When a Duke Loves a Governess (Unlikely Duchesses #3) - Olivia Drake Page 0,57
made it more difficult for Tessa to envisage herself leaving. Yet if she stayed, it would mean postponing her millinery shop, possibly for years.
She bolstered her spirits with the reminder that nothing was settled. Everything depended on how quickly she could identify the coat of arms, if her truant father would grant her a loan, and if he were even still alive. He could be dead and buried for all she knew. There were enough variables for her to postpone fretting about the matter for now.
If only she could hold her warm feelings for Carlin at bay as well.
His face grim, the duke ushered her into the shadowed study. A single candle on a table provided the only illumination, but it was enough to reveal a shocking sight. A blizzard of papers covered the carpet. Every drawer in the desk hung open. Books had been tossed down from the shelves, Carlin’s framed paintings scattered. The place looked like the nursery after the time when Sophy had gone on a rampage and emptied out all the toy cabinets.
Looking around, Carlin plunged his fingers through his hair, rumpling the black strands. “Good God! Who could have done this? And when?”
Mr. Banfield shook his head, then picked up the candle to light the tapers in a candelabrum. “I arose early to write out some letters that needed your signature,” he said somberly. “Otherwise, the burglary might have gone unnoticed for another hour or two.”
“Have you determined what’s missing?”
“No, Your Grace. The moment I saw this, I could think only of catching you in the stables before you departed on your ride.”
For the first time, Tessa noticed that Carlin was handsomely attired in a dark green coat, tan breeches, and shiny black boots. So that was why he’d been up at the crack of dawn. But he hadn’t been in the stables, and the disapproving glance that Mr. Banfield aimed her way made Tessa feel uncomfortable. Really, he ought to be happy that she’d delayed the duke.
“There’s no telling if anything has been stolen until this mess can be tidied,” Carlin said curtly.
“At least the safe doesn’t appear to have been tampered with,” the secretary noted as he moved a landscape painting aside to reveal a hidden steel door in the wall. “That means no cash or jewels were taken.”
“Well, that’s something.”
While the men talked, Tessa stepped to the windows and opened the draperies, fastening the gold tasseled cord to the wall hooks. Although it was still dark outside, the sun was coming up and daylight would soon make the candles unnecessary. When she returned, the duke was barking out orders.
“Send Roebuck in here at once. And Peabody, as well. Then interview the staff. Find out if anyone noticed anything unusual.”
“As you wish.” Banfield cast a sidelong glance at Tessa. “But if you’ll first allow me a word, Your Grace.”
Frowning, Carlin accompanied the secretary out into the corridor. Tessa suspected the starchy fellow wanted privacy to urge the duke to banish her to the nursery, but when Carlin returned alone a minute or two later, he did no such thing.
Since he seemed willing to tolerate her presence, she picked up some books and replaced them on the shelves. The duke began to collect the papers that were scattered near the open trunk. How odd that this had happened on the very night after he’d given his lecture, she mused. But she didn’t want to interrupt him with chatter when he appeared engrossed in the task of putting his research documents back in order.
They worked in silence, though once she intercepted a cool stare from him before he turned away again without a word. That look was a stark reminder that he had not forgotten their quarrel.
She ought to be thinking up a way to placate him, but her mind kept dwelling on the robber. Why would someone break into a duke’s house yet make no effort to crack the safe? Had he been interrupted while committing the crime? Or had he been seeking something other than jewels? That would suggest he was no ordinary picklock from the stews of Seven Dials.
Just then, Roebuck entered the study. The butler had a mane of silver hair and a stately aura that put Tessa in awe of him. This morning, however, his normally impassive face held dismay as he assured the duke that all the doors and windows had been locked as usual. He’d seen to the matter himself once the guests had departed after the lecture.