Aphyr

Last night, the esteemed Lady Mackin invited myself and several other persons of Quality to her family estate, Castle Evans, for an evening of merriment before departure for our respective winter residences. I was one of the earliest to arrive, and had the honor of joining Lady Rose Buckingham as we entered the Castle. She was quite cold, on account of doing some charity work just prior: making a bonfire and chocolate-graham-cracker confections with some young acquaintances.

After all the guests had arrived, I discussed matters of finance with the Viscount Burgandy, and learned of his families misfortune in recent years. I have no doubt, however, that such a venerable family as his will have no difficulty in weathering whatever vagaries of fate may come their way.

Then I made the acquaintance of a rather eager young gentleman--of French decent, but don't let that deceive you--Mr. Adrian d'Artagnan, of D'Artagnan Dirigibles. He proudly informed me of his expansive dreams for a world filled with airships, soaring from continent to continent faster than any sailing vessel or steamship. I, having made some modest gains investing in the astounding and modern of industrial developments, was most excited to hear of his companies success. I plan to make an sizable investment in his company--provided, of course, its financial records and projections are satisfactorily in order.

I also had the distinct pleasure of Lady Rose's company. While I had heard of her considerable influence in political spheres, I had not realized what a gracious and heartfelt young lady she... was. She explained to me that she quite fancied the young Mr. d'Artagnan--and that someday she hoped that the two of them could be together. "If Mr. d'Artagnan recognizes but half of your compassion and grace," I confided to her, "he will come to love you twice as much as his wonderful dirigibles." I found my words happily corroborated not minutes later, for Mr. d'Artagnan, having found enough investors to guarantee his financial success, asked for the Lady Rose's hand in marriage. What a joyous occasion it was!

Alas, no evening of mirth can go unmarked by sorrow. Perhaps half an hour after the proposal, the Lady Mackin burst into the room in considerable distress. She informed us that... Lady Rose was deceased! Strangulated, in an out-of-the-way room on the third floor. We knew of her excitement for exploring old castles, but to have such a tragedy come to pass, and on her engagement day! We gathered all the guests together, to discuss the murderer's identity. A great many surprising details were revealed in our conversation--the true identity of the Smith's adopted child Henry, Gerard's early, spurned, affair with the Lady Rose, and some... equitable but nevertheless distasteful business deals.

Working with the aid of Lord Cameron Smith, an accomplished logician, we slowly deduced the innocence of all but two of the guests: Lady Loria, and Lord Gerrard. I was obviously free of suspicion, as were Mr. d'Artagnan, Lord Cameron, for the three of us had been conversing in the sitting room at the time of Rose's decession. Gerard tried again and again to pin the murder on another--even stooping so low as to accuse the Lady Mackin herself of the heinous act! Meanwhile, the Lady Gloria comported herself with dignity and reason. While neither of them could be accounted for at the exact time of the murder, we judged that from her slight build, she could not have asphyxiated Lady Rose. Indeed, once Gerard was cornered, he flew into a rage, and Scotland Yard stepped in just in time.

As it turned out, Gerard had committed the murder; he stood to financial gain, and was so angry with his former lover for choosing d'Artagnan that he cornered her in that upstairs room and strangled her. "To death do you part!" were his final words to her. How dreadful a man indeed, to cut down such a lovely lady through murderous rage.

--Lord William Burns

Thanks to Kristine for writing and hosting an awesome murder mystery!