Discovering the Secrets of a Murderer

Chapter 6

Amelia started sewing the gown she had in mind. It would be such a task but then she really has nothing to do—confined in this shelter. So she might as well make a new gown she could wear.

She is not an expert. With all the needed trims and cuts, the latest styles and fashion, it would be hard to attempt to copy them. But she need not of those for she will only wear the gown inside the house. She was never allowed to go outside because of her condition. Therefore, it would be a waste of time and effort to try following the newest trend. And also pointless to make something beautiful when she cannot show it off.

You can show it to Doctor Fersen.

She ignored it.

She started with the top. She has a guide from her old chemise so she would know her frame. She also decided that from time to time, when there is progress, she will wear it so that she would know if it fits or not. In that way, she could immediately make some adjustments and correct her errors.

Suddenly, the door opened. She was composed when she looked up at the person responsible for it. Doctor Fersen is late. It was unexpected considering that yesterday he was rather early and today...she doesn't want to think he is slacking.

With his disheveled hair, dark circles under his eyes, and his clothes wrinkled; she wouldn't want to think that he is loosening up from his job but from the looks of it, he is likely. Though she is not certain if what makes him so disoriented is his job or other things—manly things which she chooses not to speak of—that keep him up at night.

"Good morning, Doctor."

"Good morning, Miss. I apologize for being late. I didn't mind the time while I was reading some documents."

She smiled—the type which she forces her lips to do even when her face looks like a creep. Her eyes were void of any emotion while her lips tug upwards. It was such a task that exerts too much effort.

Alexander seated then took his notes with some papers bind together with a clip. He showed it to her.

It was Gerjen Moring's testimony.

"I read her statement when you came out to society. I had a very interesting read—"

"Because they were there," she interrupted.

"Because they were there," Alexander cautiously repeated. "At the ball."

"They have indeed witnessed my coming out. It was the talk of the town for almost a week. Some admired me, some loathed," she said.

"Despite Madame Gerjen's statement of disapproval with your first appearance, I honestly think that by her words, they envy you."

"They all envy me," she said. "Without a doubt. That is the reason why they all stood against me when all of this happened."

Alexander fell silent then returned the document back on his handbag. "I want to hear your side. Tell me what happened at the ball."

~•~

Barkis leads Amelia to his acquaintances, introducing her to some of the well-known families in Beauville.

The old men and women were delighted to see her. On the other hand, their daughters look at her as a threat to future marriage prospects, insecurity very evident in their actions while the sons look at her as if smitten with her beauty.

All the while, Amelia remains stoic, not a single emotion flashes on her face even when handsome men take her hand and kiss it with obvious adoration. She looks at them straight in the eye and some who aren't used to woman acting that way moves away with intimidation.

"Smile, dear," her father said and she forced herself to move the side of her lips upwards, it more on looks like a grimace than a smile.

They walked around the room, roaming to introduce and get her acquainted with people—something that was deprived of her for years.

"Ladies," Barkis said and the group of Gerjen curtsied low.

"Sir," they said in unison.

She marveled at the sight of the sea of people around, not used to their presence but also liked the new experience. Her father left her to the group of Gerjen. Thinking that she is the same age as theirs, he assumed she will get along with them.

"You must've been very pleased that your father arranged such a grand ball." Gerjen started the conversation.

"Indeed I am."

"What does it feel like?" Alice asked. "Being locked up?"

"Alice," Pamela hissed. "You should not cause Miss Amelia distress."

Alice frowned. "But I just want to know."

"It's fine, I guess," Amelia said, in order for the two to stop. "I am confined in a way that I am not permitted to get out of the house and people who attend to me are screened by my father beforehand. But I have lessons, those are keeping me occupied."

"We heard that he locked you up ever since your mother died. Is that true?" Clara pressed.

"Yes," she simply said.

"It must have been very painful on your part," Gerjen said.

She raised her eyes to the woman then said, "We all experience pain, one way or another."

Gerjen merely smiled then looked away from her. Looking around as if searching for something to divert the topic of their conversation, the woman spotted Amanda Salvatore talking to Sir Barkis. The woman moved closer to her.

"You should look after that woman," Gerjen said then pointed a gloved finger on Amanda.

The other women followed what they are looking at and the three chuckled in disbelief.

"Here she goes again," Pamela said.

Amelia watched the four ladies' reactions. "Why? Is there a problem?"

"Indeed there is, Miss Amelia," Alice answered. "That woman is the most notorious for seducing every man in town."

"Oh." Her eyes flickered back to Amanda, still talking to her father.

"Last time, she was attacked by Sir Bribrooke's wife," Clara informed. "But she deserves it."

Alice nodded. "It was improper for the wife to attack but one would surely lose all morals when your husband's mistress acts so highly."

"And," Gerjen added. "Amanda does not deny it. She has lots of lovers, married or unmarried men. She is an exploring woman. Worldly, so they say. And yet she is still in society."

"Why?"

Pamela looked at her horrified "You don't know?" Then understanding took over. "Of course, you wouldn't. Silly me. You asked why? It is because their family is supported by Varseilles in the North and they are related to an official working for the Crown in Amarus."

"They have connections and they make sure that everyone remembers it," Gerjen said.

Her eyes trailed down on Amanda's form. The woman has golden hair, flawless flush skin, and a body that she flaunts with a plunging neckline and tight-fitting bodice. Amanda is beautiful and she is using it expertly to her advantage.

"May I excuse myself for a moment?" she asked.

"Of course, Miss Amelia," Gerjen said with a smile.

She walked away from the group to take something to drink. But it wasn't enough. She's feeling too uneasy and suffocated. She needs to go somewhere to breathe and be alone. Amelia walked her way out of the crowd. The guests saw her walking alone but they aren't bold as to approach her. 

For years being confined in her house, she is only to walk on secret passages if she wishes to roam around. No one is to see her, even the servants, or she would be punished heavily by her father. The passages were narrow and dark. But the years of walking through it had her master every step and route.

She lets her fingers graze the wall, locating possible entryways—well blended by either a wall outside or concealed intricately on rooms. Feeling something moved upon her touch, she stopped and applied more strength to it. Slowly, it opened, revealing a dimly lit bed chamber.

She walked in, closing the entryway as she goes. She looked at the door and seeing that it was closed, she went to a couch to sit.

She isn't used to all of this extravagance. The beautiful yet heavy ball gown, clad on her body and with a hair styled glamorously on top of her head. It was torture enough that even her corset was tight, crashing her ribs and making her harder and harder to breathe every second.

Reaching her back, she started to loosen her gown. She cannot bear another minute suffering from the corset's envelope. With the assurance that she was alone, she lowered the garment onto her midriff and focused on losing the ties on her corset.

A moan escaped from her lips but she stilled when another covered her sound of relief. 

Only that the other moan was of pleasure.

The room was not at all secure for her anymore. The assurance that she was alone was gone when she heard another moan of both pleasure and pain followed by a rustle behind her where the bed is located.

She was stiff as she sensed what was happening. The comforting silence minutes ago was now replaced with bold noises of heavy breaths and of two bodies meeting repeatedly with a yearning to achieve the highest point of pleasure.

"Lance." She heard the woman groaned. "Please."

That is when she had her head turning. Despite the dim light, she was able to see what the two were doing. She is certain they do not know she was there. Who would do such acts in front of a lady? It is an act done privately. And she just violated their privacy.

The woman was sprawled on the left edge of the bed with her skirt pulled up to her chest. She was writhing violently; eyes closed and face contorting with frustration. 

"Lance," the woman groaned again.

Raising her hands, the woman reached for her lover's neck. And Amelia, completely focused on the woman's state a while ago, now looked up to see the man standing from his kneeling position. Her grey eyes met black ones, staring at her as well.

He seems to have been caught off guard, blinking as if he had seen a ghost. But when he stared longer and confirmed that she was not an apparition, a smile crept on his lips.

"Lance," the woman beneath him called, irate because of unsatisfactoriness.

"Alright," Lance's voice came out like a deep low growl.

His eyes never left Amelia's as he thrusts harshly on the woman. The latter, in return, moaned loudly.

She did not look away, not ashamed with watching them intimately. In fact, she turned more. Her gown now hanging on her body, the loose corset, and the thin chemise under it have shown more skin. Leaning her arms on the back of the couch, she placed her chin on top of it as she stares blankly at the couple. 

She is not violating anyone's privacy. He knew she was there and he still continued anyway. 

Lance raised a brow and more ruthlessly thrusts on his partner, sending her to frenzy, screaming upon her release.

But he wasn't finished.

Grabbing the woman's hair, he climbed onto the bed and shoved his arousal on her mouth. He stared at Amelia challengingly. As if he wants to test if she could still watch something totally indecent and far from all the practices and lessons given to conservative people in the society.

Amelia did not back down. Her cold eyes did not even waver. She blinks but there was no apprehension or any sort of discomfort.

The woman beneath Lance moved violently in protest when he started to get more aggressive. Her mouth was wide open to accommodate him, not even fully. He was too well-endowed to fit completely. Lance's eyes flickered then shut tight as he reached his climax.

That's when Amelia looked away. Without him staring at her, she immediately went back to the secret passageway and walked without even fixing herself.

#DTSOAM