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

behavior here! If you do not, you will be punished. Harshly, if necessary. Do you understand?”

I did not open my mouth. My mind struggled to comprehend everything that occurred. In an instant, I had been abandoned for a second time. Dumped unceremoniously in another place. This time in a home for orphans. A tear threatened to roll down my cheek.

She slapped me across the cheek. “I said, do you understand, girl?” the woman roared at me.

Stunned, I clutched my cheek as tears escaped my eyes. I nodded. “Speak up, Lenora! Answer when spoken to!” she shouted, swatting at me again.

“Ouch!” I shouted between sobs.

“Stop your infantile sobbing!” she shrieked at me. I could not control my sobs, still reeling from the events. “I said stop!” She grasped me by my shoulders, pulling my face near hers. “Listen to me, Lenora! You shall not behave in this manner here! You shall behave as a mature young lady! Now cease this crying at once and answer me!”

I choked back my sobs as she released me, nearly sending me sprawling onto the floor. I wiped at my face and sniffled. “I understand,” I choked out.

“Say it again, this time, with your hands folded in front of you like a young lady.”

I folded my hands in front of me. “I understand,” I repeated.

“I understand, headmistress,” she corrected.

With a sniffle, I repeated the words again. “I understand, headmistress.”

She nodded her head at me, crossing the room to stand behind her desk. I turned to face her. “Now, I shall also not tolerate any nonsense like you displayed at the convent.”

“I understand, headmistress,” I repeated a third time.

Seemingly satisfied, she continued, informing me I would sleep in the attic.

Chapter 13

A chill passed over me as I recalled my first night in the orphanage. The anniversary of my second abandonment by my caregivers always brought a sense of sorrow over me. This year proved no exception. However, Robert planned a trip to Glasgow in a few days’ time and invited me along. The dates would mean I would be in Glasgow on 10 March. The distraction would ease the melancholy.

A knock roused me from my musings. I pulled my gaze from the scenery to find Robert at the door.

“Hello, Lenora. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all,” I said. “Please come in.” I closed the open book on my lap and stood.

Robert entered the room, a small box in his hands. “This just arrived,” he said, waving the box in the air.

I studied it, curious as to why Robert climbed to the tower with it. The small cream-colored box was wrapped with a sapphire blue ribbon. “What is it?” I questioned.

“Open it.” He handed the box to me. I accepted it, my brow furrowing as I glanced at the object. I raised my eyes to Robert’s, my gaze questioning. “’Tis a gift.”

“A gift? Is there no end to your spoiling of me?” I questioned, sinking onto my window seat as I undid the bow.

“It is not spoiling for a husband to give his wife a birthday gift!” Robert retorted.

I stopped untying the ribbon. “It is not my birthday!” I exclaimed.

“No, it is not,” Robert admitted. “It is a belated birthday gift. I was unaware your birthday had passed shortly after we wed. What a terrible husband I would be to miss my new wife’s birthday just after our wedding! I hope I have redeemed myself with the gift.”

“No redemption is necessary,” I assured him. “And neither was the gift. Though I am delighted you thought of me.”

“I hope you are keen on it,” Robert replied, joining me on the window seat.

With the ribbon undone, I pulled the top from the box. Nestled in crushed paper inside the box laid a rectangular golden object. I lifted the small but heavy item out with care, studying it. Ornate decorations covered it. And a small bird was depicted on the top of the box where I also detected a hinge. “’Tis a singing box,” Robert added. He reached over and pressed a small knob on the box’s right side. The hinge on the top popped open, revealing a colorful bird. It chirped a tune as it flapped its wings.

I had never witnessed such a clever contraption. I marveled at it as its sweet song filled the air. “It is to replace the box that you lost when Annie… well, never mind,” Robert said.

“The porcelain figurine?” I questioned, recalling my heartbreak when the object smashed to the floor.

“Yes,” Robert replied with a nod. “This one is not as delicate and thereby, should not break! I hope you find it an adequate replacement.”

“Adequate?” I questioned. “This is more than adequate. I have never seen such an object before. It is enchanting.”

A smile crossed Robert’s lips. “I am delighted you find it so.”

“Thank you, Robert,” I answered, offering him a kiss on the cheek. “I adore it! I shall keep it here in my tower room. Oh, unless I should like to listen to it before I fall asleep, in which case I shall take it to my bedroom.” I chattered on, perhaps more than I should have.

“I am not certain I have witnessed you so excited before, Lenora,” Robert mentioned.

“Oh,” I murmured, wondering if I had babbled too much, “I am sorry. I did not mean to prattle on.”

“Nonsense,” Robert answered with a wave of his hand. “I am pleased you enjoy the gift. I was most anxious when I sent for it that you would not care for it.”

“I do,” I assured him.

“Good,” he responded. He stood and kissed my forehead. “How are your preparations for our travel coming?”

“Excellent,” I answered. “I am looking most forward to it.”

“Hmm. I should think you would find it dreadfully boring. Have you plans?”

“Not at all,” I assured him. “I am eager to visit Glasgow. I plan to visit with a friend from the orphanage.”

“Eager to visit? Oh dear, perhaps you find Scottish country life dreadfully boring.”

I chuckled at his comments. “No, dear,”