Forbidden Seduction: Adult Romance Collection - Romantic Love Story Anthology from Amish to XXX Romance Novels (7 page)

The constables introduced themselves as Johnathan and Brutus. Diego went over the nights events and began to show them to the room where Samantha was still sprawled on the bed. Edgar remained quiet as there was not much he could say. It looked like he had killed her and left her to be found by the help. Brutus talked to Maria and instructed her to bring everyone to the library to be questioned. Maria did so without hesitation as she went to three rooms to gather the other guest. The children were left alone.

Katherine walked in the library wearing a different dress Angela noted. Vivian’s eyes were red from all the crying she had done, Richard was quite disheveled and Ralph looked like he always did, polished and clean, yet grimy from just being him. The constables sat everyone down to get the accounts of the evening from each guest and then started to talk to the servants of the house. Angela waited patiently for her turn to be questioned while she removed her cloak.

“What a beautiful red cape my dear.” Katherine noticed and raised her eyebrow.

“Indeed and what a beautiful pink silk dress.” Angela commented back. “I thought you were in a lavender one for dinner.”

“Oh, I was, I changed because when I fell I ripped a seam.” Katherine quickly stated.

“I see.” Angela looked Katherine up and down as she searched the bottoms of everyone’s shoes. Seeing nothing, she listened to the answers everyone gave to Johnathan and Brutus. Finally they went upstairs to investigate the area where Samantha was. Everyone sat in the library silent, Vivian started to weep again as Angela comforted her. Looking around for Ralph, he was pouring himself a drink and was sweating a bit as they waited.

Johnathan came back downstairs with a handkerchief in his hands waving it. Showing it to each person. They shook their head as he asked if it was theirs, until they got to Richard. Richard grabbed it and looked at Johnathan in the eyes.

“Where did you find that?” He asked.

“By the body of the deceased sir.” Johnathan answered, Richard fumbled with the handkerchief until it fell to the ground. Angela looked at Richards cuffs and noticed that everything was in place. “It was around the candlestick that bludgeoned her.”

“Well that was not me.” Richard scoffed, “I could never kill anyone.”

“May I see your shoes sir?” Johnathan requested quietly.

“My what?” Richard repeated.

“Your shoes sir.” Johnathan held out his hand and waited. Richard took off his shoes and handed them to Johnathan. Johnathan looked at them under the light of the candle and handed them back to Richard. “Thank you sir.”

Richard gasped as his hands were balled into a fist. Brutus came back downstairs looking at everyone. Walking around he began to look at all the shoes of the people who were there, mostly the men. Moving to Ralph, he stopped. Getting on one knee he looked at Ralph’s shoe closer and then looked at Johnathan nodding. Standing up, he went for his restraints and moved towards Ralph.

“What, no, what are you doing?” Ralph blustered and sputtered as he saw that Brutus was moving towards him. “I didn’t kill anyone. Sure I am a cad and I may cheat on my wife now and then, I would not kill anyone.”

“You have blood on your shoes sir.” Brutus commented and pointed to the edge of the shoe. “There are foot prints in the blood, men’s footprints. You are the only one in the room with blood on your shoes.”

“So that automatically means it is me.” Ralph pushed back, “What about Richard over there, you found his handkerchief in the room? Or Edgar, he was having an affair with the girl.”

“Is that true Edgar?” Katherine burst out in a rage.

“No, of course not Katherine.” Edgar finally spoke. Angela watched as Katherine became animated at the thought of Edgar having an affair. She was having a hard time remaining quiet, she had already figured out who had killed the girl she was just waiting to be able to share the information.

Vivian finally looked up and over at Ralph, dabbing her eyes with her lace handkerchief that she fished out of her bosom. Angela stood up and moved over to Johnathan and pulled him to the side. She handed him the item out of her purse and they talked for a moment. Maria was called over and Angela nodded as both Maria and Johnathan disappeared and came back with a lavender dress in his arms.

Katherine’s face went whiter than normal as she saw the dress. She looked at Angela and began to move towards her with a nail file she had hidden in her pocket. Brutus stopped her and grabbed her by the arm twisting it behind her back to stop her. Angela looked on as the scene unfolded in front of her. Edgar’s jaw dropped as Ralph started to yell to let go of his lover. Angela shook her head and saw Richard rather amused in the corner. Only Diego, Maria and Vivian remained quiet.

“Richard I would not look to amused with yourself.” Angela finally said as she looked at him. “Vivian will bare your child in the winter.” Vivian looked at Angela wide eyed.

“Vivian, you should never give your lover the same cuff links you give your husband.” She stated as the red cape hung around her shoulders and she winked at Diego. He shook his head. He was so glad they were honest with each other. He grinned and walked over to Angela.

“How did you know you tart?” Katherine spat as Brutus walked her forward towards the door.

“I found your button on the floor.” Angela stated clearly. “Next time you try to frame someone don’t lose items off your clothing.”

“Diego, I think we should collect the children and head home.” Angela stated. “I really do not feel comfortable staying in a home with a bludgeoned body next door.” Nodding in agreement, Diego made sure that everything was okay for them to go. Johnathan assured him it was okay. Angela looked over at Ralph who was beet red from being discovered. Taking Vivian by the hand, she brought her with her upstairs to pack. Diego went to get the coaches ready as the servants packed trunks for each of the guest to go at least to town to stay at an inn until the castle had the situation under control. Once in the carriage, Diego pulled Angela to him and whispered in his ear.

“We are getting separate rooms from the children Lady Angela.” He kissed her temple and then her cheek. “I have some investigation skills of my own.” She blushed the color of her cape and nodded in agreement. There was something about solving a case that made her want Diego more and more. She looked across where Edgar sat, his eyes moist from the tears that wanted to fall. Angela placed her hand on his and smiled as she looked at him.

“It is okay dear Edgar, she was only a temptation.” Angela nodded as he looked at her. “The Barons’ Temptation.”

Victorian Secrets

Mystery Affairs

By Lady Aingealicia

Lady Angela had many secrets, not hers mind you, they were of others that were in the court and in high places. She had always had a knack to find out what was really going on. It was not until her husband suggested that she take her talents to find out about a string of crimes that had happened with the higher ranks of society. She laughed it off at first and then began to think, maybe he was right. So she played the lady during the day and night she donned her red cloak and became that of the night. Wild and free only to find out that people will sacrifice anything to hide the truth.

“You know Angela.” Diego stated from the bed. “You are almost as good as Katarina in the bed.” Angela did not turn around and kept pinning up her hair. She knew Katarina was the whore that Diego went to when she was not available.

“That is nice my Lord.” She stated as she stood up in her shift and looked at him. Her long blonde locks were pinned up to her head and she found her dress. Ringing the bell she waited for the maid to come to the room to help her with her corset.

“Really?” Diego stated. “You could not wait until I was dressed you wench?” He threw a pillow at her that she stood aside and it missed her.

“No, I could not.” Angela stated. “I have a meeting with the Duchess today my Lord and I cannot be late.” The door opened and Diego laid down in the bed pulling the covers up to his neck.

“Yes my Lady?” The maid asked.

“I need my corset and dress on girl.” Angela stated clearly. Standing to be dressed. The maid grabbed the corset off the dresser and started to cinch up Lady Angela.

“Yes my Lady.” She quietly said, averting her eyes to the Lord that was in the bed. As she pulled on the strings, Lady Angela held onto the bed post.

“Very good.” Lady Angela stated as she felt the tightness around her waist and upper carriage. Standing up she waited for the dress to go on. She felt the fabric go over her head as the dress fell about her. Once the dress was buttoned up, she dismissed the maid. Walking back over to her vanity she looked in the grey mirror.

“So you are serious about me doing these investigations my Lord?” Angela placed on her rouge and a bit of paint for her lips to make them redder.

“Yes, I think it would be a lark.” He commented as he got out of his bed. His muscles outlined by the sweat they had just worked up. “I will need a bath this morning.” He rang for the maid who came in promptly not expecting to see what she saw.

“Lord Diego needs a bath drawn girl.” Lady Angela stated and waved her hand. The girl left nodding.

“Yes, my Lady.” She said as she bowed out and went to the next room to draw the bath water.

Diego walked over to Angela and kissed her on the top of the head. “And where will this meeting be with the Duchess so I may avoid it?” He asked.

“In the garden of course.” Angela stated as she made sure that everything was in place. “Over tea.” She stuck out her tongue.

“Well I think you should find out what is going on in the county my dear.” Diego stated as he walked towards the bath room. “Just a thought. I am going to be gone for a few months. Something must keep you busy besides your lovers.”

“At least I do not have as many as you.” Angela spatted. It was no secret that both Diego and Angela had lovers outside the marriage. It was what kept them together in a way. Angela got up and headed downstairs to wait for the Duchess who was always late. She walked around the garden until a servant came to her and told her the Duchess was there. Angela hated having to deal with those of this level. They always had some urgent thing that did not matter. She walked to the foyer to meet with Duchess Vivian. Vivian was dressed in a brilliant green silk dress and her red hair was highlighted by the color. Her Emerald eyes were glazed over with tears as she held a handkerchief in her hand.

“Oh Angela.” She cried out. “He is cheating on me.” She burst out into tears and held the handkerchief to her eyes. Angela shook her head and dismissed the staff as she took Vivian to the garden so they could speak in peace.

“Now Vivian,” Angela began, “it can’t be as bad as you state.”

“Oh but it is Angela.” The Duchess cried out in hysteria. “It is horrid. He runs around with these tarts, thinking nothing of my reputation.”

“Honestly Vivian.” Angela stated, she despised the hysterics.  “You can’t possibly expect a man to stay faithful to a woman who will only do it laying on her back.” Immediately Angela knew it was the wrong thing to say as Vivian burst in to tears again.

“How do you keep Diego loyal?” Vivian asked between sobs.

“We have lovers.” Angela simply stated as Katarina served the tea and almost dropped it.

“And you are fine with that?” Vivian asked.

“Of course. Please, Diego can become a pain.” Angela stated with a laugh. “As long as we are honest with each other, it does not matter.”

“I do not believe in lovers Angela.” Vivian stated.

“Then you will never be happy.” Angela leaned over and whispered.

Vivian looked at Angela with her green eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Please, one man cannot be enough for you Vivian.” Angela started as she sat back in her chair. “Besides, Ralph must be extremely boring under the bed sheets.” Vivian blushed. “For you are still without a child and it has been over a year.” Angela continued.

“It is not my fault.” Vivian exclaimed. “I try to entice him.”

“Well that is half your problem.” Angela stated. “Do you really think that Lord Diego does not find me attractive after he has had his riff raff?” She pointed to Katarina.

“Well you do have children.” Vivian exclaimed.

“Exactly.” Angela patted her belly and winked. “So let Ralph have his lovers, you need an heir.”

“Indeed I do.” Vivian stated as she perked up.

“Well let’s hatch that plan and get an heir on the way.” Angela stated clearly as she dismissed the servants except for Katarina.