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

A child, slightly older than me, answered the door. “Yes?” she inquired.

“Sister Mary Xavier to see Headmistress Williamson. We spoke earlier this morning.”

“Please, come in,” the child instructed, standing aside as we entered the foyer. I gaped around, noting the dismal décor. A backless wooden bench sat outside a doorway. A wide staircase, paint peeling from the banister, led to another floor. A lone chandelier hung in the middle of the room, lighting the space dimly. No other items graced the area.

The child crossed the cheerless space, knocking at the door near the bench. After a moment, she entered the room, then returned to retrieve Mother Superior. “Wait here, Lenora,” Mother Superior instructed, motioning to the bench. She disappeared through the doorway.

I set my suitcase next to the bench and climbed up to sit. My legs dangled in the air and I took care not to let them swing too much. A behavior unbecoming of a lady. I folded my hands in my lap as voices floated into the foyer from the room next to me.

It soon became clear to me why we were here. “Good evening, Headmistress Williamson,” Mother Superior said.

“Ah, Sister Mary, welcome back. Please have a seat. You brought the child?” a woman’s voice answered.

“I have,” Mother Superior confirmed.

“Sister,” the voice answered, “are you certain you cannot care for the child?”

“Yes,” Mother Superior replied. “It is unfortunate, but the child is not normal.”

“Yet you want to place her here.”

“Your focus is different,” Mother Superior said. “We struggle to educate the girl, to provide for her. And her… otherworldly capabilities scare some of the other sisters. I fear for their souls with her in our convent.”

“At St. Mary’s we attempt to offer a stable environment for these girls. If you fear for the souls of your own nuns, should not I be concerned for my girls?”

“I fear for the loss of faith. Your girls have not committed themselves to God.”

“But they fear God. We train good God-fearing girls here, sister.”

“I do not mean to impugn your reputation. Nor upset the balance of your school, but the girl is running wild with us.”

“Sister, I find it difficult to believe you cannot manage a small child.”

“We have no means to manage a small child. We have attempted to keep her isolated in the hopes it cured her. However, her behavior persists. And she has developed other poor habits.”

“Poor habits?” the woman questioned.

“The girl needs a firmer hand,” Mother Superior said, sidestepping the question neatly. “Guidance from a professional. She needs routine, structure.”

“She will receive plenty of that here.” There was a pause in the conversation, then the woman’s voice continued. “And this strange behavior of hers, has she some mental disorder? We are not prepared to care for a child of this nature.”

“No, the girl does not suffer from a mental disorder. She is disturbed, but not mentally. I prefer not to imagine the source of her troubles.”

“Forgive me, sister, but I prefer to understand fully what trouble we may bring into this school.”

Mother Superior sighed. “With the proper guidance, perhaps you will not invite any trouble.”

“You place a heavy burden upon me, my teachers and my pupils.”

“You are a school for orphans, are you not?” Mother Superior inquired.

There was a pause before the other woman responded. “Why, yes. Though I am not sure I understand the reason for your query.”

“The reason, Headmistress, is that I did not need to request placement from you. I could merely have dropped the girl on your steps. As a woman of God, I chose to consult you. To make you aware of what to expect.”

Another pause. “So, in other words, you have every intention of leaving the girl here regardless of our discussion.”

“In short, Headmistress, yes. It is in the best interest of the girl. We cannot care for her.” A rustling sound emanated from the room. “And now, Headmistress, I shall leave you to your work.”

Mother Superior appeared in the doorway. She offered me a brief side-eyed glance before proceeding across the foyer. “Mother Superior?” I cried, a mix of emotions coursing through me. I leapt from the bench and ran after her, pulling on her habit.

She spun to face me. “Goodbye, Lenora,” she said in a firm tone. “You must stay here now. It is in your best interest.”

“But… but I thought you were taking me home!” I squawked, sobs filling my voice.

“Lenora, enough. I never told you that. Now unhand me.”

Tears streamed down my face and thoughts raced about in my mind. Why was I being discarded? The convent, while not my home, was the only thing I had known after my mother left me. How would my mother find me if I was moved?

A voice boomed from across the room. “Miss Hastings!” the voice shouted.

I ignored her. “Please,” I begged Mother Superior. “Take me back. I shall behave!”

Footsteps sounded behind me and the woman approached. She swatted my behind twice before smacking my hands away from Mother Superior. “I shall take it from here, sister,” she assured Mother Superior.

Mother Superior nodded, her habit flaring out as she spun and crossed the foyer, disappearing through the door. I called after her, but the door slammed shut. I never saw her again. “That is quite enough!” the woman shouted at me. I fought against her, trying to break free of her grip.

It proved fruitless. She kept a firm hold on me, dragging me across the room and into her office. She let go of my arms and slammed the door shut behind us. I jumped at the harsh sound.

The woman spun to face me, her green eyes cold. Her eyes narrowed, and she set her mouth in a firm line. She stood in silence, assessing me before she spoke. “Now, girl,” she said, “I shall not tolerate this inappropriate behavior further. You may have evaded punishment at the convent, but you shall not at St. Mary’s Orphanage for Girls! You will learn manners and proper