Clara fastened the last button on the back of Elsbeth’s gown and took a step back. “You have grown quiet, my lady.”
“I was thinking.”
Coming around to face her, Clara’s knowing look softened. “Whatever you decide, I will support you. Always.”
“Thank you.”
Clara’s lips twitched. “Now, hurry. If you don’t get to breakfast soon, your mother will scold us both.”
Elsbeth departed from her bedchamber and headed down the grand staircase. As she went to turn down the corridor, she heard raised voices. She slowed, curiosity pulling her closer.
“That is unacceptable!” Alfred bellowed. “You need to dig deeper.”
A muffled voice responded, but she couldn’t hear what was said.
Finding herself curious, Elsbeth slowly walked towards the study, mindful to avoid the creaking floorboards. It would do no good if someone discovered that she was eavesdropping.
Pressing herself against the wall, she peeked through the partially open door. Alfred sat at his desk, his face red with fury, while a tall, blond-haired man stood before him.
“You expect me to believe that?” Alfred snapped. “Of course, Lord Bedford had enemies. A man doesn’t reach his position by making friends.”
“Sir, if I may—” the man started.
“No!” Alfred cut him off. “You have one job, and no one can know that I am looking into this.”
The man tipped his head. “I can be discreet.”
“Good. That is what I am paying you for,” Alfred said, dismissing him with a wave of his hand.
As the man turned towards the door, Elsbeth’s heart leapt into her throat. She darted into the nearby parlor, pressing herself against the wall. Her mind raced. What was Alfred looking into? Why the secrecy?
The questions piled up, but the answers remained maddeningly out of reach.
Elsbeth waited in the parlor, holding her breath, until thesound of the man’s booted footsteps faded into the distance. With a quick glance towards the study, she slipped out into the corridor, only to come face-to-face with Alfred. She quickly schooled her expression into one of innocent surprise.
“Alfred!” Elsbeth exclaimed, her voice slightly higher than usual.
His brow arched as he regarded her. “What were you doing in the parlor?”
She hesitated, searching her mind for a plausible excuse. “I thought I had left a book in there,” she said after a moment, “but I must have returned it to the library.”
“Ah,” Alfred said. “Shall we go to breakfast?”
Elsbeth stared back at her stepfather. That was it? She was surprised that he was going to take her at her word. “Yes, I think that is a grand idea.”
He gestured for her to walk ahead of him, his hand extending with an elegant flourish. “After you.”
Elsbeth started towards the dining room, her stepfather falling into step beside her. She tried to keep her movements casual, though her mind raced with questions about the conversation that she had overheard.
“I trust that you slept well,” Alfred said, breaking the silence.
“I did,” she replied. “And you?”
He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I did indeed.”
The air between them felt stifling, and Elsbeth struggled to think of something to say that wouldn’t betray her suspicions.
Before she could speak, Alfred continued. “How do you intend to occupy your day?”
