Page 54 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
Of course, if Leonard and I marry, I will never be able to escape her, will I? Not unless she moved to another duchy.
“Is that why the Duke sent for us? Because Miss Priscilla is present?” Frances wished to know. Catherine cast Elizabeth a look of confusion but the Viscount’s daughter shook her head in the dim light, indicating not to question Frances. Catherine did not know of Elizabeth’s lie to her sister but she would explain herself later.
“As I said, Franny, I cannot say why the Duke ordered us to return,” Elizabeth insisted. “We will learn the truth when we return.”
“It must be because of that horrible woman,” Frances insisted. “I daresay, if he had known she would be in attendance, he would never have allowed us to go.”
“There is no need to lose your wits, Franny. Nothing untoward occurred,” Elizabeth reminded her quickly. “We will be safe in Brookside in—”
The coach jerked suddenly and the neigh of horses filled the carriage. All three women were jostled aside and they clung to one another in panic.
“Are you injured?” Elizabeth cried, sitting back to study them with concerned faces but they both shook their heads although tears were beginning to brim in Frances’ eyes.
“There, there,” Elizabeth said quickly but Catherine was furious, banging upon the wall of the cab in frustration. Elizabeth wished she would remain calm for Frances was apt to grow more upset in the confusion.
“Jasper! My word, what is the meaning of this?” Catherine yelled, ire staining her words.
“Liza?” Frances asked, fear tinging her voice. “What is happening?”
“You must not worry, Franny. I am certain that we encountered a deer or some other beast along the road. You must be patient while Jasper investigates.”
The words placated Frances somewhat as she did not pose another question but Elizabeth was filling with dread. There was neither a response nor a sound from the coachman but the horses continued to whine, shifting nervously.
“Oh for God’s sake,” the Duke’s sister muttered. “What in tarnation is he doing out there?”
Catherine reached for the door, prepared to move but as she did, the door to the coach was wrenched open and they were staring at two men, their faces obscured by kerchiefs.
“Oh…” Catherine gasped and Elizabeth stared at them uncomprehendingly. Time slowed as they moved into the coach, their arms reaching to yank the ladies forward. It was clear what they were but her mind could not seem to identify what was happening and she spoke her inane questions aloud.
“Who are you?” Elizabeth demanded, her voice much stronger than she felt. “What is the meaning of this?”
It was then that she saw the pistols in their hands and Frances’ scream reverberated in her ears.
Chapter 18
Leonard was unbearably tired and the ride home from London found him attempting to asleep amidst the idle chatter of Percival and his son. It was less of conversation than an endless barrage of complaints. The Duke wished he had not permitted the two to join him on the journey now for he found their squabbling insurmountably irritating. Father and son could argue over the mere color of the sky, it felt, and Leonard’s head was aching from the turmoil of hearing them for the past hours.
Even as he tried to fall into a much-needed slumber, their voices continued to seep into his mind, keeping him from rest.
“I fail to understand the pertinence of such interviews,” David complained yet again and Percival, whose patience had long ago faded, snapped at his son.
“You will understand the pertinence when you are Viscount,” the older man retorted. “For God’s sake, David, sulk in silence if you must act like a child. Can you not see the Duke is trying to rest?”
David’s scowl deepened and Leonard could see that the boy cared little for his host’s desire for sleep. If anything at all, the journey to London had only added to his disdain of the Duke. Leonard was beginning to wonder if he would ever win the boy over but it was less likely with each passing day. To his relief, however, David did finally stop his woe-filled discussion and Leonard was left to sleep as the coach headed for Brookside.
He was looking forward to seeing Elizabeth after their trip and although they had not been parted long, he did feel as if they had been separated for weeks. He considered how it would strike him once she left for Gordon in only a few days but he refused to dwell on the future. He held fast to the idea that perhaps the Viscount might extend his visit or perhaps entertain leaving his children at Brookside for a time. Leonard had not made the suggestion yet but he would when they returned.
Herbert will appreciate the extra time with Frances, undoubtedly. I will be doing all a favor by suggesting it.
Without the men’s voices in his ear, Leonard finally slept, a soft smile on his lips but it faded quickly when the slumber fell around him. He was plagued by a terrible nightmare instantaneously.
In the dream, he saw Elizabeth, her lovely amber eyes wide with fear, her hands extended toward him.
“Help me, Leonard!” she called desperately. “Help me!”
“Where are you?” Leonard gasped, whirling about to take in the darkness of his surroundings but there was nothing but an inky blackness which suctioned him into nothingness.
“Help me!” she cried again and he moved toward her but she disappeared, leaving him alone in the night-like surroundings, unsure of what else to do. Catherine appeared then, her face pale and terrified.
