Death of a Duchess

by Nellie H. Steele

  “Ah,” I answered as realization dawned on me. “And there was no such argument.”

  “No, none.”

  “So, her less-than-clever lie allowed you to detect her ruse!”

  Robert raised his eyebrows at me. “Yes.”

  “I can imagine how upsetting that must have been,” I offered. “You hoped for answers and someone took advantage of that.”

  “It was devastating,” Robert admitted. “The avenue I pursued offered me nothing. I considered it my last chance at finding information. After chasing the woman from the house and seeing most everyone off, I collapsed in a chair at the table. Lord Robertson was kind enough to stay with me. My mind was not well at that moment.

  “I lamented that I would never learn the truth, and Lord Robertson offered me another way: you. He imparted the tale he’d heard from one of his staff. I made it my mission to find you.”

  My brow furrowed and Robert, noting my expression, inquired, “What is it, Lenora?”

  “How did you know you could trust me?”

  He smiled. “Because you were not using your gift for fame or fortune. I did research, inquired of anyone who knew you. It was clear you were no charlatan.”

  I returned his smile. “I hope I can provide more answers for you, true answers. I realize how her death troubles you.”

  “You have already provided me with more than I could have hoped for when I sought you out,” Robert said with a smile as he resumed eating.

  I returned to my meal as well, my mind turning to Annie and her less-than-cooperative behavior thus far. I silently wished for a better means of communication with her for Robert’s sake. The man had suffered so much over her death already. I hoped to provide him some peace soon.

  Chapter 10

  Following dinner, I returned to my room, my mind heavy with thoughts. Ella awaited me, prepared to ready me for bed. I took stock of the girl as I entered the room, attempting to determine whether or not the news of my ability weighed on her mind. As she unfastened my dress, I noted her gaze falling constantly on the closed door.

  “Nervous?” I inquired.

  She grinned, a nervous chuckle escaping her lips. “A little,” she admitted.

  “There is no need to be,” I reassured her. “Disturbances for most castle inhabitants are minor, if there are any at all.”

  “I still find it unsettling, Your Grace.”

  “Unsettling enough that you’d prefer to seek another position?” I queried.

  “No!” Ella exclaimed. “I must admit to quite enjoying the change of scenery. And if I may be so bold to say, it appears we’ll get on quite well, you and I.” Ella stopped dead from her work, and I turned toward her. She looked me straight in the eye. “Please don’t dismiss me, Your Grace.”

  “I have no intention of dismissing you, Sinclair. Though if it had been your wish to depart given the news, I would have provided you with a good reference, excusing your departure away as health-related given the dampness so as not to ruin your chances of placement. So, if you are not keen on staying given the situation, please do not let that discourage you. Though I hope you will stay. I agree, we will get on well.”

  Ella offered a smile and returned to unlacing my dress. “I prefer to stay, ghosts or not. And I promise to be brave. If you, Your Grace, can witness these things and remain as poised as you are, then I shall force myself to act as you do.”

  “I have the benefit of a lifetime of experience,” I countered. “But in time, one becomes accustomed to these things. Though as I mentioned, beyond a minor disturbance, I do not imagine you will experience much. Most of the living are blissfully unaware of the dead’s presence among them.”

  “It is odd to me,” Ella answered as she helped me out of my dress and into my nightgown. “To have spent all my life never realizing they were among us. Rather gives me the chills though I am certain it will pass.”

  “It is the shock,” I assured her. “Once the novelty wears from your mind, you will not give it much thought.”

  We finished the undressing tasks and Ella prepared my bed as I slathered lotion onto my hands and forearms. “Is there anything else, Your Grace?” Ella inquired before departing.

  “No,” I responded, turning to face her. “I hope you sleep well. If you are unable to sleep, please wake me.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace, though I hope it is unnecessary. Good night.”

  Ella opened the door to depart, finding Robert standing behind it. Startled, she jumped, then quickly corrected her reaction, adding a curtsy. “Your Grace,” Ella murmured to him.

  “Sinclair,” he greeted her.

  “Good evening, Your Grace,” she responded as she stepped toward the doorway.

  I rose from my dressing table as Ella closed the door behind us. “She seems to be handling your earlier admission well enough,” Robert commented after the door closed fully.

  “Yes,” I answered. “I discussed with her the possibility she may prefer to depart from our employ, but she refused.”

  “Good news,” Robert replied, his hands clasped behind his back. “I had hoped it would not become an issue. It is why I sought you out. To ensure you were satisfied with her services.”

  “I am quite,” I assured Robert. “She is most efficient and personable. Mr. Langford should be commended on his selection.”

  “I shall pass the sentiment along,” Robert said. “And I shall wish you good night. Sleep well, Lenora.”

  “Good night, Robert,” I answered. Robert saw himself out, latching the door behind him.

  I crossed the room and climbed into bed. As I nestled under the warm covers, the door to my room creaked open. A sigh escaped my lips, and I rose, shoving my feet into the slippers I’d just abandoned on the floor. I shuffled to the open door, ready to push it closed when a streak of red caught my eye.

  Moving into the hallway, I caught sight of Annie hovering at the end. I locked eyes with her, expecting her to disappear in an instant. Instead, she held my gaze, before motioning for me to follow her.

  Finally, I mused with some relief, Annie desired to do more than toy with me. The simple gesture spoke volumes, indicating a shift from suspicious specter to sincere soul. I nodded, acknowledging her signal, and stepped toward her.

  Annie waited until I neared the end of the hall before scurrying down the next corridor. Together, Annie and I wound through the halls. We approached the stairs leading to the fated turret, where her life had taken such a tragic turn.

  I hesitated at the bottom of the winding stairway. My last experience with this room had turned unpleasant. I wavered about whether or not to follow Annie, who hovered above me on the stairs. Noting my hesitance, she beckoned me to follow her. “Can I trust you this time, Annie?” I questioned without receiving a response.

  Instead, she repeated her gesture, coaxing me to follow. I shoved aside my reluctance, placing my foot on the first stair. I began the climb up. Satisfied that I was following, Annie resumed her ascent.

  As I rounded the corner, Annie awaited me in the doorway. Something in her eyes resonated in the depths of my soul. A despondent, desolate hollowness was etched into those eyes, which I could tell now were brown. She receded further into the room as I arrived at the top of the stairs.

  Annie stood by the room’s single window, her back to me. “Annie?” I questioned softly as I took a few steps into the room.

  Annie turned toward me. The forsaken expression replaced by something darker. Her expression alarmed me, and I retreated to the door. Before I could reach it, it slammed in front of me and I heard the distinct sound of a clicking lock. I tugged at the door, twisting the knob without any success. I pounded against the door, demanding it be opened.

  I spun to face Annie again. “Open the door!” I shouted. Annie cocked her head, contorting her face into a twisted smirk. “Annie,” I said, forcing my voice to remain calm, “I realize you are attempting to communicate with me. There is a better way to do this.”

 
; Annie narrowed her eyes. I continued. “I understand how confusing this must be for you. Most of the living do not notice you. They go about their lives, never recognizing your presence. But I am different, Annie. I have spent my entire life communicating with the dead. Please, Annie. Let us become allies.”

  Annie stared at me, her glassy eyes filling with a mix of emotions. For a moment, I expected her to weep and guessed progress may finally come. Then another noise broke the silence between us. “Lenora?” Robert called, jiggling the door. “Lenora, are you in there? Why is the door locked?”

  The introduction of the new voice, Robert’s voice, caused an abrupt change in Annie’s demeanor. She lunged at me, grasping me by the shoulders with a shriek. I screamed as icy hands clutched at me. A powerful force pushed me from behind. I struggled against Annie and the unseen force pushing at me. “Help!” I shouted. “Annie, stop!” My hands clutched at hers, trying to pull them from my shoulders.

  I barreled toward the window. The pane flung open and cold air rushed in from outside. I dug my feet into the floor in a desperate attempt to stop my progress. My efforts proved futile. I screamed as the window rushed toward me. The sound of Robert’s voice calling to me met my ears. He sounded so far away.

  My heart pounded and blood rushed into my ears as I slammed into the stone sill. I clutched at the stone casing surrounding the window as my body pitched forward. Annie had disappeared as I crashed against the window, leaving nothing standing between me and meeting a fate similar to hers.

  My fingers scrambled to find purchase among the stones to prevent myself from being pitched out the window. The unseen hands that pushed at my back were unrelenting though. My strength was feeble compared to the force pressing against me.

  Tears streamed down my cheeks as I hung further out the window, still desperately trying to clutch at the walls. The ground loomed below me in a dizzying display. The pressure against me soon proved too much, and I pitched headfirst out the window. As I tumbled, I managed to grasp the interior sill. I clutched at it, my legs flailing underneath me. As I dangled stories above the ground, I glanced up at the window. Annie loomed over me.

  I called out to her for help. She glanced behind her as a loud splintering crack resounded through the air. Annie disappeared from my sight a moment later. At first, I assumed the sill had fractured and would fall away from the castle, sending me to my doom. But seconds later, strong arms grasped my forearms, pulling me upward.

  Tears clouded my eyes, but as I was hauled through the window, I recognized Robert. He continued to pull, grasping hold of my waist as he hauled me into the room. I clung to him, a sob escaping me as I collapsed against him.

  “Lenora, my God, are you all right?”

  I nodded my head, unable to speak for a moment. “Yes,” I managed to gasp out after a time. I inhaled a shaky breath, wiping at my face to clear the tears.

  Robert hugged me to his chest, and I took solace in his embrace, allowing myself a moment to let my alarm diminish. Buchanan appeared in the doorway. “Your Grace, what has happened? Is Her Grace all right? I heard shouting.”

  I pushed away, trying to nod my response as I continued to catch my breath. Robert answered before I could. “No,” he responded, still holding me close. “No, she is not all right. She has experienced quite a fright and was very nearly harmed beyond repair. I am taking her straight to bed. Have a hot toddy prepared to help calm her nerves.”

  “At once, Your Grace!” Buchanan turned on his heel and disappeared down the stairway.

  I did not object to being spirited to bed or the beverage, feeling I needed both to calm my nerves. Robert gazed at me, pushing hair away from my face. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” I said with a nod, “I am able to walk.”

  “You will do no such thing,” Robert scolded gently. “You are still shaking. I shall carry you.” Reaching down, Robert swept me off my feet, cradling me in his arms to carry me to my quarters.

  The gesture was not unappreciated. My legs remained wobbly from the experience and I longed to be in my bed. I decided not to protest, instead putting my arms around Robert’s neck and allowing him to carry me down. “Please be careful of your leg,” I warned.

  “Oh, Lenora,” Robert chided. “My leg is no issue, particularly compared with the circumstances you just endured.”

  Within moments, Robert spirited me through the halls and to my bed. He placed me gently down and pulled the covers over me. My arms ached from my struggle to hang onto the windowsill. I settled back into the pillows behind me to relax them. Buchanan arrived with my hot toddy and I sipped at it gratefully.

  He dragged a chair to my bedside for Robert. “Is there anything else, Your Grace?” Buchanan inquired of Robert. “Should I fetch the doctor?”

  “No, that isn’t necessary,” I voiced.

  Robert held up his hand to stop me. “I shall decide what is necessary. We shall call for the doctor in the morning unless Her Grace takes a turn during the night. There is nothing else at this time.”

  “Would you like me to fetch Miss Sinclair to stay with Her Grace through the night?”

  “No, that is not necessary, I shall stay with her,” Robert responded.

  “Very good, Your Grace,” Buchanan responded with a nod. “I shall leave you and check back first thing in the morning. If you require anything at all overnight, wake me at once, Your Grace.”

  “Thank you, Buchanan,” we both said in unison.

  I sipped at my warm beverage as he exited the room. I glanced to Robert, who fixed his gaze on me. “How are you?” he inquired.

  I sighed before answering. “Given the circumstances, I am all right.”

  “This is becoming dangerous. You could have been killed tonight. As much as it pains me to say this, I must insist that you give up on your project.”

  “No!” I objected.

  “Lenora,” Robert lectured, “when I made the request of you, I did not realize the danger your life would be placed in. Had I not been there, you would have fallen to your death!”

  My brow furrowed, and a shiver passed over me as I recalled the harrowing experience. Time would ease the shock I felt, but Robert remained correct. I easily could have lost my grip and tumbled to my death below, as his first wife had only three years prior.

  While the thought disturbed me, I remained resolute in upholding my end of the bargain, if for no other reason than to satisfy my own curiosity. Robert, however, remained unsatisfied with the arrangement and continued. “I will not take the chance with your life. This ends tonight, Lenora.”

  “I will be more careful in the future,” I promised. “But to give up seems unnecessary.”

  “If your reluctance stems from our arrangement, put it out of your mind. You owe me nothing.”

  “Neither do you,” I countered. “However, my reluctance does not arise entirely from failing to uphold our arrangement. There is something odd here, and I am determined to get to the bottom of it.”

  “At what cost, Lenora?” Robert chided.

  “I agreed to be more careful, so, with any luck, no cost. Still, as dangerous as the incident tonight was, something about it seems off.” Again, my brow creased as I parsed through everything in my mind.

  “What do you mean?” Robert questioned.

  I shook my head before attempting to explain. “Annie wasn’t the one pushing me toward the window. In fact, she remained in front of me until I reached it. After I pitched over the windowsill, I glanced up and Annie stood over me.”

  Robert’s eyes glistened with tears that he blinked away before speaking. “I am so terribly sorry, Lenora,” he whispered. I took his hand in mine, giving it a squeeze.

  “I am not. I do not believe Annie intended to harm me.”

  “Did she help you when you were dangling from the tower window? Could she have?”

  “Yes, she could have, but when you burst through the door, she disappeared. In essence, she didn’t have the chance.”

&nbs
p; Robert remained silent for a moment. “I realize how difficult this is for you,” I added.

  Robert clasped a hand over mine. “I understand my Annie is no more. What is left is a shell, acting out in a desperate attempt to make sense of her fate.” We remained silent a moment more before Robert continued. “You mentioned Annie did not push you. What are you suggesting then? That it is not Annie causing these disturbances?”

  I shook my head again. “No. I am not certain. I do not detect any other presence but hers. However, I do not believe she intended to cause me harm. In fact, moments before we heard your voice on the other side of the door, I thought I had gotten through to her.”

  “If you detect no one else, then the danger must be a result of Annie’s presence,” Robert argued.

  “No,” I disagreed. “While the occurrences of this evening may have been of Annie’s doing, I believe she did not intend to harm me as much as she was trying to communicate something to me.”

  Robert did not respond for a moment and I finished my warm drink, inching down under the covers.

  “You should rest,” he instructed.

  “So, we are agreed that I shall continue, correct?” I queried before conceding to sleep.

  Robert raised his eyebrows at me. “No, we are not agreed. I remain unconvinced that harm was not the primary intent of tonight’s incident. However, you need rest. We may continue the discussion in the morning after you have been seen by the doctor.”

  “I do not need a doctor,” I insisted.

  “We shall not take a chance that you do and do not realize it. Now rest, dear.”

  I nestled my head on the pillow behind me. “You do not need to stay.”

  “I refuse to let you out of my sight,” Robert responded. “So, I shall stay to ensure your safety through the night.”

  “Thank you,” I murmured as I closed my eyes. My mind parsed through the events of the evening again, though I worked hard to push them from my mind. Yet I couldn’t escape the notion that there was more to the story. That tonight’s dangerous game was not a threat and contained no murderous intent, but that it was designed to impart some information.