Page 88 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
“No. Nothing untoward occurred. It was a kidnapping for ransom—”
She abruptly stopped speaking, biting on her lower lip. She dared not give ideas to this less than prosperous woman. Rachel sensed her hesitation and smiled wryly.
“I may be poor, Miss Elizabeth but I am not without scruples. I am a mother first and I am honorable, despite my lack of noble blood.”
Shame flooded Elizabeth and she ducked her head down as though that would stop Rachel from reading the thought that had already crossed her mind. She thought of Lucy, the maid in Fife and what she had said about nobles.
Certainly a noble is responsible for my kidnapping. I was taken by commoners but I would be a fool to believe someone else was not behind this devious scheme.
“Forgive me, Mrs. Cutler,” she whispered. “I fear my wits are frayed. I only wish to return home to my family.”
And to Leonard.
“You will be reunited with your family forthwith,” Rachel told her. “You need not fret but as I say, first, you must rest.”
“Mrs. Cutler?” The sound of footfalls on the stairs caused Elizabeth to tense but she eased back when a older man of perhaps five-and-fifty entered the apartment.
“What is the meaning of this? The children claim you have a hurt noblewoman?”
“Dr. Mallory, you have come,” Rachel sighed with relief. “This is—”
“Miss Elizabeth!” the physician cried. “Indeed!”
He hurried toward her, a medical bag in hand, as Rachel’s small children appeared at the threshold. Elizabeth stared at the doctor, more shame touching her soul. How could it be that these people knew of her but she did not know them? A mere difference in title and wealth should not make them less important.
“Ingrid, Larry, off with you now. You have chores to do at the house,” Rachel told her children sternly.
“Oh, Mama, can we not stay? We have yet to hear her tale!” Ingrid pleaded but Rachel shook her head.
“Give Miss Elizabeth the privacy she is due.”
Pouting, the children scampered off.
“Thank you!” Elizabeth called after them. “Thank you for helping me.”
They paused to peer back at her in surprise.
“We could not leave you there to die,” Larry said, his face gleaming with untold innocence. A sob of relief rose in Elizabeth’s throat. After days of being treated so cruelly, she had found unexpected kindness in strangers and she was overwhelmed. She was in a place where greed had not darkened their hearts, despite their lack of luxuries.
This world is askew,Elizabeth thought mournfully.
“There there, Miss Elizabeth. All is well now,” Rachel told her gently. “Permit Dr. Mallory to look you over now.”
She turned her attention back to the physician who told hold of her wrists and began to dab at them with alcohol. The burn did not bother Elizabeth in the least as she knew it was clearing any infection which may have arisen.
“Thank you,” she murmured again. “I will see that you are properly recompensed for your generosity.”
“Nonsense,” Rachel barked. “We take care of one another. It is the proper thing to do.”
“You sit back and rest a while, Miss Elizabeth,” Dr. Mallory told her as he tended to her wounds. “I will send word to Gordon that you are safe.”
“To Pembroke,” Elizabeth corrected. “That is where my family waits for me…”
Elizabeth trailed off, unsure if that was so. Could her father have returned to Gordon? She had no way of knowing. She shook her fuzzy mind, as though to clear it.
“To Pembroke then. We will find a messenger boy to send word,” Rachel offered.
“There is no need—I will travel there myself. I do not intend to rest long.”
