She had not bothered to question her mother before.There had been no point since she had not believed for a moment that her mother was in her right mind when speaking of such a wild notion as being involved in the murder of eight dukes.Now, she needed to know everything her mother knew.
Perhaps there would be something there to absolve her mother of all blame.She could only hope.
She wished she had questioned her mother before… but it was no use.She’d made what seemed like the practical decision of not indulging her mother’s absurdity, and now she was paying the piper.At the very least, she could be there to support her mother and hopefully guide her husband into acknowledging that there was no way her mother could have known what her potions would be used for.
Giving herself a shake, Johanna forced herself to get up and ring for Nettie.Forcing herself out of bed was nothing new.She was used to that feeling.It was very odd to ring for her maid afterward to help ready herself for the day.That was new.
If only she could return to that blissful moment this morning when she’d awoken in Matthew’s arms, having forgotten about the events of the prior day for a few glorious seconds… but reality must be faced.That was a lesson she’d learned years ago.
She’d done what she could to please her husband this morning, which had assuaged very little of her guilt, and now she had to take the next step.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” Nettie said cheerfully as she entered the room.It was soothing to have her bustling around, getting Johanna ready for the day, the patter of her conversation distracting Johanna from her own troubles.Bridget and Charlotte had both gotten up early this morning, and Charlotte had startled a footman in the library, causing him to run through the house, crying out about a ghost in the library.
According to Nettie, Bridget had found the entire incident hilarious, while Charlotte had done nothing but smile serenely and continue to glide about.Lady Stark had given the staff a rather stern talking-to about putting too much belief in the supernatural.
It was an eventful morning already, and it had barely started.
“It would help if she wore some colors, but…” Nettie shrugged, her fingers flying as she worked her magic on Johanna’s hair.
Rose had missed the whole thing because she’d been in Johanna’s mother’s room, visiting her before breaking her fast.Thus, Nettie had not seen her reaction to the morning’s excitement, if she even knew yet.
Micah was still abed.
Nettie had seen Matthew’s valet going into his room just ahead of Johanna ringing for her.She reported that with a wink to Johanna in the mirror, causing Johanna to blush furiously.
Once Nettie was done with her, Johanna dismissed the maid with her thanks and headed to her mother’s room.She did not know whether or not to hope Rose was still there visiting.If Rose was, obviously, Johanna would not be able to question her mother, and a large part of her did not want to… but at the same time, another part of her wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible.
Pressing her lips together outside her mother’s room, Johanna took a deep breath through her nose before opening her mouth to exhale.It did help some.
Easing the door open, she peeked inside.
No Rose.
Again, she did not know if she was relieved or disappointed.
Slipping into the room, she closed the door behind her and quickly took the chair beside the door, propping it against the frame.If someone attempted to enter the room, the chair would not stop them butwouldslow them, and the noise would alert Johanna to their presence.
Her mother was still in bed, on her side, facing away from the door.
“Mother,” Johanna said softly, approaching quietly in case her mother had fallen back asleep.
But her mother rolled over.Her mouth tightened when she saw who it was.
“Mother, I am sorry I did not believe you,” Johanna said, her stomach turning over.She sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for her mother’s hand.“You were correct.The dukes were murdered.”
Tears filled her mother’s eyes.
“I knew it.”There was a hint of a wail in her voice, but she kept it quiet.Her fingers closed around Johanna’s, squeezing them tight.“I knew it.”
“You did not mean to, though.You did not know.”Johanna could hear her own desperation in her words.Knew that her mother could as well.
“That may not be enough to save me.”
“I know.But I do not believe my husband would…” Johanna’s voice trailed off.She did not believe Matthew would wish harm upon her mother.And she would do what she could to ensure he came to the conclusion she wanted him to.But there were no guarantees in life, and she knew that more than anyone.
“But he might.Even if he does not, there are seven other dukes with a say in the matter.”Her mother closed her eyes and swallowed.
“Perhaps only six,” Johanna said quietly.She had not met the new Duke of Northumberland, unlike the others.But the son of the duke who died at the hunting lodge had been lost at sea.Whether or not his heir might be as invested as he would have been… “But that is enough.”She was grasping at faint hope, and she knew it.
