There was a door in the garden. Amelia crossed to it, pausing to look at the ugly courtyard house opposite. She walked closer, curious as to why she found this particular house familiar and creepy. She opened the door and to a scene of violence. Amelia halted, dismayed, on the threshold. The shield-shaped mirror that had stood on a dusty table was face down upon the floor, its glass smashed into shards that still lay where they had fallen and the chair before the table was thrown on its side. One curtain hung from its last two rings, seemingly dragged down by some clutching hand. Gasping, she moved abruptly backwards and she saw something right by the door. It was a piece of clothing. A piece of nightgown, perhaps, and it seemed the person was trying to run but her clothes got caught by a nail on the door. There was also brown splashed on the wall. Like dry blood. What had happened in this house? Abduction? Rape? Murder? The atmosphere here seemed to be of anger and fear. Behind
"Abigail! You gave me a fright." "I'm sorry, your grace, but I came into your chamber and I couldn't see you. Then I thought I'd better come and find you." She glanced over her shoulder and went pale. "Your grace, what happened here?" Abigail looked shocked, as if it was her first time just seeing this place. If her reaction could be like that then she must definitely know nothing about what happened here.' Amelia thought. "I have no idea, but it does not look as if it were anything good." Amelia said automatically, turning to let her see in. "That's blood, your grace." Abigail was already into the room, her shoe crunching on broken glass. "Oh, no, please, not that. I feel like puking." She stared at the brown splashes on the wall. "I wonder what could have happened here. Do you think this has anything to do with Katherine's death?" Abigail turned to face her, with wide eyes. "I have no idea. All this while I thought she was murdered but this is too much." "Yes, it is too much."
Amelia was dumbfounded. Whatever she'd expected, it hadn't been this. She came out of the study after talking to Dane, looking puzzled and excited at the same time. She went to the staircase, where the first person she saw was Abigail. She was standing on the half-landing, almost as if waiting for her, and looked up with a smile. "Ah, there you are, your grace. Did I not promise you more romance than you'd ever known before?" Amelia went slowly toward Abigail, and faced her. "Yes, you promised me. He is attending the supper with me." she said, beaming with smiles. "And is he not everything you could ever want in a man?" "Yes, he is." There was something Amelia had to know. "Is Lord Henry among the guests for the supper?" she asked bluntly. "Indeed, he is. Why do you ask?" "I have some questions to ask him." Amelia was desperate to find out all she could about the truth behind Katherine's death. It would interesting to meet Dr. Henry whose name she now knew is among the guests
When Dane had taken his seat opposite her, the coachman climbed up onto his perch and stirred the team into action. The street was too confined for such a vehicle to turn, so the carriage had to drive around the Colchester town hall precincts, before emerging info the street again. It was a very different city at night. There were watchmen with lanterns and rattles, and galleried inns where stagecoaches came and went. Amelia studied Dane from beneath lowered lashes, wondering what he was thinking about. He was handsome and almost mesmerising in the moonlight. Their eyes met and she tried to smile. "Your Grace, I…" But he interrupted her. "Do you know why I followed you to supper?" He asked coolly. Amelia, confused, shook her head. "Because someone has been giving information about my estates to Simon." He said. So, rather than doing it because he wanted to be with her, this was the reason he decided to follow her. She was consumed with the idea that he followed her to prove to t
Simon released her, smiling. "Dane, I didn't know you were…""In the days of our childhood you may have been at liberty to address me by my name, but those days are long since past, Denham," Dane replied."Dane, this isn't what it seems," Amelia whispered trying to explain, but saw unforgiveness in the bleak grey of Dane's eyes."No, of course it isn't, you're merely talking." He replied contemptuously."Please believe me!" She cried, taking a halting step toward him. For just that moment, Amelia felt great hatred for Simon."I am not going to believe any word that comes out of your mouth, Katherine." He said and his attention darted to Simon. "And you? How dare you touch my wife, you coward?"Simon clenched his jaw. "Take that foul insult back, Barnard." He lunged forward, but Dane stepped aside. One thing Simon hates is being referred to as a coward."You are a craven, just as your uncle was. He could not dare stand before my father, yet he dared to plan to elope with his wife. Pray
When Dane opened his eyes, it was to see his wife staring at him, a smile curling over her lips. Her fingers were running over his face, touching his eyelashes, down his nose, over his lips, he did not move, barely even breathed, enjoying her touch, until her hand finally settled on the side of his neck. "How long have you been awake?" He asked, his voice sounding far more husky than he intended. "Just a few minutes ago, I was looking at you while you slept." She whispered back, her voice soft. "Were you comfortable sleeping on the sofa?" He asked. "Yes." She replied. "I can still hear the city move outside." There were sounds of carriages returning from diners, of guests going back home. "I'm certain everyone must be wondering where we went. They wouldn't know we're…" he paused as her cheeks coloured. He chuckled. "I long to only breathe in your scent." He murmured, his eyes closing as his lips and nose brushed against her neck, breathing in the scent of her warm skin and then
Amelia suddenly woke up, her breathing was ragged and she was covered in a thin layer of sweat. She was disorientated from being woken so suddenly, but she remembered the nightmare she had so clearly. She had a dream of that night Katherine was murdered.So, it was William and Caroline. They killed her. She must inform Dane of this.How is she going to tell Dane without any evidence?She looked around the drawing room, standing up from the sofa, Dane was still asleep. Looking over shoulder, she saw Dane starting to shift, his hand going out towards where she had been on the sofa. His hand was reaching out, seeking her warmth. She detected the shift of muscles in his rounded buttocks. She watched, fascinated at how every movement, how every line of that big body exudes power. And his shaft.His shaft?Dane was hardening once more. She was quite sore, of that she could be certain, but Amelia didn't care, just the thought of the pleasure he could give her made her want him again.Going
Dane closed his eyes with relief as he felt the telltale flutter of life, he lifted her in his arms just as Abigail and Harriet reached there. He told Abigail to hurry ahead to her mistress's apartment, then he looked at Harriet, whose already pale face became quite ashen when she saw Katherine's limp figure.He sighed, his face dropping a little. Harriet's heart was about to explode as she became anxious for an answer from him but the expression on his face told her it wasn't good news.Caroline almost made herself laugh. She is dead. The expression on Dane's face said everything.Dane glanced at Harriet who was on the verge of tears. "No, no, please do not get my expression wrong. Your cousin is alive."Relief surged visibly through Harriet. "Oh, your grace, but why don't you look happy?"" I was consumed by the idea that I wasn't able to protect her. I ought to have been there to protect her. What if Abigail was right and she had been the target of a murderous attempt?" He said th