“Of course, Your Grace,” Buchanan answered before exiting the room.
Ella crossed back to my bed. She smiled at me as she sunk onto the bed. “Please, continue, Your Grace. What did Annie do that disturbed you so?”
I shook my head. “It is nothing Annie did to me. It is what she communicated to me that disturbed me.”
“Which was?” Ella inquired.
I pursed my lips. “Something happened to her. Something terrible. I… I am uncertain if I can repeat it. My mind is still attempting to parse through it. Though I now believe I understand the reason she chose to end her own life.”
Ella raised her eyebrows. “You have solved it?!” she exclaimed.
I pondered the statement. It appeared I had, though I had no idea of the culprit behind the vicious attack on Annie. Yet something stuck in my mind. “I am not sure,” I answered.
“But, you said…” Ella began.
I nodded, interrupting her. “Yes, yes, though there are still unanswered questions.” I glanced to her. “As such, please keep this conversation in your confidence.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Ella agreed.
“Even from His Grace, at the moment. I am sorry to ask this of you, but I prefer to have all the facts at my disposal before I speak with Duke Blackmoore.”
Ella nodded in agreement. “I understand, Your Grace.” Silence fell over us before a knock sounded at the door. Ella raced to answer it. I spotted her curtsy, realizing it was not my broth but rather my husband.
“Good evening, Your Grace,” Ella greeted him. Robert strode into the room. I hoped I possessed the wherewithal to face him after my encounter and the knowledge I gained from it.
“Good evening, Sinclair,” he said with a nod. He turned his gaze to me. “Buchanan tells me you are ill? Shall I send for the doctor?”
“No, dear. That is not necessary. I fear I overdid things with my outing earlier. I do not wish to ruin the dinner party tomorrow, so I felt it best to put myself to bed and rest.”
Robert’s eyes narrowed at me as he considered my statement. I smiled up at him. “Are you certain I should not fetch the doctor?”
“I am certain,” I assured him.
“I promise to take excellent care of Her Grace,” Ella chimed in.
Robert glanced between us before turning his attention to me. “I merely overindulged myself. Despite my promise to rest after lunch, I found myself restless. I supposed a change of scenery might settle my nerves. I attempted to climb to my tower room.” Robert clicked his tongue, shaking his head at me. “Yes, yes, I admit my folly. Which is why I have confined myself to bed for the evening. With enough rest, I shall be good as new by tomorrow for the dinner party.”
“I am unconcerned about the dinner party, Lenora. My interest is your wellbeing.”
“I shall be perfectly fine. Sinclair is taking expert care of me. I am beginning to feel better already.”
Robert paused again, raising an eyebrow at me. “Well, if you are certain, then I shall allow you to rest. I will return after dinner to check on you.” He kissed my forehead, and I squeezed his hand.
“I am sorry to leave you alone for dinner.”
“Dismiss your concern, dear. I shall finish some overdue work on my accounts. I spent far too much time earlier reviewing the business Edwin proposed.”
“Then I wish you a productive meal.”
“Rest well, dear,” Robert said before departing.
After the door closed, I whispered a thank you to Ella for her discretion. The next knock brought my meager meal along with Ella’s. She sat at my bedside as we ate. My stomach threatened to revolt after the first few sips, but the plain bread seemed to calm it.
The meal fortified me as Ella suggested it would and I began feel more myself. After Ella plumped my pillows, I settled back, more relaxed than I had been.
“How are you feeling now, Your Grace?” Ella asked after she returned the trays to the maid.
“Much better,” I admitted.
She offered a knowing smile. “I told you the food would help!”
I offered her a genuine smile. “Yes, you did, and you were correct.” I grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Thank you.”
“Now, perhaps you should close your eyes and try to rest,” Ella suggested.
I doubted my ability to rest given my experience, though I agreed to try. After a brief visit from Robert, I settled back for the evening. Ella eased back into the chair she retrieved. Within a few moments, I informed Ella she need not stay, though she disagreed. We came to terms with her staying under the bargain that she rest on my chaise.
With Ella settled under a blanket in my sitting room, I nestled under the covers. My trying experience took a heavy toll and, despite my restless mind, I drifted to sleep in moments.
I awoke hours later. I startled, drawing in a sharp breath as I spotted a figure near the foot of my bed.
“’Tis only me, Your Grace,” Ella whispered as she straightened my bedcovers.
“Sinclair,” I breathed, relief coursing through me. “You startled me.”
“My apologies, Your Grace. I hoped not to wake you. I regret my clumsiness.”
“No apology necessary. The fault is mine. I assumed you were Annie.”
“Of course you did, poor dear. Shall I sit with you until you fall asleep?”
“No. Were you able to sleep?” I inquired.
“Yes,” Ella answered. “I found the chaise most comfortable.”
“Good,” I answered through a yawn. “Sleep well, Sinclair.”
She squeezed my hand and left me to sleep. I snuggled into my covers, hoping to return to my slumber. With my eyes shut, I breathed in and out in rhythm. After several breaths, my eyes popped open.
I scanned the darkness. Nothing appeared. I rolled to my back, staring at the bed’s canopy. My mind whirled, thoughts raced in an endless parade. I longed for more rest before I faced the experience Annie shared with me and the repercussions.
I sighed and rolled
