JACK OF DIAMONDS

CHAPTER 25

Well, I can’t believe this mishap. Thank God it’s still early enough for me to fix it…

because I spent most of the day and the last two hours getting this chapter ready, only to realize that it was last week’s chapter I was working on. Talk about feeling like a bonehead. Anyway, this is the paywall section of my ‘Stack, so I’ll give you 1000, or so words, and after that, you’ll have to access the Paywall at either $5/month, or (better deal) $30/year Canadian. (I always mention that it’s Canadian because most of my Subscribers and Followers are Americans, and what a deal that is for them, because it works out to about 2¢/day.

Oh yeah, it has SEX in it…

Just so you know, we will be going away on vacation, and when we do, I’ll be closing down shop. I had thought about pre-taping my readings and lining up my posts, but why stress myself out? It’s not much of a holiday if I’m going to be worrying about my ‘stack and whether or not the stories went up or not. Better just to take the time off and relax. When I come back, I should have something. I plan to use the wife’s old iPad and put a writing program on it. I’ve started working on THE SHIELD OF LOCKSLEY again, and will probably begin reposting that when we get back. But we won’t be going for a while yet, so I’ll be here.

Remember to up-grade. I mean, $30/year is a great deal. I still want to print up copies of my novellas and mail them out to you, but I can’t do that unless you come over here to the Dark Side…(shhh…we have cookies.)

JACK OF DIAMONDS

CHAPTER 25

THE CONSTABLES HAVE A QUESTION

“Excuse me, my Lord,” Berry said, and Artie watched as the butler approached the Baron. He was curious, to say the least, and Artie found himself looking up at the top of the stairs. He watched Berry bend down beside the Baron’s chair and whisper, still watching Sonia and Nigel where they were still standing politely at the top of the wide staircase. Artie listened, but Berry kept his voice low.

“What does that mean? A complication?” Gerald laughed, and looked at Artie. “They’re not being very secretive,” he added. “I can hear them plain as day.”

“Do tell us if they say anything good,” Simon grinned.

“You will not,” Daphne said, and turned to look at Gerald. She shook her head, watching as the Baron turned toward his son, his eyes hard and piercing.

A complication, Artie thought. Great.

The wind was swirling about the two constables, and Artie watched Sonia fighting to hold her skirt down as Nigel busied himself scraping his pipe clean with a pocket knife. He blew into the bowl, and then on the stem; he appeared as unconcerned as Sonia was uncomfortable.

“What kind of a complication could be important enough for them to interrupt a luncheon with my family, and our guest?” the Baron hissed, trying to keep his voice low — although everyone seated at the table could hear him. Artie watched as the Baron half-turned in his seat to look at the two Constables. Artie thought he could see the Baron scowling at them, but then he turned to look at his wife, and Artie thought she looked to be more than interested.

“They say they have some questions for our guest,” Berry said, now standing and nodding toward Artie.

“Questions? What kind of questions?” the Baron asked, raising his voice.

Everyone at the table turned to look at the two Constables. Artie took the opportunity to adjust his chair, feeling Jenny’s thigh press up against him as he did. He reached his hand out and ran it down the length of her thigh. He felt her latch on to his hand, slowly guiding it along the inside of her thigh back to her crotch. He could feel the heat of her, and the moistness, as he cupped his hand against her. He saw Agatha’s eyes shift when his hand disappeared under the table, and at the same time, noticed his erection.

“This could be interesting,” Gerald smiled, nodding at Artie briefly.

“Indeed, it might,” Artie smiled, and briefly looked at Agatha who returned his gaze.

Berry bent down once again, whispering in the Baron’s left ear, and Artie looked at Gerald, hoping the man would say something. He knew it involved him. He cursed himself for not thinking of a better story for having brought the horse. Obviously, he didn’t expect them to drive out and inspect the area. That was just plain dumb luck as far as he was concerned. He’d have to think on his feet.

“They want what?” the Baron asked, turning to look at both Artie and Jenny.

“Looks like you won’t be getting that invite after all,” Gerald laughed, turning to look at Artie.

“How can you be so sure of that?” Agatha said, smiling.

“I can’t, but this could well be the beginning of a scandal. And you know how Poppa hates the idea of being tainted by a scandal?” Gerald laughed. “Isn’t that so, Poppa?”

“You would do well sometimes to mind what you say,” the Baron said. They watched him throw his napkin on the table, stand up — excuse himself — and then approach the two Constables at the top of the wide stairs.

“Any ideas as to what that may be about?” Simon asked.

“They’ve caught the thief, no doubt,” Daphne said. “What else can it be? What other reason could they have for disturbing lunch?”

“No manners?” Gerald replied with a grin.

“No, they haven’t, have they?” Jenny smiled, and looking at Artie, opened her thighs wider. The only one paying any attention to them was Agatha. Artie could feel Jenny arch her back slightly — subtly — pressing herself against his hand and letting him push two fingers deep inside her again; he began to slowly piston his fingers into her. She reached under the table, pulling on his hand and rubbing it against herself before she climaxed behind her napkin and pushed his hand away, slapping her thighs closed.

She looked about and then stood briefly, sliding her dress back into place.

“I thought I dropped a shrimp,” she said, when her mother turned to look at her.

Artie sat back in his chair and watched her closely as he placed his wet fingers in his mouth and smiled at her. He turned his head and saw Agatha looking directly at him. He could see her nipples pointing out of her dress.

“That’s why we use napkins, dear,” the Baroness responded, hesitating, and Artie thought for a moment she may have suspected something. But she turned to the Baron again as he made his way up the stairway to face the two Constables.

“And what is it that’s so special about this Ball?” Artie asked.

“You haven’t heard?” Agatha replied, looking up at him.

“Heard?” he asked with a smile.

“Well, first and foremost, it’s a Costume Ball; it’s also the first Ball of the year,” she said.

“And how many are there?”

“Six. One hosted by each of the Manor Houses,” she nodded.

“All of the Houses host one Ball each,” Margaret added at almost the same time.

“Are they all Costume Balls?” Artie asked.

“Just tonight’s,” Agatha laughed. “But tonight’s Ball is special.”

“Special? What’s so special about it? Aside from it being a Costume Ball?”

“It’s Lord Cromwell’s Ball — well, that’s what locals we call it,” Agatha smiled…