Death of a Duchess, Nellie Steele [non fiction books to read .txt] 📗

“Do not worry. I shall not gallivant around the castle,” I promised.

“No, you shan’t. And I shall stay right here to make sure of it,” Robert replied as Ella entered the room.

“Oh, Your Grace!” she exclaimed as she hastened to my bedside. “Mr. Buchanan told me you had suffered an accident. I wanted to come earlier but he preferred you not be disturbed.”

“I am quite all right,” I assured her. “And I shall continue to rest without requiring supervision. I do not wish to keep you from your work, Robert.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me, dear?”

“No. However, I am an unnecessary distraction. I do not require oversight.”

“Hmm,” Robert murmured, pondering the situation.

“I shall stay with her, Your Grace,” Ella promised. “I will be sure she receives the proper rest and care.”

“There, you see?” I inquired. “I shall be well looked after.”

“All right. I shall leave you under Sinclair’s care. Do not climb from this bed,” Robert ordered, offering me a kiss on the forehead.

As he departed, I noted Annie’s presence, still standing quietly near the door. Her eyes stared at me, unwavering even as Robert passed her. Ella sank into the chair vacated by Robert. She grasped at my bandaged hand, her eyes falling to it.

“Oh, how awful this is, Your Grace,” she lamented. “Did the doctor provide good news about your recovery?”

“Yes,” I answered. “I’ve little recovery to do, Sinclair. I am perfectly fine, only a little disturbed by the alarming event.”

“Of course, poor dear,” Ella cooed at me. “Would you like a cool cloth for your head?”

“No, thank you, Sinclair.”

She smiled in response before adding, “Perhaps you should sleep.”

“If I feel tired, I shall sleep. Until then, let us pass the time by conversing. Tell me more about yourself.”

“Myself?” Ella questioned.

“Yes. Then I can rest and learn more about you.”

The request seemed to take Ella by surprise, though she obliged me, informing me about her life as a child in Glasgow. She imparted many colorful tales about her parents, siblings and her own upbringing, keeping me entertained until lunch was served to me.

The warm bowl of soup provided a satisfying midday meal and brought a sleepiness on me such that I wondered if the prescribed sedative had been sneaked into it. I found myself dozing off in the early afternoon as I read my book whilst Ella mended a dress.

When Robert checked on me before dinner, I had drifted off, only aware of his presence after Ella informed me. Whenever I awoke, despite the hour, I found Annie, the silent sentinel, posted near the door.

Robert visited me again after I’d eaten my dinner tray, this time finding me awake. “How are you feeling, dear?” he asked after kissing my forehead. Taking over for Ella, who departed to eat her own meal, he sunk into the chair.

“Quite well,” I replied. “I even managed to sleep this afternoon.”

“Yes, when I checked earlier you were asleep. Bravo, Lenora. I worried I’d have to tie you to the bed to keep you in it.”

I shook my head at his droll attempt at humor. Robert searched around the room. “Has Annie departed?”

“No,” I informed him. “She has not left since the doctor examined me.”

“Where is she?” Robert said, still scouring the space.

“Just there,” I said with a nod of my head, “near the door.”

“It disturbs me that she has not left,” Robert fretted, crossing his arms across his chest.

“There is no need to be disturbed, Robert. She has done me no harm in all her hours here. I do not imagine she intends to.”

Robert pondered the statement, then shook his head. “Still, I am unwilling to leave you alone in the event that she may prey on you in a vulnerable moment.” I smiled at Robert’s statement, folding my hands across my lap as I settled into the pillows behind me. “Have you taken your medicine?”

“Not yet, though I promise to within the hour. Despite my afternoon nap, I feel rather exhausted. I slept fitfully last night given my experience.”

“Then you should rest,” Robert prodded, standing and filling the spoon with the liquid from the doctor’s bottle.

I swallowed the bitter liquid. It sent a shudder through me and left a grimace on my face. “Oh!” I exclaimed. “I hope not to need that again. The taste is awful. It is worse than the food at St. Mary’s!”

Robert settled into his chair. “Was it very difficult living there?” he inquired. “Oh, please, if it is too painful for you to speak of, ignore my query.”

“It is not unpleasant, though I haven’t many fond memories of the orphanage. And the food was quite terrible,” I assured him.

Robert chuckled. “Mrs. MacAlistair should be delighted to know she has improved upon your previous experience with food.”

“I do tell her as often as I can,” I added. “Outside of that, the headmistress’ cognizance of my cross often made life unbearable.”

“How did she come to learn of it? Did you tell her?”

“No,” I explained. “The nuns who left me there told her. She claimed she should have been commended for taking me in, given what they told her.”

“You were at a convent prior to St. Mary’s?” Robert questioned, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“Yes,” I revealed. “I was there for one year, four months and ten days.” I noted the confused expression spreading on Robert’s face and continued my explanation. “My mother left me there just before I turned six.”

“Have you any idea why your mother did this?”

“Because I was not a normal child. She grew increasingly disturbed about my ability and before my sixth birthday decided she could not tolerate anymore.”

“How terrible. You poor child!”

I offered a meek smile, preferring to leave those memories closed off in my mind as I began to feel tiredness wash over me. I slouched further down in the bed, pulling the covers around me.

“Are you beginning to become tired?” Robert queried.

I nodded, stifling a yawn. “Then I shall leave you sleep after one more question,” Robert said.

“What is it?” I