The Lady of Aurum Manor

Aurum Manor was known for its beauty. Nestled atop a mountain, besides a crystalline river, the estate was home to elegant gardens and looked as if it belonged in a fairytale. Although the exterior was truly extraordinary, the true beauty of the Aurum Manor was found in its residents. Lady Isadora was a true sight to behold, with hair the colour of wine and eyes like storm clouds. Her mother, Lady Irene, often found her hands full with suitors travelling from across the country to fight for her daughter’s affections. Lady Isadora was quite fond of her suitors and found pleasure in meeting them, longing for their attention. Which made the drawing-room her absolute favourite room in the house.

The drawing-room was large, with three windows lining the far wall, revealing stunning views of the gardens that stretched past the horizon. The paisley wallpaper was the colour of plums and matched the oak flooring perfectly. Isadora had helped her mother design this room, and each piece of furniture was hand-selected. Twin chaise lounges pointed towards a grand piano in the far corner, chosen for suitors to serenade her. Circling the roaring fireplace was a set of cream sofa’s each one plush and decorated with meticulously placed pillows. The opposite wall was home to an enormous portrait of Lady Irene, Isadora and their late husband and father Lord Edmond who left the estate and his vast fortune to the pair. 

Although the estate’s beauty was most vibrant in the spring, Lady Isadora loved the winter. Isadora lounged in an armchair by the window, watching as the snow coated the world outside. She studied the snowflakes as they drifted lazily downwards. She couldn’t help but think they looked like ashes. The grandfather clock struck noon, and a smile crept to Isadora’s lips. She stood from the armchair and puffed the skirts of her gown. Isadora’s wine red hair was swept up in an elegant up-do, revealing her beautiful long neck and perfect collarbones. The corset of her gown was the colour of rubies, and plumped her breasts perfectly, with large voluminous skirts to match. Isadora floated towards the fireplace, checking her reflection in the mirror atop the mantlepiece. 

“Perfection.” she thought as she turned to face the enormous doors to the drawing-room.

“Introducing for the Lady of the manor, Lord Leith,” Nicolai announced as he opened the door before bowing deeply for Isadora.

Isadora cupped her hands in front of her gracefully, as Leith entered the drawing-room. His ebony hair slicked back to reveal vibrant blue eyes and a smile that could melt steel. He wore a navy suit with a matching tie, and as always was groomed to perfection. Approaching Isadora, Leith bowed and took her gloved hand as he placed a whisper of a kiss against her knuckles. With her hand in his, Isadora curtsied with practised grace. 

“As always, my Lady, you are breathtaking.” His voice sent a wave over Isadora, and she felt a slight blush rise to her cheeks.

“And as always, good Sir, you are too kind.” She fluttered her eyelashes and gestured towards the sofa’s, “I hope your journey was not made too strenuous by the blizzard.”

“Nothing is too difficult when it comes to seeing you, Isadora.” He sat across from her and rested his ankle across his knee.

“Glad to hear it. Mother should be here any moment now it is so unlike her to be late.” Isadora gave him a sweet smile.

“I look forward to seeing her. There is something she and I must discuss.” He winked, causing Isadora to grin.

“Would you play for me while we wait?” She asked, gesturing to the piano.

“As you wish, my Lady.” Leith stood and made way for the piano.

Leith was extremely gifted with music. It was as if he could create a landscape using just the keys of the piano. Isadora rested against the edge of the chaise and watched as he danced his fingers across the ivory. Like an artist with a brush, Leith captured her in the moment, playing with passion as his eyes met hers. Time seemed to still and race and freeze while he played, nothing existed besides them and his music. Isadora closed her eyes, and let herself be whisked away to the world Leith was creating. Almost an hour had passed, Leith finished his song and closed the lid to the piano.

“I hope your mother is okay, she was supposed to be here some time ago.” The vibrancy behind his eyes had dulled with worry.

“Right you are, Lord Leith,” Isadora sat up from the chaise and fixed her hair, “I shall go look for her.” 

She ran her fingers along the smooth top of the piano and gave Leith a sly smile as she made way for the hall.

The fire cracked and popped in the hearth as Leith wandered towards it, noticing the mirror on the mantlepiece. As he approached he began to fix his hair in the reflection, leaning down to be fully visible. Admiring himself further, Leith picked up the mirror and brought it closer to his face. Something gleamed behind him, almost like spilled wine. Leith frowned as he turned towards the wall of windows. A large puddle of dark red crept from behind the cream sofa. Leith’s heart thundered in his chest as he placed down the mirror and walked over. Behind the sofa, Isadora had been perched, laying in a pool of blood, was Lady Irene.

Leith stifled a scream as he scrambled towards her. Lying face down, her red hair slick and wet, her emerald dress was stained with blood. He turned her over, revealing four horrific gashes in her throat as if someone had ripped out her jugular. Leith fought the urge to vomit as he dropped the Lady, and braced himself against the sofa. Her blood was still warm and sticky on his hands as he choked on a sob. There was a murderer loose in Aurum Manor.

Knocking the vase off the coffee table, Leith pushed past the furniture in an urgent attempt to reach the door. He must find Isadora, poor sweet Isadora, who was now an orphan and would likely be the next to die. Finally reaching the door, Leith pulled on the handle, violently wrenching it open. He came face to face with Isadora, who was holding two glasses and a bottle of wine, her face slightly shocked at the abrupt contact. Leith loosed a sigh of relief and grabbed her gently by the shoulders, pulling her into the room.

“What on earth?” Isadora squeaked as she regained her footing.

With no reply, Leith slammed shut the door, taking a chair from a nearby desk and propping it under the handles.

“Leith, what has gotten into you, what’s going on?”

“I don’t wish to alarm you, but there has been a murder.” Leith’s voice was rough, as he puffed slightly, walking over to take the wine from her.

“A murder? Here?” Isadora huffed a quiet laugh, clearly not convinced.

Leith put the bottle on the table and took her hand softly.

“Your mother is dead.” He pulled her against him in a crushing embrace, and Isadora fumbled with the glasses still in her hand.

Crushed against Leith, Isadora was still. She had no time to process the news before Leith pulled back and stroked her cheek.

“I am so sorry, Isadora. I know this must be hard to believe,” Leith tried to keep his expression soft, despite the fear coursing through him.

“Her body is behind the sofa,” he gestured towards her corpse, before stammering again, “Please don’t look. I don’t think we are safe here. We need to find an exit.”

“There’s no need to escape, Leith. You are safe.” Isadora’s voice was soft, her face blank and lifeless.

“I understand you are in shock, but we will be next if the murderer returns.” Leith put a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

“Leith, you don’t understand no murderer is roaming the halls. You have nothing to fear.” Isadora placed her free hand on his, the lip of her glove peeling back slightly.

Leith frowned and shook his head. Before he could speak again to convince her otherwise, his eyes caught on her wrist. Peaking from under her gloves the skin beneath was stained red.

It was as if the world was spinning, and Leith was falling through it. He tried to step away from her. Realisation crashed into him, like an avalanche rolling off the mountains outside. She put her hand against the side of his cheek and moved closer to him.

“Leith, let me explain.” Her voice was still sweet and gentle.

“You did this. Why?” Leith’s breath was rapid as he tried to gain distance between them.

“Because she said I could not marry you.” Isadora stepped back, sensing Leith’s rejection.

“So you killed her?” Leith whispered in disbelief.

“I will not let her stand in the way of our happiness, Leith. We do not need her. I do not need her always controlling my life.” Isadora sat on the chaise, clutching the crystal glass in her hand against her chest.

“I wouldn’t expect a man to understand. Everything is so easy for you. You get to do what you wish and be with whomever you please.” Tears began to build in her eyes as she spoke.

Leith shook his head, gripping his temple with his hand. 

“This is madness.” He began walking towards the door but stopped short as Isadora shot up from the chaise.

“Where are you going?” Her eyes widened, her movements still.

“I need to find you help, you have become hysterical.” Leith threw his hands up and gestured towards her. 

“A shame for such a fine beauty to be tainted with such a horrible disease.”

Isadora smiled broadly at him, putting the glass down on the piano case. The smile turned to a chuckle, a chuckle to a laugh, a laugh to a cackle. Isadora clutched her stomach as if unable to breathe as she walked towards Leith. He immediately retreated, attempting to gain distance between them.

“Such a shame really, for such a handsome man to be such a disappointment.” She monitored him as if he were prey, closing the gap swiftly, cornering him at the edge of the room.

Leith’s back hit the wall and he froze, trapped. He put his hands up in surrender and dropped to his knees.

“Please, my Lady. Be rational.” He stammered as she approached him.

Isadora sucked on a tooth, releasing a loud ‘tsk’. She made to remove her gloves slowly. She shook her head, a strand of her wine coloured hair falling from its place.

“Ask me nicely.” She whispered and moved closer, their faces becoming only inches apart.

“Please, Lady Isadora. Spare me.” His brilliant blue eyes dulled, and his face paled.

“As you wish.” She planted a kiss on his cheek, he shuddered in relief.

Isadora pulled back, but before Leith could move, she swiped a set of razor-sharp claws across his throat. His eyes bulged as his hands reached towards the wound, attempting to seal it shut. 

Isadora stood, looking down at the man, now gushing red. With a sigh, she tucked the loose hair back into place and left him to die.

Isadora lounged in the armchair by the window, her book nestled gently in her lap. The snow had ceased falling, leaving behind a blanket of white across the gardens. Isadora had made sure to tuck her mother away with Leith in the armoire by the portrait and cleaned any blemishes on the oak floor. The vase had been cleaned, and any traces of her previous visitor were now gone. With a fresh set of gloves, she turned the page of her novel and released a relaxed sigh. The silence was broken, with a knock at the door. 

“Introducing for the Lady of the manor, Lord Erasmus,” Nicolai announced as a slender man with sun-bright hair entered the drawing-room.

“Lord Erasmus, how wonderful to see you.” Isadora sang as she stood up from the chair and placed the book on the table.

“My Lady, you look as radiant as ever.” He strolled through the room as if he owned it and bowed deeply before Isadora.

“You flatter me, good sir.” she blushed and offered him her hand, to which he pressed a gentle kiss.

Gesturing to the sofa by the fire, Isadora smiled, “Come, sit. Mother will be joining us shortly.”