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

“And you estimate her to be three?”

“Yes, give or take,” I answered. “Who was she?”

Robert considered my question for a moment. He shrugged. “I am not certain, though I imagine there have been children who have died on the estate.”

I shook my head. “But why did Annie want me to see her? Who was she?”

“Annie? What has she to do with this?” Robert asked.

“Yes. Annie is the reason Lady bolted. She appeared on the hill. When the horse saw her or sensed her, she ran.”

Robert stopped walking. “Annie caused Lady to run?”

I nodded. “Yes,” I answered. “She must have wanted me to see the child.”

Robert continued toward the castle. “Lenora, she could not have known where Lady would have run to. Though it disturbs me that you have, again, sustained an injury from Annie’s actions.”

“She could,” I contested. “During our wild fugue, Annie’s presence may have escaped me. She could have guided Lady’s direction without my knowing. She appeared on the hill above the stream’s bank. She must have intended us to end up there. But why? Why did she want me to see the child?”

Robert shook his head. “I care not, only that you are unharmed.”

“I am,” I assured him.

“That remains to be seen,” Robert countered.

I rolled my eyes. “I do NOT need to see the doctor!”

“I shall decide that. And do not roll your eyes at me, dear.”

Robert trudged up the hill to the castle. As we approached, we were met by a bevy of servants led by Buchanan. “Your Grace,” he greeted Robert, “I have sent a rider for the doctor straight away. I have a toddy being prepared for Her Grace and I have readied her bed.”

“Oh, Your Grace!” Ella cried, racing after Buchanan. “Does it hurt dreadfully? How awful!”

“I am fine, Sinclair,” I tried to interject, but the conversation between Buchanan and Robert continued over us. I had hoped to inquire about Samuel from Sinclair. With Annie’s presence on the grounds, I doubted Samuel had been harmed, yet I desired to confirm that.

“I shall take her straight to her bedroom. Sinclair, prepare a cool compress for her to settle her nerves,” Robert said.

Ella nodded, racing into the castle ahead of us. Buchanan preceded us, as well, overseeing the rescue operation and providing a clear path to my bedroom. Within moments, Robert settled me in my bed and a flurry of activity descended upon me. I was fussed over, my pillows fluffed, and a cushion placed under my ankle, a coverlet placed over me for warmth and a hot toddy shoved into my hands.

Robert paced the floor at the foot of my bed. Buchanan returned to the room to determine if any other arrangements were required. “Is there anything else, Your Grace?”

Robert flung his arms out in frustration. “Where the devil is the damned doctor?” he shouted.

“I sent the fastest rider, Your Grace. He should arrive any moment,” Buchanan assured him. “I shall await his arrival in the foyer and send him to Her Grace’s room at once.”

“Robert,” I chimed in as Buchanan strode from the room, “please! You’ll wear a hole in the floor.”

Robert sighed, shaking his head. Ella rushed into the room, a bowl of water and a cloth in her hand. “Here you are, Your Grace.” She wet the cloth and laid it across my forehead. “Oh, you poor dear, is there anything else I can get you?”

“Please, will you check on Samuel? Have him brought here at once?” I requested.

“Lenora, you need not be attending to the child now. Leave him to Nanny Browne,” Robert argued. Ella stopped mid-stride, unsure what to do.

“I am perfectly fine, Robert. Sinclair, please have Samuel brought. I want to ensure his safety,” I said.

Ella nodded, disappearing from the room. Robert set his mouth into a thin line, unhappy with me, but understanding my need to see the child. “Please, sit,” I appealed to Robert.

With a sigh, he plopped onto the edge of the bed. I grabbed hold of his hand. “I am not certain how much more I can stand of this,” he confessed.

I squeezed his hand in mine. “I only want to verify Samuel is unharmed. I am certain he is fine. Annie appeared at both our picnic spot and the stream. She could not have harmed him in any way.”

Robert shook his head. “You were not so lucky,” he lamented.

I groaned at him. “I am not harmed either!” I insisted.

Ella’s arrival interrupted our conversation. Behind her trailed Nanny Browne, who carried Samuel in her arms. “Here he is, Your Grace. As perfect as can be!” Ella announced.

I reached my arms out to take the child, pulling him close to me. “Yes, there he is!” I exclaimed, smiling down at him. “Mummy simply wanted to visit with you!”

The doctor arrived minutes after, escorted by Buchanan and one other. “Duke Blackmoore,” he said, greeting Robert. Robert stood to shake his hand. “We must stop meeting under these circumstances,” he quipped.

“Indeed,” Robert answered.

Dr. MacAndrews approached the bed, setting his doctor’s bag on the foot. “Greetings, Duchess Blackmoore. Tending to little Samuel? While you are abed from a fall? Surely Nanny can manage!”

“Same thing I said,” I heard Nanny Browne mutter under her breath.

“I find his presence soothing.” Nanny Browne relieved me of the child to allow the doctor to examine me.

Dr. MacAndrews removed his stethoscope from his bag and listened to my heart and lungs. He examined my eyes and took my pulse. Then he moved on to examining my ankle. I winced as he moved it around. The ankle, now the size of a goose egg, was discolored from a bruise.

“And you cannot bear weight on it?”

“I have not tried, though when I attempted to stand, I did feel pain.”

Robert stood at the foot of the bed, examining the process. “She could not bear weight,” he interjected.

“Mm-hm,” the doctor mumbled as he studied my ankle. “And can you feel this?” he inquired as he ran his fingers on my foot.

The motion elicited