I contemplated my response. “Are you aware of my unique ability? Perhaps Duke Blackmoore confided it to you?”
“He did not.” The crinkle in his brow deepened.
“I will not mince my words. There is no easy way to say this. I can communicate with the dead. Because of my unique ability, my husband asked me to investigate the circumstances around Mrs. Fletcher’s death.”
Dr. MacAndrews’s eyes widened. “I must admit to being thoroughly confused, Duchess Blackmoore. First, the circumstances of the former Mrs. Fletcher’s death seem rather clear. And, forgive me, Your Grace, but… did you say you could speak with the dead?”
“No,” I corrected, “I said I can communicate with the dead. Speaking is often not as easy. I see them, I realize they are there, I can sometimes speak with them but not always.”
The doctor’s mouth hung open as he processed my words. “You see the dead?”
“Yes,” I confirmed.
“And what do they look like? Are they gruesome?”
“At times, yes. It depends on the circumstances of the death. Some of them appear quite macabre. However, some of them appear as they do in life.”
Dr. MacAndrews paced the small room, his finger still pressed to his lips. “Mmm-hmm,” he murmured. “And how long have you suffered from these… apparitions?”
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. “I do not suffer from any apparitions, doctor. Though I have seen the dead since my birth, or at least, my very early childhood.”
“Forgive me, Duchess Blackmoore, but as a man of science, I…”
I interrupted him, holding up my hand and interjecting a comment. “As a man of science, you should understand there are things outside of our spectrum of knowledge.”
“Yet…” Dr. MacAndrews paused. “It seems too fantastic to believe.”
“All the same, I assure you, doctor, I can communicate with the dead.” He fluttered his eyelids, his eyes still wide. “They are as plain as you are in front of me. In fact, your wife is standing not five feet from you at this moment. She passed four years ago from pneumonia. She recalls your holding her hand as she took her last breath. She appreciates the sentiment you expressed before she passed. She could hear you and she feels the same.”
Dr. MacAndrews collapsed against the table containing his medical instruments. He remained silent for several breaths. I allowed him the moment. I had grown accustomed to the reaction.
“I… I am flabbergasted,” Dr. MacAndrews finally choked out. “Many people are aware I remained with my wife until her last, though no one knows the circumstances that transpired.” He searched the floor, his brow furrowing. “Is she… at peace?”
“Yes,” I answered. “She is at peace.”
Another moment passed in silence before Dr. MacAndrews spoke again. “And Duke Blackmoore is aware of your… gift?”
“Yes,” I replied. “He learned of it through a rumor spread by a former classmate of mine. He appealed to me to help discover the circumstances of the former Mrs. Fletcher’s death. I obliged.”
“Ah,” Dr. MacAndrews said, wagging his finger in the air. “Duke Blackmoore has remained baffled by his wife’s choice to end her life.”
“Indeed,” I answered. “And I wish to end his misery and put his mind to rest.”
“I see. If you communicate with the dead, why inquire about an autopsy with me?”
“Communication with the dead can be difficult. Annie…Mrs. Fletcher has communicated with me on several occasions. However, understanding her messages has been troublesome. I am following up on a clue and hoping you can confirm some information.”
“How did you gain the information from my wife?”
“Your wife provided it easily. She died in peace. She was not troubled. When she realized I could see and hear her, she spoke freely.”
“And the former duchess does not?”
“No. It is clear her death was violent, and she is troubled by it. Communication is difficult at best. I am only just beginning to make any headway.”
“And in what way can I assist?”
“By providing me with information. I presume you performed her postmortem, assuming one was completed?”
“Yes, I did. Along with an assistant from the police. A gruesome business, but done whenever an unexpected death occurs. I can assure you, the fall killed her.”
“Thank you, though that was not the nature of my inquiry.”
The crease in Dr. MacAndrews’s forehead deepened. “Then what is?”
“Was Mrs. Fletcher with child when she passed?”
The doctor’s eyebrows shot up and he paused for a moment before he spoke. He paced around the table, ceasing his ambling behind it. He spun to face me again. “What I am about to disclose, I have revealed to no one outside of the postmortem. Including Duke Blackmoore.”
“I understand and will use the utmost discretion when discussing the subject with anyone, including Duke Blackmoore.”
Dr. MacAndrews nodded. “The answer to your question is yes. Mrs. Fletcher was pregnant when she passed. I had not confirmed the pregnancy when she was alive. Though she was far enough along that she must have suspected.”
“How far?” I questioned.
“About four months.”
I nodded. Yes, at four months, a woman would know, I concluded. “Thank you, Dr. MacAndrews. The information helps. I have no additional questions at this time. I thank you for your time and your candid response. Good day, doctor.” I turned to exit.
“Oh, Duchess Blackmoore,” Dr. MacAndrews said, halting my departure. “Do let me know the results of your investigation. I am most fascinated by your ability. And by whatever answers you may find as to why the poor woman chose to end her life.”
“I will,” I assured him and took my leave. I exited onto the street into the cool morning air.
Ella greeted me. “Was Dr. MacAndrews able to help, Your Grace?” she inquired in a hushed tone.
“Yes,” I responded. “Let us go to the milliner and discuss the conversation privately as we return to the castle.”
Ella nodded, and we proceeded down the street at a slow pace, though my ankle withstood the jaunt. I concluded my business, and we climbed into the
