"I find whatever is left unattended."
He looked at the entries. "Do not mention this to anyone."
"I wasn't planning to."
"Why?"
"Because I want to know who is doing it."
Nathaniel looked at her. "You want to investigate?"
"Yes."
"That is dangerous."
"So is marrying you."
He looked at her. She smiled. "Yet here we are."
They began quietly. Nathaniel examined the estate office records; Evelyn spoke with servants. Neither told the other everything immediately. That changed when Evelyn returned from the kitchens with a piece of information:
"Your steward has been altering delivery dates."
Nathaniel looked up. "Who told you?"
"The cook."
"The cook?"
"He hears everything."
Nathaniel frowned. "You said he wasn't a financial problem."
"He isn't. He is a gossip."
"That is somehow worse."
The next day, they visited a tenant farm. The farmer, Mr. Hale, was nervous when Nathaniel arrived. Evelyn noticed.
"Why are you frightened?"
Mr. Hale glanced at Nathaniel. "Your Grace—"
Nathaniel softened his voice. "You are not in trouble."
The man relaxed slightly. Evelyn asked, "When did your grain deliveries change?"
Mr. Hale looked at her. "Last autumn."
"Who told you?"
"A man from the estate office."
"Did he have papers?"
"Yes."
"Did he have your signature?"
"No."
Nathaniel's expression hardened. "Why did you accept the change?"
Mr. Hale looked embarrassed. "He said the Duke had ordered it."
Nathaniel went silent. "I did not."
The farmer looked toward Evelyn. "I am sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for." Nathaniel stepped forward. "Neither do I want you to fear me."
Mr. Hale nodded. Evelyn watched Nathaniel. He did not threaten the man; he did not raise his voice; he simply asked for every document.
On the ride home, Evelyn said, "You were good with him."
Nathaniel looked surprised. "Good?"
"You made him feel safe."
"I am not sure I did."
"You did."
He was quiet. Then he said, "My father frightened people without realizing it."
Evelyn turned toward him. "You don't want to be like him."
"No."
"Then you won't be."
"You should not know that."
"I can."
"How?"
"Because you care enough to worry about it."