Page 31 of A Shadow Amongst the Roses

“I believe,” Eliza said, meeting his gaze steadily, “that scrutiny does not improve work. It improves appearances. And Hartleigh does not require improvement in its appearances.”

Nathaniel sat back slowly, absorbing that.

“You’re asking me,” he said, carefully, “to trust the process without proving it.”

Eliza closed the ledger. “I’m asking you to trust the people who have kept this estate intact long before you were asked to lead it.”

The silence that followed was deeper this time.

Ashwood glanced at Nathaniel. “Your Grace?”

Nathaniel’s fingers tapped once against the table, then stilled.

“I don’t want him made uncomfortable,” he said quietly. “That wasn’t my aim.”

“I know,” Eliza said again.

“And I don’t want the household thinking I’m unwilling to hear—”

“They won’t,” Eliza said. “Not if you’re clear.”

Nathaniel looked at her then, really looked.

“You’re certain of this,” he said.

“Yes.”

He nodded once. “Then we proceed without him.”

Ashwood hesitated, then gathered his papers. “As you wish.”

The meeting continued, the discussion shifting into numbers, logistics, and timelines. Eliza answered questions with precision, redirecting when necessary, firm but never dismissive.

The estate moved forward.

But beneath the surface, something else had shifted.

When the meeting concluded, Ashwood bowed and withdrew. Nathaniel remained seated, staring at the ledger as though it might speak.

“Eliza,” he said at last. “You could have let him come. It would have been easier.”

She paused at the door. “Easier for whom?”

Nathaniel did not answer.

“That’s the question you should ask yourself,” she said gently.

She left him there, the fire burning low behind her.

Eliza found Thomas in the south corridor not long after, his sleeves rolled, a crate balanced against his hip. He stopped when he saw her, setting it down with care.

“It’s done,” she said.

He studied her face. “Yes.”

“They won’t ask again,” she added.

His jaw tightened. “You didn’t have to do that.”