Death of a Duchess

by Nellie H. Steele

  I met Robert at the stables in the late morning. The grooms already had our horses readied. Robert had chosen for me a steady mare, chestnut in color with a white streak down her nose. I learned her name was Lady as I greeted her, feeding her a carrot. Robert’s horse, a large black steed named Charger, dwarfed Lady.

  “I hope Lady lives up to her name,” I quipped as I gained my mount on her back. Robert instructed me on holding the reins after I had adjusted myself into the side-saddle.

  “She is a gentle horse. If anything, you may find her too slow!” Robert assured me.

  Robert mounted his steed, instructing it to head away from the stable. Lady followed without much urging on my part. Robert offered instructions here and there. However, Lady’s behavior proved above reproach. I found her easy to manage on my first outing.

  We kept a slow, steady pace, meandering about the estate. I found the experience enjoyable. As we approached a field with a large oak, I spotted a table and several servants milling around. Robert planned a picnic as a surprise.

  “I had hoped you tolerated the ride well enough to make it here,” Robert said as he assisted me to dismount.

  “I found it most enjoyable,” I said as he escorted me to the table.

  We enjoyed our picnic lunch under a cloudless sky. After lunch, we mounted the horses to return to the stable. As I settled into the saddle, a flash of color on the hillside caught my eye. I squinted into the distance, focusing on the color. My eyes widened as I realized it was Annie’s red dress blowing in the breeze.

  “Annie?” I whispered to myself.

  The horse turned as I spoke, its eyes also catching sight of Annie’s blowing dress, of her disheveled form standing on the hillside. The sight caused the horse to panic. She reared; her eyes wide with fright.

  I struggled to keep my seat, managing to hang on by grasping a fistful of her mane. The spooked horse turned in a circle before bolting in the opposite direction, racing away from the specter.

  I shrieked in panic as I fought to stay on Lady’s back. “Lenora!” Robert shouted behind me. I dared not glance back for fear of falling from the horse.

  Thundering hooves pounded the ground as we fled from Annie. Lady raced down the hillside, heading into a wooded area and toward a stream that cut through the property. Branches tore at my face and arms. I lowered my head behind Lady’s as she continued her mad dash.

  Lady sprinted into a clearing near the stream, showing no signs of slowing. Without warning, she skidded to a stop, turning in circles. I attempted to soothe her as we spun in a dizzying loop. The horse panted hard, chomping on her bit, still spooked. She squealed and trumpeted, her distress obvious.

  After three revolutions, Lady reared again. In this instance, I was unable to maintain my grip on her. I toppled off, landing hard on my backside and twisting my ankle. As I fell, movement caught my eye.

  Lady dashed off as Robert and Charger rushed toward me. Robert leapt from his steed. He rushed to me, grasping my hand, worry etched in his face. “Lenora, my God, are you all right?”

  “Yes,” I answered without making eye contact. My focus remained straight ahead.

  “Are you hurt? Did you jar anything?” Robert noted my gaze, adding, “What is it, Lenora?”

  “A child,” I answered. Near the stream’s bank, a small, dark-haired child played. The girl, around three-years-old, wore a light pink dress, her dark hair tied with a pink ribbon. She giggled as she splashed her hands in the stream’s cold, clear water.

  “Child?” Robert questioned, his eyes scanning the horizon. “Where?”

  “By the stream,” I answered. “Little girl?” I called to her.

  The child snapped her head in my direction. Her small brown eyes were wide with fear. She stood and raced across the stream and disappeared into a thicket of trees on the other side. “No!” I called after her. “Wait!” I struggled to climb to my feet, wincing as pain flared through my ankle.

  “Lenora!” Robert exclaimed. “What are you saying? I see no child.”

  With the child gone, I turned to Robert. “There was a child. About three, just there, near the stream. With brown hair and brown eyes. She ran when I called to her.” Over Robert’s shoulder, Annie stood on the ridge. My brows knit as I tried to piece the information together.

  Robert huffed, focusing his attentions back on me. “Lenora, are you certain you are not hurt?”

  “What? Oh,” I responded, turning my mind back to the situation at hand. “Yes, I am unharmed. Lady ran off. I could not hold on to her, I am sorry. My ankle is sore, but with your help, I can stand and walk, I am sure. We can call for her as we walk.”

  “You shall do nothing of the sort,” Robert enjoined. He wrapped one arm around my shoulder, cupping the other under my knees. He lifted me as he stood. “I shall carry you back to the castle.”

  Several of the servants, who had witnessed Lady’s flight, raced toward us. “Your Grace! Is everything all right?” James, one of our footmen, inquired. He, along with Andrew, another footman, heaved deep breaths from their sprint.

  “No,” Robert answered. “Her Grace fell from her horse. Fetch the doctor at once, James. Andrew, collect Charger and search for Lady, she ran off in that direction.” Robert nodded toward Lady’s last known location. James rushed in the direction of the castle at full speed. Andrew took hold of Charger’s reins, leading him in the direction Robert indicated.

  “No,” I objected. “A doctor is not necessary. And the castle is too far. I can walk, put me down.”

  “I will not hear of it, Lenora.”

  “Robert…” I countered, but found myself interrupted.

  “Lenora, I said no! Have you no faith in my ability to care for you? I am not feeble!”

  I sighed at him. “I have every faith in your abilities, Robert. But I also have faith in my own abilities to walk.”

  “You winced when stepping on your ankle. You will not walk on it until you have been seen by the doctor.”

  “You could have ridden on Charger and carried me with you.”

  “I shall not have you bounced about on another horse after your accident.”

  I acquiesced, finding myself unable to change the situation. Although, in truth, I appreciated being cared for. “Now, with that settled, tell me about the child.”

  My forehead wrinkled as my thoughts returned to the conundrum. “There is not much to tell. When I fell from Lady, I noticed her. She was crouched by the stream, playing. She had long brown hair and dark brown eyes.”

  “And you estimate her to be three?”

  “Yes, give or take,” I answered. “Who was she?”

  Robert considered my question for a moment. He shrugged. “I am not certain, though I imagine there have been children who have died on the estate.”

  I shook my head. “But why did Annie want me to see her? Who was she?”

  “Annie? What has she to do with this?” Robert asked.

  “Yes. Annie is the reason Lady bolted. She appeared on the hill. When the horse saw her or sensed her, she ran.”

  Robert stopped walking. “Annie caused Lady to run?”

  I nodded. “Yes,” I answered. “She must have wanted me to see the child.”

  Robert continued toward the castle. “Lenora, she could not have known where Lady would have run to. Though it disturbs me that you have, again, sustained an injury from Annie’s actions.”

  “She could,” I contested. “During our wild fugue, Annie’s presence may have escaped me. She could have guided Lady’s direction without my knowing. She appeared on the hill above the stream’s bank. She must have intended us to end up there. But why? Why did she want me to see the child?”

  Robert shook his head. “I care not, only that you are unharmed.”

  “I am,” I assured him.

  “That remains to be seen,” Robert countered.

  I rolled my eyes. “I do NOT need to see the doctor!”

  “I shall decide that. And do not roll your
eyes at me, dear.”

  Robert trudged up the hill to the castle. As we approached, we were met by a bevy of servants led by Buchanan. “Your Grace,” he greeted Robert, “I have sent a rider for the doctor straight away. I have a toddy being prepared for Her Grace and I have readied her bed.”

  “Oh, Your Grace!” Ella cried, racing after Buchanan. “Does it hurt dreadfully? How awful!”

  “I am fine, Sinclair,” I tried to interject, but the conversation between Buchanan and Robert continued over us. I had hoped to inquire about Samuel from Sinclair. With Annie’s presence on the grounds, I doubted Samuel had been harmed, yet I desired to confirm that.

  “I shall take her straight to her bedroom. Sinclair, prepare a cool compress for her to settle her nerves,” Robert said.

  Ella nodded, racing into the castle ahead of us. Buchanan preceded us, as well, overseeing the rescue operation and providing a clear path to my bedroom. Within moments, Robert settled me in my bed and a flurry of activity descended upon me. I was fussed over, my pillows fluffed, and a cushion placed under my ankle, a coverlet placed over me for warmth and a hot toddy shoved into my hands.

  Robert paced the floor at the foot of my bed. Buchanan returned to the room to determine if any other arrangements were required. “Is there anything else, Your Grace?”

  Robert flung his arms out in frustration. “Where the devil is the damned doctor?” he shouted.

  “I sent the fastest rider, Your Grace. He should arrive any moment,” Buchanan assured him. “I shall await his arrival in the foyer and send him to Her Grace’s room at once.”

  “Robert,” I chimed in as Buchanan strode from the room, “please! You’ll wear a hole in the floor.”

  Robert sighed, shaking his head. Ella rushed into the room, a bowl of water and a cloth in her hand. “Here you are, Your Grace.” She wet the cloth and laid it across my forehead. “Oh, you poor dear, is there anything else I can get you?”

  “Please, will you check on Samuel? Have him brought here at once?” I requested.

  “Lenora, you need not be attending to the child now. Leave him to Nanny Browne,” Robert argued. Ella stopped mid-stride, unsure what to do.

  “I am perfectly fine, Robert. Sinclair, please have Samuel brought. I want to ensure his safety,” I said.

  Ella nodded, disappearing from the room. Robert set his mouth into a thin line, unhappy with me, but understanding my need to see the child. “Please, sit,” I appealed to Robert.

  With a sigh, he plopped onto the edge of the bed. I grabbed hold of his hand. “I am not certain how much more I can stand of this,” he confessed.

  I squeezed his hand in mine. “I only want to verify Samuel is unharmed. I am certain he is fine. Annie appeared at both our picnic spot and the stream. She could not have harmed him in any way.”

  Robert shook his head. “You were not so lucky,” he lamented.

  I groaned at him. “I am not harmed either!” I insisted.

  Ella’s arrival interrupted our conversation. Behind her trailed Nanny Browne, who carried Samuel in her arms. “Here he is, Your Grace. As perfect as can be!” Ella announced.

  I reached my arms out to take the child, pulling him close to me. “Yes, there he is!” I exclaimed, smiling down at him. “Mummy simply wanted to visit with you!”

  The doctor arrived minutes after, escorted by Buchanan and one other. “Duke Blackmoore,” he said, greeting Robert. Robert stood to shake his hand. “We must stop meeting under these circumstances,” he quipped.

  “Indeed,” Robert answered.

  Dr. MacAndrews approached the bed, setting his doctor’s bag on the foot. “Greetings, Duchess Blackmoore. Tending to little Samuel? While you are abed from a fall? Surely Nanny can manage!”

  “Same thing I said,” I heard Nanny Browne mutter under her breath.

  “I find his presence soothing.” Nanny Browne relieved me of the child to allow the doctor to examine me.

  Dr. MacAndrews removed his stethoscope from his bag and listened to my heart and lungs. He examined my eyes and took my pulse. Then he moved on to examining my ankle. I winced as he moved it around. The ankle, now the size of a goose egg, was discolored from a bruise.

  “And you cannot bear weight on it?”

  “I have not tried, though when I attempted to stand, I did feel pain.”

  Robert stood at the foot of the bed, examining the process. “She could not bear weight,” he interjected.

  “Mm-hm,” the doctor mumbled as he studied my ankle. “And can you feel this?” he inquired as he ran his fingers on my foot.

  The motion elicited a giggle from me. “Yes,” I answered, trying to contain my laughter. Robert shot me a stern glance, his forehead wrinkling at my reaction. “My apologies, doctor, I am ticklish.”

  The doctor chuckled. “And can you wiggle your toes?”

  I nodded, demonstrating my ability by wriggling my toes back and forth. “Excellent!” Dr. MacAndrews stated. He folded his stethoscope and placed it in his bag.

  “What is the prognosis, doctor?” Robert inquired.

  “A minor sprain, nothing more. A few days of bedrest should do the trick. I shall leave opium for the pain.”

  “Thank you, doctor,” I answered.

  He nodded his head to me. “You are most welcome. And how is the young master? Settling into his home well? Not giving Nanny any trouble, is he?”

  “Trouble? None at all! Oh, he is simply perfect!” I gushed.

  Dr. MacAndrews nodded. “He will grow to be a strapping laddie! My initial examination of him proved outstanding! A healthy babe. My congratulations to you both.”

  “Thank you, doctor,” Robert said, clapping him on the back.

  “I shall return in a few days’ time to check on Her Grace’s progress and the young master. Stay off that ankle,” Dr. MacAndrews warned.

  “I will ensure she does!” Robert promised as he walked him to the door. Buchanan waited outside to escort the doctor out.

  Robert closed the door behind them. “See,” I said. “All is well.”

  “All is not well, dear,” Robert answered as he strode back to my bedside. “You have a sprained ankle.” He sunk onto the bed’s side, facing me.

  “A minor sprain,” I reminded him.

  “And you must listen to the doctor’s advice.”

  “I shall.”

  Robert kissed my forehead before continuing. “And you must abandon this investigation.”

  “Just a moment!” I objected.

  “Lenora!” Robert admonished. “This is not up for discussion. This is the second time you have been seriously harmed in pursuit of this!”

  “I have not been seriously harmed! I sustained a minor sprain of my ankle. It could have happened while riding, even without Annie involved. You, yourself, know the dangers of riding.”

  “It did not happen without Annie’s presence. It happened because of Annie’s presence. Lenora, please, I do not wish to quarrel over this.”

  “Then we shall not quarrel.”

  Robert’s eyes narrowed at me. “But you have no intention on abiding by my request, have you?”

  “I am unable to abide by your request. I have no control over the situation.”

  Robert sighed. “Please, promise you will be cautious.”

  “I promise.” Robert issued another sigh. “Do not blame yourself,” I added, realizing the source of Robert’s concern. “The fault is no one’s, certainly not yours.”

  “I invited you for the ride,” Robert stated.

  “It is not your fault!” I maintained.

  Ella’s arrival suspended our conversation. “Your Grace, I retrieved several books for you to pass the time. If you are too tired, I can read to you.”

  “Thank you, Sinclair,” I responded, relieving her of the books.

  Robert stood, saying, “If you are certain you are settled, I shall attend to some business.”

  “Of course, dear,” I answered.

  “I shall stay w
ith Her Grace,” Ella offered.

  “Thank you, Sinclair,” Robert answered. He kissed my forehead and left us alone.

  “Would you like me to read to you? Shall I fetch any medicines? Is there anything you need?” Ella questioned.

  “Yes,” I responded, pushing myself up a bit in the bed. “Could you seek out the family Bible? The one kept in the library on the pedestal?”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” Ella answered. “I shall fetch it at once.”

  She hurried from the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

  “There,” I said. “We are alone now. Perhaps now you might explain why you sent me to the stream to see the child.”

  The specter of Annie stared back at me. She had arrived with Dr. MacAndrews, following him into the room and taking her usual post by the door. It was the same spot she stood in when I had nearly fallen out of the tower. She had not left when the doctor did, nor when Robert departed. She stood, unwavering, staring at me.

  “Nothing to say?” I questioned. I drew in a deep breath, searching my depths for patience. “Why did you send me to the child?” Annie’s eyes flashed red. I had hit upon something. “So, you DID send me there! Why?”

  Annie turned, pacing the floor in front of me. I followed her as she strode back and forth across the floor. I narrowed my eyes, studying her form. Her shoulders slumped forward, her arms rigid and stiff. Her fists were balled. Something perturbed her. What?

  “Annie,” I tried again. “There is a reason you sent my horse on a mad dash toward that stream. You made sure I spotted that child. Who was she? What connection has she to this?”

  Annie stopped in her tracks. She faced me, her eyes still glowing red, her fists still balled. At that moment, Ella burst through the door. Annie vaporized as she entered. “I’ve got it, Your Grace!” Ella called triumphantly. She waved the Bible in her hands. She perched on the edge of the bed next to me and pulled the book open. “Is there a particular passage you would like to read?”

  “No,” I replied. The turn of events with Annie frustrated me, though I did not expect answers to be forthcoming.

  Ella offered a quizzical glance to me and ceased paging through the Bible. I motioned for her to hand me the Bible. I shut it and opened the cover. “I want to study the family tree.”