Page 27 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke (The Marlow Family Secrets #6)

‘Is this all we have?’ John stated, exasperated.

Harvey smiled lightly.

Did he think this was amusing? John was not amused.

Harvey had gathered numerous pieces of information, but the key to finding the lost money was still missing.

He knew where Wareham had been born, to some actress, in London, as an illegitimate child, with no named father.

John knew where Wareham had been raised and schooled too.

He’d been to Eton and then Oxford. So they also knew there was some wealthy benefactor in Wareham’s life.

Probably the unnamed father. And John now knew Wareham had been in his grandfather’s service ever since leaving Oxford. But what good were those facts?

John wondered if Wareham had been ripping the old man off since the beginning. If so there might be thousands stored away. The estate had been haemorrhaging money in every ledger John had reviewed.

He had brought them all up to town so Harvey’s staff could start calculating the total loss.

Wareham was probably currently living a merry life on it too. He had made no attempt to disappear, he was still in Ashford and John’s grooms still watched him.

Phillip had made more progress regarding the loan; he had discovered it had been an investment rather than a loan.

Wareham had been stung by a man of his own ilk.

He’d invested in a canal building scam. The rogue who had promoted it had disappeared with Wareham’s funds.

Wareham had tried to use the duke’s name to get his money back.

‘My solicitors are still searching for an account in Wareham’s name, Your Grace. We know the investment was not made in cash, so the account must exist.’

John wished this over with and sorted. His eyes shut for a moment.

‘Is Your Grace worried he will make some other move?’ Harvey asked.

John’s eyes flew open. He had let himself relax too much and Harvey had seen through his guard. John had not previously thought to hide his thoughts and emotions from Harvey, but since this thing with Wareham John’s trust had grown even less.

The word ‘trust’ spun John’s thoughts to Katherine and whenever she came to mind, it was her eyes he saw – bright blue eyes burning into him as they accused him of lacking trust and being spoilt.

She had called him two people, the two people he knew he was, but he was fast becoming just the one.

The one he had never wanted to be. His grandfather’s monster, who shut everything and everyone out, including her.

He had shoved aside all thoughts and feelings for her.

He had a duty to fulfil and a public life to lead.

‘Your Grace,’ Harvey prompted.

‘I don’t know what to expect from him,’ John answered. ‘He knows all of my grandfather’s business. Is that not risk enough?’

Harvey nodded. ‘I have warned all the stewards to be cautious, Your Grace. We can also move your accounts if you wish?’

‘Yes,’ John said. ‘Please move them. Agree some code with the other stewards too, so they will know when communications come from you. When does the new man start?’