by Hunt, Brenda
“This will end now. Leta and I are going to walk out of that door and I am going to my room,” she stated as she nodded to Leta for her to follow her. She turned to face Barrows again and gave him a dismissal look through narrowed eyes.
“You bloody hell will not,” growled the Duke. Everyone in the room stopped and looked at him in shock. He had not meant to let his anger get the better of him, but he couldn’t get Carolyn out of his head. Here the Countess was doing the same thing. He knew she was behind it. He felt it. This time she was not going to get away with it.
The Countess stared at the Duke in wide eyed shock.
Leta began shaking. “You must not talk to the Countess in that manner,” she whispered.
“Worth you will not use that type of language in my presence,” admonished the Countess.
“Then I suggest Countess, you tell me exactly why you did this?” asked Worth. He still thought she had done this. Now, he was determined to prove it.
“I do not know how to make you understand, I did not poison that witch. Someone else must have, but it was not me,” she argued. She was getting extremely irritated with all of this.
“No, Countess. I do not believe you. You hate Dulcey just as you hated Carolyn. You will not stop until you have Dulcey dead, as well. If you confess now, I will stop this interrogation and you can leave.” He had no intention of letting her go.
Lady Shefley put her hand on her heart. She had used this ruse before. “I am not a well person. This is highly upsetting to me. I need to go to my room and lie down.”
Worth shook his head. He had seen her act before. He was not about to be fooled by it. “Well, you tell me the truth Countess and I will be glad to allow you to go upstairs.”
Lady Shefley patted her chest again for emphasis. “I am not well, Worth and this is most upsetting. I must go to my room and rest.”
“No, you will not. Not until I get to the bottom of this.”
“I did it. Leave my lady alone. She has been upset enough because of that witch woman. She needed to be gone,” whispered Leta as she came to the Countess’s side to assist her. “She is not well and you are making her worse. She needs to rest. Has she not been upset enough worrying that she would be burned by that witch woman?”
All eyes in the room looked to Leta. The Countess stared at Leta in disbelief. “What?” she asked.
Leta looked at the Countess as though why was she asking that question. “Because she upset you. You said over and over again, she needed to go. I could not let her continue to upset you. It is what you wanted. You said so. I have always made certain you have always gotten what you wanted, Countess. It is my job to make certain it is done. It is what I have done for you all of my life,” explained Leta calmly, as though it was the most natural thing for her to do.
Countess looked to Worth and said, “As you can see, it was not me.”
Worth shook his head. “You did this Leta? The Countess put you up to this?” She had to be behind it.
Leta looked at him strangely, then stated calmly. “No. I did this for the Countess. That witch upset the Countess. The Countess said over and over again, how we were all going to burn because of that witch woman. I had to protect the Countess. I could not let the Countess burn. So that woman had to go.” She turned to the Countess. “You are safe now, m’lady.” She turned back to the Duke. “Now may I take the Countess upstairs, she needs her rest.”
Worth looked at Barrows who raised his shoulders in question. He didn’t understand this calmness with Leta, as though she did not understand what she had done. “Leta, do you understand what you have done?”
Leta cocked her head in confusion as she looked at him. “Of course, your grace. I was protecting the Countess. That is my job.” She turned to the Countess, “We can go upstairs now, m’lady and you may rest. You do not need to fear that witch woman any longer, now.”
“Leta, tell him I did not instruct in any of this.” Worth needed to know, she was not behind this but she was not against what Leta had done. After all, Leta’s intent was to protect her. At least Leta understood why that witch woman was going to harm them. Look at what she had caused Leta to do. That should be example enough for everyone to see.
Worth looked at the Countess in incredulity. All she could think of was making certain she was not blamed in any of this and yet, she was the very reason, Leta did what she did. It was beyond his comprehension someone could be so self-centered.
“Leta, what poison did you use?” asked Worth. Knowing would help Dr. Meade. Perhaps there was still time. No, there had to be time.
“Why nightshade, your grace? I am not familiar with it. Did I use enough? It simply would not do for her to live and continue to upset the Countess. The Countess could not abide it.”
Worth stared at Leta as though she had lost her mind. And then it dawned on him, she was indeed mad. Her devotion to the Countess had made her that way. And the Countess did not, could not, see what she had done by all her harping and complaining. No, she had not poisoned Dulcey herself. No, the likes of her would never dirty her hands. But she would lead someone like Leta to do it for her. He shuddered at the thought of those two.
“Evers, please escort, the Countess and her maid to the Countess’s room. They are to stay there under guard, until I speak with Lord Beckham concerning all that we have just learned.” He looked at the Countess for argument but found none.
“You will explain all of this to Nathaniel, will you not Worth? That it was Leta and not me.” asked the Countess.
“Rest assured Countess I will inform Nate of all of this. Now be so kind as to go.”
He watched as Mr. Barrows moved from the door and allowed Evers, Lady Shefley and Leta to leave.
“I’ll be leavin’ too, yer grace,” said Mary.
Worth looked at her in surprise. He had forgotten she was still in the room with them. “Yes, by all means, but a word with you first. What has been said in this room must remain here until a decision has been made about how to deal with all of this.”
Mary nodded. “Fer Lady Dulcey’s sake, I’ll not say a word, yer grace. I’ll be a prayin’ for m’lady.” She curtsied and left through the door Mr. Barrows held open for her.
Worth walked over to the sideboard, pulled out a bottle of whiskey and filled two glasses nearly to the top. He handed one to Mr. Barrows and downed his in one long gulp. It burned all the way down. He desperately felt the need to get the taste of the Countess’s duplicity and self- importance out of his mouth.
Mr. Barrows sipped his. “How shall we handle this, your grace?”
“At the moment, I am uncertain as how to proceed. It appears Leta has gone mad. She is obsessed with the need to protect the Countess. I need to go to Lord Beckham with this.” He shook his head. How does one tell one’s friend, his mother’s maid has just poisoned his new bride? All because she believed, she was doing his mother’s bidding. “If you can see to it the guests are sent on their way while I speak with Lord Beckham. Once that is done have Evers escort you upstairs.”
Chapter 17
Why dost thou wrong her that did n’er wrong thee?
When did she cross thee with a bitter word?
Talk not to me, I will go sit and weep
Till I can find occasion of revenge.
William Shakespeare
Worth met Dr. Mead in the hall outside of Lady Dulcey’s room and informed him of all he had learned.
“I hope this helps,” said Worth.
Dr. Mead nodded. “Yes, it has. I know what more needs to be done. His lordship is at her bedside. He refuses to leave.”
Worth passed a hand over his face in weariness and sadness. As much as he disliked the Countess for the hell she had put Caroline through and he was more certain now more than ever she was responsible for Carolyn’s death indirectly, just as she was here, she was not his mother. Nate would need to deal with that fact. It would not be easy.
He knocked softly then entered quietly. Dulcey lay in her bed pale
but alive. Nate sat at her bedside, her hand in his gently rubbing it with his fingers. This was a far cry from the handsome man he stood beside on the altar of the church just hours ago. This man before him, his hair disheveled, no doubt from numerous times of having passed his hand through it, his jacket and cravat off and draped over the back of the wing chair he sat in, looked like he had been to hell but had not made it back yet.
Nate looked up when he realized Worth had entered the room. He had not heard him enter. The only thing he was interested in hearing was Dulcey’s next breath. The look on Worth’s face did not bode well.
He placed Dulcey’s hand on the coverlet. He nodded to Peggy and she came to her bedside. He motioned his head to the small sitting room that was part of Dulcey’s room. He walked to the window and stared out unaware of the scenery before him. He turned to Worth when he joined his side.
“Please tell me you know who did this to Dulcey,” asked Nate.
Worth nodded. “I’m not sure you are going to like what I have found out,” answered Worth.
“Nothing you can tell me will make the least difference. Someone poisoned my bride and finding out who did this is my main concern at the moment besides praying that my bride survives. So Worth tell me, who did this?”
Worth gazed at his friend who looked harried, yet angry. He knew he could no longer delay. “We questioned nearly everyone with no luck, until one. Miss Mary Stewart thought she saw someone. When questioned, Leta, your mother’s maid, admitted to the deed.”
Nate looked at him momentarily stunned. “Leta?”
“Yes,” answered Worth, then went on to explain. “It appears she heard your mother become so upset with the fact that Dulcey was a witch. She was afraid for your mother. Afraid someone would try to burn Dulcey and your mother would burn, too. Your mother kept harping on that fact and how upset she was that you were marrying Dulcey. That something needed to be done to stop this marriage from taking place.”
Nate took a moment to allow the information to sink in. His mother’s maid. Leta, his mother’s maid. He closed his eyes in torment and anger. His mother and her constant complaints. “Did the Countess know about this?” asked Nate. At the moment, he could not call her mother.
Worth let out a sigh. “I am not sure. It does not appear as though she had any knowledge of it directly. Of course, she has denied it. Something happened with Leta, she was very nervous at first and then when we, I accused your mother, she changed.”
Nate looked at him confused. “What do you mean changed?”
Worth shook his head. “I’m not sure. It was like the life went out of her. Like she became a shell of who she was, no emotion. The only thing she cared about was your mother, pleasing your mother was the only thing that mattered. It was strange. She did not understand the seriousness of what she had done. Everything was about protecting your mother.” He tried to explain, but he wasn’t sure exactly what had transpired with the Countess’s maid. He believed her to be mad, unbalanced, for only someone who was mad would act like that.
Nate nodded slightly. “Do you believe if the Countess had not constantly harped about Dulcey, Leta would have not believed the Countess was in danger?”
“I believe her mind is not right and that she is completely devoted to your mother. The Countess’s constant complaints contributed to her doing this. I am sorry, Beck. I know she is your mother. She may not have been directly involved, may not have used the poison herself, but I believe she precipitated this. Leta does not understand her involvement in this. Because Leta did this, your mother believes she has had no part in it. She is the most selfish person I have ever come across.” Worth remembered some of his conversations with Carolyn when she had said as much. At the time, he thought she had exaggerated but looking back, he regretted not having listened to Carolyn more.
Nate closed his eyes and clenched his fists at his side. He should have shipped her home days ago as he threatened to. He was filled with guilt for not having done so. Part of this was his fault as well, for not having sent her home. Damn her, he thought.
“If I had shipped her home as I threatened to days ago, this would not have happened. I am to blame in that part. I should have known,” stated Nate with self-loathing. His hand was in this, too. How could he claim to love Dulcey yet to have put her in such danger? He could never forgive himself for having allowed this to happen. He would spend the rest of his life making this up to her. If she lived that little voice in his head said. No, she had to live. He could not, would not think, otherwise.
“You mustn’t blame yourself, Beck. If anyone, I should have known how she could be after listening to Carolyn. But it is neither of our faults. The fault lies in your mother. And that leads us the crux of it all. What is to be done now?” asked Worth. He knew what he wanted to do, but locking someone in a dungeon somewhere was bound to be against the law. Newgate prison perhaps, but then the stigma of it, for there was bound to be someone of the ton to find out.
Nate gazed out the window watching as dusk fell. Tonight was his wedding night. How he had looked forward to lying with Dulcey again. It had been difficult the last few days, not being able to love her as he had at the cottage. It had only increased his appetite for her. Now, he stood wondering, if he would ever again hold her in his arms and taste again that sweet love she gave so willingly. She had become a part of him, a part of him he now realized he could not do without. The thought that she may be dying, froze his soul to its very core.
Worth stood by Nate’s side waiting, watching. He had never experienced the connection he had witnessed between Nate and Dulcey. He had envied his friend but had been happy for him to have found such a love. He knew it to be rare and to be treasured. To have it taken way so soon and by one’s own mother, he, Worth had no idea what he would do. Yes, he did, but it was not his decision to make.
“So you believe, Leta is no longer in her right mind.”
“Yes. But because of her devotion to your mother, I still think, believe, she may still be a danger to Dulcey. I don’t think she would harm anyone else, but her obsession with Dulcey puts Dulcey still in danger, in my opinion. Yet, should any of this get out and the gossip mongers get hold of it, it could be detrimental to the family.” Worth thought of Abby. This could affect her if not now, then when she was older.
“You’re thinking of Abby?” asked Nate. She had been on his mind, as well. Peggy had informed him earlier, Miss Franny had explained to Abby, Dulcey had gotten sick but Abby still wanted to see her. Here was another life his mother had tried to damage with her constant harping.
“Yes,” answered Worth. “For the good of the Shefley name, we need to keep this as quiet as possible. For Abby’s sake, for Dulcey’s sake, as well.”
Nate nodded. “As much as I would like to throw them into Newgate prison or ship them off to the nether ends of the earth and never deal with them ever again, I know that is not the solution.” Nate wiped a hand over his face in frustration and let out a deep sigh. He wanted to send her to the some far corner of the earth. Somewhere so far she would never be able to touch their lives ever again. Suddenly, it came to mind. He knew of a place, a place he knew his mother would hate and would be the nether ends of the world, as far as his mother was concerned.
“We do own a property up near the Scottish border just past Newcastle. I have been to it once, several years ago. It is isolated and very far from London. Mother would hate it. Very rustic, if I remember right.” He was beginning to truly enjoy the idea of sending his mother there. A just deserve, as far as he was concerned.
Worth smiled. He knew the Countess loved the London scene, the constant gossip among the ton. She thrived on it. This she would an unbearable punishment to her. “That could very well be the answer to the problem. She will hate the idea.”
“Exactly. I want her miserable! As miserable, as she has made all of us, all her life,” seethed Nate. He turned to Worth. “Another favor of you, Worth?”
“Anything, Beck.”
“I need you to inform my mother of my decision and to see to her escort there. Once there, make certain she is never allowed to leave unless under my direction. At the moment, I can never in my lifetime see that happening.” He did not want to have anything more to do with his mother. He was afraid of what he would do to her, if he did see her in the frame of mind he was in. He was furious with her and could not be held responsible, if he encountered her.
“I would be most pleased to see to that chore for you. You do know, I hold no regard for your mother,” stated Worth. He wanted Beck to understand, he had strong feelings against his mother, as well.
Nate nodded. “Yes, that is why I know I can trust you to do it. She cannot manipulate you into doing her bidding. I don’t care how you do it. I just want her out of this house as soon as possible.”
“I will see to it myself, Beck. You take care of Dulcey. I firmly believe she will survive this and you and she will have your happiness.” He had to believe it to be so.
Nate took a deep breath. “I have to believe that. I cannot bear to think otherwise. I cannot lose her.” He turned and gazed lovingly at Dulcey lying in her bed. No, he could not lose her.
Worth put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You will not. Now let me see to this problem of yours. Rest assured I will take care of it.”
Nate followed Worth to the door just as Dr. Meade entered.
“I have something else to give her, m’lord. This should counteract any of the nightshade that remains in her system,” explained Dr. Meade.
“I will come back before we leave to make certain all is well,” said Worth.
Nate nodded and went to Dulcey’s side to assist Dr. Meade. He prayed the good doctor knew what he was about. It seemed the good doctor had learned much from Dulcey and her grandmother. He had to put his faith in that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nate was certain he didn’t want to see his mother. He could see nothing good coming from meeting with her. He was so angry. He wanted to shake her till he made her feel the fear that gripped his soul. Dulcey was alive, but no thanks to her. When Worth had explained to him, how she had been involved, he wanted to scream. And now her insistence, she had to talk with him before she left. No, he had nothing to say to her.