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

Ella shrugged as she took another bite of dinner.

“This is the second instance involving Annie and a child. The first when she showed me the child playing near the stream. And this dream. Something disturbed her and when I questioned her, she indicated a child. But what …” My voice trailed off as my mind worked to piece together the pieces.

“What is it, Your Grace?”

My eyes rose to meet Ella’s. My mouth gaped open as realization dawned on me. “Annie… and a child…. Oh, I must speak with Dr. MacAndrews at once.”

Ella leapt to her feet, setting her dinner tray aside. “Are you ill, Your Grace? I shall send for him immediately!”

“No, wait!” I shouted, stopping her. “I am not ill. I do not require the doctor for that. I must speak with him posthaste, however, it must be in the strictest of confidences. We shall make arrangements to travel to town tomorrow to call upon him.”

“Call upon Dr. MacAndrews? But you are not ill? What are you saying, Your Grace?”

“I must speak with Dr. MacAndrews about Annie. Specifically, about her condition at the time of death.”

“Her condition?”

“Yes,” I said with a nod. “I believe she was pregnant.”

Chapter 22

The following morning, I awaited the carriage’s arrival from the drawing room. I still hobbled on my ankle, though I put on a brave front for Ella, insisting I was well enough to travel to town.

I tapped the toes of my good foot on the stone floor as I waited. The doors to the drawing room popped open. I pushed myself to standing, expecting Ella. Instead, Robert greeted me.

“Lenora,” he began. “Buchanan tells me you’ve arranged for a carriage to go into town. For what reason, may I ask?”

“I wished to see the milliner. To arrange a new hat for the christening,” I explained. It was not a complete lie. I planned to see the milliner along with the doctor. The latter was information Robert did not need.

“Is this a wise course of action? Your ankle may not yet be healed. Suppose it causes you trouble?”

“It is fine!” I insisted. I toddled about for a few steps to show. I attempted to keep any winces to a minimum, hoping the pain I still experienced was not perceptible. “And if it plays up, I shall visit the doctor immediately. The pharmacy is very near the milliner. It would be an easy trip.” I smiled broadly to add to my façade of confidence.

Robert studied me for a moment. I worried he may cancel my trip and dash any chance I had to discuss Annie in private with Dr. MacAndrews. “I could send for the milliner,” Robert suggested.

“Not necessary,” I countered. “And the fresh air will do me some good.”

Ella entered the room. “Your Graces,” she said with a curtsy. “The carriage is ready.” She glanced between us, unsure.

I gazed expectantly at Robert. “All right,” he agreed after a moment. “Sinclair, if Her Grace suffers in the least with her ankle, fetch the doctor at once.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Ella confirmed with another curtsy.

I took care to walk steadily across the room and out to the carriage. I held back a whimper as I climbed into the carriage. As we were seated, Ella riding in the carriage with me, I breathed a sigh of relief. I had pulled it off.

“Your Grace?” Ella questioned. “I hope I did right not mentioning that you planned to see Dr. MacAndrews.”

“Yes. You did,” I assured her.

She crinkled her brow as the carriage lurched forward. “Why must we keep it secret from His Grace?” she inquired.

“I prefer to make the inquiry without disclosing it to Duke Blackmoore in case I am incorrect. I do not wish to upset him with the delicate discussion if there is no need.”

Ella nodded. “I understand.”

The carriage trundled down from the summit into town. While I planned to visit the milliner, my mind would not settle until I had spoken with Dr. MacAndrews. The carriage halted outside the pharmacy. We climbed from the conveyance and I entered the store.

“Good morning,” the pharmacist called, “may I…” His voice trailed off as he glanced up from his work. “Duchess Blackmoore! To what do I owe the pleasure? Is there something medicinal you require?”

“Good morning, sir,” I greeted him. “No, I hoped to speak with Dr. MacAndrews. Is he, by chance, still in?”

He gaped at me and swallowed hard before answering. “Yes,” he squeaked out. He pointed to a door leading to the small back office.

“Thank you,” I answered with a nod, making my way past him to the doorway.

“My pleasure!” he called as I disappeared through the door.

I entered the small room. Dr. MacAndrews bent over a table, packing his medical bag. “Good morning, Dr. MacAndrews,” I announced as I entered the room.

Dr. MacAndrews swiveled to glance behind him. “Duchess Blackmoore!” He set down his materials. “Are you feeling ill? How is your ankle?”

“I feel quite well. My ankle is improving daily. I am careful not to overdo it.”

“What may I do for you, Your Grace?” he asked.

I closed the door to the pharmacy. “I hoped to have a candid conversation with you about a sensitive issue.”

Dr. MacAndrews raised his eyebrows. “Perhaps this conversation is best had at Blackmoore Castle with Duke Blackmoore,” he suggested.

“The issue does not concern my health,” I assured him. “I prefer Duke Blackmoore remain unaware of the conversation. He may find it upsetting. I do not wish to trouble him in the event I have made an incorrect assumption.”

The doctor eyed me with some suspicion. “I must admit,” Dr. MacAndrews said, his finger pressed to his lips. “I am intrigued.”

“Then I shall proceed,” I continued. “You are the doctor who declared the former Mrs. Fletcher deceased, correct?”

The doctor’s eyebrows raised further. “Yes. I had the unfortunate distinction of having pronounced the poor woman dead.”

I nodded. He confirmed the information I received from Buchanan. “And afterward, was a postmortem performed?”

The doctor’s mouth dropped open for a moment.