The Missing Duchess by Alanna Knight Read Free Book Online

this was the unfortunate lady caught in a landslide at Samson's Ribs,' said Faro.
    'She was hit by a flying stone, knocked unconscious. Recovered, y'know, staggered along the road. Saw my door -'
    'Your mistress,' demanded Terence anxiously. 'When is Her Highness arriving?'
    Her Highness?
    Faro looked across at Vince, remembering his stepson's fury at being called in to the home of his old enemy. And now it seemed that the injured woman had some connection with the Grand Duchess of Luxoria.
    'Your mistress,' Terence repeated patiently. 'Where is she?'
    Miss Marsh cried out and looked ready to swoon again.
    Sir Hedley stared down at her. 'What are you on about, Lethie?' he said angrily. 'Scared the young miss out of her wits. Don't understand -'
    Terence held up his hand. 'Listen to me. This young woman is the Grand Duchess's lady-in-waiting.'
    'And her name is Miss Roma Fortescue, Sir Hedley,' said Sara, eyeing him reproachfully.
    Miss Fortescue opened her eyes and struggled into a sitting position. 'I remember it all now,' she said weakly.
    Take your time, my dear, tell us what has happened?' said Sara, gently stroking her hands.
    'We are as you know on our way to Holyroodhouse, Her Highness was to meet her godmother there -'
    Faro, listening, frowned. Strange that there had been no mention of this impending visit at the Central Office, where the Queen's movements were followed diligently, especially when she happened to be heading towards Edinburgh. Extra security was a nightmare even on private visits and, as far as the records were concerned, Her Majesty was this moment still in Balmoral Castle.
    '... It was the night of the storm, I don't know when -'
    'More than a week ago,' put in Terence. 'We had a lot of damage, trees down on the estate.'
    'Well, we were delayed. We landed down the coast -somewhere - North Berwick, I think -'
    'Are you sure?' asked Faro.
    'Yes.'
    Faro's frown deepened. What on earth was the entourage from Luxoria doing landing at North Berwick when Leith was the obvious port?
    '... The coachman took the wrong route and the road was flooded, a bridge - somewhere - collapsed and we were trying to find a road round when we were swept into the river. I don't remember what happened exactly.'
    She shook her head. 'I came to myself lying in a haycart. A carter fished me out. He told me what had happened, that he was heading to Edinburgh. I felt very uneasy about his attitude, he was - ' she paused unhappily '- somewhat over-familiar.'
    Even in borrowed robes and a tearful, distressed condition, she still managed to look remarkably attractive, enough for Faro not to find the carter's amorous arousal in the least surprising.
    '... So I pointed to a house and said that was my destination and the people were expecting me. They would be so glad I was safe -'
    Again she paused, biting her lip, reliving that frightening moment. 'It was that village down the road with a church and a loch - we passed on our way here.'
    'Duddingston,' prompted Sir Hedley.
    She nodded eagerly. 'I was terribly afraid. I waited until the carter was out of sight, then I wandered along the road. I knocked at your door -' She paused and looked at Sir Hedley. Then I'm afraid I must have fainted.'
    'Quite so, quite so.' Sir Hedley patted her hand and looked up at Vince. 'You know the rest, young fellow. Took her in, saw you passing -'
    Faro glanced in Vince's direction. This was not exactly the same story that Vince had told him about a flying stone. Perhaps that had been Miss Fortescue's polite invention to save the embarrassment of that tale of an amorous carter, and Sir Hedley had presumed the rest. He listened intently as she continued: 'Sir Hedley has been so kind to me,' She smiled up at him gratefully. 'He was too much of a gentleman to ask any questions. I thought my memory would never come back - and indeed, until this minute - everyone will be so relieved to know I am unhurt.'
    As she spoke, looks were exchanged, looks of growing