Maggie screeched in outrage and her chair tipped over as she stood. “Do something, Andrew!” She looked to her brother for support, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
“I shall, dear sister.” He rose and motioned for Duncan to join him. Waiting for his friend to collect an incensed Maggie, he signaled for them to precede him to his study. “Sweet Cici, we won’t be long and then I’ll accompany you on your errands. I’m not due to The Lords until after luncheon.” He bent and kissed her lingeringly and met her concerned eyes as he rose. “Don’t worry. Mother and I have known that a match between those two was inevitable. I’m just surprised it has taken Duncan so long to claim her.”
He sauntered off to his study leaving a stunned Cici behind. A few minutes later she heard the shrill voice of her sister-in-law as she protested loudly behind the sturdy door of the study. Cici blushed as she remembered the numerous times she had been spanked in that same room. Or good heavens, been made love to. The whole time assuming she was free to express herself behind the stout door. Obviously, the walls were not quite as solid. She would have to remember to bite down on Andrew’s leather or use her handkerchief to muffle the sound in the future.
She was still seated, finishing breakfast when an irate Maggie came storming back into the room. She flopped down on her seat, yelping before remembering her tender posterior. Looking at Cici she grumbled, “I’m tired of being under the thumb of every man in this family. Now, I will have another who is rife to lay down more rules and censure my behavior.” Twisting her linen napkin in her hands she was obviously upset by what had happened in the study.
“Are you engaged then?”
“Yes, to that Scottish cur of all people.”
“Tut-tut, my darling sister, our own mother is Scottish and those same bloodlines flow through your veins.”
“I am not speaking to you, Andrew.” Maggie averted her gaze and crossed her arms as she pouted prettily.
Duncan walked in beside Andrew and taking one look at his betrothed, laughed delightedly. “I fear I was not as efficient in my punishment as you were, dear friend. Your bride is the picture of compliant grace and beauty, while my betrothed is acting like a spoiled brat in need of further skelping.”
“Might I suggest the cane then Duncan? Cici found it was quite effective.”
Flabbergasted, the duchess stared speechlessly at her husband while her face suffused with the heat of a bright red blush. “I cannot believe you said that!”
“Nonsense my dear, Duncan and I have been like brothers since we were in short pants, now we will be the real thing. No need to be embarrassed; he knows my measure and the authority I maintain over my household. It is more common than you think. Just look at your parents.”
Duncan nodded in agreement as he added, “Mine also. I also have had the occasion to have two of my brattling sisters across my knee when the need arose after my father’s passing. Thankfully, they have husbands to see to their deportment now.”
A shocked Cici sputtered, mentally stuck on something Andrew had said. “Surely you don’t believe that Papa-, that he would do such things to mama? No, I can’t believe it’s true.”
Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder as he passed, he bent to state his opinion plainly in her ear. “My naïve little Cici, any man who is willing to take a cane or strap to his daughters has surely practiced previously on his wife’s naughty behind.”
Duncan laughed as he reclaimed the seat by Maggie who immediately rose to leave. He captured a shoulder and pressed her back down to her seat. “There will be no more running from rooms in fits of anger. Unless you want to reprise last night’s performance, sweeting.”
“Andrew, you can’t seriously be turning me over to this…” she struggled for a word vile enough to show her anger but sputtered ineffectually completely at a loss.
“Fine figure of a man?”
“Plebian and Sir Reverence come to mind actually.”
Duncan contained his ire long enough to look to Andrew who simply nodded his agreement. He then rose and pulled Maggie from her seat and dragged her back to the study. Before long the sounds of Maggie’s crying and pleading could be heard faintly through the walls.
“Andrew, surely he is overreacting. She is simply upset by the turn of events. Shouldn’t you do something?” Andrew helped his wife from her chair and escorted her into the hallway heading for the stairs. The distinct sounds of skin connecting with skin as Maggie received a thorough spanking echoed more clearly in the hallway.
“Her tongue is out of control, Cici. She cannot go round calling her future husband such things or anyone else for that matter. Indeed, she has found herself in a similar position from Papa when he was alive, then James and again from me. She must learn and you better than anyone else must know that.”
“Well plebian is rather… I mean, to disparage his social standing is unfortunate but whatever else did she say?”
“Sir Reverence is a cant term for human excrement. She in fact called Duncan, a turd.”
He shook his head as he watched his wife convulse with laughter. “Don’t be getting any ideas, sweetheart. You will not like the consequences.”
“Never would I dare such a thing, Andrew.” Still laughing, she looked at him askance. “But surely you can see the humor.”
“I am trying not to encourage you.”
Cici thought about it for a moment then giggled at the image her mind conjured of Andrew’s face if she ever dared to call him such a name. She was going to have a talk with her sister-in-law about other methods for venting her spleen without sacrificing her bottom. “Oh dear heavens, she is going to be spending a lot of time over Duncan’s knee I fear.”
“Indeed.” Andrew agreed as they left the sounds of Maggie’s punishment behind and proceeded to their rooms to change for their outing.
Chapter Sixteen
Andrew was patient and tolerant as he accompanied his wife on a trip to Bond Street. Visiting the dressmaker, she was allowed to select her own fabrics, laces, ribbons and dress patterns for the first time. Mama had always held a firm hand over those decisions in the past. Andrew only stepped in once to veto a particularly daring dress design the modiste suggested. The gown was cut low in front and with Cici’s endowments would have left her looking like a bawd trolling for customers. He said as much, embarrassing the shopkeeper and making Cici flush. After that, the selection of more dignified and suitable patterns occurred so he kept his own counsel. He was happy to see that in addition to the hoops and crinolines for formal events, her wardrobe would also include some of the softer princess gowns that he favored.
Afterwards they went to the milliner’s for hats as well as other shops for parasols, reticules, and accessories to match. At one point, Andrew left her to study the merits of one fan over another while he hailed some acquaintances on the street. “Stay here, Cici and I shall be back to fetch you momentarily. We have about twenty minutes before you are due to meet your mother and sister for luncheon.”
She nodded distractedly as she listened to the shopkeeper describe the virtues of the ivory Battenberg lace fan over the hand painted, imported oriental fan. After deciding to take them both, she accepted the small package and gave the shop girl Andrew’s direction to settle the account before turning to find him. “Did you see where His Grace went?” She inquired of the girl, who shook her head. “I believe he said he would be back to collect you, Your Grace.”
“Well if he returns, please tell him I popped into the glovemaker’s next door.” Cici then exited and stood for a moment assessing the crowded street. She was surprised that there were so many of the upper ten thousand still in London now that the season had ended. She didn’t see Andrew so she decided to head to the glovemaker’s without him. As she walked the short distance, she noticed a man standing near the shop door. He looked vaguely familiar. When he saw her approaching, he nodded then headed down the street in the opposite direction. She frowned after him, something about him nagged at her.
Just then a large group of ladies exited the shop where she was headed. They rudely stood chatting on the walkway blocking Cici’s way. She could tell by the gesticulating of one of the older lady’s that she was entertaining her companions with a story of a piece of gossip because they were oblivious to all else around them. Irritated, Cici decided to walk around them. She had to step off the sidewalk and around a waiting coach to avoid the extremely large hoops several of the ladies wore. As she stepped around the waiting horses she peered up and down the busy street, waiting for a break in the traffic. Suddenly, she felt someone come up from behind and grab at her packages and reticule. Startled, Cici struggled maintain her grip on belongings and screamed for help. Surprisingly, the would-be-thief readily abandoned her packages and instead used both hands to give Cici a mighty shove backwards. Losing her balance she went headlong into the street just as a hansom cab approached at a fast clip, putting her directly in the path of the rapidly approaching vehicle.
She heard shrieks of alarm behind her, “Stop! Thief!”.
“He ran off, someone stop him!”
“She will be crushed! God help her!”
Frantically trying to crawl out of the path of the oncoming horse’s, she was scooped up in strong arms just in time. Looking up into the concerned face of her husband, she thanked the heavens that he had been close enough to save her.
As he carried her to the safety of the walkway the crowd on the street chattered and tittered in excitement and horror. Voices spoke all around Cici and she was slightly disoriented as she clung to her husband.
“It is the Duke and Duchess of Sommerville.” One woman stated.
“She was nearly run over by that carriage.” Said another.
A gentleman stated, “It appeared that boy pushed her into the street, some one call for a Bobbie.”
It was at that moment that a winded gentleman walked up with a 12-year-old boy in tow. “Here is the culprit, Your Grace. I caught him just as he was headed down the alley by the cigar shop.”
A patrolling officer who saw the gathering crowd walked up just then. “Here, here, what is all this about?”
Andrew ignored the spectacle around them and looking Cici up and down made a quick inventory of her person, searching for injury. “Are you all right? Were you injured at all?”
“I am fine, Andrew, just frightened.” Looking at the boy, she saw he was frantically struggling to get out of the man’s grasp. “He pushed me on purpose. He could have had my bag or my packages easily after I fell. Who put you up to this, young man?”
The policeman turned to the would be thief. “Speak up boy, did you push the Duchess into the street on purpose?”
“A lady paid me to do it.” A startled gasp of horror arose from the crowd. “She paid me two crown before an’ were to give me two when the deed t’were done. It were a gen’leman who were to pay me in the alley. I were hungry, Yer Graces, and me family too.”
“You’d injure or kill Her Grace for four crowns, boy? That is insanity!” The man holding the boy questioned him, giving him a little shake.
“Not if yer hungry, Gov’ner. I’m right sorry, M’Lady.” Tears streaked the boys dirty face and his face was riddled with guilt and shame.
Taking the boy into custody, the policeman turned to Andrew. “Constable Barrett here, Your Grace. I’ll be taking the lad to the St. James Street station. He’ll stay locked up until the magistrate can see him.
Moving closer, Andrew spoke in hushed tones to the officer. “Do not let him out of your custody, Officer. This is not the first attempt on my wife’s life and we need to find out who paid him and find out why. I’ll hire an investigator if need be.”
Constable Barrett nodded and hauled his prisoner away. Andrew turned to the gentleman who through his quick action had caught the boy. “Richmond, I am in your debt.”
“Think nothing of it Andrew, I saw you had your wife well in hand and went after the boy. He had the misfortune of running in my direction.”
Andrew’s stiff demeanor was broken slightly by his friends helpful attitude and the tension eased in his voice somewhat. “Nonsense, Perry. You were always the fastest at the footraces back at Eton. Thankfully, ten years hasn’t slowed you down.” Gathering a still shaken Cici under his arm he introduced his old friend. “Our hero here is Perry Richmond, Viscount Willingham. We go way back.”
Cici addressed the good-looking young gentleman. He was tall like Andrew, but lanky and much thinner. “Thank you, My Lord. If the boy had gotten away we would still be wondering what this was all about.”
He bowed gracefully to her Cici and smiled, handing her the packages and reticule he’d collected off the street while Andrew was talking to the constable. “Anytime I can help a damsel in distress, I am your man, Your Grace.” To Andrew, he nodded, “If I can be of further assistance, please call on me.” Then bowed to Cici and headed off.
The crowd had thinned and the excitement had passed, when they heard a woman speak censoriously from behind them. “It is indeed fortunate that you were close enough to rescue her, Your Grace. She was always such an awkward child and it seems that she has not outgrown it yet.” They turned to see the owner of the overcritical voice which was none other than Cici’s sister.
“Elizabeth,” Cici’s mother was uncharacteristically harsh as she shushed her daughter. “That is enough, we both saw that grubby urchin push her right in that cab’s path. Cecilia dear, are you all right?”
Still held tightly in Andrew’s arms, she assured her mother she was fit as a fiddle, than whispered to him that he should let her go. He paid her no heed, excusing them and informing Cici’s mother that their luncheon would need to be rescheduled. He totally snubbing her sister, turning his back on her as he guided Cici away. An insult she would have to bear because angry at the vile words she had spewed he had no patience for the woman. Fearing he would do bodily injury to the hateful woman he felt it was better to ignore her and he hurried them off to their waiting coach down the street. “Home, Baxter,” he ordered gruffly as he practically stuffed his shocked duchess into the coach.
Cici was barely seated and Andrew was still closing the door as they took off at a rapid clip.
“What were you doing on the street, Cecilia? I specifically told you to wait for me in the fan shop.”
“I was just stepping into the glovemaker’s next door. I left a message for you with the shop girl. The ladies were blocking my way so I had to…” Realizing how close she had come to being seriously injured or killed she choked on her words. “Oh Andrew, I don’t cannot think why all these accidents are happening to me. I think he didn’t really want my packages, but pushed me into the street on purpose.”
“You are sure? It wasn’t just the accidental fumbling of a poor thief?”
Cici frowned as she replayed the incident in her mind. Suddenly she was awash with memories. It felt like déjà vu. “No. I am certain. It is just like the opera all over again. I can almost feel the two outstretched hands that pushed me down from behind.”
Andrew fell silent and stared out the window as the coach rolled toward home on the busy street. “Something isn’t right. There have been too many accidents lately. First the accident at the bookstore, then the fall at the opera, and now almost getting run over by a cab. Either you are severely accident-prone or someone is trying to harm you.” He speared his fingers through his hair in agitation and scolded her sharply. “That is precisely why I asked you to wait for me in the shop. I can’t ensure your safety if you do not follow orders.”
Cici bristled at his tone and his words. “I am not a dog to be ordered to heel and to stay, Your Grace.”
“Don’t take that tone with me, wife. If you had done as I’d asked you would not have been in harm’s way. Obviously someone is trying to hurt you and your risky behavior is making it entirely too easy for them.” He looked at her, considering his next move. “I shall have to confine you to the house until we figure out who is conspiring
against you.”
“Andrew, no, I have only just gotten back into a routine. I can’t be cooped up again. Please.”
“It's the only way I can keep you safe, Cici. It shouldn’t be for long.”
They both lapsed into silence, each wracking their brain to identify the culprit. The threats were obviously against Cici, but why? Few people had known about the child and there were no heirs other than Maggie to gain by her death. “We have to be overlooking something. I am calling a meeting of the family this evening. We shall make a list of threats, no matter how slim and we shall investigate each thoroughly leaving no stone unturned.” Reaching for her he pulled her close whispering fervently, “I won’t lose you, too. I’ll do anything to keep you safe from harm. I promise.”
Chapter Seventeen
That evening, Cici looked at the family members gathered in Andrew’s study. An unusually subdued Elizabeth sat next to her parents, who were looking at Andrew expectantly. Maggie was seated next to Cici and held her hand tightly in her own. She had already been told about the incident and was shocked and incredibly worried for her dear friend. Duncan who had accompanied Andrew to the police station that afternoon was out checking on a few suspicions and was do back momentarily.
Andrew walked around to stand in front of his desk, a formidable figure towering over the seated group. He nodded at Thompson who stood in the doorway having just delivered a tea cart. “That will be all, Thompson. Please close the door on your way out. Lord Rothbury will be joining us soon, otherwise see that we are not disturbed.”
After the group was enclosed in the private study, Andrew crossed his arms over his chest and laid out the reason for the gathering. Cici’s mother was shocked and cried out in alarm when she learned of the other incidents and that the one at the opera was not accidental. Her father growled and mumbled a choice obscenity, angered beyond belief that someone had targeted his sweet little girl.
The entire group was agitated and upset by the events he outlined except for one; Elizabeth. She sat quietly, idly examining her nails and brushing non-existent lint from her gown. She displayed an air of nonchalance, callously unaffected by the attempts on her sister’s life.
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