Rockford did not say anything for a long moment and Laura was afraid that he would start shouting or would banish her from the room. When he threw the letters on the table, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I had assumed that the house would fall back into order after the mourning period. Not that we would have something like this to contend with.”
Laura’s heart ached at giving Rockford cause for any concern, especially that for which she was partly responsible. “I will move back home,” she started.
“Nonsense,” Duchess Claire said.
“No,” Rockford said, just as vehemently. “I will not have you driven from this house, from my boys, because someone on the staff cannot contain themselves. I shall have the staff interviewed. We will get to the bottom of this.”
Laura did not know what to say. She was aware of how much Duchess Claire and Rockford thought she did for their children, but hearing it from their own mouths, how important she was, was heart-warming and distressing in equal measure. “Thank you.”
Duchess Claire waved off her thanks and touched a hand to her chin. “Leave this with Andrew and I. Take care of the boys.”
“Of course,” Laura said, pushing away the plate of breakfast. Bruce and James had long finished their meals and were messing about with what was left of their food. Laura sighed, grateful when Andrea approached with some cloth. She took it from the woman, startled when Andrea scowled, but James chose that moment to slap a dirty hand into Bruce’s hair and Laura grabbed for him. Andrea looked as if she was going to help, but Laura was already lifting James from his chair, reaching for Bruce as soon as he was settled. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course,” Rockford said, giving her a smile that was tight and sad.
“We shall see you for dinner,” Duchess Claire said in the tone of someone who wasn’t used to being disobeyed.
Laura carried the two boys upstairs, clutching them close to her breast. Whether Rockford and Duchess Claire managed to find out who was sending the letters, Laura would care for Bruce and James and try to put everything behind her.
Chapter 4
Touch of Terror
Rock was confused, angry, and frustrated.
His mother had demanded to speak to every member of staff, and though there had been a couple of people who looked as if they might break under questioning, nobody could say where the letters had come from, or why they would be sent. Miss Williams had been courteous, kind and an exemplary member of staff since she’d arrived back at the estate. The cook was devastated that she had played some part in getting Laura hurt—and having letters delivered to her—and had assured Duchess Claire she would keep an eye on the household staff as best she was able.
Rockford was satisfied with her assurances, but he could not shake the feeling of apprehension that seemed to settle down around his shoulders as he took another look at the letters. He was keeping them in his study, wondering if perhaps he should alert the constables about what was happening. Miss Williams seemed reluctant to tell them, but Rockford knew that was mostly about not wanting to have investigators upset life at the estate. He appreciated her candor, but his primary concern was Miss Williams and making sure she was safe and well.
A few nights later, he was walking through the house, about to go to bed. Duchess Claire had gone up a few hours before, and Miss Williams had taken the children to bed. There were a few members of staff turning down the lamps and making sure the house was ready for the night. Rockford passed the children’s room, hesitating outside the door. It wasn’t often that he found himself wanting to check on his sons, but something made him open the door and peer inside.
James and Bruce were fast asleep, both of them cocooned in blankets and thumbs in their mouths. He hoped they would break themselves of that habit soon. It was something of a comfort for them both after Louise’s death and he did not wish for them to continue to display signs of grief. They didn’t seem to have ill effects for not having a mother, and he knew it was because they had Miss Williams, who was such a boon to the family.
Miss Williams was in the room, Rock could see her curled up on the rocking chair. She was breathing heavy, shifting under a blanket thrown over her lap, but Rock felt his heart skip a beat. There was something unnatural about the way she was moving, the breaths she was gasping for. There was a cup on the floor at her feet.
“Miss Williams?” Rock asked, approaching the chair.
Miss Williams gasped, clutching at her throat. Rock immediately rushed forward, curling his fingers around Miss Williams wrist. She struggled for a moment and then sagged, sobbing under her breath as she struggled to breathe.
“Larkin!” Rock was aware that he was shouting loud enough to wake the children, but he would handle them later, for now he needed help. Running to the door, he yelled for someone in the hall. One of the maids came out into the hall and he grabbed her. “I need the doctor here immediately!”
The maid didn’t even pause, just immediately set off at a run, and Rock appreciated the quick-thinking people he had on the staff. The boys were shuffling on their beds, James’ small fingers curled around the bed and Bruce’s head poking over the top of his bed.
Ignoring them was difficult, and made him a little uncomfortable, but he could not dwell on it. He reached for Miss Williams once again, tugging down the blanket and trying to soothe her trembling. There was little he could do for the gasping and struggling, but she seemed to be calming somewhat.
“Do you know what happened?” Rock did not expect her to answer, could feel her struggling for breath.
“Drink,” Miss Williams managed, waving a hand at the cup on the floor. Her face was pale, lips red and cracked and Rockford felt his stomach swoop with fear. Poison was the logical conclusion, and he immediately scooped the cup off of the floor, placing it carefully on the table next to the chair. The doctor would no doubt require it to help Miss Williams.
A few moments later, Duchess Claire appeared in the doorway with Larkin. For someone who had been bed for a few hours, she was extremely sharp and immediately waved for Larkin and a couple of maids to take the boys out of the room to give them space. She hobbled inside, clutching at her cane, and pressed a hand to her chest.
“This is getting out of hand,” Duchess Claire said, her lips a thin line. “She is not safe here, Andrew.”
“I know, Mother,” Rock said, stroking back the hair on Miss William’s forehead. He was confused about his feelings; Miss Williams looked so much like Louise in those last days of pregnancy, forehead damp and eyes wild as she tried to breathe through the pain. Part of him was terrified that he would lose Miss Williams, and he was startled by the strength of his distress at the thought. “Perhaps we should take her away from here.”
Duchess Claire looked thoughtful, but there was the sound of footsteps outside the room and the familiar face of the doctor appeared in the doorway, Larkin and a maid trailing him.
“Goodness,” Dr. Forrest muttered, but immediately stepped into the room. He shucked his jacket, hanging it over James’ bed and rolled up his sleeves, immediately reaching for his bag. “I need her laid flat.”
Rockford and Larkin immediately lowered Miss Williams to the floor, hovering awkwardly while Dr. Forrest worked, listening to barked commands and doing his best to adhere to them.
When Miss Williams had finally stopped gasping, Dr. Forrest sat back on his heels. He looked exhausted, sweat on his forehead. “It would be better if she were moved somewhere more comfortable.”
Rockford held up a hand when Larkin moved to pick her up, but Rockford waved him off, immediately sliding a hand under Miss Williams’ legs and back, cradling her gently against his chest.
“My room,” Duchess Claire said immediately. “There’s a spare bed in there in case of emergencies and I wish her to be somewhere comfortable.”
“Mother,” Rock started, but he didn’t know whether he was going to agree or demand she be taken to his room. It was an automatic reaction to the fact
that Miss Williams was hurt, but it wouldn’t be proper. And despite how easily Larkin and the rest of the staff ad taken to his looking after Miss Williams during the threats and the attack in the library, he knew it would not be appropriate to have a staff member in his bedroom.
Duchess Claire was staring at him pointedly. “Andrew, my room.”
Rock immediately set off, careful not to jostle Miss Williams too much. Dr. Forrest followed, holding onto his bag and taking the small towel Larkin handed him to clean up. “How will she be, Doctor?”
“It’s too early to tell, I’m afraid,” Dr. Forrest said with a sigh. “It is up to her to fight the rest of the way. She will have to be nursed through the fever, but beyond that, it is best that she sleeps.”
Duchess Claire followed at a slower pace, one of the maid’s helping to steady her. Dr. Forrest opened the door for Rock and he carried Miss Williams to the spare bed in his mother’s room. It had been added a year ago as a precaution when his mother’s frailty had started to set in. Now Rock was glad they had done so.
“I wish to have a maid attend Miss Williams in the morning,” Duchess Claire said to Larkin.
“Of course,” Larkin said, bowing his head. He gestured for the maids to leave and waited only long enough to guide Dr. Forrest from the room.
“Thank you, Doctor,” Rock said, once Miss Williams was settled. He shook Dr. Forrest’s hand. “Your payment will be delivered tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Dr. Forrest said, his hand shake firm. “There will be some delirium with fever and I cannot imagine she will be very lucid for a couple of days so please call should you need me for anything.”
Rock nodded firmly, turning back to Miss Williams. “I will.”
Larkin ushered Dr. Forrest from the room and then it was just Rock and his mother.
“Are you sure you will be alright with her?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Duchess Claire said immediately. “I have nursed plenty of people back to health, Andrew. Laura will hardly be troublesome.”
Duchess Claire turned a soft expression on Miss Williams that made Rock wonder. He knew his mother liked Miss Williams, had done since she had lived on the estate as a child, but it was another to be confronted with it.
“Someone poisoned her,” Rock said.
“We cannot accuse anyone in this household that we have not already,” Duchess Claire said thoughtfully. “If we knew what Laura had done to upset someone, perhaps it would make more sense.”
Rock sighed, taking a step back from the bed. Now that everything was over, he was exhausted, needed to get into his own bed. “If you’re sure you will be okay.”
“I will,” Duchess Claire said, squeezing his arm. “Go, sleep. I will see you in the morning.”
Chapter 5
For Safety
Laura was confused. Her skin felt hot, she couldn’t stop shivering, but there was a comforting touch on her forehead, her cheek, her arm. The voice sounded familiar—Andrea, perhaps, or another maid—and Laura wondered what had happened to her. She remembered being in the boys’ room and putting them to bed. She’d had a warm cocoa while she waited for them to fall asleep, but she couldn’t remember much beyond that.
She thought perhaps Rockford had been there at one point, but she did not know for sure. When she finally came around, head and body aching but no longer feeling the flush of her skin, the delirium that came from a fever.
“Ah, there you are.”
Duchess Claire was sitting by her bed. She was dressed and comfortable, reading a book that Laura couldn’t make out the title for.
“Your Grace,” Laura said. She couldn’t manage it, choked and forced the words out again.
“Now, now,” Duchess Claire said, placing her book on the arm of the chair. She reached over, took Laura’s hand in her own. “It has been a few days since you’ve been lucid enough to talk. How do you really feel?”
“Awful,” Laura managed. Her throat felt raw, her jaw ached, and she could still feel her body trembling. “What happened?”
Lady Claire’s expression was pinched, anger furrowing her brow. “You were poisoned.”
Laura’s chest seized with terror and she had to close her eyes, breathe slowly through her mouth. When she had her breathing under control, she sighed, meeting Lady Claire’s gaze. “Why would someone want to do this to me?”
“Andrew wanted to talk to you about this,” Duchess Claire said, looking serious. “During your fever you had a few things to say about your first couple of days in the house.”
“Oh,” Laura said. She didn’t remember much about those days, brought in to help with Louise during her pregnancy, when it was clear it would be a difficult one.
“I know you don’t remember,” Duchess Claire said soothingly. “We couldn’t get much out of you, only that you were calling for Louise in your sleep.”
Laura tried to think back to those days why she would have been worried about Louise. Most of her time around Louise had been fleeting, bringing fresh towels and holding Louise’s hand during moments of lucidity. “I don’t remember.”
Duchess Claire waved a hand. “No matter.”
“Mother.”
Laura looked up, could see Rockford standing in the doorway, and she swallowed, felt subconscious about her state of undress and cleanliness. Rockford didn’t seem to mind, came up behind his mother and laid a hand on her shoulder, giving Laura a tight smile.
“How are you feeling, Miss Williams?”
“Tired,” Laura admitted. “Are the boys alright?”
Lady Claire’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she squeezed Laura’s hand. “Of course. We have Andrea and her mother taking care of them while you’ve been sick.”
“Good,” Laura said. Andrea was attentive to the children and they would be well looked after. “I apologize I can’t be there.”
“Your only concern should be recovery,” Rockford said, expression intense. He looked apprehensive, glancing down at his mother before his gaze settled on a spot just above Laura’s shoulder. Whatever he was going to say clearly made him nervous. “Which is why I wish to take you somewhere you can recover in peace.”
Laura was startled. “I couldn’t–”
“The boys will go with you, of course,” Duchess Claire said. She had a stubborn look to her body and Laura knew she would be going, no matter how uncomfortable or scared she was about going. “We have a cottage in Cornwall which is the perfect place for you to get better.”
“I feel fine,” Laura protested. “There’s really no need.”
“Miss Williams,” Rockford said carefully, clasping his hands behind his back. His face was drawn, and Laura could see the bags under his eyes, the subtle lines of his body that showed how tense he was. “I am worried about your safety should you continue to stay here. If you are not in the home, perhaps Larkin and mother will find out what is happening.”
Laura’s immediate reaction was to decline. It was improper enough that she was in Lady Claire’s bedroom—she recognized the décor and the bed she was laying in—without spending time in a cottage with Rockford and the boys. She did not wish to be the reason that Rockford, who already found it difficult to reintegrate into society, would be further ostracized. A duke did not invite a nanny to his cottage without it somehow being whispered about in polite society.
“Are you certain?” she asked eventually, tiredness overriding her fear and apprehension.
“Of course,” Rockford said sincerely. He hesitated and then leaned over, rested a hand next to hers. “James and Bruce are distressed. I would prefer you to continue taking care of them.”
Laura refused to be disappointed with that. She loved James and Bruce and would have stayed for them alone, but it still hurt to think that Rockford only wished to keep her safe on their behalf. Her feelings were inconvenient, but she could not imagine a life without them. Rockford deserved to be happy and if she couldn’t be that for him, she could at least make sure his children were
safe. “I will come.”
The moment she had been allowed out of bed, both James and Bruce had been delighted to see her, grabbing hold of her and burying their faces in her neck while they cried. Andrea looked exhausted, a little annoyed, but Laura could imagine that having to look after two toddlers when you hadn’t done so for weeks must have been a challenge.
They were at the cottage in Cornwall so quickly afterward that Laura was sure the plans had been in place and Rockford was only waiting for her consent. They left in the middle of the night, Rockford desperate to have her out of the estate and Duchess Claire wanting an edge over finding who on the staff was responsible. The carriage ride over had been awful, her body still aching, and she found herself sleeping part of the way, both boys sitting near her, clutching at her as they babbled about the journey. Rockford sat opposite her and she could feel his eyes on her, even when her eyes were closed. It was a little more attention than she was used to, and she let herself enjoy it, relished the fact that he was caring for her, whatever the motives behind it.
“I had the housekeeper open it up,” Rockford explained as they entered the cottage.
The windows were open, the house freshly cleaned, and the sound of the ocean against the rocks was obvious over the silence of the countryside. It was definitely the kind of environment she could recover in, and she was profoundly grateful to Rockford for bringing her here.
“Thank you,” Laura said, James on one hip. Rockford actually had a hold of Bruce, who was happy enough to be in his father’s arms. “I appreciate you bringing me here.”
Rockford nodded, didn’t say anything, but the silence between them was comfortable. The cottage itself was large enough to accommodate the four of them with room to spare. There were two rooms, one each for the boys, and Rockford explained that he had purchased the cottage as a place for his family to come on holidays when they had grown. He looked sad as he spoke, obviously thinking of Louise, and Laura did not know what to say at first.
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