Death of a Duchess by Nellie Steele (the beginning after the end novel read TXT) 📗

my mind heavy with thoughts. Ella awaited me, prepared to ready me for bed. I took stock of the girl as I entered the room, attempting to determine whether or not the news of my ability weighed on her mind. As she unfastened my dress, I noted her gaze falling constantly on the closed door.

“Nervous?” I inquired.

 She grinned, a nervous chuckle escaping her lips. “A little,” she admitted.

“There is no need to be,” I reassured her. “Disturbances for most castle inhabitants are minor, if there are any at all.”

“I still find it unsettling, Your Grace.”

“Unsettling enough that you’d prefer to seek another position?” I queried.

“No!” Ella exclaimed. “I must admit to quite enjoying the change of scenery. And if I may be so bold to say, it appears we’ll get on quite well, you and I.” Ella stopped dead from her work, and I turned toward her. She looked me straight in the eye. “Please don’t dismiss me, Your Grace.”

“I have no intention of dismissing you, Sinclair. Though if it had been your wish to depart given the news, I would have provided you with a good reference, excusing your departure away as health-related given the dampness so as not to ruin your chances of placement. So, if you are not keen on staying given the situation, please do not let that discourage you. Though I hope you will stay. I agree, we will get on well.”

Ella offered a smile and returned to unlacing my dress. “I prefer to stay, ghosts or not. And I promise to be brave. If you, Your Grace, can witness these things and remain as poised as you are, then I shall force myself to act as you do.”

“I have the benefit of a lifetime of experience,” I countered. “But in time, one becomes accustomed to these things. Though as I mentioned, beyond a minor disturbance, I do not imagine you will experience much. Most of the living are blissfully unaware of the dead’s presence among them.”

“It is odd to me,” Ella answered as she helped me out of my dress and into my nightgown. “To have spent all my life never realizing they were among us. Rather gives me the chills though I am certain it will pass.”

“It is the shock,” I assured her. “Once the novelty wears from your mind, you will not give it much thought.”

We finished the undressing tasks and Ella prepared my bed as I slathered lotion onto my hands and forearms. “Is there anything else, Your Grace?” Ella inquired before departing.

“No,” I responded, turning to face her. “I hope you sleep well. If you are unable to sleep, please wake me.”

“Thank you, Your Grace, though I hope it is unnecessary. Good night.”

Ella opened the door to depart, finding Robert standing behind it. Startled, she jumped, then quickly corrected her reaction, adding a curtsy. “Your Grace,” Ella murmured to him.

“Sinclair,” he greeted her.

“Good evening, Your Grace,” she responded as she stepped toward the doorway.

I rose from my dressing table as Ella closed the door behind us. “She seems to be handling your earlier admission well enough,” Robert commented after the door closed fully.

“Yes,” I answered. “I discussed with her the possibility she may prefer to depart from our employ, but she refused.”

“Good news,” Robert replied, his hands clasped behind his back. “I had hoped it would not become an issue. It is why I sought you out. To ensure you were satisfied with her services.”

“I am quite,” I assured Robert. “She is most efficient and personable. Mr. Langford should be commended on his selection.”

“I shall pass the sentiment along,” Robert said. “And I shall wish you good night. Sleep well, Lenora.”

“Good night, Robert,” I answered. Robert saw himself out, latching the door behind him.

I crossed the room and climbed into bed. As I nestled under the warm covers, the door to my room creaked open. A sigh escaped my lips, and I rose, shoving my feet into the slippers I’d just abandoned on the floor. I shuffled to the open door, ready to push it closed when a streak of red caught my eye.

Moving into the hallway, I caught sight of Annie hovering at the end. I locked eyes with her, expecting her to disappear in an instant. Instead, she held my gaze, before motioning for me to follow her.

Finally, I mused with some relief, Annie desired to do more than toy with me. The simple gesture spoke volumes, indicating a shift from suspicious specter to sincere soul. I nodded, acknowledging her signal, and stepped toward her.

Annie waited until I neared the end of the hall before scurrying down the next corridor. Together, Annie and I wound through the halls. We approached the stairs leading to the fated turret, where her life had taken such a tragic turn.

I hesitated at the bottom of the winding stairway. My last experience with this room had turned unpleasant. I wavered about whether or not to follow Annie, who hovered above me on the stairs. Noting my hesitance, she beckoned me to follow her. “Can I trust you this time, Annie?” I questioned without receiving a response.

Instead, she repeated her gesture, coaxing me to follow. I shoved aside my reluctance, placing my foot on the first stair. I began the climb up. Satisfied that I was following, Annie resumed her ascent.

As I rounded the corner, Annie awaited me in the doorway. Something in her eyes resonated in the depths of my soul. A despondent, desolate hollowness was etched into those eyes, which I could tell now were brown. She receded further into the room as I arrived at the top of the stairs.

Annie stood by the room’s single window, her back to me. “Annie?” I questioned softly as I took a few steps into the room.

Annie turned toward me. The forsaken expression replaced by something darker. Her expression alarmed me, and I retreated to the door. Before I could reach it, it slammed in front of me and I heard the distinct sound of