Surrender Your Grace (20 page)

“Elizabeth,” Cici’s mother was uncharacteristically harsh as she shushed her daughter. “That is enough, we both saw that grubby urchin push her right in that cab’s path. Cecilia dear, are you all right?”

Still held tightly in Andrew’s arms, she assured her mother she was fit as a fiddle, than whispered to him that he should let her go. He paid her no heed, excusing them and informing Cici’s mother that their luncheon would need to be rescheduled. He totally snubbing her sister, turning his back on her as he guided Cici away. An insult she would have to bear because angry at the vile words she had spewed he had no patience for the woman. Fearing he would do bodily injury to the hateful woman he felt it was better to ignore her and he hurried them off to their waiting coach down the street. “Home, Baxter,” he ordered gruffly as he practically stuffed his shocked duchess into the coach.

Cici was barely seated and Andrew was still closing the door as they took off at a rapid clip.

“What were you doing on the street, Cecilia? I specifically told you to wait for me in the fan shop.”

“I was just stepping into the glovemaker’s next door. I left a message for you with the shop girl. The ladies were blocking my way so I had to…” Realizing how close she had come to being seriously injured or killed she choked on her words. “Oh Andrew, I don’t cannot think why all these accidents are happening to me. I think he didn’t really want my packages, but pushed me into the street on purpose.”

“You are sure? It wasn’t just the accidental fumbling of a poor thief?”

Cici frowned as she replayed the incident in her mind. Suddenly she was awash with memories. It felt like déjà vu. “No. I am certain. It is just like the opera all over again. I can almost feel the two outstretched hands that pushed me down from behind.”

Andrew fell silent and stared out the window as the coach rolled toward home on the busy street. “Something isn’t right. There have been too many accidents lately. First the accident at the bookstore, then the fall at the opera, and now almost getting run over by a cab. Either you are severely accident-prone or someone is trying to harm you.” He speared his fingers through his hair in agitation and scolded her sharply. “That is precisely why I asked you to wait for me in the shop. I can’t ensure your safety if you do not follow orders.”

Cici bristled at his tone and his words. “I am not a dog to be ordered to heel and to stay, Your Grace.”

“Don’t take that tone with me, wife. If you had done as I’d asked you would not have been in harm’s way. Obviously someone is trying to hurt you and your risky behavior is making it entirely too easy for them.” He looked at her, considering his next move. “I shall have to confine you to the house until we figure out who is conspiring against you.”

“Andrew, no, I have only just gotten back into a routine. I can’t be cooped up again. Please.”

“It's the only way I can keep you safe, Cici. It shouldn’t be for long.”

They both lapsed into silence, each wracking their brain to identify the culprit. The threats were obviously against Cici, but why? Few people had known about the child and there were no heirs other than Maggie to gain by her death. “We have to be overlooking something. I am calling a meeting of the family this evening. We shall make a list of threats, no matter how slim and we shall investigate each thoroughly leaving no stone unturned.” Reaching for her he pulled her close whispering fervently, “I won’t lose you, too. I’ll do anything to keep you safe from harm. I promise.”

Chapter Seventeen

T
hat evening, Cici looked at the family members gathered in Andrew’s study. An unusually subdued Elizabeth sat next to her parents, who were looking at Andrew expectantly. Maggie was seated next to Cici and held her hand tightly in her own. She had already been told about the incident and was shocked and incredibly worried for her dear friend. Duncan who had accompanied Andrew to the police station that afternoon was out checking on a few suspicions and was do back momentarily.

Andrew walked around to stand in front of his desk, a formidable figure towering over the seated group. He nodded at Thompson who stood in the doorway having just delivered a tea cart. “That will be all, Thompson. Please close the door on your way out. Lord Rothbury will be joining us soon, otherwise see that we are not disturbed.”

After the group was enclosed in the private study, Andrew crossed his arms over his chest and laid out the reason for the gathering. Cici’s mother was shocked and cried out in alarm when she learned of the other incidents and that the one at the opera was not accidental. Her father growled and mumbled a choice obscenity, angered beyond belief that someone had targeted his sweet little girl.

The entire group was agitated and upset by the events he outlined except for one; Elizabeth. She sat quietly, idly examining her nails and brushing non-existent lint from her gown. She displayed an air of nonchalance, callously unaffected by the attempts on her sister’s life.

“Who are the suspects?” Earl Benton demanded. “I will spare no expense to track down these scoundrels and make them pay.”

This caught Elizabeth’s attention and she turned to address her father. “Surely impoverishing us is not necessary when His Grace has a vast fortune. Besides, I’m sure this is all a series of unfortunate incidents attributed to Cici’s clumsiness and inelegance.”

“You have always been a cold, unfeeling self-absorbed creature, but I never knew you were an outright bitch until this very moment.” Maggie’s voice hid none of the contempt she felt for Elizabeth as she immediately set the tone for the evening.

Duncan walked at the tail end his fiance’s outburst. Walking up behind her chair, he squeezed her shoulder firmly murmuring a warning, “Language, Maggie.”

“No Duncan, I won’t sit here and listen to her spew invectives about Cici. What kind of a sister would imply that such a heartbreaking loss as Cici and Andrew suffered was a mere unfortunate incident? You make me sick.”

“Maggie, that is enough,” Andrew warned as he redirected his sister. “Although the sentiment is understood and the message apropos, we are not here to sling mud. We are here to find the culprit.”

Maggie snorted in an undignified manner then fell silent. When Andrew looked at Elizabeth he saw her shoot his sister a smug smile that was hauntingly familiar. He listened with half an ear as the group discussed possible threats, all but Elizabeth. She contributed nothing to the conversation. It came to him then where he had seen her smugness before. On the night of their impromptu engagement she had beamed that smug grin of satisfaction from across the ballroom. She had a similar look the night of Cici’s miscarriage. As her mother wept and her father paced in concern for his youngest daughter, Elizabeth had stood calmly and complacently taking it all in. She had even seemed to savor her sister’s misfortune.

His loud booming voice interrupted the conversation. “Lady Elizabeth, you were present during the incident at the opera and then again in town today. Have you any theories?”

“Me? What could I possibly know about all this? Today I accompanied Mama to do some shopping before we were to meet Cici for luncheon. I was going to buy a new pair of gloves if you must know, Your Grace.” The smugness in her expression continued,.“Imagine my alarm as I saw my own sister fall awkwardly into the street before several members of the upper order including Duchess Whitamore herself. It was humiliating.”

“Silence, Elizabeth.” Lord Benton roared as he rose to his feet. “Your total disregard for your sister’s well-being is disgraceful. You will either guard your tongue or I will ensure that you do so myself.” Looking aside at his stricken wife, he continued, “I blame myself for turning out such a shallow and superficial young woman. I should have limited the overindulgence that went on for years. I am sorry that you have so often borne the brunt of her vile tongue, dear Cici.”

“Do not apologize to her, papa.” Rising to her feet, her face flushed an unbecoming scarlet and her tongue continued foolishly. “She is the one who absconded with what should have been mine. I am the oldest and by far the most beautiful. I should be the duchess, not her. She cannot deport herself as I can. She is not adored and admired for her grace and beauty as I am.” Turning to her father she continued to rant. “I blame you as well, father. You doted on the brat, leaving me to mother’s care. I could have used a little bit of fatherly attention, but you poured it all on Cici. The little horror ruined everything. I wish she’d never been born into this family. It's not fair that she has risen beyond her station in life. The ugly duckling doesn’t deserve titles and wealth and grandeur. I do.”

“Merciful heavens, what did I ever do to make you hate me so?” All heads turned to Cici not noticing that she had risen to her feet and was trembling with anger before she uttered her accusation. “Are you responsible for all of this? You were always getting me involved in your silly schemes and when caught let me take the blame. You treated me like an underling. I see it now, you never loved me or were my friend. You just used me. You drugged me so you wouldn’t have to marry Andrew and laughed as I was ruined.” As she spoke she had been slowly crossing the room to stand before her sister, ready for a confrontation.

“Was it you who pushed me at the opera? Did you pay that poor lad to push me into the street?” Her hand then flew to her mouth in agony, she turned to her husband. “She was there both times and is somehow behind all this, I know it.”

“Andrew there is something you should know…” Duncan attempted to get his attention but Cici was too far gone and Andrew was preparing to step in if things got ugly between the sisters.

Turning back to her sister, she noticed Maggie had also risen and now stood at her side, supporting her in her foray against the conniving Elizabeth. In just a few short months, Maggie had been more like a sister to her than Elizabeth had ever been. Fortified by Maggie’s presence she stepped closer and rising on tiptoe looked into her sister’s hate-filled eyes and charged. “It had to have been you. You vicious jealous bitch, you killed my baby.”

A twisted look of anger crossed Elizabeth’s features before she shouted angrily at Cici, “I wish it had been me, you pathetic excuse for a duchess. But if it had, I can assure you I would have done a more efficient job.” A loud crack silenced the room as Cici’s open palm connected with her sister’s cheek. Instantly a vivid red handprint blossomed on her fair skin.

Startled by the blow, Elizabeth’s hands flew up protectively and she pushed Cici away. As she watched her fall backward into Maggie, her brain immediately started reeling. She hadn’t meant to admit her innermost thoughts. She tried to recant only making things worse. “Wait, I never said that I did it.”

The room had erupted in chaos, everyone was talking at once except for her mother who was wailing at her father to do something. Cici who recovered her balance quickly with Maggie’s help, was beyond hearing. Seeing red she launched herself at her sister, hands outstretched and fingers curled eager to sink her nails into her loathsome face. She’d had all she could take. Maggie tried to pull her back, but her fury had given her added strength and she shrugged her off. The only thing stopping her from raking her nails down her sister’s flawless skin was the powerful arm that wrapped around her and pulled her away from her target.

Attempting to pull the usually rational Cici back to the present, Andrew spoke loudly in her ear trying to be heard over the noise in the room. “Cici, stop this now. It will accomplish nothing.”

When she felt his strength and support behind her and it gave her courage to rail at her sister. “Get out of my house. I don’t ever want to see you again. As of this moment you are no longer my sister.” Unable to look at Elizabeth any longer, she turned her face into her husband's broad chest and whispered. “I never knew she hated me so.”

Elizabeth looked at the shock and disappointment in her parent’s eyes. She focused on her mother who had always been her champion. “I couldn’t have pushed her down the stairs at the opera. I was seated next to you and Papa the entire time. As for the other incidents, clumsiness and bad luck is my guess. Mama, you remember, please make them understand that I am innocent.”

Earl Benton spoke up then. “She is right. She was in our box the entire time and went with us when the attendant summoned us to Cici’s side.”

“She is telling the truth, Andrew. The boy met with a police artist and they were able to make up a sketch of the lady who paid him to push Cici. She was tall, thin with blonde hair and blue eyes.”

Cici turned in the circle of Andrews arms. “That is Elizabeth, exactly.”

“No, that is Countess Winslow exactly. He also said she was older and described the frown lines around her mouth and eyes.”

Elizabeth nodded in satisfaction as if she was blameless for any crime.

But the Earl looked at her with disgust. He moved to stand between his daughters and Andrew. Although busy comforting his distraught wife, Andrew was seething with barely controlled rage and was liable to explode at any moment.

Duncan recognizing his friend’s fury interceded at that point. “Earl Benton, I suggest you take your daughter in hand. Although she may not be involved in the string of incidents concerning the duchess, she is hardly innocent. She is spiteful and jealous. Her vile tongue is sharper than a rapier and her words drip with malice. So if you value her health, and I’m not sure why you would, I’d remove her before His Grace does something unthinkable. We wouldn’t want to bear witness to a homicide. Surely this family has been through enough already.”

Elizabeth cried out shrilly in alarm at his implied threat. But Earl Benton, only nodded and without a word, rose and gripping his daughter by the arm, pulled her from the study and out the front door. She for once kept blessedly silent. The countess rose numbly and approached her stunned daughter. “Cici dear, I don’t know what to say.” Tears streamed down the older woman’s face as she tried to make sense of her daughter’s malicious actions.