The Duke and The Duchess (15 page)

Lady Angela had become very sought after once word had spread of her work with the Duke and Duchess and what a success it was in exposing the tavern thieves. She was sought after more than she expected and found herself in a mystery at every turn. Using her wisdom of the world she lived in and the connections created along the way there was nothing that could stop her from finding out what others could not see. Now there was a death in the community and a Baron who was accused. Lady Angela had to don her red cape one more time to find out more about The Barons’ Temptation to clear his name and reputation.

Diego and Angela sat in the carriage looking at each other. Angela licked her lips and began to close the curtains to signal that they were not to be disturbed.  They were headed to the Baron’s house on the coast to collect the children. Diego was related to the Baron and had agreed to take the children with him to allow Diego and Angela some time alone after the baby was born. All Angela seemed to do with the break was relax and heal, it was not an easy delivery and Diego did not want her pregnant again, so he had stayed away. Now they were stuck together and 2 days away from the Baron’s castle. He could not fight off the hunger he saw in Angela’s eyes as she climbed over on top of him.

She traced her gloved hand down his neck and began to undo his pants. Her blue eyes searched his as he moved his hands to the back of her dress and down her back. She lifted up her skirts and straddled his hips. Kissing him softly, Diego placed his hands on her hips and pulled up the skirts so he could feel her skin under the clothes she wore. Soon Angela freed Diego’s manhood and began to rub up and down with her hips. He could barely hold back as his mouth kissed her hungrily. He had had his time with Katarina and Maria while Angela was not accepting him during recovery, he found out he missed his wife in his bed during this time.

He pushed Angela back on the seat and pulled her pantaloons down, pressing into her. Pinning her hands above her head, he felt how wet she was as he entered her. She moved to arch into him as her bosom showed and he kissed the pillows of her breast as she sighed.

“Diego,” Angela said as her legs wrapped around his hips pulling him into her. “I have missed you my love.”

“I have missed you too.” He gasped as his hips moved faster into her. Letting her wrist go, she wrapped them around his neck and pulled his mouth to hers to kiss him deeply as her hips thrust up to meet his movement.

“Don’t stop.” She cried out as her head was thrown back and she broke the kiss. Diego began to groan as he thrust in one last time. He had not been with Angela for so long, he released quickly, so quickly, he was not able to pull out before he exploded inside her. He fell on top of Angela’s breast and shook his head.

“I hope you do not get pregnant again.” He uttered as he shook his head. “I don’t want to lose you.” He grabbed a cloth and gave it to her so she could wipe herself. Cleaning himself up with a cloth and some water, he found a bag that was not being used and placed the cloth in the bag as he looked at Angela. She finished cleaning up and he felt the carriage come to a stop.

Opening the curtains, Angela saw that they were right outside of the Baron’s and Baronesses home, in the town right before the castle. Diego and Angela had 3 carriages with them on their travels. As they stopped, Angela noticed that Richard had gotten out of the back carriage to meet up with them. As he opened the door, Angela looked at him, she did not like Richard; however he was the Baronesses nephew and had asked to come along. Letting himself in, he sat by Diego. Angela noticed that Richard looked like Katherine in his features.

He had a sharp nose and high cheekbones. His eyes sparkled as they got closer to the castle. The one thing that was the closest to his Aunt was his tongue. Full of slippery lies. Angela had come close to catching Katherine in her lies, yet they always seemed to be tied up to make sense once she tried to expose them. She adored Edgar and his gentle heart and the whole family did not like Katherine, however they would not intervene in the marriage because they respected Edgar and his ways. Something did not sit right with Angela concerning Richard.

“Well we are close I see.” Richard commented.

“Yes, we are.” Angela commented as she stepped out of the carriage and walked around. Approaching the coachman she looked at him. “When will we move again?” She asked.

“One of the horses need to be looked at my Lady and then we will be on our way as soon as he is checked out.” The coachman answered and tipped his head.

“Thank you.” Angela said as she looked at the town and wondered if she had time to go get some chocolates for Edgar. She knew he loved the ones with cream inside. Deciding against it, she moved back inside to join Diego and Richard who were deep in conversation. Soon the carriage was in motion again. They were about a half hour away and Angela decided it was time to start asking questions.

“So Richard.” Angela looked at him, “How are you related to Katherine?”

“Well Lady Angela I am her nephew.” He blinked.

“I know that,” Angela stated, “I mean by your father’s side or your mother’s side?”

“Oh that, my mother.” He laughed. “Her mother and my mother are sisters.”

“Oh.” Angela had done some research on Katherine when Edgar announced his marriage to her. She found out that Katherine’s family only had one child, which was Katherine’s father, not mother. Angela looked at Richard and cocked her head and Diego shook his head to warn her to remain quiet. They arrived outside the castle gates in silence. Once in front of the doors, the coachman stopped the carriage and the doors opened allowing the occupants to get out.

Michael and Racheal ran to Angela and hugged her tight. She smiled as she looked for the twins that she had 7 months ago. They had been sent with their wet nurse to allow Diego and Angela to have their time alone. Maria came out of the shadows with another maid. Angela learned later that the other maid was named Samantha. She was barely 20 and very shapely. Diego came up behind Angela and took one of the twins.

“Oh I have missed you children so.” Angela cooed as she held Dalia in her arms and Diego took Damon and followed Edgar into the castle. Michael and Racheal rambled on about fishing and catching crabs and how they learned how to make soap and candles while they were on vacation. Angela watched the interaction with Katherine and Richard as they were very close walking in the home. Talking in whispers and giggling like children.

The trunks were unloaded and carried to the room as everyone moved to the library and Edgar poured brandy for Richard and Diego. Samantha and Maria took the twins and went to lay them down. Edgar hugged Angela and winked at her.

“Wonderful children you two have.” He said as he poured Angela and Katherine a cordial.

“Thank you Edgar, that means a great deal.” Angela took the drink and walked around the library. Edgar had one of the largest libraries in the county and many would come to read his books as he allowed it.

“I believe supper will be soon if you wish to go freshen up ladies.” Edgar continued as he lifted his glass.

“Oh yes, I would very much like that.” Angela stated as she headed out the doors and up the stairs. Since Diego and Angela stayed with Edgar and Katherine a great deal, she had no issue finding their room. Walking in, she saw the trunks set up and Maria putting the twins down to bed.

“My Lady.” She gasped and curtsied.

“It is okay Maria, get Damon and Dalia to bed.” She looked Maria up and down, she was an attractive young lass with dark hair, freckles and dark eyes that hid deep secrets. She had blossomed over the summer that she was gone. “Tell me the gossip.” Angela said as she sat at the vanity to redo her hair and pin it back up.

“Well my Lady,” Maria began, “the Baron and Baroness sleep in separate rooms…” Angela listened attentively and soon Maria had the twins to sleep and helped her change her dress for supper. Diego entered the room as the last tie was done on the dress.

“I was just coming to call for you my love.” He said, nodding at Maria. He noticed she looked delicious.

“I am ready, let’s go to supper Diego.” Angela sighed as she made sure to have what she needed for supper and after.

As Diego and Angela came downstairs they were pleasantly surprised to see that they were not the only guest in the castle this night. Duchess Vivian and Duke Ralph were there as well. The Duchess ran over to greet Angela and placed a hand on her belly smiling and nodding. She was finally with child. Angela held Vivian’s hand as they went to sit at the table.

Richard was making sure all the attention was on him as he spoke boisterously. Not missing a beat, Angela listened to every word. As the night drew out, Richard was not shy about drinking and speaking rather loudly. He allowed a few slips along the way that Angela paid attention to. He would say it was his mother’s sister that was the relative to Katherine and then it would be his father’s sister.

Katherine started to excuse herself when they heard a scream come from upstairs. Everyone ran to where the scream came from. As the approached the door, they saw Maria standing in the doorway of the Baron’s room. She held her hand out and pointed towards the room. When Angela was able to see in the room she saw Samantha sprawled across the bed, drenched in blood. Katherine fainted and Vivian found Ralph’s lapels to bury her head in. Diego looked at Edgar and shook his head. He knew that this was not possible.

Richard was quick to tell Maria to go get the constable from town. Maria not thinking and knowing she could not refuse a request from a man of the house, grabbed her cloak and began to run down the stairs before Angela could say anything. She was gone quickly as Angela assessed the situation. This did not make sense to her. Maria had mentioned that the reason Edgar and Katherine were not sleeping together is because Katherine was having an affair and Edgar had found out from Samantha. None of this made sense to Angela as she backed up and looked at the scenario unfolding before her. She pulled Diego to the side and looked at him. He knew it was time for her to don the red cape again to find answers or Edgar could be on the chopping block.

“What have you done Edgar?” Katherine screamed as she woke from her fainting spell. Angela was not even sure that she had fainted.

“Nothing, nothing my dear, I assure you.” Edgar went to help Katherine up and she pulled back and looked for Richard who held out his hand. Taking his hand, she pulled herself up into his arms and buried her head much like Vivian had with Ralph. Angela watched as Richard wrapped his arms around Katherine and started to take her to her room. Edgar looked in at Samantha and gasped, he had grown to like Samantha like a daughter. She was very good and kind. That is why he hired her. Katherine never liked her and went out of her way to discredit her from placing silver in her room to complaining about the wash that she did.

Diego took Edgar by the shoulder and motioned for them to go downstairs. Angela stayed where she was. When she looked up she saw she was quite alone. Perfect timing for her to look around. She noticed something on the ground by the body and quickly walked over to pick it up. It glinted in the moonlight as she held it up. She placed it in her small purse that she had carried with her to supper. She was sure Edgar was being set up and this might be the proof that she needed to clear him.

Angela heard footsteps coming towards her and she looked for the nearest hiding spot which happened to be the changing closet. She moved to the closet and slipped in, leaving the door open enough to listen to the voices.

“I know I had it on when I came in here, just let me find it.” The voice said as she heard them walking around. She recognized the voice and held her breath.

“They will never find it in the dark my pet.” A soft voice answered. “Come, make love to me before anyone is here to investigate.”

“I can’t wait to get your skirts up over your head and give it to you as you so need.” The voice laughed and Angela heard the voices walk away. She waited a few minutes before she crawled out of the closet and moved towards her room. Thankfully the children had slept through all the commotion. Finding her red cape she put it on and began to head downstairs. She was going to sneak out when Maria came in with two constables.

They looked at her and tilted their heads. She stepped back up the stairs and began to move back to her room before they stopped her pointing to the library where Edgar and Diego were. Edgar sat on the red velvet lined couch and had his face in his hands as he was visibly upset. The constables stood over Edgar and looked at Diego for an explanation as to why a maid came to get them in the middle of the night.