Page 25 of The Wise Daughter

Nora paced outside Aaron’s study where he, her father, and the solicitor, Mr. Cornell, an articulate man hardly older than Aaron, were discussing her future.

She pressed her ear to the door, then scurried off each time she heard the scrape of a chair on the floor or a creak of furniture, lest the men come out and think she had been waiting there, but as the minutes ticked by, she was beginning to care less about whether they caught her.

“What could possibly be taking so long in there? I should have brought my shawl.” She rubbed her arms and gazed out the window, its glass covered in water spots from last night’s rains.

Grey storm clouds gathered in the distance. The River Esk matched the clouds as it cut through the green surroundings. A robin in the distance soared across the clouds until it rested in the trees near the castle gardens. It flitted even closer, landing a stone’s throw away from her window.

Nora leaned on the windowsill, then glared over her shoulder at the closed door.

“My father and I have nothing. What can they possibly be negotiating?” She drew circles on the windowsill with her fingers.

“They may be discussing Aaron’s money, but they are dictating my life. I should be in that meeting.”

Nora didn’t care that she had never heard of a young lady working out her own marriage settlement.

She wanted to be a part of it. Straightening her spine, she was about to turn around and let herself in when she saw something through the window.

Someone was leaving the castle. A man in rough work clothes, a blue scarf, and a plain leather cap had just stepped onto the path and was swiftly striding across the castle grounds.

She wouldn’t have thought anything of it except for the way he hugged an awkward bundle under his arm and repeatedly looked over his shoulder, steadily increasing his pace.

In an instant, Nora made a decision. Lifting her skirts, she ran down the stairs to the drawing room and rang for the housekeeper.

Mrs. Manning strolled into the room, prim and clean with her perpetually pleasant and calm expression.

“What can I do for you, Miss Lacy?” When she looked Nora over, her expression changed.

“Goodness! Has something happened? You’re out of breath.

You need smelling salts or tea or, never mind. You sit down, and I’ll fetch both.”

“Mrs. Manning,” Nora took the housekeeper by her shoulders. “I don’t require either of those things. I’d like you to call all the servants together right away. Tell them to gather in the great hall.”

“What? All of them? Now?”

“Yes. Every last one. Gardeners, stablehands, scullery maids, everyone. Please. The matter is urgent.”

Mrs. Manning’s eyes went wide. “Has something happened?”

Nora released her shoulders. “The truth is, I don’t know, but now seems the ideal time to become better acquainted with the staff.”

“If you’re certain. His Grace has never called such a meeting. I don’t know that he would entirely approve.”

Nora filled her voice with confidence and calm. In her experience, a polite request went further than a stern command. “Please, Mrs. Manning. I ask that you trust me.”

Mrs. Manning regarded her, apparently making her decision. “Very well, Miss Lacy.” She left, closing the door behind her.

Nora made her way to the great hall and waited, imagining what sort of rumors this might start among the staff.

Would they think she was mad or demanding or simply improper for insisting she meet everyone like this when she was not yet their duchess?

This was Aaron’s home. She was the newcomer, but if everyone accommodated her request, she would find herself one step closer to discovering the thieves.

Over the next quarter of an hour, men and women, young and old, in a variety of livery, came trickling into the great hall. Nora greeted them one by one, requesting that they tell her their names and what position in the house they filled, though Nora could often guess.

The laundry maids carried the fresh scent of soap and lye, their arms bright pink from scrubbing in hot water.

Young scullery maids had grease-stained aprons and the most calloused hands with wispy hair escaping from tight buns and braids.

Janie entered with two other maids who Nora thought shared a family resemblance.

Most of the footmen who she had already seen in the castle had familiar faces.

Gardeners and stablehands trickled in next, carrying green scents of hay and grass and animals.

Servant after servant entered. What an army! And Nora greeted them all and thanked them for coming at her request. One latecomer, a woman who smelled of savory herbs and bread, introduced herself as Mrs. Bloom and smiled as if she wanted to pinch Nora’s cheeks.

“I’m so delighted to finally meet the young lady who has captured Master Aaron’s fancy. You’ll be the envy of all the young ladies, mark my words. Oh, but it makes my old heart happy to know our master has finally found his match.”

Mrs. Bloom must have been one of the few longstanding servants still in the castle.

“Thank you, Mrs. Bloom. I’m so pleased to meet you as well. Every meal you’ve prepared for me has been superb.”

“I knew I liked you the minute I saw you.” Mrs. Bloom began interrogating Nora about her favorite foods as well as anything she disliked when Chuff and Mr. Carver entered.

“Miss Lacy,” Mr. Carver snapped, “why are we here? There is an enormous amount of work to be done, and this interruption is costing us precious time.”

Nora still didn’t know what to think of Mr. Carver other than he obviously approached his responsibilities with utter solemnity. “I apologize for that, but I felt it was necessary to meet everyone. Now seemed like the perfect time.”

“Right now? All at once? Did the duke approve of this rash action?”

Chuff was watching the exchange in quiet interest. Nora couldn’t tell whether he agreed with Mr. Carver or not.

In fact, most of the servants were watching the exchange, some with worry, some with interest, a few with amusement.

Well, Aaron may have had a history of answering to Mr. Carver, but she did not.

“Mr. Carver, I appreciate your concern, but I never ask permission to do anything my conscience already feels perfectly at ease doing. I’m sure it is both a flaw and a strength of mine.”

Mr. Carver was starting to turn red in the face, his features stern, when a ripple of murmurs hissed through the crowd.

“Is that the duke? Is it really him?”

“Who else could it be?”

“It’s him. I’ve seen him a few times now since the lady arrived.”

“I thought he was too sickly to leave his bedchamber.”

The crowd of servants parted, and Aaron began greeting the servants until he was at Nora’s side. The solicitor, Mr. Cornell, was following a few steps behind, looking around as if he didn’t know what to do with himself.

Aaron took her hands and kissed her knuckles. “How are you this morning, my darling?”

Darling? Nora had to stop herself from making a face. She had never fancied being called anything other than her name, but she could play along.

“I’m quite well, my duke.”

She bit her lip. My duke? What a silly attempt at a pet name! But his lips broke into a grin that resembled the particularly foolish one he had worn when she had expressed her suspicions about his experience courting women.

Nora could feel every eye upon them. Despite the confidence she wore in front of Mr. Carver, Nora really did want to know what Aaron thought of her impromptu meeting. At least, he did not look upset.

He faced everyone and raised his voice. “I’m glad you are all here and have had the chance to meet my lovely bride-to-be.

I hope you will be happy to learn that, at Miss Lacy’s urging, I have decided to throw a servants’ ball.

” Several high-pitched gasps from the ladies and low-pitched hums of approval from the men echoed through the hall along with applause.

“Since returning to the castle over three months ago, I have been most remiss in not knowing you or showing my gratitude for the work you do for me day in and day out. Now that I’m engaged, I’m eager to celebrate so we may all become a more unified household.

The ball will be a fortnight from today. ”

This earned a chorus of cheers. Nora had the sudden, irrational urge to throw her arms around Aaron’s neck. Fortunately, a room full of people prevented her from embarrassing herself.

Janie and the other maids clapped their hands and eagerly chatted away.

A few strapping stablehands eyed them as if already planning their first dance.

Even Mr. Chuff looked pleased, and if Nora was not mistaken, his eyes drifted to Mrs. Bloom.

Nora was almost convinced Mr. Carver, who had not reacted at all, was made of stone until an unassuming smile appeared on his lips.

“Excellent idea, Your Grace.”

Even a grumpy, old steward must enjoy a holiday now and then. But she remembered her initial reasons for calling the meeting.

“Mr. Carver?” Nora asked, “would you be so kind as to take note of anyone not present with us right now? I would like to personally invite anyone who missed this meeting to the ball.”

“Of course.” Mr. Carver bowed. “So long as His Grace understands that your list is yet another delay to resuming our usual tasks.”

When Aaron said nothing, he surveyed the crowd and walked off, presumably to carry out her request. Mr. Cornell took his leave as the regiment of servants began to trickle out.

Aaron leaned close and whispered, “I’m ready for our ride whenever you are.” Even softer, he added, “I’m eager to learn what prompted this meeting.”

Nora acknowledged him with a small nod and kept her voice low. “While you were in your meeting, I’m fairly certain I saw a thief leaving the castle.”

His eyes sharpened. “So anyone not here…”

Nora nodded, pleased he understood her reasoning. “Did you notice a certain person missing among the staff?”

He looked around and shook his head. “There are too many I’ve only just met, same as you.”

“Which is why I’ve asked Mr. Carver to make the list, but there is a person whose absence I would have thought you’d notice.”

He looked around again, though the room was now almost empty. “I have no idea who you could be referring to. Who was missing?”

“Your friend, Mr. Ruthers.”