Page 36 of Every Duke Has His Thorn
Marina served herself some stew and buttered a hot roll, musing that sometimes modest meals were the best.
“What is your impression of Lady Barton?” she asked idly.
“Quite down to earth for being the daughter of a duke. She is confident and direct like her nephew. And also considerate.”
Marina decided she quite agreed. She explained to her father about the pink ribbon portrait and the next clue possibly being about the tithing barn.
“You three have been busy.” Her father took a bite of roll and chewed. “The tithing barn is an odd place to hide a treasure.”
“There’s only one stanza left,” she answered with a sigh. “If we can’t find a clue in the barn, I’m not sure what to do next.”
“You’ll just have to wait until tomorrow morning to find out what progress the duke and his aunt made with the clues.” He took a sip of wine and added, “The repairs to the roof of the hall should be finished tomorrow. The workmen may then proceed with restoration work on the second floor. Despite the rain, we’re still ahead of schedule.”
She was determined not to think about leaving Barton Hall. Ordinarily, she was excited to look ahead to the next project.
“Marina? You seem far away.”
“Just wool-gathering, Father,” she replied, now concentrating on buttering a roll.
“I received an inquiry from a Mr. Nettles in Norfolk. I’ll show you his correspondence after dinner. He has a manor house in need of some work.”
Despite not feeling much interest in a project so far away from Lancashire, she replied brightly, “That sounds wonderful. We haven’t been to Norfolk for ages.”
Chapter Fifteen
Preston’s morning ride was uneventful, but while eating his breakfast with his aunt in the drawing room, Winston shared some unsettling news.
“Cook at the dower house has reported her larder has been raided. She thought her memory had been playing up, but now she’s sure someone has been filching food from the dower house stores.”
“That’s unfortunate.” He sighed. “I’d hoped it wouldn’t be necessary to address the servants about the thefts.”
“Perhaps the missing food is due to your unwanted guest,” his aunt commented.
He nodded. “You might be right. Thank you, Winston. I will let you know how I plan to manage the situation.”
“May I join your morning meeting, Preston?” His aunt took a sip of coffee. “I should like to see if Miss Davies has any new thoughts on the clues to the treasure.”
“As you wish,” he replied distractedly, still thinking about the thefts of food on the estate.
When the architect and his daughter entered the library later that morning, his aunt was seated on a hard-backed chair Winston had brought into the room.
“The men are starting work on the second floor today, Your Grace,” Sir Joseph informed him after taking a seat. “I’m happy to say there have been no further delays.”
“Very good. Did Cook advise you of the recent thefts of food at the dower house?” He addressed the architect, having already taken a moment to observe that Miss Davies looked as lovely as always. She wasn’t wearing her spectacles, and her hair was in a relaxed chignon.
“Yes, she did. It is most worrisome.” The architect paused. “Did Lady Barton speak to you about the man she and my daughter saw in the woods?”
Shaking his head, he shot a look at his aunt.
“I forgot all about it.” She proceeded to tell him about the man she and Miss Davies had seen near the folly.
Preston frowned. “He was wearing a coat in this heat? He may not have wanted to be recognized.”
Before he could say more, Miss Davies cleared her throat. “Your Grace, Lady Barton, I wonder if the man could be your unwanted house guest and the person stealing food. I don’t want you to think I’m being fanciful, but I believe the maid at the dower house might know who the person is.”
“Really?” Lady Barton sat forward in her chair. “Whyever would you think that my dear?”
Miss Davies answered, “Anne lied to me about where she is from. She stated she grew up in Winmarleigh on a farm. Cook tells me Anne is from the same part of Blackpool as she.”
