My breath caught for a moment as I formulated my next statement. “She did not take her own life, Robert,” I answered.
“What?!” Robert exclaimed. “But she…”
I shook my head. “No, no, she did not throw herself from the tower, Robert. She was thrown from the tower to her death. She was murdered.”
Ella collapsed onto the chaise at the admission.
“Murdered?!” he questioned. “By whom? Who would have murdered my sweet Annie?”
My lower lip trembled as his eyes searched mine. “Sir Richard Prescott.”
Robert’s voice raised an octave, incredulous at the statement. “What?! Why?!”
“I am sorry, Robert. The tale is rather sordid. It begins four months before her death.” Robert stared at me, waiting for me to continue. “Sir Richard…” I paused, searching for the words to impart the difficult news. My voice broke as I imparted the next statement. “Forced himself on her. It resulted in a child. A child she learned of and planned to inform you of when Sir Richard confronted her. They argued, and he chose to end her life rather than allow the news come to light. He made it appear as though she took her own life.” I did not mince words, regarding the best policy to be blunt honesty.
Robert collapsed onto the bed, his jaw agape and his eyes wide. He stared at the floor, unmoving, unspeaking. I placed my hand on his shoulder, willing him any strength remaining in me to help face the news. “I am sorry, Robert,” I whispered.
We sat for several moments in silence. I studied Robert’s face, trying to glean any hint of his reaction. His breathing turned ragged as his forehead crinkled. I worried he may have an episode of some sort.
Without warning, Robert rose. “Robert?” I questioned.
He strode to the door without answer. He flung it open with enough force that it banged off the wall, nearly snapping closed again. I chased him into the hall. “Robert,” I questioned again, “where are you going?”
“To settle this,” he growled.
“Settle it how?” I inquired, hurrying after him.
“Go to bed, Lenora. It is my affair now.”
“It is not!” I countered. “You are in shock! I do not wish you to do something foolish!”
Ella, who had followed us into the hall, wrapped her arms around me. “Sinclair, put Her Grace to bed. She has suffered a shock.”
“I shall not be put to bed like a petulant child, Robert!” I warned. “You are angry. Rightfully so! I am angry. But you mustn’t react out of anger! The situation is already tragic. I have no desire to see it become more so!”
“I am a grown man, Lenora, I can take care of myself. Please, wait here.”
“Robert!” I shouted as he spun on his heel and left me behind. “Oh!” I cried as Ella tightened her grip on me.
“Come, Your Grace. You should rest.”
“Rest?!” I cried incredulously. “How can I rest?”
Ella patted my arm. “You must try. Come, at least lay on your chaise.”
I allowed myself to be led to my suite, though I could not sit still. I paced the floor. “Perhaps you should undress, Your Grace,” Ella suggested.
“No,” I replied. “I dare not. In the event I am needed, I prefer to be ready.”
Ella nodded, allowing me to return to my fretting and pacing. After a few more moments, Ella said, “Perhaps if I read to you…”
“No. No, I am far too distracted, but thank you, Sinclair.” Ella wrung her hands. “Do not distress, Sinclair. Your presence offers me as much comfort as I can bear at this time.”
“How terribly anxious you must be, Your Grace. What terrible news about the former Mrs. Fletcher.”
“Yes,” I admitted. “Sir Richard’s presence in the castle this evening must have been harrowing for Annie.”
“And for you, Your Grace. You learned of her attack yesterday, did you not? It is what distressed you so, is it not?”
“It is,” I responded. “Yes, I learned of the attack, but not the culprit. I only gained that knowledge this evening.”
“You poor dear,” Ella responded. After a moment she inquired of me, “Pardon me, Your Grace, but what are those marks on your neck? I have only just noticed them. Perhaps you should sit.”
I glanced in the mirror. Purple-red bruises adorned my neck like an ugly necklace. “Bruises,” I admitted.
Her brows wrinkled. “From?”
“Sir Richard. He trapped me in the tower after I learned the truth. He attempted to snuff out my life as he had Annie’s.” Ella’s eyes went wide and she swallowed hard. “Annie saved my life. She flung one of the boards from the window across the room at him. It allowed me enough time to escape.”
“My God!” Ella choked out. “The doctor should be fetched.”
“No, no, Sinclair. I’ve no time for that now. Besides that, I am fine. Other than a sore throat, I sustained no damage.”
“Why did you not tell His Grace?”
“His Grace has enough on his plate to deal with. I did not wish to add more.”
Ella fell silent, and I collapsed to the chaise. After a quarter of an hour, I could sit no longer. I leapt to my feet, resuming my pacing. Each passing moment brought more worry.
At long last, I heard the sound of hoofbeats in the distance. I prayed it was Robert and not news of Robert’s demise. “Robert!” I exclaimed. I raced from my room and rushed down the main stairs to the foyer. Robert entered moments later.
“Oh, thanks heavens,” I breathed, pressing my hand to my chest.
“I am fine, Lenora,” Robert assured me.
“What happened?” I questioned.
Robert removed his riding gloves. “Annie’s death shall soon be avenged.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I have challenged the swine to a duel. Tomorrow morning at sunrise.”
“What?” I cried. “Robert, no!”
“It must be done,” Robert answered.
“You could be harmed. Or worse!”
“As you were? He admitted his crimes to me. Including his attempt on your life! You withheld that information from me.”
“It did not seem pertinent at the time. I did not wish to add to your misery,” I answered.
“Lenora, I cannot allow that man’s crimes to stand. I shall have the opportunity to avenge both you and Annie.”
“And he shall have the opportunity to kill you!”
“I am an excellent shot, dear. You needn’t worry.”
“I shall worry! What kind of shot is he? Suppose he is quicker! Suppose he fires before you agree! Robert, please, I beg of you. Abandon this foolishness.”
“It is not foolishness, Lenora. It is justice. And I shall have it. You cannot talk me out of it.” Buchanan entered the foyer, collecting Robert’s gloves and cloak. “Buchanan, see that the dueling pistols are prepared for tomorrow morning.
“I shall see to it at once, Your Grace,” Buchanan answered before departing.
I threw my arms in the air in protest. “Lenora, there is nothing to be done. Go to bed. Tomorrow it shall be ended.” He kissed me on the forehead, signaling the end to the conversation.
Ella allowed me a moment to fume before collecting me. “Please, Your Grace,” she said in a hushed tone. “Let us prepare you for bed. You should try to rest.”
I shook my head but allowed myself to be taken to my room. Ella assisted me in changing into my bedclothes, then promised to stay the night with me. I tossed and turned in my bed, unable to sleep or even rest. I climbed from the bed, pacing the floor. In the wee hours of the morning, I roused Ella to dress.
The hours crept by until finally the sky brightened. My stomach tied itself in a knot as the sound of hoofbeats reached my ears. Moments later, I overheard voices in the corridor. My door burst open and Edwin entered, trailed by a disconcerted Buchanan.
“Edwin!” I exclaimed.
“Lenora, I must speak with you at once.”
“It is fine, Buchanan,” I assured the butle
r.
“May we speak in private?” Edwin inquired, nodding to Ella, who remained in the room after Buchanan departed.
“You may speak freely in front of Sinclair,” I assured him.
Edwin nodded, conceding his request. “You must have Robert call this duel off, Lenora.”
“Must I?” I answered, my eyebrows raised high. “Do you not expect that I have tried?”
“Try again. Richard will not hesitate to kill him.”
“No, I do not imagine he will. He has killed in cold-blood at least once already.”
“Please, Lenora. I wish no more harm to come to my brother over this.”
“Neither do I, though I have no control over him in the matter.”
“But he will listen to you. Please, you must try again. It is on your behalf he fights!”
“He fights to avenge Annie’s death,” I countered.
“No. He did not offer the challenge until Richard admitted his attempt on your life.”
I sighed, reflecting on his statement. “I shall try again,” I promised.
Edwin stood unmoving. I issued a questioning glance. “There is one other thing…” he began when my door opened.
Robert entered. His eyebrows shot up, finding Edwin there. Anger shown plainly on his face. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“He has come to request that I stop you in this madness,” I said.
“Get out. You are not welcome in this house!”
“Please, Robert,” Edwin begged. “Please, I did not know it would go this far. As I explained, I owed him money. He asked for a few moments alone with her. I did not know it would lead to her death four months later.”
Robert grasped him by the lapels and shoved him into the hallway. “I said get out. I do not wish to hear your excuses! You were complicit in her rape and death.”
I heard Edwin’s voice, though I could not make out the words. “Take him away,” Robert said before returning to my room.
“Lenora, I am leaving now. I do not wish to argue. Only to notify you.”
“Robert, please,” I begged. “Do not argue, simply listen. You do not need to avenge anything on my behalf. Please abandon this. For Samuel. Think of your son!”
“I am thinking of him, Lenora. I wish him to know that I would fight when faced with a difficult situation. I do not wish him to think me a coward.”
“You are not a coward, Robert, please!”
“Lenora, I will not continue to argue. The matter is closed.” Hoofbeats sounded again in the distance. Moments later Buchanan appeared to announce Sir Richard had arrived. I closed my eyes and shook my head.
Robert kissed my forehead and, without a word, departed from the room. I doubled over and Ella caught me, easing me back onto my chaise. “I cannot go,” I said through sobs. “I cannot watch.”
“Of course not, Your Grace. It shall all be over soon,” Ella assured me.
I wiped away my tears and wrung my handkerchief in my hand. I vaulted from the chaise and circled the room. After several laps, I shook my head. “I cannot wait here.” I hurried from the room.
“Your Grace!” Ella called after me. “Wait!”
She caught up to me as I descended the stairs. A footman crossed the foyer. “Where are they?” I questioned.
“The summit near the stables,” he answered.
I nodded and raced from the castle. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Ella raced behind me. As we approached the stables, I gazed up to the summit. Two men stalked away from each other.
I hurried to climb the hill. I had nearly reached the top when two shots rang out. I halted in my climb. My heart stopped as though a bullet had pierced it. I scurried up the remainder of the hill, desperate to know the outcome.
Chapter 26
Gasping for breath, I glanced around the battleground. Robert lay sprawled on the ground, Edwin knelt over him. Sir Richard Prescott stood across the field, confusion on his face.
I rushed to Robert’s side. “He’s been shot,” Edwin shouted. “Though not before he killed Prescott.”
I pressed my handkerchief firmly against the wound near Robert’s shoulder. Robert groaned. “Fetch the doctor at once,” I shouted to Buchanan.
“I shall send our fastest rider,” Buchanan assured me, racing to the stables.
Edwin clutched Robert’s hand. “Please do not die, brother.”
A shadow cast across Robert’s face. I turned to glance behind me. Richard Prescott loomed over us. “Go away, you wicked man!” I shouted to him. “Leave this place!” He turned to glance at his dead body across the field. “Yes,” I said. “You are dead. Now go! To the depths of Hell where you belong!”
I turned my attention to Edwin. “We must get him to his bed. You must carry him while I keep the pressure on the wound.” My small handkerchief sopped with blood already. Edwin nodded. He began to lift Robert, but Robert groaned, causing Edwin to cease his attempt.
Robert’s eyes flitted open. “Robert,” I soothed. “Lie still. You are wounded but alive. You must let us care for you.”
His eyes met mine. “Lenora,” he whispered. “Fear not. You shall be well provided for.”
“Do not try to speak,” I warned, wishing him to conserve his energy and not wanting to hear his goodbye.
“Lenora, I …” he breathed before his eyes closed.
“Oh, no,” Edwin groaned.
I swallowed hard as my blood-covered fingers sought a pulse in his neck. I prayed as I pressed my bloody fingers against his skin, searching for a pulse beat. I felt nothing. I closed my eyes, pressing harder. A slight thump reached my fingers. “He is alive,” I announced. “Quickly, Edwin, we must get him to the castle.”
Edwin breathed a sigh of relief and gathered Robert’s limp form into his arms. I kept my fingers pressed firmly against the bullet wound as we traversed to the castle. With some effort, we made it, climbing the stairs and hurrying to Robert’s room. Ella pulled back the bedcovers and Edwin placed Robert’s slack form in his bed.
I kept careful watch on his shallow breathing as Ella retrieved a towel to hold over his wound. I prayed with every fiber in my being that Robert survived this. Ella offered to take over keeping pressure to the wound, though I could not bring myself to remove my hands.
Within the hour, Dr. MacAndrews arrived with an assistant. Buchanan showed him into the bedroom where he assessed the wound. “I shall need to remove the bullet. It is lodged in his chest,” he said. “It is good he is unconscious. He shall not feel the pain.”
“What are his chances?” I inquired.
“We shall know better when the bullet is removed. Mr. Fletcher, Miss Sinclair, please escort Duchess Blackmoore from the room.”
“I wish to stay.”
“It would be better if you did not,” Dr. MacAndrews insisted.
“I am not squeamish. I can assist.”
“I have my own assistant, well-trained in the medical field. I shall call for you as soon as I have completed the procedure.”
I nodded, allowing Ella to direct me from the room. “We should take care of this, Your Grace.” Ella nodded to me. I glanced down, first noticing my blood-stained hands, then realizing my dress was drenched in Robert’s blood.
“I wish to stay close,” I murmured.
“And you shall, as soon as we have changed your dress. You do not want His Grace to see this upon awakening.”
I nodded and plodded along with Ella to my bedroom. My lower lip trembled as I scrubbed the blood from my hands. Ella redressed me in a clean dress, and we hurried back to Robert’s bedroom.
“Anything?” I asked Edwin.
“No,” he stated. “Nothing.”
I paced the floor outside his room. “Let me bring you a chair, Lenora,” Edwin offered.
“I am fine,” I insisted. “I could not sit still if I tried.”
Silence fell over us as we awaited news from the doctor. After a time, Edwin spoke. “I did not realize in either instance what
Richard intended to do to Annie.”
I stared at him. “I wanted you to know that, Lenora. After this is over, I will respect my brother’s wishes. I will keep my distance. But I wanted you to know that I did not know his intentions.”
I stared at him, trying to comprehend the reasoning behind his admission. “I wanted you to know,” he repeated after a moment. “You were one of the few people who offered me kindness, Lenora. I did not wish you to think ill of me. Though the part I played in this is inexcusable, I did not realize how serious it was until it was far too late.”
I nodded at him, unable to respond. Dr. MacAndrews spared us any further conversation when he emerged from Robert’s room.
“What news?” I questioned, rushing to him.
“I have removed the bullet,” he answered. “And closed the wound. He remains unconscious. We must keep a careful eye that infection does not set in.”
“When will he awaken?” I asked.
“I do not know,” Dr. MacAndrews admitted.
“But he will awaken?” I prodded.
The doctor hesitated and my heart dropped. “There is no reason to expect he won’t,” he hedged. He then continued his instructions. “Keep cool compresses on his forehead and watch for any signs of fever. If he has any distress or becomes feverish, call for me at once. If he wakes, send for me.”
“If?” I questioned.
“When,” Dr. MacAndrews corrected with a slight smile of reassurance.
I nodded. “I shall sit with him.”
I entered the room as Edwin saw the doctor and his assistant out. I dragged a chair to Robert’s bedside and eased into it, grasping his hand in mine. I stared at his pale form, grey and quiet. His hand was cold against my flesh. I adjusted his covers to ensure warmth.
Minutes turned to hours, and the day waned to evening. Robert did not move, but his shallow, rhythmic breathing continued. As the skies darkened, Ella suggested I come away to rest.
“No,” I argued. “I will not leave him until he is awake.”
“I shall stay with him,” Edwin offered. “I shall fetch you at once if he stirs.”
I insisted on staying and Ella brought me a small meal and offered to stay through the night, but I sent her to bed.
Death of a Duchess Page 28