Something flitted across Mr. Pointer’s face. Then it was gone. “Yes, my lady. He’s just inside. Shall I fetch him for you?”
Katie looked at Carlisle. She wasn’t certain if this discussion were better had inside or on the street.
“Please tell him I’d like to speak with him,” Carlisle said.
“Of course. One moment.” Pointer went back inside.
“Something isn’t right,” Katie murmured. “When I mentioned Mr. Gillett, a strange look came across Mr. Pointer’s face.”
“That’s because he doesn’t want to deal with Gillett any more than you or I,” Carlisle said.
“Why not?”
“We’re about to find out.”
Chapter Eleven
Henry blew outa breath as Gillett appeared in the doorway of the Wolf and Lion. The steward had always been a tall, thin man, but now he was little more than a bag of bones. He was so angular that his nose resembled a blade bisecting his face, and his cheekbones were sharp points above the hollows of his cheeks. His mustache was unkempt, as were his hair and his clothing. He reeked of gin, and Pointer seemed relieved to have a reason to thrust him out of the inn.
Katie took a step back at the sight of the steward, and Henry moved closer to her.
Gillett blinked in the sunlight for a moment. His gaze traveled from Katie to Henry without recognizing either. Then his eyes widened and returned to Henry. “You’re the duke,” he said. “Or, at least, you were.”
“I’m still the duke,” Henry said.
Gillett made a wobbly bow. “Your Grace.”
“And you’re still the steward of Carlisle Hall,” Henry said. “Or, at least, you were. You’ve not been seen on the property nor given a report in weeks.”
“I’m there every day, Your Grace,” Gillett protested. “And I send my reports to the new owner, the Marquess of Shrewsbury.” His voice was slurred but still intelligible. Barely.
“I don’t know whether you send reports to the marquess or not,” Katie said, “but you are not on the estate every day. I knowbecauseIam on the estate every day, and I’ve never seen you before in my life.”
Gillett’s face broke into a sneer. “And who are you?”
Henry took a step closer to the steward. “This is Lady Katherine, daughter of the Marquess of Shrewsbury and the lady of Carlisle Hall. You answer to her now.”
“My lady.” Gillett gave a bow. It wasn’t quite the bow he’d given Henry. In fact, Henry might have called it mocking.
Gillett addressed Katie. “It’s easy to understand why you haven’t seen me about on the estate. I’m out in the fields and with the tenants. I don’t go to the main house very often. But if there is something you need, I’d be happy to call on you another day. I’m not feeling very well at present.”
Katie drew herself up, and Henry was so intrigued by the gesture, he closed his mouth and cut off his next words.
“You, sir,” Katie said to Gillett, “are not only a liar but a drunkard. I would prefer never to see you again. Consider yourself relieved of your position as steward.”
Gillett stared at her, then looked at Henry. “You heard her,” Henry said.
“Let me make it very clear to you, Gillett,” Katie said. “I don’t want to see you on or near the estate again. If I do, it will be considered trespassing, and I’ll have you taken into custody by the magistrate.”
“You can’t terminate me,” Gillett said, seeming to finally grasp what was happening. “I work for the marquess.”
“I’ll ask my father to send a formal letter to you, then,” Katie said. “But believe me when I say that the marquess will take my advice concerning the estate. I am in charge, and when he hears you have not been doing your job—”
“You have no idea what your father wants. Who do you think told me to let the place go to ruin and rot? Your dear daddy is paying me to run Carlisle Hall into the ground.”
“What rubbish are you speaking now?” Henry demanded.
“It’s not rubbish. If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself. Better yet, I’ll go home and find the letters he sent. He wants Carlisle Hall razed.” The steward met Henry’s eyes. “You tried to run it into the ground too. The marquess is just more straightforward about it.”
