Chapter 16 #2
Mr. Kinsle nodded. “We fear as much, Your Grace. The boys were all over the manor yesterday, and we were too busy with the dinner preparations and clean up to pay them much notice. They could have gone anywhere.”
“I won’t believe Oliver had a hand in this,” Georgie insisted. “And I’d be shocked if Pip did either. There must be another explanation.”
“You were right to bring this to Her Grace’s attention,” her father said as if taking charge of the matter. “We’ll see to it from here. You may return to your duties.”
Georgie sucked in a breath and rose, forcing him to his feet as well. “That is quite enough. I hope I shall always be a dutiful daughter, but you have no right to direct the staff in my home or to malign those under my care.”
Her father frowned. “I’m only trying to help you. That is my duty as your father.”
She turned to the butler and housekeeper, who appeared to be struggling to keep their expressions stoic. “Thank you for letting me know. I promise I will look into the matter thoroughly. Say nothing to the other duchesses or His Grace. I will explain once I have a better understanding.”
They both inclined their heads and left.
“What will you do?” her father asked.
At least he wasn’t ordering her or anyone else about at the moment. “I’m going to the vicarage to speak to Hugh.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Georgie held up a hand. “No, thank you. I would prefer that if unpleasant words need to be said they come from a friend.”
“It isn’t in you to offer unpleasant words, my gel,” her father chided.
She regarded him. “You might be surprised what I can do, Father. I’m sure you can find something to entertain you while I’m gone.”
He inclined his head, and she left him.
Mr. Kinsle was waiting to help her into her pelisse.
“Keep an eye on the colonel,” she murmured. “If he starts directing anyone about again, speak with one of the other duchesses or His Grace. He’s more likely to listen to them.”
The butler’s mouth twitched, as if he were fighting a smile. “Yes, Your Grace.”
“And please offer my apologies to Mrs. Bettleton,” Georgie added. “She may have to push back dinner.” Georgie tied on her bonnet and hurried from the house.
She should probably have waited for the carriage or a footman to accompany her, but it was Tyneham and only a short distance between the manor and the vicarage.
Still, each step felt as heavy as the dark clouds gathering overhead, hastening the arrival of twilight.
She and Hugh had only begun to find their way back to each other.
How could she tell him that the boy he loved was being vilified?
How could she determine the real thief?
It could not be one of the staff. Many had been with them for years, with hundreds of opportunities to pilfer.
Max had carefully chosen those he’d brought with him.
All were well paid. Working at the manor was a plumb position now that Max had proven himself a conscientious employer.
Surely no one would jeopardize such work for short-term gain.
Family was equally unthinkable. Max, Claudia, and Sophia had no reason to steal.
Sir Winfred might like to gamble, and Claudia had intimated he was not as plump in the pocket as he liked to pretend.
But Georgie couldn’t see him taking money from the servants or even knowing where to find it!
She refused to think of Ben and Oliver as thieves.
Of course, there were the workers for the renovations, but they were mostly confined to the conservatory at the moment, and the servants would have noticed them wandering about the manor proper.
Her thoughts chased her through the village and up to the door of the vicarage. Hugh himself answered her knock, his handsome face breaking into a smile.
“Georgie! What a pleasant surprise.”
“You may not think so in a moment,” she murmured, glancing down the corridor behind him. “Where are Mrs. Hallet and Pip?”
“In the kitchen,” he acknowledged, smile fading as he stepped aside and let her in. “Pip offered to help her with dinner. What’s wrong?”
She couldn’t take a chance they might overhear. “Would you walk with me?”
“Of course. Give me a moment to tell them I’ll be going out.”
Georgie nodded, and he headed for the back of the house. She had only time to start fretting before he returned, shrugging into his coat. “Lead the way.”
She walked out of the vicarage and into the churchyard, past the rows of lichened stones as grey as the sky. A cold wind blew past, tugging at her pelisse. She hugged it closer. When she reached the far side of the yard, she turned and waited until he drew up beside her.
“Someone stole from the manor yesterday.”
Hugh’s eyes widened. “What? When?”
“A figurine of some value and the contents of a savings jar. I’m not sure of the timing, but Mrs. Carmichael and Mr. Kinsle are fairly certain none of the staff is guilty.”
He shut his eyes a moment, a frown etched across his forehead. “And you think Pip did it.”
Georgie took a step closer. “No, but Mr. Kinsle and Mrs. Carmichael came to that conclusion.”
He glanced back at the vicarage. “He was acting strangely last night when we came home, but I thought I understood the reason.” He looked to Georgie. “A figurine, you say. How big?”
Georgie spread her hands. “About so high and half as wide.”
“Big enough to make a bump in a boy’s coat.”
“Why, Hugh!” She beamed at him. “That’s brilliant!
Yes, I would think it would show if Pip had hidden it about his person.
And I saw nothing of the sort when the two of you left the manor.
Besides, all those coins would likely jingle.
Why, they might not even fit in a pocket.
” Relief made her giddy, and she laughed. “Oh, how wonderful.”
His smile was more wry. “Not so wonderful when we still have a thief on our hands.”
She sobered. “You’re right. Perhaps the figurine was misplaced, but not the funds.”
“And there is the matter of the poor box,” Hugh reminded her. “I put in some money in hopes of replacing what was lost, but we haven’t determined who took it. Then there’s the thefts from the shops as well.”
She shook her head, perplexed. “Who has such access to the shops, the church, and the manor?”
Hugh met her gaze. “Only two lads of indeterminate origin.”
She put a hand on his arm. “No one suspects you, Hugh. And, as we noted, it can’t be Pip.”
“At least not at the manor,” Hugh agreed.
Georgie sighed. “Well, we’ll just have to ask around, gather more evidence. Perhaps if I were to speak to some of the shopkeepers and you the others, we might be able to pinpoint the culprit.”
“I am at your disposal,” Hugh said. “Though we’ll have to hurry. The shopkeepers will be closing for dinner soon.” He touched her hand. “Take heart, Georgie. We’ll solve this.”
She could only pray that he was right.