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“But you did not.”

“Because you were already there.”

She frowned. “I invited you in.”

“I did not wish for company,” he said.

“Oh,” she replied.

She looked genuinely disappointed, and he let out a small sigh.

“If you must know the full truth, I wished to see you to tell you that your belongings had arrived.”

“Oh,” she said again, although this time her expression brightened a little. “You came looking for me?”

“Yes,” he replied. “To tell you that your belongings had arrived.”

“Some of my belongings,” she corrected.

He shook his head.

He wished he could tell her the truth. The reason so many of her things had not arrived was that they had been destroyed. But he could not tell her that. He would have to lie to her.

Or he could simply say nothing at all.

Fortunately for him, they were interrupted by the footman who had once attempted to murder the visiting cardinal. Ambrose still could not remember the young man’s name.

“Excuse me, Your Grace,” the footman said. “Another message has come from the vicar.”

He presented a silver platter, and Ambrose took the letter. He read it quickly.

“Is something the matter?” Marina asked.

“Somewhat,” he said. “Do you recall your first night here, when the vicar sent word that he wished to see me?”

“It was not all that long ago,” she quipped. “I might be a witch, but I do still have all my memories.”

“Yes, well, if you recall, I was meant to meet with the vicar. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, we were unable to meet. He has written again, asking for an urgent meeting. He is going to London tonight and would like to speak with me as soon as possible. There are certain needs in the community that must be addressed.”

He glanced at the letter again.

“I had asked him to write down his concerns so that I might attend to them, but it seems there are matters he would prefer to discuss in person.”

“Then invite him here,” Marina suggested. “Or ask him to call this evening.”

“He tells me that he is leaving for London at seven. He wishes for me to call upon him instead. He knows that I do not venture out in the sunlight.”

“Perhaps he is attempting to coax you out of the house to confront your fear.”

“It is not a fear, Marina. It is an illness, and you have seen its effects.”

That silenced her.

“I only meant⁠—”

He shook his head. “It does not matter. What does matter is that this is rather important. He says the matter is urgent because he will not return until next week, and the week after that is Christmas.”

“I can go,” Marina said. “I am a duchess now. Is it not my duty to make certain that the people on this estate are looked after?”