Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CASSANDRA
“I gave it to her,” said Cassandra. “She adored it, and I gave it to her.”
“It was meant for you, Your Grace,” Nancy’s voice seethed as she sifted through a pile of invitations and letters.
“Nancy, you must go into town at once and find the poet, Mr. Stephan Delaney, for me. He was there when the Comte was introduced to me, and we discussed him afterward. He said he knew little of him. Perhaps now he knows more. It is vital that you find him and have him come see me right away.”
“I shall find him. Here it is—” She handed Cassandra the Comte’s letter.
Grabbing it, Cassandra read it quickly. “Yes, yes…he says he knew the Duke’s father.
Perhaps the truth is that the memory is not a fond one as he implies in his letter.
” She let out a stiff laugh. “Knowing the kind of man my father-in-law was, I cannot doubt there are men still alive who suffered his cruelties and would call their revenge justice.”
“Indeed. But we cannot be sure.”
“Such a pretty hand, such a vile act.” Cassandra tossed the letter back on the desk.
Nancy took up the letter and skimmed it. “Ma’am,” her voice was low. “There is something I noticed when you first received the letter, but I could not be sure. But now…”
Cassandra’s gaze shot up. “Tell me.”
“I believe I have seen this hand before. It’s the particular way he forms his letters. I have only ever seen these singular flourishes in one man’s correspondence.”
“Whose?”
“Your Grace!” The young maid burst into the room with an elderly lady behind her. “Mrs. Sawyer, the midwife to Mrs. Ashton, is here to see you. Says it’s quite urgent she speak with you and Nancy.”
“Mrs. Sawyer? I just saw you this morning,” said Nancy.
The elderly woman pulled her blue shawl tighter around her chest. “Mary’s sent me. I come to tell ‘ee the news.”
Cassandra’s mouth dried. “What news?”
“Mrs. Ashton has died.”
“Oh no!” Nancy’s hands flew to her mouth. Her mistress stood still.
“Poor thing never recovered,” Mrs. Sawyer continued. “She’d had a difficult birth, and I’d told her to take her time, but the lady were full o’ life. Taking care of the little one, always going on those long walks, going to the shops.” She let out a sigh. “Kind and sweet lady, she was.”
“She was, yes. Most kind.” Nancy swallowed hard, glancing at her mistress. “Mrs. Sawyer, why don’t you and I go back to town together, and I shall pay you for your services.”
“Very good.” She bowed her head to Cassandra. “Good day to ‘e, Your Grace.”
The Duchess took no notice of her. The room blurred, and all she sensed was her own heart pounding.