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

A slight smile crossed his lips, and he approached the bed, taking the ship from me. “Quite, yes.” He studied it, turning it round in his hands.

“We had one similar…” Edwin began.

“When we were in the nursery, yes,” Robert finished, his smile growing. “I remember it.” He returned his gaze to the ship.

“I always admired it,” Edwin replied. “It was one of my favorite toys. I thought it fitting to buy him one. I hope it shall provide him with the same entertainment it provided me.”

“I am certain he will treasure it,” I answered, catching Robert’s gaze. I gave him a slight nod and smiled broadly at Edwin.

“Yes,” Robert agreed. “Very gracious of you.”

“Well, I am the boy’s uncle. It is my duty to add to his spoiling,” Edwin said with a grin.

Robert gave a tight-lipped smile and a nod. The tension between them remained, though the gift seemed to ease some of it. “I shall place it in the nursery myself,” Robert assured him. “In the same spot as where ours sat all those years ago.”

Edwin nodded. A moment of silence fell over the room before Edwin spoke again. “Lenora appears quite an engaged mother. Very dissimilar to our mother.”

Robert glanced to Samuel and me on the bed. “Yes,” he agreed. “She has an obvious affection for the child.”

“How admirable, given the unique way he came to you.”

“Lenora is a very special woman, as I have mentioned.”

“His mother…” Edwin began, testing the waters. “Was…”

“His mother,” Robert interrupted, “is of no concern to anyone.”

“Oh, I did not mean any disrespect. I merely am trying to understand the scenario to its fullest.”

“The poor woman is dead,” Robert answered. “Let us leave it at that.”

“Of course,” Edwin said, clasping his hands behind his back.

“Might I offer you some tea?” I chimed in.

“Oh, no, please,” Edwin replied, waving his hand at me. “I have interrupted your recovery long enough. Though, Robert, there is a spot of business I hoped to discuss with you. Do you have some time?”

“Of course. We can speak in my study. I prefer not to hinder Lenora’s rest with the bore of business.”

“Certainly. Lenora,” Edwin said, nodding his head to me, “I wish you the best with your recovery. I hope to see you on your feet again, soon.”

“Thank you, Edwin.”

Robert tucked Samuel’s ship under his arm, intent on delivering it to the nursery. He kissed me on the forehead before directing Edwin from the room to conduct their business.

I settled back on my bed, drawing Samuel into my arms. The crease in my forehead deepened as I considered the conversation that had just transpired. Ella, who had taken a seat on my chaise during my visit with Edwin, stood to depart.

“Did that seem odd to you?” I questioned before she reached the door.

She stopped, turning to face me. “The gift? A ship seems fitting for a boy,” she answered with a shrug.

“No,” I said with a shake of my head. “Not the ship. His interest in my progress with Annie.”

Ella’s brow crinkled. “Perhaps he was attempting to be polite.”

“This is the second time he has asked about my progress. And the second time he insisted I abandon the gambit.”

Ella held her arms out to her sides, adding another shrug. “I cannot imagine any other reason for his interest.”

After a moment, I replied. “No, neither can I, though his interest seems more than casual.”

“I am afraid I can offer no insight,” Ella responded.

I glanced up to her. She shifted from one foot to the other, unsure as to what to provide as a response. I shook my head at her. “No, I do not expect so. I am quite at a loss, as well. Well, I shan’t hold you back any further, Sinclair.”

“It is no trouble, Your Grace. Shall I fetch Nanny to take Samuel for his afternoon feeding and nap?”

I stared down at the child in my arms. I did not wish to let him go, but the hour was growing late. “Yes,” I said with a sigh. “I suppose I must give him up for his feeding and nap.”

Ella smiled at me. “I find it charming how fervently you care for him.”

I returned her smile. “Unorthodox, but then my life has never been normal. Why begin now?”

“There is nothing abnormal about you, Your Grace. I shall return with your dinner later.” With that, Ella exited the room. In short order, Nanny Browne retrieved Samuel.

Left to my own devices, I retrieved my book from the night table. As I read, my interest drifted from the words on the page to the elusive Annie and eventually to Edwin’s interest in the matter. Why did he insist on advising me against pursuing the truth?

I drifted to sleep asking myself that very question. When I awoke, the skies were already darkening. Swaths of red and purple cut through the sky outside my window. I yawned and stretched, wondering how late I had napped. I hoped it had not grown too late, though Ella should have had the good sense to wake me.

As my senses returned, the sound of sobbing reached my ears. I glanced over my shoulder to find Annie. Perched on the edge of my bed, she sat with her back to me. Her shoulders rounded as she doubled over, clutching at her belly and weeping.

“Annie?” I gasped, my voice just above a whisper and still filled with sleep. I pushed up to sitting, turning to face her. “Annie?” I asked again.

She continued her whimpering, rocking herself back and forth as tears continued to spill down her cheeks, and she choked through sobs.

“Annie, what is it?” I questioned. In an attempt to gain her attention, I reached to her, grasping her shoulder.

Her head whipped as though on a swivel toward me. Her eyes glowed red. Tangles of black hair hung in disarray around her pale face. I removed my hand from her shoulder, pulling it quickly away.

Annie stared unblinking at me for another moment. “What is wrong?” I pushed.

Annie held