by Allison, Kim
Once downstairs, Elyssa was greeted by the maid. She ate very little, for her appetite was rapidly diminishing. Surprisingly, Percy was nowhere to be seen, and Elyssa would have assumed he simply didn't want to see her face, but his place was properly set and awaiting his arrival. It was quite unheard of for Percy to remain abed this late. He was normally wont to rise with the sun. Perhaps he was feeling ill this morning.
Elyssa finished breakfast without interruption. Neither Percy nor Daniel made an appearance and Elyssa didn’t know if that was good or bad. Going back upstairs, she stopped at the door to Percy's bedroom. She knocked softly, but there was no response. Knocking again, she called Percy’s name. Nothing. Placing her ear against the door, Elyssa didn’t hear a sound. Her fingers shaking, she dared open the door and stepped quietly in.
The sight that met Elyssa's eyes sent shivers down every nerve ending in her body. The hair on her neck prickled, her eyes widening in shock. Her mouth opened in disbelief.
Downstairs in the study, Daniel heard the eery scream and came to his feet at once. He rushed out escaped her lips and edhi him and of the room, easily passing the butler as he took the stairs two at a time. Daniel ran down the hall and into the room where Elyssa stood with her hands covering her mouth.
His eyes widened at the sight of his father, lying cold and dead upon the floor, a pool of blood all about him from a hole in the side of his head. Elyssa's slippers were touching the edge of the bloody mess and Daniel jerked her back from the horrendous scene.
His own heart was beating furiously and Daniel wondered what had happened. Had his father taken his own life? If so, the weapon would surely still be clutched within his hand, but there was no gun anywhere to be found. Percy had obviously been murdered.
Elyssa's uncontrollable cries gradually subsided after Daniel took her into her room and removed her bloodied slippers. He left her side only to give instructions to his father's valet to see that the authorities be contacted. The man was visibly shaken, confessing that he'd knocked on the locked door earlier, but the earl had yelled at him to go away, and that he would be down soon.
The doctor was likewise summoned, and after checking Elyssa's well being, left some laudanum to help her rest. She was still shaken to the core, and Daniel feared she would never be able to forget that horrible sight. He cursed whomever had killed his father in such a manner. Not so much for the loss of his hateful sire, though the lack of caring left Daniel feeling more than a little guilty. But for the regret Elyssa would now most likely feel. She was sensitive, and would probably feel partially to blame. She might even want to end things with Daniel if she was unable to deal with Percy's violent death.
Daniel had his work cut out for him where Elyssa was concerned, and once again he cursed his father for being the bastard he'd always been.
Three days later a small funeral was held. Percy was buried next to Daniel's mother on the outskirts of the lovely gardens. A dreary rain began to fall during the brief ceremony. There were roughly thirty people in attendance, though Daniel knew most of them were there purely out of curiosity rather than to convey any true sympathy.
Daniel stood beside Elyssa, hating the toll this was taking on her. He imagined she rather felt guilty for not giving a damn Percy was dead, for Daniel himself felt the same way. It was all he could do to refrain from comforting Elyssa in front of everyone. He wished he could put his arms around her. Console her. Plunder her sweet mouth, and Daniel cursed himself inwardly for his untoward thoughts at such a time.
The puffiness about her eyes was finally disappearing, her tears of guilt all spent over the past few days. Elyssa stood in a foggy haze, feeling as if she were the one responsible for Percy’s death. That she had only days past confessed to Daniel's accusation that she wished Percy dead left Elyssa feeling such remorse, she didn't know how she would ever overcome the guilt. Daniel had been somewhat helpful the last day or two, doing his best to set her mind at ease.
Though he had despised his father, Daniel never wished for such a terrible thing to happen. He too shouldered the blame for Percy's untimely death, and vowed that he would see the murderer behind bars before it was all over with.
Elyssa's parents had come to the funeral, begging her to come back home with them until her spirits were sufficiently recovered enough to return to Greystone. She declined, however, not wishing to leave Daniel. Although Percy had never made her feel overly welcome at Greystone, it was her home after all. After spending the night, her family returned home.
Daniel decided he would remain at Greystone until business decreed otherwise. He assured Elyssa he had no intentions of leaving her side anytime soon.
Days blended into weeks and after roughly a month, Daniel had managed to revive some of Elyssa's former radiance to her smile. The authorities hadn't a clue to the murderer nor could they determine a motive, and it was clearly not Percy's son nor wife, for their innocence seemed a certainty. The entire mansion and surrounding estate had been searched for clues, but nothing was found. Elyssa and Daniel were assured the case would remain open until solved. That had been the last word they'd heard from the authorities.
Daniel took Elyssa to the cliffs one day, knowing it was one of her favorite spots on the estate. He thoughtfully had the cook pack a basket and made an afternoon out of it. It was cold outside, but the thick blankets beneath them, and one atop them, kept the couple warm enough.
"Do you believe in the haunting of the cliffs?" Elyssa questioned, valuing Daniel's opinion, for this had been his home much longer than it had been hers.
"Absolutely," he replied easily, his amused smile divulging his true feelings on the ghostly legend. Elyssa playfully slapped him on the chest.
"You think me silly for wondering, don't you?" she asked, leaning her head against Daniel's chest. tears falling unhindereds second
"No," came the low, soft reply as he pulled Elyssa halfway atop himself. "I think you utterly beautiful." His lips softly kissed the corner of her mouth. "I think you sweet beyond belief." His hand reached down to cup her shapely bottom. "Seductive beyond imagination."
"Oh, Daniel, I have missed your nearness," she confessed as her lips covered his, and Elyssa became dizzy from the long forgotten sensations he was evoking deep within her. Daniel pulled her beneath him, the half empty picnic basket forgotten and overturned. He stretched out his legs, his elbows on either side of Elyssa's head.
She gazed longingly up at the dark gray eyes staring back at her, hooded by long dark lashes. She reached up to trace the sensual lips whose expert scorches she had nearly forgotten over the course of the past weeks. She pulled loose the thin ribbon holding his dark hair and reveled in the feel of it coming to rest against her face just before he kissed her shamelessly.
Elyssa felt guilt in the revelation that although Percy's death was a horrible dreadful thing, it might be possible for she and Daniel to actually be together. She was liberated from the fear of never having him as her very own, though for now she would be wise to keep wearing the black mourning clothes for a while longer. Propriety deemed that she display her grief for the detestable period of a year, but living in the secluded countryside, Elyssa had no intentions of wearing black for the next several months in honor of a man that had detested everything about her.
The servants might raise an eyebrow or two, although there were so few, and they were all aware of the situation between their employer and Elyssa, she doubted they would blame her at all over forgoing the normal dictates of a hypocritical society.
After their long awaited bout of lovemaking, Elyssa lay on her side, her back fitted snugly against Daniel's hard chest. She smiled at the intimate caress of his fingers on her breasts, loving the feel of him against her body. Elyssa turned toward Daniel as his fingers became more insistent. His rakish smile was unrelenting and she gasped aloud in pleasure at his ministrations. He whispered erotic nothings into her ear as his slow, steady rhythm plunged him deeper and deeper until Elyssa's soft cries mingled
with the cold wind, Daniel joining her just after.
Daniel gazed down fondly at the beautiful woman beneath him, wondering just how it was that his every attempt to seduce her, to bring her further beneath his spell only backfired. He was sinking into an abyss he'd unwittingly created, and although the thought tears falling unhindereds second alarmed Daniel, he couldn't deny the pleasure he continued to find with Elyssa. He had wanted her so badly these past weeks, had been yearning to hold her, to make love to her. It had been a matter of self-will to wait and allow Elyssa to get past the guilt at being with him since his father's mysterious death.
It had been impossible within Greystone, for the few servants that were employed seemed to always be skulking about when you didn't want them to be. He'd had to deny any stolen kisses, any forbidden touches, for fear the servants would misread Elyssa's feelings for him and start rumors.
The next day Percy's lawyers came to Greystone for the official reading of the will. Only Daniel and Elyssa were present, for there were no other living relatives or close friends. The last will and testament was quite simple, embarrassingly so. A generous sum, though a mere pittance compared to the whole of Percy's wealth, was left for Elyssa, plus a monthly bank allowance to be given her for the remainder of her life or until she remarried.
Daniel was stunned to hear the unexpected declaration that Greystone Mansion and everything within it, plus all his monies and businesses, were left to his only son and heir, Daniel Charles Fredrickson. The shock and disbelief left him breathless, for Daniel would never have believed that after all the hateful words and threats, his father was actually leaving him everything he deserved by right of his birth.
Having done their duty, the attorneys bid them goodbye, assuring Elyssa they would see that she received her monthly allowance with no problems. The lump sum bequeathed to her in Percy's will was already available at the bank, and Daniel assured them he would aid Elyssa with anything she needed.
The men gone, Daniel looked at Elyssa with a surprised look on his face. He'd gotten what he'd come back for. His inheritance, all of it, but for the paltry sum given to Elyssa. He felt guilty and feared Elyssa would be heartbroken that she'd been left so little. But he had promised himself while still in Paris, had given his word to his mother at her grave, that he would rightfully regain what was his from the scheming woman who had trapped his father into marriage. He'd planned to do whatever it took, no matter the cost, for it had become a personal vendetta after receiving word of his father's opportunistic wife through correspondence from trusted friends.
Elyssa's sweet smile dragged heavily on his heart, for her happiness for him was evident. Rather than becoming the upset angry woman he feared she would, Elyssa was instead a graceful young lady. She leaned over to kiss him, her arms wrapping lovingly about him. "Darling, I am so happy Percy left your inheritance intact."
She was surprised to see a mistiness in Daniel's eyes after the kiss ended, assuming only that he was content with the way things had turned out. She was completely unaware that Daniel was upset at himself. Hated himself for having played Elyssa these months for his own gain. He despised his own weakness, in fact. For somehow during their time spent together, he had recklessly fallen in love with her.
CHAPTER 9
As soon as he thought it, Daniel scorned the ridiculous notion. He did not love Elyssa, had never planned to go as far as he had with her. If he'd had any clue who she was that first night, his father's wife, he would never have allowed himself to become involved with her on any level but physically. But somewhere along the way he had let his guard down, had fallen victim to Elyssa's easy charm and grace, her astounding beauty.
He could so easily forget Paris. Abandon the knowledge that he had someone awaiting his return. Another warm, willing body he'd become accustomed to. Daniel cursed himself a fool, for recently he had been slipping up. The celebrated life of rogue had always been much more convenient and infinitely more preferable. After the rumors of his shameless lifestyle began those years ago, Daniel had seen little reason to fight them, had in fact enjoyed living up to the profligate reputation. Hell, he wasn't even thirty years old yet! He still had another good decade before the bleak prospect of marriage would threaten to take hold, if not longer.
Elyssa knew that although she was in love with Daniel, he had never spoken the sweet words in return. He was under no obligation to allow her to remain at Greystone. The prospect of leaving the beautiful place she'd reluctantly come to think of as home, Elyssa likewise knew she would be expected to leave, if nothing else, for the sake of decorum.
She had little doubt Daniel would allow her indefinite stay did she plead her cause, but Elyssa refused to put him in the awkward position. After all, with the monies Percy had generously left her, she could certainly afford a cozy place of her own on the outskirts of London. And if all else failed, she could always return home to her family, though Elyssa quickly dismissed that dreadful idea.
Two days later, Elyssa announced to Daniel over breakfast that she would be leaving Greystone. He was more than a little surprised, though Elyssa noted Daniel didn't seem overly intent on begging her to stay. In fact, since the reading of the will, they had not been intimate in any given way. His aloofness left Elyssa feeling forlorn, but she knew that he too realized it would be unwise for her to remain living openly with him after Percy's death. The gossip would be merciless.
An awkward silence ensued after Elyssa's declaration, and finally Daniel asked where she planned to go. He felt like a bloody bastard sitting there so nonchalantly, acting as if Elyssa's departure wouldn't rip his heart out. Before she could answer, the butler announced that there was a visitor to see Daniel. A Lord Something-or-other, having to do with business. Daniel made a quick apology to Elyssa as he excused himself. a thirsting man. He inobviousd
No longer hungry, Elyssa finished her hot tea and arose to go upstairs. How she would miss this grand home and its majestic beauty. She walked around the room, glancing out the window at the pretty view, lovingly running her fingers along the length of the huge dining table. She stopped at Daniel's place, helpless to note the letter he'd apparently been writing before she had come down.
Her dainty fingers touched the parchment and she admired the bold, masculine strokes. She had no intention of reading a single inscription. But the words jumped out at her and Elyssa was unable to ignore what she saw. Glancing up to make certain Daniel wasn't on his way back yet, Elyssa's fingers trembled as she picked up the letter.
I told you I would do whatever necessary to secure my inheritance. It has been taken care of.
Elyssa heard Daniel's footsteps nearing and quickly returned the letter to its proper place, never having seen who he was writing to. She began toward the door as if she had merely been leaving the room, her mind a jumbled mess, her heart beating furiously. The implications were staggering. Elyssa forced a smile as she looked up into the face she'd come to adore above all else.
His smile was so easy, so charming. Could it be true? Could Daniel possibly have murdered his father? It was never a secret that Percy and Daniel's falling out had been monumental. And to harbor deep resentment most of one's life could definitely take its toll. Still, Elyssa could not comprehend what would make a man like Daniel murder his unarmed father over mere money.
"What's wrong, darling? You look pale," Daniel commented.
"I am fine. But I suppose there is no reason to delay packing my things any longer, do you?"
His expression changing to one of regret, Daniel urged, "Don't go, Elyssa. At least not until we have secured you another place to stay." He hated the distance that had cropped up between them in the last few days. Daniel wanted to take her in his arms and never let her leave Greystone, propriety be damned. When had he ever cared what the gossips thought about him? But it was different now. Elyssa would be the one to suffer, and Daniel refused to be the cause of her being snubbed by polite society, however hypocritical it was. encouragehi dow
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nbsp; Opening her mouth to reply, Elyssa was unable to speak her feelings aloud. She loved Daniel, but it was clear he didn't return her feelings. She would give anything to marry him and bear his children. He may be a murderer, her mind cruelly reminded her.
Rushing past Daniel, he called her name, but Elyssa ignored the urgent summons. He was about to go after her, when the butler announced another visitor. Aggravated at another bothersome interruption, Daniel turned and glared fiercely at the butler, the older man quickly disappearing from his new employer's heated gaze.
It was one of Percy's solicitors. Daniel recognized him from the reading of the will, and was quick to note the man's jittery behavior. He tugged uncomfortably at his cravat, extending his hand in greeting. Daniel shook the man's hand and politely, if not curtly, invited the man into the study. Daniel sat behind the imposing desk, his restlessness all too apparent. His features displayed a tightly reined impatience and the solicitor nervously opened his leather case, removing a small stack of legal papers.
"So, Mr. Evans, what brings you to my home this fine morning?" Anxiously shoving his wire rimmed glassed further up his nose, Mr. Evans took a deep breath before beginning the mandate his employer had forced him to deliver on his own.
"Is Lady Fredrickson about? This concerns her, too."
His eyes narrowing, Daniel felt the beginnings of an unwelcome displeasure unfurl. It was obvious this had something to do with Percy's will and Daniel wasn't sure he wanted Elyssa involved in the conversation at hand.
"She's indisposed at the moment," Daniel replied curtly. "But I assure you I shall relay anything you have to say."
Mr. Evans didn't particularly feel he should trust the imposing young Lord Fredrickson to relay his edict to the lovely lady, but the cold glint in Daniel's eyes gave warning that he should comply with the notorious lord's wishes.
Clearing his throat nervously, Mr. Evans began, "A most unfortunate thing, really. Your father's most favored solicitor, Mr. James Andrews, has been out of the country for several weeks now, and only just heard about your father's death. He was most adamant in his correspondence that we contact you and Lady Fredrickson at once ridiculous notioned to ">