Chapter 33 - Thirty Three
Frustration gnawed at Suzy. The missing seventy gold coins wouldn’t disappear on their own. She craved answers, and the castle’s outdated hierarchy seemed designed to bury them. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and marched out of her chambers.
Her steps echoed down the grand hallway as she made her way towards the Steward’s office. With a firm rap, she announced her arrival. A gruff voice boomed from within, "Enter!"
Suzy pushed open the door, revealing a cluttered office dominated by stacks of parchment and ledgers. Behind the towering desk sat Mr. Bradford, his brow furrowed in concentration as he scrutinized a document.
"Mr. Bradford," Suzy greeted him, her voice laced with a hint of forced cheerfulness. "I hope I’m not interrupting."
Mr. Bradford looked up, surprise flickering across his face. "Your Grace," he stammered, rising from his chair in a fluster. "What can I do for you?"
Suzy smiled politely, her gaze flitting around the room before settling back on him. "I was simply curious," she began, her voice adopting a casual tone, "about the process of staff payments here at the castle."
Mr. Bradford blinked, clearly taken aback by her question. Staff salaries were hardly a topic for a Duchess to concern herself with. "Well, Your Grace," he stammered, "it’s a rather straightforward process. I calculate the salaries based on their positions and experience."
He gestured towards a particularly large ledger overflowing with handwritten entries. "All the details are documented here, of course."
Suzy nodded, feigning interest. "And then?" she pressed gently. "Who distributes the actual coins to the staff?"
Mr. Bradford sighed, relief washing over his features. "Ah, that wouldn’t be me, Your Grace," he explained. "Those duties fall to Mrs. Agatha, the housekeeper. She handles the day-to-day affairs of the staff, including their wages."
Suzy’s smile faltered slightly. A housekeeper? Another layer of hierarchy, another person involved in the money trail. "So, you calculate the wages, inform the Duke of the total amount, and then he provides the funds?" she clarified.