Death of a Duchess Nellie Steele (young adult books to read TXT) 📖

She fussed with my hair longer than I hoped. “Leave it,” I instructed. “I would like to check on Samuel before dinner.” Her eyebrows raised as she glanced to me in the mirror. “What is it?” I questioned, noting her expression.

She shook her head. “Nothing, Your Grace.”

My eyes narrowed at her. “There was meaning behind that glance,” I insisted. “What is it? Do not be shy, Sinclair, say what is on your mind.”

“I should not spread gossip, but I feel you should know, Your Grace.”

“Know? Know what?”

Ella bit her lower lip, then met my gaze in the mirror’s reflection. “Nanny Browne has mentioned her displeasure with the amount of time you are spending in the nursery.” Ella continued to fuss with my hair as she chattered on. “I suppose I ought not to have told you, but she finds your behavior unusual and ‘unbecoming of a lady.’ Her words, Your Grace. I do not consider it right, her talking about you in that way.”

I raised one of my eyebrows. “I see. You were right to inform me, Sinclair.”

“She mentioned that your ‘meddling’ indicates some lacking on her part. As though you do not trust her to care for the child.”

“That is not the case at all! I enjoy tending to Samuel. I realize it is not the trend, but I shall not have my life dictated to me!” I railed for a moment before considering Nanny Browne’s viewpoint. I pursed my lips and shrugged. “Though I suppose I understand her frustration. I hired her to care for the child but prevent her from completing her job.” I sighed. “I shall attempt to not ‘meddle’ in her affairs.”

Ella met my gaze again. “She does not understand the situation. She lacks knowledge of the threat in the house.”

“Annie has not shown any interest in the child or anyone, for that matter, in over a week,” I told her. “Ah! You’ve fixed it!” I exclaimed as she managed to smooth the wayward piece of hair into my hairstyle.

“Yes!” Ella answered. “It is perfect now.”

“Thank you!” I leapt from my seat, pacing the floor. “I suppose I shan’t check on Samuel until after dinner, lest I face Nanny Browne’s wrath.”

“Does it bother you greatly, Your Grace?” Ella questioned. “You seem perturbed.”

“No, it’s not that,” I responded, continuing to pace. “It is Annie. Or rather, the lack of Annie.”

Ella’s brows raised. “If I were you, I would prefer not to have encountered her.”

I reached the end of my route, spinning and returning across the room. “I do not prefer it. Something is odd.”

“Odd?” Ella queried.

“Yes, odd,” I responded. “Where is she? Where has she gone?”

“Perhaps she has… you know.” Ella glanced to me, flitting her fingers in the air.

I rounded the bend, making another trip across the room. “No,” I responded with a shake of my head. “No, she has not gone.”

“Are you certain?”

“Fairly, yes,” I answered. “No, she is lurking here somewhere. The question is when will she pop up again and what will she do when she does?”

Ella shook her head. “I am sorry, Your Grace. This must be frustrating and worrisome for you.”

“It is, though there is not much to be done about it.” I threw my arms out, allowing them to slap against my dress. “Well, I suppose I shall go to dinner.”

“I shall see you after, Your Grace. Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you, Sinclair.”

I exited the room, resisting the urge to go to the nursery before presenting myself for dinner.

Robert and I dined alone, discussing various topics. “The weather has been marvelous of late,” Robert mentioned.

“Indeed,” I agreed. “I have enjoyed watching the spring greenery begin to come to life from the tower’s windows.”

“I propose we take in the spring greenery at a closer view.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I thought tomorrow might be an excellent day to take you riding. It seems Annie’s disturbances have died down and I expect an outing might be enjoyable for you.”

I considered the proposition. We had discussed my learning to ride before we adopted Samuel. Samuel’s arrival changed our plans, particularly after Annie’s interest in him. Given that there had been no incidents with Annie and the child, I did not see the harm in it. “It sounds like an excellent proposition,” I responded with a smile. “And it will help keep me out of Nanny Browne’s hair.” Robert’s eyebrows raised, and he stared at me, waiting for me to continue. “Sinclair informed me Nanny Browne has taken issue with my interference in the nursery.”

“Interference?” Robert questioned. “How dare she? It is your house and your child!”

“I may hover too much,” I confessed. “Most women do not spend as much time in the nursery as I. She views my impingements as a slight on her abilities as a nanny.”

“I am certain your judgement in the situation is appropriate.”

“Still, I did not check on Samuel before dinner. And our riding expedition will keep me away for some time tomorrow. It will allow Nanny Browne room to breathe.”

“I do hope you enjoy it,” Robert mentioned. “The grounds are lovely in the spring.”

“I am certain I will,” I assured him.

The next day brought another sunny, warm spring day, perfect for my riding lesson. While I did visit the nursery in the morning, I allowed Nanny Browne free rein from mid-morning on, turning my attentions to my riding trip.

I met Robert at the stables in the late morning. The grooms already had our horses readied. Robert had chosen for me a steady mare, chestnut in color with a white streak down her nose. I learned her name was Lady as I greeted her, feeding her a carrot. Robert’s horse, a large black steed named Charger, dwarfed Lady.

“I hope Lady lives up to her name,” I quipped as I gained my mount on her back. Robert instructed me on holding the reins after I had adjusted myself into the side-saddle.

“She is a gentle horse. If anything, you may find her too slow!” Robert assured me.

Robert mounted his steed, instructing it to head away