Page 61 of Surrender Your Grace
She covered his gloved hand with one of her own. “I am grateful, all the same.”
They rode along in companionable silence, taking in the swans floating gracefully on the Serpentine and watching couples strolling leisurely along the walking path. One lady tripped and would have gone careening headlong into the bushes if the gentleman with her hadn’t caught her in time.
“I’m not so sure my fall was an accident.”
Her words sliced through the quiet. Andrew's breath caught. He tightened his grip on the reins, pulse surging. The horses tossed their heads at the unexpected tension.After a moment of calling to them to calm them, he looked at her in disbelief.“Whywould you think otherwise?Have you remembered something and neglected to tell me?
“No, it’s just that in all my eighteen years I have never tumbled down a flight of steps.”
“Accidents can happen to anyone,” he insisted.
“I suppose,” she replied, clearly unconvinced.
“What are you saying? That someone intentionally pushed you?”
“Maybe it’s just my imagination. I’ve had plenty of time recently for it to run wild. I just wish I could remember, but it all seems so fuzzy.”
“The doctor said memory loss is common with a blow to the head.What do you remember about that night?”
Cici’s auburn brows gathered in concentration.“The last thing I remember is feeling nauseated and needing some air.That should have been a clue I was expecting. Elizabeth said she would accompany me—”
“Your sister wasn’t supposed to be there.”
“Yes. It surprised me, too. But she was on her best behavior.” Her voice faltered. “Maybe if I’d let her come with me…”
“It was an accident,” he reiterated firmly, although like her, no longer certain of the truth. “No one is to blame, least of all you. But I still cannot believe they let you go alone if you were feeling unwell. Your mother said you’d complained of a headache all evening.”
“I suppose the headache, or my delicate state may have made me dizzy.I just don’t know. It all feels so strange.”
Did it though? Her sister’s presence had made him uneasy from the start. She had, after all, tampered with her lemonade—a reckless, selfish act. To get her alone in a crowded opera hall seemed an unpredictable plan. What could Elizabeth possibly gain from Cici’s death—or their child’s? No. That couldn’t have factored in; no one knew she was expecting.
Still… if Andrew failed to produce an heir, the dukedom could revert to the crown. There were no male relatives, not even distant ones. His mother’s estates and unentailed properties would pass to Maggie, but Sommerville, being entailed, wouldn’t pass so easily. The title might be granted to another—or vanish altogether.
He trusted Maggie implicitly. But someone else might benefit.
“Is there anyone,” Andrew asked quietly, “who might wish you harm?”
Cici hesitated. “I’ve thought about it endlessly. Lady Winslow is the only name that comes to mind.”
He grunted. That hadn’t occurred to him. Would she go so far out of petty jealousy?
“You’ve ruled out your sister?”
“There’s that. I don’t believe she meant to kill me with the lemonade. Pushing me down a full flight of stairs—that escalates things. But I’m not convinced it was her. She was cruel after the wedding, but since the loss, she’s seemed more concerned. And kinder.”
Or consumed by guilt. He kept that thought to himself.
She squeezed his forearm. “I’m probably mistaken.I’m sorry not that I mentioned it.”
“Your safety is my highest concern,” Andrew said gently. “Your instincts are anything but silly. We’ll be cautious from now on—no outings without me, or a trusted escort. Your safety is not negotiable.”
“With you as my escort, I’d feel safe,” she murmured. “You would never have let me fall.”
Hearing the quiver in her voice, he looked over and caught her blinking away tears. She’d cried rivers of them lately. He wanted to gather her close, to kiss them away, but such a gesture would surely cause a stir.
Instead, he squeezed her hand. “Then I shall serve as escort and protector whenever possible. For now, let’s find another topic. We are supposed to be enjoying the outdoors—not chasing shadows or dwelling on what cannot be undone.”
She nodded and dug through her reticule for a handkerchief. After dabbing her eyes and drawing several calming breaths, he spoke, his voice low. “Better?”
