You could say it is Clue, but the story is so much more memorable You could say it is light romance, but it's romantic fantasy You could say it is a fancy mansion, but it's a house of dark secrets You could say God never gives pain or troubles, but He reveals himsef in the most interesting circumstances . . .

SUCH A SITUATION AS THIS

By ABIGAIL ZANTINGH

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Abigail Zantingh
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4685-2963-0

Chapter One

**Nestled in the mountains, northeast of New York, Canada

YOU TRULY BELIEVE in such?" A slight breeze blew the words from Ava's mouth and flew with uncertainty wavering within its wings. Her irrational friend, Uli, took a step towards her with boundless energy radiated from her hopelessly romantic thoughts.

"Of course!" She exclaimed enthusiastically. "How could one not believe in such things? I tell you now—go out on a whim and you'll find the most quizzical happenings." She lifted her chin a mite in a show of pride and the envious feeling of being correct. "I declare, Ava, that upon the dawn at the end of this week, I shall be shone in the light of love."

"But does love not take time to grow and be nurtured, Uli?" Ava shot back, however coolly and with a calm voice doused in a tad of curiosity.

Uli gave a happy huff. "Truly, Ava, have you never heard the saying `love at first sight'? You must, I command, must, learn of such happenings more." She placed a slim hand upon her chest and drew in a deep inhale, her chest rising as her eyes glazed over with her outlandish thoughts. She lifted a foot, spun on her heel, and almost flew away with the invisible winds. Her long yellow dress, fading to green at the bottom, flew out behind her in a tangle of chiffon and lace.

Placing a delicate hand upon the rich vanity in front of her, she supported herself and drew her weary body upwards to a standing position. Her long gown of lavender settled in silky waves at her feet as she strode out of her room into the parlor. "Fetch me my coat, please, Gerard," Ava said, her voice loud and commanding. Gerard skipped away hastily at her call and returned almost momentarily with her light fur shawl. She draped this over her bare shoulders.

Lifting her skirts, she hailed her carriage into town and to the nearest dressmaker's shop. In six days' time she would be carried off to an un- known couple in the hills that went by the name of Lord and Lady Crystelle. They would be hosting a grand masquerade ball, and Ava was determined she would only be dressed in the best of the best, the envy of many a woman's eye, the sight in many a man's dream, the jealous cause for many a woman's gossip and scandals.

Pulling open the large white door that led into her dressmaker's shop, Ava once again wished Uli could have been here before she plastered a tired smile upon her face. No need to not be polite, no matter how worn and faint one might feel. She greeted her seamstress. "Why, Ava, are you excited for your new gown?" She said, leaning forward with a smile. "I hear the masquerade ball is only to be held in the honor of the finest people in the area. I have heard many a day that woman talk about you."

Ava couldn't help but let her smile spread across her face freely. "Is that so, Isabella? How peculiar. I never considered myself worthy of such a delightful invitation, and in course, to be held in such high esteem." Though Ava was toying with mechanic words, she was actually very excited for the weekend's events and anticipating what was to come without the supervision of mother's and father's unrelenting eyes.

Later on, when her gown had been tried and tailored to perfection, Ava was whisked home once again in time for supper. She went upstairs, pulling all the pearl pins out of her thick brown tresses. Her hair fell down piece by piece in its natural wave against her shoulders. Pulling it into a loose bun and quickly changing into more comfortable dining attire, she made her way towards the dining room.

Her mother eyed her gown with a disapproving glance and settled her eyes elsewhere. Of course, her mother had her long brown hair piled atop her head like a peacock and wore only the best fashions. Her dress was taken over by bulging sleeves and a low cut neckline stuffed with multiple layers of lace. Her ears and neck shone with thick and rich jewels that seemed to weigh her small frame down. Her father just gave a quick smile and glanced towards the kitchen doors as the servants filtered in, their arms bestowed with platters of food. The course of meals was set one by one in front of Ava, who ate silently and avoided her parent's little conversation.

After dinner she prepared for bed. The next day's events would be scandalous indeed, and she could hardly wait.

* * *

Liam straightened his glasses and replaced them to be overcome with the splendor before him. His carriage jostled to a stop in front of an elaborate mansion. He never would have guessed such beautiful majesty existed, lest he ever see it. A lock of his unruly wavy blonde hair once again fell in front of his eye and he brushed it away quickly. Smoothing a hand down his spotless black tux, he made sure his red silk handkerchief was secure in his pocket and the rose beside it was still giving off its enchanting smell.

Satisfied, he stepped outside in broad day light, tuning out the gorgeous landscape of lush greenery and shrubbery around him, and studied the architectural design of the building in the midst of his awe. A large manicured garden bed was on either side of a polished rock walkway, the base starting out large and easing out into a graceful curve to lead up to The Crystelles' mansion.

The mansion was all shining gold trim and African mahogany wood, gleaming in the sun's brilliant touch. On either side at the farthest point was a room that arched out from the building and protruded in a circle. There were no walls, just a sparkling clean glass that went in a slight tremor to blur the inside. I'm struck with the beauty of it, Liam thought. The points on either end came up to a tip, edged with a gleaming gold trim that pointed up then sloped down the whole way round.

Glass windows were placed on either side of the massive entrance doors, going the length of the two floors with a break in between levels. On the second floor the windows fanned out on top and had multi- colored panes of glass to complete it. The doors had beautiful carvings of birds, their wings spread in flight, around the edges. Spacious balconies came out from the wood all along the second floor, with closed glass doors and creamy white curtains behind it.

A man, smartly dressed in a tux and waiting patiently to help with his bags, appeared to have been standing for quite some time while Liam admired the beautifully constructed building. He reeled in his fantasies and lost thoughts and told the kind gentlemen which cases to take. He grasped the smallest bag in his own hand, not yet wanting it out of his sight, as his own designs could be in the care of none but himself. Following the man up the glossy stones, he sucked in a breath and smiled. Later, he might write down his own thoughts on the building, and perhaps his own ideas to take the main frame of the structure and twist in his own famous creations. His mind spun with the delightful thoughts.

Taking a quick glance at the rolling hills sweeping up to their highest point around him, shrouded in a lovely green hue, he stepped inside after the man to be left in the care of the home's butler. The butler gave a quick smile and motioned for Liam to follow him as he set off down the stunningly dark tiled floors and the walls which had a soft pine color and a soft green twirl. End tables held glass cut vases with white roses occupying the sweet-smelling space. Chandeliers were draped exceptionally along the halls,...