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“What was that all about?”
She blew out a sigh. “I caught Haxton and Girvin in the back hall, where he was clearly trying to intimidate her.”
Braden’s eyebrows shot up. “Haxton? That’s hard to believe. The man practically jumps at his own shadow.”
Samantha scowled at him. “I didn’t imagine it.”
He joined her by the desk. “Lass, of course not. I’m just surprised, since Haxton’s more mouse than man. As for Girvin, let’s just say I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her. The woman’s bloody terrifying. In any case, why did you feel the need to investigate their dispute right now?”
“Because Mrs. Girvin was behaving very oddly. Instead of attending to her duties, she snuck up here to inspect one of the ledgers.”
Braden frowned. “Why?”
“She suspects Haxton of financial mismanagement. Or perhaps something worse.”
“Did she explain?”
Samantha shook her head. “There wasn’t time. We were getting ready to return to the party when you appeared.”
Braden cast a quick glance over his shoulder. “Yes, the party. Your presence has been missed by more than a few, I’m afraid.”
“I’m assuming Macklin sent you up here.”
“He did. And as tempted as I am to take a look at that ledger right now, we’d best return.” He held out a hand. “Come along, bonny lass.”
His compliment made her blush with pleasure, but then a sobering thought darted into her head. “If there is incriminating evidence, I don’t want to leave it in my cabinet. Haxton knows that Mrs. Girvin is suspicious.”
“Samantha, you can come back up when everyone goes in to supper. I’ll keep an eye on Haxton until then.”
“It’ll just take a minute.”
She picked up a book from the top of the cabinet behind her. Although it looked like a perfectly normal volume, it was hollowed out. It was where she stored keys for the desk, as well as for the cabinets and the small lockbox in the bottom drawer of her desk.
Braden came right up behind her. “Lass, we don’t have time—”
She turned to see him looming over her, radiating impatience. She put a hand flat on his chest. “Braden, please. It will only take another moment, and I—”
“What the devil is going on in here?” thundered a voice from the doorway.
Samantha froze, her hand still flat on Braden’s waistcoat. Surprise, followed by panic, seized her brain.
Braden gave her hand a brief squeeze before calmly removing it from his chest and turning around.
“Lady Samantha and I were just returning to the party, Lord Beath,” he said. “She came upstairs with Mrs. Girvin to fetch some information for a guest who enquired about the foundation. I was simply escorting her back downstairs.”
Though it wasn’t a bad excuse, Samantha could tell from the cold fury in Beath’s gaze that he didn’t believe it. Or simply didn’tcareto believe it.
“And whereisMrs. Girvin?” he demanded. “I see only you and my granddaughter-in-law, in a clearly compromising position.” He glared at Samantha. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you could behave with such a lack of conduct. But at your own party, with dozens of people downstairs? It truly defies belief.”
Stung by the accusation, Samantha glared back at him. “That’s a nonsensical accusation, sir. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“You are far off the mark, Lord Beath,” Braden replied in a clipped tone. “There is no need to insult her ladyship.”
The old man snorted, rather like a bull. “I will say whatever I wish. And your presence is not needed or wanted, Kendrick. You will leave now.”
Braden had already moved to place himself squarely between Samantha and Beath. His broad shoulders were bunching under his coat, as if he were preparing for a fight.
A fight was exactly what she didn’t need.
