Death of a Duchess by Nellie Steele (i like reading books .TXT) 📕

pleased that Samuel will have a loving father and you as a mother. If I cannot raise him myself, I am pleased you will.”

“Robert speaks the truth,” I assured her. “We shall love him as though he were our own.” I paused for a breath before adding, “And possibly spoil him. Robert shall have the nursery filled with gadgets to amuse him before long. He already has made a good start!”

Tilly smiled up at me. She spent another moment gazing at Samuel before she bent to kiss his forehead. Samuel wriggled as her lips brushed his tiny head. Tears fell to her cheeks as she raised her head. She nodded to me as she stepped back.

She was ready to say goodbye, though could not find the words to do so. A simple nod was all both she and I could manage. I moved toward Robert to suggest my readiness to depart.

He smiled at me. “Ready?”

I nodded, and we all climbed into the carriage to return to the hotel. As I settled Samuel before afternoon tea, Ella fidgeted in her seat across from me. “Is everything all right, Sinclair?” I inquired.

“Yes, Your Grace,” she responded.

“You seem… agitated. Did the funeral disturb you? Perhaps you should lie down.”

“No, Your Grace,” she answered. “It is only…”

“Yes?” I inquired.

“Well…”

My brow furrowed. “Speak up, Sinclair. There is no reason to hold your tongue.”

“Your conversation with the child’s mother,” she blurted.

“What of it?” I asked, spooning more formula into Samuel’s mouth.

“I do not wish you to consider me rude, however, I could not help but consider the situation so very odd. How extraordinary yet vexing for you, Your Grace.”

“I have grown accustomed to it,” I informed her.

“Do they speak with you as we speak?”

Robert, who was reading the paper in a nearby chair, set his paper down and joined the conversation. “Yes, I wondered the same.”

“Some of them do, some do not,” I explained. “Tilly conversed with me as she did in life.” Robert’s brow furrowed, as did Ella’s as they considered my explanation. I shrugged and continued. “The reasons some can and cannot seem to vary. I assume the close relationship Tilly and I shared assisted in our communication, along with her concern for Samuel.”

Robert spoke first. “Then Tilly behaved as she did in life, unlike Annie.”

“Yes.” I nodded. “Her concern for the child seemed to be a driving force in her communication. Her death still was likely a shock, though the matter of her child’s wellbeing took precedence.”

“I wish things were so simple with Annie,” Robert said with a sigh.

“We are communicating more openly. I hope to reach this point. Her situation is quite different, though. As is the relationship between her and I. We were not acquainted in life. It shocked her to realize I could interact with her. She’ll come ‘round.” I offered Robert a reassuring smile.

Ella, who had remained quiet until now, spoke up. She shook her head, saying, “Better you than me, Your Grace. I am not certain I could handle such matters. Even the discussion of them sets my nerves on edge.”

I surmised the source of Ella’s agitation from her comment. It disturbed her being so close to the dead. Most people do not realize the dead walk amongst us and, henceforth, never realize when one is close. It alarms the normal person when they are forced to face the concept that a spirit has stood in close proximity to them.

I did my best to set Ella’s nerves at ease. “They are not generally harmful, Sinclair,” I said. Ella nodded, giving me a nervous glance. My best attempt needed augmented. “There are no spirits here with us now. You may relax.”

The last of my comments brought a slight smile and a deep sigh. I hoped that had done the trick. It is often easy to forget the trepidation that builds in others over a subject I had grown so accustomed to in my lifetime. I hoped, in time, those that shared my life would also find the situation normal.

Chapter 18

Blackmoore Castle stood tall on the hill. The carriage pitched at an angle as we began the climb toward it. A smile crossed my face, as it always did when I caught sight of my home. Samuel had endured the long ride home well, the jostling of the carriage lulling him to sleep for most of the journey.

The castle brimmed with activity as we arrived. Servants bustled from place to place, carrying out extra tasks to ready the castle for its newest occupant.

“I hope you do not mind, Your Grace,” Buchanan said as he greeted us outside, “however, I dismissed the staff of their duty to greet you in order to finish the tasks needed to properly welcome the young master.”

“Quite prudent of you, Buchanan,” Robert responded.

We stepped inside, shedding our cloaks as Ella held Samuel. “Might I see the child?” Buchanan requested.

“Of course!” Robert exclaimed. I collected Samuel from Ella and sidled next to Buchanan, holding the child out for him to view.

“A most handsome laddie!” Buchanan said. He rubbed his finger on Samuel’s cheek and then against his hand. Samuel latched on to his finger. “Quite a strong little one, too!”

Robert beamed. “Yes, yes, he shall grow into a fine man.”

“Indeed, Your Grace,” Buchanan agreed. “The staff has been busy readying the nursery. If Her Grace would care to inspect it now, you may suggest some adjustments. I understand Mr. Langford is already engaging a wet nurse and nanny.”

“Yes, I shall go there now. Until we have engaged a caregiver, I shall keep Samuel in my bedroom,” I answered.

“I shall have the arrangements prepared at once,” Buchanan answered. “Mrs. Thomson, will you show Her Grace the nursery?”

I followed our housekeeper up the stairs and through the halls to the nursery. Mrs. Thomson showed me the night nursery first, assuring me a bassinet would be placed in my bedroom until suitable childcare was brought on. I then perused the day nursery, appropriately set to face a south-easterly