it in her heart to forgive him.
Once again, the image of her face popped into his mind, and surprisingly, he found himself anxious to see her again, even though he knew she was mad at him. But it didn’t matter. The more he could show her his kindness, the more it would soften her heart.
At least, that was his plan.
He made a quick turn and headed back toward the manor, riding faster. Suddenly, the saddle beneath him shifted, catching him off guard. At first, he wondered if he had been feeling things, but when the saddle moved again, he knew something was dreadfully wrong.
Immediately, he pulled on the reins to bring the horse to a stop, but before the animal could slow down, the saddle completely came loose. Although he tried holding on to the reins, they slipped out of his hands as he tumbled to the ground. The second he hit the dirt, he rolled, praying there was nothing that would stop him and injure him in the process.
He held his body tight until he stopped rolling. He sighed with relief and tested his arms and legs to see if there was any pain. Thankfully, everything seemed fine. Slowly, he sat up and looked around. He wasn’t that far from the manor, so walking wouldn’t be a problem.
As he stood, he stretched his arms and legs, and then ran his fingers through his hair. Once again, dirt covered him from head to toe, just as when he had returned to the manor yesterday and had seen Priscilla after all this time.
He glanced around to find his horse. He was certain the steed would return momentarily, even if he couldn’t spot him now. But the saddle was easy to see.
Grumbling, he marched to the saddle and crouched down to study the straps. There was no reason it should have come loose, because he knew his grandmother’s groom wasn’t that incompetent.
Then he noticed it—a cut in the strap. Someone had purposely tampered with the leather. But why would anyone want him to fall off his horse? Then again, he was certain Priscilla wanted to hurt him.
The moment the thought popped into his head, he ushered it out. The woman may still be upset at him, but she wasn’t the malicious type. She was too kind to want to cut his saddle.
He exhaled deeply and began his walk toward the manor, brushing off his clothes as he went. When he saw Priscilla next, he would be able to tell by her expression if she had been the reason he fell off his horse.
The early afternoon sun warmed him quickly. He inhaled slowly, filling his lungs with the fresh air. Sadly, being outdoors hadn’t quite cleared his mind from what was happening with his inheritance. Who could be taking his money?
