Dad Hears My Thoughts novel · Chapter 18 of 32

Chapter 18: The Duke's Lie

The Duke let the curtain fall.

"Stay up here," he said. "Don't light another candle. Keep her quiet."

"She's never quiet," Tristram said.

"Then make her an exception."

He went down the back stair in his dressing gown, slow, one hand on the rail.

Tristram looked at the baby. She looked back at him.

"She says she'll be quiet if she gets a crust," he said.

I found one in my pocket. She took it like a bribe.

The rooms had a little gallery door that opened over the great hall.

I eased it open a finger's width and knelt behind the balustrade. Tristram knelt beside me with her on his knee.

Below, the steward was opening the front doors.

Ralph came in first, stamping snow, with his hat in his hand and his concerned face on.

The captain came behind him with his staves.

The Duke stood in the middle of his own hall in his nightcap and waited for them.

"Grandfather. Forgive the hour. There's been a murder."

"I know. I saw the fire."

"The cutter did it," the captain said. "Hawtrey. Her hammer was in his hand."

"And she's run," Ralph said. "With Tristram. And the child."

"There are tracks in your orchard, Your Grace," the captain said. "Coming up from the river road."

"Mine," the Duke said.

Everyone looked at him.

"I walked down through the orchard at dawn to see the fire. I'm seventy-nine. I don't sleep."

"With respect, Your Grace, there are three sets."

"My steward came after me with a cloak. My groom came after him with a lantern. They fuss."

Ralph's eyes went to the old man's slippers. Clean, and dry.

"Your feet are dry, Grandfather."

"I changed them. Are you counting my shoes now, Ralph?"

Ralph smiled. "Let the captain look through the house. For your own safety."

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