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

carriage to return to the castle. Once alone, I rehashed the story after reaffirming the tale would remain between us.

“So, you were correct, Your Grace!” Ella exclaimed.

“Yes,” I answered, my gaze falling on the scenery as it passed outside the window.

“You do not seem pleased,” Ella noted.

I pursed my lips. “It is true I gained the information I sought. But now I must piece together how it helps.”

“But it explains why Mrs. Fletcher has shown you a child and motioned to you about a child.”

“Yes, it resolves that mystery but adds several others.”

“I am not sure I understand,” Ella answered.

“The main question remains. Why did Annie fling herself from the tower? What caused her to choose to end her own life?”

Ella nodded. “And the confirmation of her pregnancy does little to answer that question.”

“No, in fact, it confounds me further.”

“How so, Your Grace?”

“If Annie was with child, why did she kill herself? Was she not overjoyed to provide Duke Blackmoore with a child? What would cause an expectant woman to become so despondent she would end her life and the life of her unborn child?”

Ella settled back into her seat, her gaze falling to the passing scenery as we climbed toward Blackmoore Castle. She possessed no answers, and neither did I. It reduced us both to silence as we parsed through the information at hand.

We arrived at the castle and I found myself greeted in the foyer by not only Buchanan but also Annie. She hovered at the top of the stairway, her gaze on me unwavering. I met her stare as I removed my gloves.

“Your Grace,” Buchanan said as he collected my cloak, “Duke Blackmoore requested your presence immediately upon your return.”

“Oh!” I replied, handing him my gloves. “I shall go as soon as I have removed my hat.”

“Very good, Your Grace. You will find His Grace in his study.”

“Thank you.”

I climbed the stairs with Ella in tow to remove my hat. Afterward, I navigated to my husband’s study. My ankle, now swelling slightly, offered some protestation, though the pain was tolerable.

I took care not to limp into the study when I entered after a quiet knock.

“Ah, Lenora!” Robert greeted me, standing from his work and approaching me.

“Buchanan said you wished to see me at once.”

“Yes. How was the outing? Did you secure a new hat?”

“I did,” I reported. “And my ankle gave me almost no trouble. Though I believe I will rest it this afternoon. But not before I visit Samuel.”

Robert smiled at me. “Before you depart, dear, I hoped to discuss a small matter with you.”

“Of course,” I responded.

Robert crossed behind his desk. “Edwin managed to become wrapped up in some sort of business arrangement with the vile Sir Richard. As a goodwill gesture, he took it upon himself to invite the horrid man to our home for a dinner party. It is against my better judgement, but he has put me in a rather tricky position.”

“I understand, dear. I shall do my best to be a gracious hostess. When is the dinner party to occur?”

“As always, you prove gracious and valuable beyond measure, Lenora. In his infinite wisdom, Edwin extended the invitation for tomorrow evening. Though he mentioned there being no need to make arrangements for a balanced party. Apparently, Edwin is seeing to that. I shudder to think.”

I suppressed a chuckle. “I shall be prepared and will discuss special arrangements with Mrs. MacAlistair.”

“Good, thank you, dear. I have already had Buchanan warn her, though meal choice is best left to you and her.” I nodded and turned to depart before Robert called me back. “Oh, Lenora?”

“Yes?”

“Sir Richard is… well, I am sure I do not need to remind you of his boorish tendencies. I apologize for subjecting you to a night with the man though…”

I waved my hand in the air. “I understand, Robert. Business is business. I shall entertain him for your sake and Edwin’s, despite his churlish nature.”

“Again, I am indebted to you. Though I shall do my best to ensure you are not found alone with him at any moment. Annie did not care for the man either. Why I continue to involve myself with him is beyond me. I suppose because Edwin entraps me into dealings with him.”

“He is detestable, though, obviously he excels at business dealings.”

Robert grinned at my response. “Indeed. You are quick-witted, Lenora. I enjoy that so.”

I returned his expression. “I am glad you enjoy it.”

“Give Samuel a kiss for me, won’t you, dear?”

“I will,” I promised before departing.

After visiting with Samuel and settling meal courses with a frazzled Mrs. MacAlistair, I lunched and returned to my room to rest my ankle. After my active morning, my ankle had grown to twice its normal size.

I planned to spend the afternoon reading and resting. My mind failed to focus on my book. Instead, it returned to my investigation into Annie’s death. I flung the book onto the bed next to me as I pondered the latest developments. My suspicions were confirmed by Dr. MacAndrews this morning. Annie had been pregnant. She had likely been aware of her pregnancy, or at least suspected it, though she had sought no medical care. Why?

In the dream version of my message from Annie, Edwin had been present. Why Edwin? What had he to do with this piece of the puzzle? My mind stretched to fill in the gaps but found only blanks.

If Annie was about to provide Robert with his first child, what could have happened to drive her to such lengths? My mind searched and searched, yet found no answers. I brooded over my lack of progress. I settled one matter only to have more questions crop up.

I felt further from resolving the matter than I had when I arrived. “What am I missing?” I mused aloud. I recalled Annie lingering at the top of the stairs upon my return to the castle. Perhaps she had more information to share.

“Annie?” I called out. “Annie, are you there?” Silence met my query. I