“Do you owe them all m-money?”
“Yes.”
“Why are they h-h-h-ere now?”
Phineas cleared his throat. “Because of your dowry.”
“My . . . ?”
“I think they all think they’re going to get paid now.”
“What did you tell the m-man who jutht left?”
“The man who just left?”
“The man you talked to before I came in here.”
“I promised Mr. Denby he would be the first to be paid once Edmund settles the money on me. I do have a rather large bill with him.”
Caro marched to the door and flung it open. “I’m thorry. Lord B-b-burchethter is retheiving no more c-c-callerth today. M-m-markham, pleathe thow everyone out.”
Phineas heard some muffled protests before Caro closed the door and leaned against it, her hands behind her.
“Who doth your bookth?”
“What do you mean, darling?”
“Your accountth.”
“Well, I have a banker and a man of business here in town, and my steward keeps my accounts on the estate.”
“We’ll go to the banker and the man of bithneth right now.”
“My wife wants to know the value of my account, Sir Josiah.”
They were in Sir Josiah Bastable’s office in the Lovelock Bank. Sir Josiah shifted in his seat.
“Ah, yes, the marquess wants to know your assets.” Sir Josiah nodded at Edmund who was standing in the corner, his arms folded in front of his chest, looking almost as troubled as Phineas felt.
“No, Lady Burchester wants to know.” Phineas put his hand on the back of Caro’s chair. “Please tell her.”
“I don’t think, I mean . . .” Sir Josiah pushed himself to his feet with a sigh. “May I speak to you alone, Lord Burchester?”
“I know it’s a scandal, Sir Josiah. I’ve warned my wife. Still, she wants to hear it from you.”
Sir Josiah fixed his eyes on the ceiling. “At this moment, Lord Burchester has five pounds and four shillings in this bank.”
A growl from Edmund in the corner.
Caro reached out. “May I thee the balanthe theet?”
It didn’t take her long to scan the figures.
She stood. “Thank you, Thir Jothiah.” Her face was stony. Phineas’ heart sank.
Once the three of them were seated in the carriage, Phineas worked up the courage to utter one word.
“Well?”
