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

eyes grew wide at the request and she smiled but did not answer. The older nun with us, Sister Thomas Aquinas, informed me my mother was not to be interrupted. I nodded, figuring I would show her later when we reunited.

Time wore on and after a while I began to grow restless, as a child of six usually does. “Is my mum still busy?” I questioned.

The two nuns exchanged a glance. Mother Superior’s return interrupted any answer they may have provided. “The child is asking for her mother,” Sister Thomas Aquinas informed her.

Mother Superior’s stern face turned to me. “Come with me, child,” she requested, holding her hand out to me.

I grasped her hand in mine and followed her, expecting to be reunited with my mother. Instead, she took me to an empty office. She sat me in a chair and rounded a large wooden desk, settling behind it.

“May I see my mum?” I asked.

She did not respond for a moment. I fidgeted in my seat. “Your mother had to go away,” she stated at long last.

I frowned. “When will she return?”

Another long pause filled the air between us. “You will stay with us for the time being.”

My forehead crinkled as I tried to process the events. “But…”

“Do not talk back, child. You shall remain here until such time as your mother returns.”

“Did she say when she plans to collect me?”

“No,” Mother Superior said. “Now, come along.” She stood and rounded the desk. “I shall show you to your room.”

That night I lay on the small cot in the tiny cell. No windows graced the space, only cold stone. I longed for my bedroom at home, for my dolls, my bed, my window overlooking the back yard. It would only be for a short time, I told myself as a tear rolled down my cheek. I would reunite with my mother soon.

Chapter 20

Samuel gurgled and fidgeted in my arms. My mind snapped back to the present time. I stared at the child. “I will never understand how you did it, Mum,” I whispered.

“Your Grace,” Ella said from the doorway. Ella’s eyes darted around the room. “Is everything all right? Has… Has she returned?”

“No,” I answered. “Annie has not returned.”

Ella stepped into the room, approaching and leaning over my shoulder to coo over Samuel. “I heard you speaking and, for a moment, thought it was to… well, you know. I did not realize you were only speaking to this precious babe.”

I smiled at Samuel. “I’m afraid my mind was wandering to my own childhood as I fed him.”

“In the orphanage, Your Grace?”

I shook my head, rising to lay Samuel in his bassinet as he settled to sleep. “No,” I confessed, returning to my seat. “Before the orphanage, I lived in a convent and before that,” I said with a sigh, “I had parents.”

“Did they pass on when you were still very young?” Ella asked, her innocence showing.

“No.” I swallowed hard, composing myself before I continued. Emotions swirled in my head and my heart from the recollection of the painful memories. I hoped to avoid them spilling over for Ella to witness. “Just before my sixth birthday, my mother took me to a convent. She abandoned me there. I never saw or heard from her again.”

Ella’s jaw dropped and she knit her brows. “But why? And what of your father? Oh! Forgive me, Your Grace! It is not my place!”

I waved my hand at her. “Your request is not out of line. My father departed for India months before. My mother became increasingly disturbed. My ability troubled her. I suppose she could no longer tolerate it.” I glanced wistfully at the ceiling, focusing on nothing in particular. I shrugged, firming my resolve and burying the volatile emotions. I shook my head, dismissing the memories. “I do not understand, though, how she did it. How she walked away from me. I cannot imagine deserting Samuel for any reason.”

Ella shook her head. “You poor child,” she murmured.

“For many years, I assumed the fault was mine. It was not until I was much older that I realized the failing existed on my mother’s part.”

“I should say so!” Ella retorted.

I glanced to her. “She did not understand,” I offered. “I am not absolving her.” I shrugged again. “But most people do not comprehend my ability. And my mind must create some reason why a mother might abandon her child.”

I remained silent for several breaths as I collected my thoughts. When I glanced to Ella again, she offered a slight smile. “Anyway, let us not dwell on the matter. It is no longer my life.”

Ella nodded. “We shall focus, instead, on the future. And it appears quite bright with this little fellow!”

The next week consisted of reviewing letters of interest for our nursery positions. Mrs. Thomson and I conducted several interviews before I selected a nanny and a wet nurse. Nanny Browne, a small, middle-aged portly woman with a resolute demeanor and a steady tone, exhibited attentiveness toward Samuel which pleased me. She would be assisted by Clara, who would serve as the child’s wet-nurse.

I found myself unable to part with Samuel on the first evening. I requested that he remain in my quarters overnight. There had been no further instances of Annie visiting the child. However, I remained more comfortable keeping him close. While the sentiment may seem coarse, I chose to keep the child near to me.

Robert and Ella continued to assist me in monitoring Samuel. Annie did not return. Not for Samuel, nor for me. I remained uneasy. Annie’s non-presence frightened me more than when she showed herself.

I wandered the halls in search of her. She hadn’t disappeared. Where was she hiding? I checked in at the nursery several times per day. In addition to keeping a watchful eye, I enjoyed spending time with Samuel.

I often rocked him to sleep before his naps, singing him lullabies. One evening, as I dressed for dinner, Ella mentioned Nanny Browne’s annoyance with my