The Blakely Affair

By Carter Seagrove

The Blakely Affair is the introduction of Alfred Fenchurch and his partner, Adam Cowley, as they investigate the death of the Dowager Baroness Anglemere and the theft of her fabulous diamonds. Who did it? Jane the maid, James the houseman, Cook, Samuel the one time stage-hand, Doctor Fulke or the Dowager’s daughter, Theophilia or perhaps it was her husband, William Dorchester. Nothing is quite what it seems.

This story is the result of the collaboration between the authors Alp Mortal and Chambers Mars. Seeing the potential of the story as a series and of the collaboration as a whole, we decided to create a separate author, Carter Seagrove, to provide the vehicle for what we hope will be a long and productive union.

The Blakely Affair is the fictitious book referred to in our first project, Dust Jacket. Writing this story has been a lot of fun for us both; particularly as it has again stretched us in terms of style and genre.

The Blakely Affair is a more traditional ‘whodunnit’ and we have created a police inspector by the name of Alfred Fenchurch to carry the investigation forward; not that it majors on the police procedural aspects of the many stories which fit into the genre. Ours is more character-led ... and of course, we both had absolutely no hesitation in casting Alfred as gay or in giving a romantic side story with the relationship between the Inspector and the character of PC Adam Cowley.

We hope that you thoroughly enjoy the story and feedback is always welcome. Please visit our website to find out what we’re working on next.

Thank you!
Carter Seagrove

• Language: English
• Publisher: XinXii
• Release date: May 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9783959262941

Book preview

Project

Authors’ Note

This story is the result of the collaboration between the authors Alp Mortal and Chambers Mars; and seeing the potential of the story as a series, and of the collaboration as a whole, we have decided to create a separate author, ‘Carter Seagrove’, to provide the vehicle for what we hope will be a long and productive union.

The Blakely Affair is the fictitious book referred to in our first project, Dust Jacket. Writing this story has been a lot of fun for us both; particularly as it has again stretched us in terms of style and genre.

The Blakely Affair is a more traditional ‘whodunnit’ and we have created a police inspector by the name of Alfred Fenchurch to carry the investigation forward; not that it majors on the police procedural aspects of the many stories which fit into the genre; ours is more character-led ... and of course, we both had absolutely no hesitation in casting Alfred as gay or in giving a romantic side story with the relationship between the Inspector and the character of PC Adam Cowley.

Part play, part opera and part farce is probably an accurate description of the story which centres round the death of the Dowager Baroness Anglemere and the theft of her fabulous diamonds. Who did it? Jane the maid, James the houseman, Cook, Samuel the one time stage-hand, Doctor Fulke or the Dowager’s daughter, Theophilia or perhaps it was her husband, William Dorchester ... nothing is quite what it seems ...

We hope that you thoroughly enjoy the story and feedback is always welcome. Please email us or visit the websites to find out what we’re working on next.

Thank you!

Carter Seagrove

Contact Information

www.carterseagrove.weebly.com

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www.alpmortal.weebly.com

www.chambersmars.weebly.com

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Chapter One - Darlings of the gods die young

Dorchester didn’t have a clue.

That was Theophilia’s opinion of her husband and had it not been for Fulke’s timely intervention then the whole teetering façade of their ‘entertainment’ would have already come crashing down.

Why does one allow oneself to be persuaded to do such things?

Mistress?

Don’t fret, Jane ... dress my hair and rattle that decrepit vessel’s cage so at least dinner can start at seven like it is supposed to ... God spare me the indignity of a burnt offering!

The ‘decrepit vessel’ to which Theophilia was referring, was of course her mother, the Dowager Baroness Anglemere nee Betty Spooks. No silver spoon in her mouth; and more likely to have been seen pawning the silver – such as it was – to send her daughter out in something fashionable albeit off-the-peg.

Then William Dorchester came along and it all got so much better ... except for his fixation with the theatre and a certain stagehand by the name of Samuel Greville. What price a wife’s silence and obedience? What price the effort to hoodwink Society and pretend that all was well in the coop; that there were chicks hatching soon and the family values were intact?

Jane dressed her mistress’s hair and ran off to see to the Dowager whom she called simply ‘Betty’ in the confines of the room which Theophilia allowed her mother to occupy on the understanding that everything was done properly and that which needed to be overlooked was not just ignored but banished from her thoughts should the sherry be at risk of liberating a tongue oft likened to the Sword of Damocles.

Evening, Betty.

Good evening, Jane ... don’t worry about dressing me; I’m not feeling well and I shan’t be coming down this evening-

Oh, Betty; whatever is the matter now? Master Dorchester is putting on his bit of a show; you can’t miss that.

Really, Jane; I’m feeling unwell ... open the window would you?

Should I call Doctor Fulke?

NO!

The ferocity of the order stunned Jane and immobilised her until Betty had recovered from the fit of coughing which the effort of crying out had brought on.

"No, child ... bring me some tea and tell Theophilia that I shall not be down and if she dares to step over that threshold, I will expose her husband’s little secret and leave