The Duke and The Duchess (16 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.”

Lady Angela and Diego had been invited to the winter ball at the Countesses. It was just the break that Lady Angela needed until she heard the rumor that was going round the town of what was to happen that night. There were those who wished to through the Countess into a world of darkness and despair. Lady Angela knew that she would need a dress to match her cape for this event because in Lady Angela’s world all the world was a big mystery to solve and she was just the lady to solve it and still have fun.

Lady Angela went around the shop keepers to find the supplies she needed for the upcoming ball that was to happen. She needed shoes, a dress possibly a new hair piece. She had Maria with her so that if anything was to be said, she would hear of any news going on in town. Very rarely did anyone talk around Lady Angela unless they needed help solving a mystery. As she walked towards the gardens she saw Vivian, her longtime friend. Walking up to her, she nodded and smiled at the bundle in her arms.

“She is beautiful Vivian.” Angela said as she looked at the child Vivian was holding in her arms. Motioning for Maria, Maria came over and took the baby from Vivian and placed her in the carriage. Vivian and Angela sat on a bench and began to chat.

“Angela.” Vivian began, fluttering her long eyelashes. “The Duke wishes to have another child.”

“Well that is wonderful.” Angela smiled. “What is the problem?”

“He insist it is to be a boy.” She sighed.

“He should just be glad the child will be healthy.” Angela stated and shook her head.

“I said the same thing.” Vivian responded and looked at Maria with the child in the carriage. “If you ever wish to get rid of her, I will gladly take her.”

“I like Maria.” Angela stated, “She is good for the children and for Diego.” She added with a laugh. Vivian knew all too well what that statement meant.

“Also, the Duke does not take an interest in me since the child.” Vivian continued. “He feels I have grown too big.”

“Oh you just had her.” Angela stated as she stood up and took Vivian by the hand. “You will get back to your size. That man is so pompous.” She pulled a yellow poppy from the arrangement as they walked by and gave it to Vivian.

“So rumor has it that a past lover will be at the ball.” Vivian said as she looked at the flower. Angela listened patiently. She was sure there was more to the story. “Someone who wants to ruin her.”

“Well isn’t that half the land?” Angela joked back. She knew the Countess had made some enemies along the way of her position.

“No, this one knows from where she comes.” Vivian added.

“Oh, that makes a big difference.” Angela said quietly. The Countess was not from this area, she had come from a place unknown. Just had shown up to live in a castle and be Sir Edward’s niece. He helped establish the Countesses Desdemona’s station. Especially where so many questioned everyone’s station. “Do you know who the suitor is?”

“No, Angela, I will do my best to find out though.” Vivian answered.

“When is the next time you see Richard?” Angela questioned.

“Tonight.” Vivian blushed.

“Then you must come for tea soon.” Angela stated as they made it to the edge of the gardens to the walk. “Maria, walk home with Duchess Vivian and make sure she gets home safe.”

“Yes my Lady.” Maria bowed and nodded. She walked behind the Duchess and Angela turned to head home. She had a stop to make before she got there. Walking down the side streets she saw the tavern. She knew that Markus would be there. As she walked in, the tavern seemed dead to the normal eye. She knew otherwise. Everyone was in a room. She headed up the stair and found Markus’ room and made sure no one was in there. There was nothing on the door, so she knew he was alone. A rare treat. She opened the door quietly and noticed the figure sitting up on the bed.

“Well my Lady.” Boomed the deep voice. “What brings you here?” She heard the voice getting closer then she felt his lips upon hers as she melted into him. His hands fumbled with her cloak as it fell to the floor. She felt his strong arms around her as they moved towards the bed.

She pushed him down on top of the bed and straddled him. His hands went under her skirts as he felt between her legs. She adjusted herself on top of him, tracing her nails down his bare chest as she felt his manhood grow under her. She moved her hips back and forth teasing him as his hands grabbed her wrist and she gasped. He moved his hips to meet hers as he felt himself start to slide inside her.

Placing her hands on his chest, she opened up more and let him slide inside her. He felt so good to her. He grew inside her with every motion that she made. His hands traced up her arms and across her voluptuous breast. They both knew this would be all they ever had, so they took advantage of it every chance they got. She rocked her hips back and forth on top of him as he hit every spot inside her making her cry out. Her head thrown back in its own passion. She dug her nails into his chest as he rolled her over and pushed her skirts up further.

His hands were on her thighs as his hands pulled on her heart shaped ass, pulling her closer to him. Pushing down upon her, he kissed her, his tongue forcing its way into her mouth as she opened up to him. As she began to pant, her legs spread open wider. He grabbed hold of her waist and bit her neck softly, tracing his tongue down the sides. She shivered under him as he went in as deep as he had ever been.

“Now, release with me now.” He ordered in her ear. She arched into him and let go. Her cries were muffled by his hand as her body shook under him. He laid beside her and traced his fingertips across the top of her bosom. “Now why don’t you tell me why you are really here.”

“Markus you are too much.” She responded. “I need to know who wishes to destroy the Countess.”

“You mean the one of many?” He said as he stood up to pour some fresh water.

“Yes, besides those.” She stood beside him and kissed his back, tracing her hands down his side. “This is a new threat that wishes to expose her.”

“Oh, that would be Herbert.” Markus laughed. “He is always trying to destroy someone to get ahead.”

“Where does he come from?” She took a towel and began to wash up.

“He comes from down the lane my Lady.” Markus turned and took the towel and began to wipe the back of Angela’s neck, kissing it between gentle swipes. “About 4 towns over.”

“Can he be stopped?” She questioned.

“Everyone can always be stopped.” He finished washing her neck and then moved between her thighs. “You just have to find a person’s thumbscrews.”

“Then I shall find his.” She stated clearly as she began to take her leave.

“We really must stop meeting like this my Lady.” Markus stated as he climbed back into bed. “What must your husband think?”

“That is why you can’t come to the house, because he tells me what he thinks.” She smiled and winked as she left the room. Angela knew she needed to make sure it was Herbert that was going to come and tell everyone about the Countess and not someone else. That would take more investigation around town.