The Duke's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 1)

by Lindsay Downs

  “Your Grace, the two maids sent to clean the cottage didn’t come back as expected. I sent a footman to find the reason. He just returned and told me they’re dead, their necks snapped.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Upon hearing the news of the maids, Simon felt his gut tighten and all the blood rush from his head, making him woozy. The thought that the maids had come to harm under his watch made him angry.

  “Winston I need you to send three footmen to where the bodies are and cover them with canvas. After we finish our tea I’ll make sure the ladies return inside.” He paused and glanced to his mother and Emma then turned back to the butler. “Once safe and out of harm’s way I’ll want to see the bodies before having them brought back,” Simon directed.

  “Yes, Your Grace, except I knew you’d want the maids covered so I have already taken care of it, but I’ll send another footman to help guard them.”

  Simon made sure he had a smile on his face then returned to the table and retook his chair. He realized he’d not been successful when he noticed Emma was staring intently at him, her brow furrowed.

  “Even though we’ve only known each other but for a brief period of time, it would seem whatever Winston said has caused you to be upset. We wish to learn what it was so we might help,” Emma requested.

  In his youth, Simon had never been able to hide things from his mother. It seems now Emma has obtained the ability to read him too.

  “Considering the nature of what I learned, and the actions I’ve taken, informing you out here wouldn’t suit. When we finish our tea and adjourn to one of the many parlors I promise to tell you.”

  “Then, I say we’ve finished. After all, we can always order a fresh pot later, if needed,” Laura declared.

  Simon rose then assisted Emma to her feet seeing his mother was already standing. With a wave of his arm he sent them ahead. Stepping across the threshold, he saw the butler marching toward him stop and stand to the side. As he got up to the man, Simon halted briefly.

  “Your Grace, everything has been taken care of,” the man replied.

  “Make sure Mrs. Lee is available as I’m positive Her Grace will wish to speak with her,” Simon directed Winston.

  “Certainly.”

  With that taken care of, Simon continued after the ladies who’d stopped and were talking between themselves. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Winston had disappeared and no other staff were in sight.

  “Ladies, I’m sorry for holding you up, but I needed to give Winston a few instructions.”

  “That’s quite all right, Simon, as long as one of the directions is to have sherry brought to my parlor?” Laura asked.

  “Yes, it was. Shall we retire to your sitting room so I can tell you what happened?”

  Simon followed the ladies as they climbed the stairs to the first floor, which gave him the opportunity to study Emma from behind. His heart pounded at the gentle sway of her hips as she took one step at a time. In years past, he’d been witness to ladies who would over emphasize the side to side movement, which he’d always found unnatural, but not with Emma. He silently moaned when they stepped onto the first floor and strolled down the hall.

  He waited until the ladies took their customary seats on the settee. Simon started pacing the room as he wondered how they’d react to the news. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait very long as Winston entered with the drinks. After dismissing the man, Simon finally took his chair.

  “Ladies, I know this will come as a shock, but remember, you insisted on hearing what Winston had told me. The two maids sent to make sure your cottage was clean, were found murdered on the path.”

  His mother’s and Emma’s gasps made him stop. He’d expected that reaction, and that’s why he’d ordered the sherry. Much to his surprise, though, neither appeared to pale on hearing this horrible news. He waited while they took a sip of their drink and turned their attention back to him.

  “Son, do you think it was this Justin who could have done it?” his mother inquired.

  “That, I couldn’t say at this time, but I suspect he might have had a hand in it. Right now I have several footmen keeping guard over them. I need to examine their bodies to confirm the cause for their demise. Fortunately, with the surgeon arriving on the morrow, he will be able to assist in determining how the maids were murdered.”

  “Good. While you go and examine the girls I’ll wish to speak with Mrs. Lee to find out if they had family,” his mother told him.

  “I thought you might, and that was one of the instructions I gave Winston. If you’ll excuse me, I have sad but important business awaiting me. I shouldn’t be gone all that long,” Simon stated.

  With a head bob from his mother and a frown of disappointment from Emma, he suspected because he didn’t invite her to accompany him, he stood and marched from the room. As he made his way down the hall to the servant stairs, he was met by the housekeeper.

  “Mrs. Lee, Her Grace, wishes to speak with you regarding the two maids.”

  “Yes, Winston told me she might.”

  Simon waited until the housekeeper swept off to meet with his mother and Emma before he descended the stairs leading to the kitchen and the side yard. From there he made his way down the path leading to his mother’s cottage and the bodies. Coming around the final curve in the path, he saw the footmen standing over two canvas-covered heaps. He could see the sadness etched in their faces and eyes glazed over in unshed tears. This came as no surprise as the staff were close, in some cases, the only family they knew.

  After nodding to their bows, Simon scanned the area, taking in as many details as possible. Nothing seemed out of the norm. No branches broken or twisted. Even the decorative flower beds were intact. With the trail of loose gravel, finding any footprints would be impossible.

  This made him wonder where the person, or persons, had come from. Was it possible these murderers had hidden in the cottage and on hearing the maids approach attacked them? To answer that question, he stepped up to one of the bodies and lifted the covering. The young girl was returning to the palace as her body was laying in that direction. To confirm, he examined the other and saw she was also heading away from the cottage.

  What the butler had told him Simon now knew to be true. Her head was situated at an odd angle. There were no other visible marks or wounds on her body.

  “When they didn’t return as expected, Winston sent Stone and myself to find out what happened. On finding them right where they are now, I sent him back to tell Winston, while I stayed here.”

  “Johnson, is it?”

  “Yes, Your Grace, and thank you for remembering me as it’s been years since I looked after you.”

  Suddenly, Simon recollected what the man was talking about. Johnson had been assigned to him as a companion and to keep him out of mischief, which had been almost impossible.

  “Well, as you can well see I’ve stayed out of trouble. Do you have an idea where the killer or killers might have hidden before pouncing on the maids?” he asked, to confirm what he thought.

  “If I was to guess, they could have been in the cottage and on hearing the girls approach dashed out and killed them. When Stone returned with Scott, I had him keep an eye on the house, not that I expected the murderers to return.”

  Simon shifted, and then he saw it…something in one of the maids’ hand. Kneeling closer, he carefully opened her stiff fingers and removed strands of hair. A red clump. So she’d put up a fight before succumbing to her death.

  Could it be from Justin as he has red hair?

  Straightening, he turned back to Scott.

  “I need you to return to the palace and get several more footmen and wide planks. I have a surgeon arriving tomorrow and want him to examine the bodies to confirm what I believe is their cause of death.”

  Simon glanced over to Johnson. A worried expression marred the man’s face, rightfully so.

  “You believe they had their necks broken, Your Grace?”

  “Yes.
I’ve seen it before while in the army. With luck, the doctor will be able to tell with the way the heads are twisted.”

  With that being said, Simon turned and continued to the cottage wondering if he’d find any evidence confirming Justin Beaumont had been there and was the killer.

  ****

  As Emma climbed the stairs with the duchess, she could feel Simon’s eyes focused on her. When they got to the first floor and swept down the corridor, she tried to calm herself but found it difficult. Granted, since they’d met she knew whenever possible he studied her but not like this. This time it seemed as a hawk examining its prey. When the opportunity arose, and Emma was alone with Laura, she’d talk to her about these new feelings.

  What the duchess had said earlier, Emma knew now to be true. He would be offering for her. For some unexplained reason she hoped Simon would wait until the murderer was caught. Then, of course, he was still in mourning but she’d heard where some didn’t wait the full year, silently she wondered if he was one.

  After taking a seat beside the duchess, she waited patiently while Simon marched around the parlor. Watching his hands open and close, told her something was seriously bothering him, and he couldn’t figure out a way to tell her or his mother. This also gave her a chance to study him and see not the relaxed duke but someone who cared about people he protected. Emma pondered if this was how he’d been while fighting against the French. It made her feel wonderful as she knew he’d always be there for her, not that she expected any problems now or in the future.

  Once he was seated, she focused her gaze on his face, which she’d done many times before, but this time saw pain, real pain and anguish. She wanted to say something to soothe him, but what? After learning of the maids’ deaths, she nodded to his bow and watched him depart.

  When he left to see what he could learn, Mrs. Lee entered. It amazed Emma that Laura nodded to her to conduct the interview, as if she was the new duchess. She was a little uncomfortable, but when she felt a reassuring hand on hers, she relaxed.

  “Mrs. Lee, the two maids, did they have family?”

  “Yes and no. Brenda’s parents live in the village while Lucy’s mother died several years ago. Her father was killed fighting the French in Spain.”

  Emma could hear the hurt in Mrs. Lee’s voice when she talked about the girls’ families.

  “Do either have brothers or sisters?” Emma asked.

  “I only know about Brenda. She has a younger sister who is of age where she can take up employment.”

  For Emma that could be good news so she glanced over to the duchess who nodded. She took that as a hint to have the girl sought out and see if she’d like to work at the palace, but first, the parents needed to be notified of their daughter’s untimely death.

  “Mrs. Lee, by now most of the staff have learned what happened to the two girls. We need you to make sure, for those who live in the village or have reason to go, no one says anything. When His Grace returns, we will call on Brenda’s parents and inform them of her passing,” Emma directed the housekeeper.

  “And that we will take care of any expenses in regards to the burial. Lady Emma and I will also inquire if the girl would wish to work here,” Laura added.

  “Thank you, Your Grace. I believe the girl had mentioned to her sister, if a position opened up she’d like to,” Mrs. Lee told them.

  Emma wondered if the parents would allow their only remaining daughter to be employed here, considering what had happened to the sister. She’d have to make sure everyone knew it had been a murder and everything was being done to catch the person or persons involved. But she didn’t want to let it out what the man looked like, since that could set about a hue and cry where the wrong person, an innocent, could be hurt.

  With a nod, Emma dismissed the woman.

  She waited until the housekeeper had left before turning to Laura, this time with a worried look. She wanted to tell the duchess about how she felt, wonderful, when Simon was studying her when they came upstairs earlier but didn’t get a chance.

  “My dear, you must learn to hide your feeling for Simon better. When he followed us here I could easily tell you weren’t embarrassed at his scrutiny but seemed to relish it. And before you try to deny it, your pink cheeks at the time gave you away,” Laura uttered.

  As much as she wished to disagree with the duchess, Emma knew the lady was correct.

  “Yes, I know, and it does help to cement what we discussed earlier that he will be offering for me. I do, though, hope he waits until Justin Beaumont is in custody.”

  “That’s because, my dear Emma, if it’s learned I’m taking you as my duchess that would and could endanger your life as well. We already know he will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even murdering two innocent maids,” Simon declared from the doorway.

  For the second time in a day Emma felt her face warm. Now, from Simon overhearing a private conversation she’d had with his mother. Unlike the previous occurrence which she had no control over but on this occasion she did.

  Emma thrust herself up from where she was seated and stormed up to him, her arms across her chest. As he was a head taller she needed to look up to meet his eyes and became even more annoyed at the smirk he wore.

  “This is the second time you’ve inserted yourself into a discussion without being properly announced. The first, we all know, was on the day you arrived from London and now here. This, in case you’ve forgotten, is the duchess’ parlor, and you’re allowed to enter only with her permission. If and when the time comes you might, repeat might, offer for me, with this behavior of yours I will have to think long and hard about it.”

  “I agree with everything Emma said. Now, remove yourself, and enter only after being invited in,” his mother demanded.

  She studied Simon and easily saw a contrite look in his eyes. What she’d not expected was the bow he gave her and his mother before he withdrew from the room. Returning to her seat beside the duchess, she wondered what he’d do.

  “Thank you for agreeing with me as Simon definitely needs to learn even though he’s the duke it’s the ladies who are the real power,” Emma whispered, not sure if he was listening.

  “Trust me, my dear, with you at his side, my errant son will quickly learn that fact.”

  “Yes, it will be interesting,” Emma said, then saw Winston in the doorway.

  “Excuse me, His Grace, seeks an audience,” the man announced.

  Emma wanted to giggle at the formality but thought better of it, considering how hard it must have been for Simon to ask his butler to request the meeting.

  “Yes, Winston, please inform him he may enter,” Emma uttered.

  When she looked up again, Emma saw Simon standing in the door waiting to be invited in.

  “Your Grace, please come in and take a seat,” Laura ordered Simon.

  Emma watched as he shuffled in. She hoped he’d learned his lesson and would make himself known and not sneak around like a thief.

  “Before I do, I humbly wish to apologize for my earlier behavior. I should have made my presence known even before coming to the door. I pray you’ll forgive me?” he pleaded.

  With a serious glance over to Laura, Emma wondered what she’d say only to see a teasing smile, hidden behind her fan.

  “You’re forgiven. Just don’t let it happen again,” Emma declared.

  “Yes, Lady Emma, and thank you for seeing me, Your Grace.”

  “Oh stop that will you. Without a doubt, you’re the most infuriating man I’ve ever met. Now, tell us what you found out, and we’ll inform you of what we learned about the two maids,” Emma told him.

  Chapter Twelve

  If anything, with his behavior and the dressing down she’d given him, Simon knew asking for her hand would be difficult, but not impossible.

  Clearing his throat, he started to tell the ladies what he’d learned when Winston entered, inquiring if they needed anything. On telling the man, not at this time, Simon reminded him to make su
re none of the staff said anything, until instructed.

  “Yes, Your Grace. Mrs. Lee and I’ve already told them,” Winston stated, bowed, then left.

  Simon returned his attention to Emma, who gave him a weak smile, and his mother, expressionless, which worried him as he suspected he was still in trouble.

  “I’m having the maids’ bodies brought back and placed in the mausoleum as it’s one of the coolest buildings and well protected from intruders. When the doctor arrives tomorrow, I’m also going to request he examine them to confirm their cause of death,” Simon told the ladies.

  “From your understanding, son, what do you believe it to be?” Laura asked.

  “In the army we’d see many soldiers with this same wound. It would take a very strong individual to break a person’s neck—and only a man would have the strength.”

  What he didn’t tell them, and he prayed they’d not ask, neither of the maids had been otherwise attacked. From the evidence he’d found in the cottage, it seemed at least two people had stayed there for several days. This meant it wouldn’t be safe for Harold to live there until removing himself to the Crossingham estate. He turned to Emma, who was now gracing him with a relaxed smile. At least she wasn’t still mad at him, or so he hoped.

  “What were you able to learn from Mrs. Lee regarding the maids?”

  “It seems Brenda has family who live in the village and a younger sister. According to the housekeeper, the girl is old enough to work. Laura and I were thinking that it would be nice if we offered her a maid’s position here. According to Mrs. Lee, Lucy has no family,” Emma informed him.

  Silently, Simon agreed with seeing if the girl wanted to work at the palace. He also knew the news of Brenda’s death should come from him, his mother, and Emma.

  “Ladies, before it gets too late and someone lets it slip about the murders, we should speak with Brenda’s parents. I’ll try to separate the father from the mother and tell him privately.”

  “Yes, that might be the best way to do it. To help soften the blow, ask if the girl wishes a position here,” Laura added.