Page 19 of A Duke Under Her Spell
“Nay, I doubt that it was the book that made her faint.” Marybeth examined Lady Cordelia carefully.
From where Felix stood it did not appear that the lady in question had any physical injuries. “I will go and get Mother’s smelling salts,” he offered.
“That would be best, I think,” Marybeth answered, lifting the lady’s eye lids to examine her pupils.
Felix left the room and quickly went in search of his Mother’s smelling salts. Running up to the Dowager Duchess’s bedchamber he rummaged through her medical drawer. “Which of these bottles are smelling salts, Mother? Lady Cordelia has fainted.”
“Oh, dear! The smelling salts are in that brown bottle there. Yes, that one,” she instructed as Felix’s hand floated over the bottles in question. “Will Lady Cordelia recover?”
“I presume so, but I cannot be certain. I will inform you as soon as she has recovered.”
“See that you do. I will be up here worrying.” She laid back against her pillows, the brief exchange having worn her out.
“I will be sure to do so, Mother. Please do not take on any more strain than you are already under. It will not be to your benefit, and it will most certainly not aid Lady Cordelia in her recovery.”
“Yes, of course. I will do my best. Now hurry along.”
Felix ran out of the bedchamber, the vial of smelling salts firmly in hand. When he entered the library, he found Marybeth rubbing Lady Cordelia’s hands and calling her name. “The smelling salts,” he announced handing them over to her.
Marybeth unstopped the cork and passed the bottle under Lady Cordelia’s nose. Lady Cordelia coughed and sputtered at the noxious odor. “A ghost!” She cried out sitting up. Her eyes were near to bulging out of her head and her breathing was rapid and irregular. “There was a ghost standing right in front of me!” Lady Cordelia’s eyes turn to Marybeth. “Did you do this? Did you summon the spirits?”
“Me?” Marybeth asked stunned. “What control could I possibly have over the spirit realm? Is that not God’s realm?”
“You speak of God whilst you serve the Devil?” The horror on Lady Cordelia’s face was quite dramatic.
“I do no such thing!” Marybeth looked indignant.
“Lady Cordelia, I sincerely doubt that Miss Wright had anything to do with the apparition that you claim to have seen.” Felix attempted to make her see reason, but instead inflamed her more.
“Claimed?! I do not claim anything! I am telling the truth. I saw it with my very own eyes, and who else but a witch would or could summon the spirits of the past?”
“Miss Wright is not a witch and I find it very hard to believe that she would ever do such a thing even if she were.”
“She has you under her spell. You have fallen for her feminine wiles. Well she cannot have you!” Her eyes darted to and fro, then rolled back in her head. “There!” she shouted pointing a finger in the doorway opposite the bookshelves.
Felix turned expecting to find it empty with a ready rebuke upon his lips, but instead was shocked to find a very pale man standing in the doorway. “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” The figure stared at him blankly and said nothing. “Sir, I demand that you answer me.” Felix moved forward a step, but the man moved on into the hallway. “Sir?” Felix repeated with force and followed him, but when he stepped out into the corridor the man was gone.
“Where did he go?” Marybeth’s voice asked from beside him in bewilderment.
“I do not know,” Felix answered. Ringing for the butler, Felix had the entire house search for the intruder, but came up empty. “How can this be?” he asked, confused. “A man does not just vanish into the air as would a puff of pipe smoke.”
“Did you recognize the man?” Marybeth asked.
“No, I did not. He was so pale, and his clothes were moth eaten and worn. Where could he have gone?”
“I do not know, Your Grace,” the butler answered. “We have searched the house top to bottom twice over now and have found nothing. Do you wish for us to search again, Your Grace?”
“No, you have done enough for now, but if you or any of the staff sees anything out of the ordinary, you are to let me know immediately.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I will pass your message on to the staff.” The butler bowed and went about his duties.
“Now do you believe me?” Lady Cordelia huffed.
“Something suspicious is certainly going on here, I will give you that, My Lady. Perhaps it would be best if I saw you home and you could return to spend time with Mother another day?”
“Yes, I believe that would be best. Thank you.”
Felix escorted Lady Cordelia out of the house to her waiting carriage. He called for his horse to be saddled and brought to him. He gave strict instructions for his mother and Marybeth to be guarded at all times in his absence. Once he was mounted, he and Lady Cordelia took off down the drive leaving Arkley Castle and its so-called ghost behind.
