Page 81 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
Closing the book, Moses finished his brandy and stood. If he was right, Caroline would have heard about Miss Orville’s death by way of Edward’s relay system by then. It had to hurt to hear such disturbing news by proxy but there was no chance of him going to her in person. He still did not know if he was under surveillance and any trip outside of his dukedom might lead the perpetrators directly to her.
Please do not blame yourself for Miss Orville’s demise, Caroline. This is not your fault. She made her choices and her punishment is the result of her actions.
“Your Grace?”
“Yes, Hinds?”
“Your father-in-law, Lord Crampton, had arrived. Do you desire to entertain him in your study or a sitting room?” the butler spoke.
Hellfire and damnation,Moses silently swore,the man has a gift of arriving at the most inopportune times.
“Show him to my study, Hinds,” Moses sighed, “And fetch some of the best wine up from the cellars, too. Please hurry.”
What on Earth does he want now?
“Moses,” Peregrine greeted as he came into the room, clad in a dark suit with a deep maroon waistcoat. With the cane dangling from one hand Peregrine then lightly grasped him by his shoulders. “How have you been, son?”
“A little worse for wear,” Moses sighed, “Lavinia’s lady’s maid was found dead a few days ago outside of Camdonshire. The funeral is tomorrow and Lavinia is disconsolate.”
Shock struck the older man’s face but it was not until Moses had a moment to reflect that he realized that the emotion was remarkably exaggerated.
“My God,” Peregrine said as he settled himself in a wingback chair, “That is horrible news. Do the authorities have any clues to go by?”
“They suspect it was a robbery gone wrong. She had a pistol shot in the middle of her forehead, her reticule is missing, and there are wounds on her person, apparently, she tried to fight back… but failed.”
A low sigh came from the Earl, “That is very…upsetting. How is Lavinia dealing with it?”
“She cries day and night,” Moses admitted while peering into his snifter.Where had the majority of the brandy gone?“It is apparent that she truly loved Miss Orville.”
“Excuse me, Your Grace,” followed Hinds’ courteous knock. “The wine you have requested.”
“Thank you, Hinds.” The Duke gestured for the tray to be put down and as the butler made his exit, filled a glass with the deep red liquid and then handed it to his father-in-law.
“Hm,” The Earl’s tone was noncommittal as he tasted the wine. “And how are your other servants, how are they digesting this tragedy?”
An instinct honed from the military told Moses that the Earl was subtly—or rather, not all that subtly—fishing for information and he suspectedwhomhe wanted to hear from—Caroline.
“They are all torn,” Moses said, while now keeping a diligent eye on the man, “My house is like a family, Peregrine. The servants interact with each other daily and know the other as a sister or brother, and so to lose one is a collective hurt.”
The swift twist in the man’s face was a direct sign that he despised how his fishing attempt was so skillfully deflected.
“I understand,” Peregrine added while swirling the wine, “And the children, how are they on the matter?”
Moses liberally arched an eyebrow, “They have not had many interactions with Miss Orville so they, as a singularity, are not too damaged by it.”
The Duke saw where he was heading the moment after his reply and had to cut him off. “I have heard by the grapevine that your farmhands are faltering in number? Are you open to exchange, Peregrine? Some of my workers for a percentage of your harvest and some of yours for mine?”
Moses had deliberately chosen that strain of topic because Peregrine, as a landowner, would have been seen disingenuous to delay finding a solution for his people in preference to indulge in unwanted inquiries. This time, Peregrine’s face soured and Moses hid a simile behind his glass.
“Must it always be business with you, Moses?” the Earl huffed. “But I am obligated to consider all my options now. Say what you will about this exchange.”
Satisfied that he had successfully turned the conversation into another area, Moses made sure to delve deeply in a business discussion and by the end, Peregrine had not been given the chance to change the subject to Caroline.
“And with that,” Moses finished two hours later, “I will have the equilateral trade agreement drawn up and delivered to you.”
“Acceptable,” the Earl noted, “You certainly do have a flair for business, my son.”
“Grandfather!” Nicholas’ voice interrupted them from the doorway and both adults turned to see the boy there. “I saw your carriage in the drive.”
