“A man who wants to do the right thing finds a way.”
“Is that another Chinese proverb?”
“No. That is from my wisdom and common sense.”
Colin smiled. He was familiar with Wang’s dry humor.
“You have a point. And I feel much the same way. Only the strictest sense of fairness impels me to scrutinize the matter.”
“And if you find he is guilty of embezzlement?” Wang asked.
“Then I’ll fire him, of course. Although I don’t know what I will do without a steward. I don’t have the knowledge necessary to run an estate. Heck, I don’t even know where to find a good steward.”
Wang looked at him. “I am confident you will soon learn whatever is necessary to assume your responsibilities. Lady Abigail seems willing to help you.”
Colin looked askance at his friend. How did he know? As if reading his thoughts, Wang smiled. “I saw you two ride out together this morning. A fine couple, you make.”
“We are not a couple.” He grumbled.
Wang looked at him. “You don’t want to be?”
Colin frowned. “My desires are not relevant. Abigail is my stepmother’s companion and a lady under my protection. That’s all.”
“If you say so.”
What was Wang getting at? He knew his mentor. He never made inane conversation. Every word he uttered had been thought out and was intentional. Had he noticed his attraction to Abigail? Of course he had. Very little escaped Wang’s notice.
Damn. He did not want to have his feelings known. Not even by his trusted and very discreet friend.
All that afternoon and night, he pored over the books. Making notations, marking discrepancies. He may not know much about estate management, but he knew business and money.
His mother had come from a family of merchants and bankers. She had been financially savvy and had taught him well. He had been administering his own considerable fortune since the age of twenty. The figures didn’t lie, if one knew where to look. And what he was seeing made little sense.
Exorbitant sums had been allegedly spent on projects that were not undertaken, and machinery that was nowhere in sight. The income registered also didn’t match what was in the bank accounts or the rents being charged to the tenants.
The conclusion was inescapable. Dunson was completely inept or corrupt. In either case, he needed to be removed from his position.
A slight knock, followed by the opening of the office door, had him looking up. Abigail was standing there with a tray. He stood up, smiling in welcome.
“You didn’t have dinner, so I asked the cook to prepare a tray for you.”
That she cared enough to bring him dinner lit a warm glow of pleasure in his chest.
“Thank you,” he said, while clearing a space on his desk for the tray to be placed.
She brushed against his arm as she deposited the tray, the slight contact electrifying him. He cleared his throat while she retreated with alacrity to the other side of the desk.
“Would you like to join me for dinner? Cook seems to have sent enough food for two.” He relished the idea of them eating alone in his office. It felt intimate.
“Thank you, but I already ate. I’m afraid this is all for you.” She replied with a smile.
“Would you at least keep me company, then? Perhaps have some wine?”
She hesitated. “I don’t want to interrupt.”
“I think I’ve seen enough.” He said, gesturing to the books strewn all over his desk. “I’ve been poring over these books all day and it doesn’t take a genius to discern the discrepancies.”
She nodded, her expression sober but unsurprised.
