Book 2. In War, as in War

By Olga Kryuchkova

Imperial Russia. 19th Century.
Emma arrives at her father's estate with her fiancé and cousin. Gradually, all the heirs gather in the estate. Emma is confused. After all, there are six heirs with her. She is nervous and tries to convince herself that she has superiority over the other applicants for the inheritance. However, the announcement of the will finally destroys all her illusions. There are actually six heirs indicated in the will. But most importantly: this is the content of the will! The Count hid jewelry worth two million rubles on the territory of his vast estate. And in his will, he indicated: the inheritance in the form of a treasure will go to the relative who finds the treasure. If this does not happen before the end of the summer, then all the property of the count will be transferred to the church. The heirs were shocked by the condition of the will. Esmeralda, the Count's own sister (in reality, Elena) is trying to conduct a spiritual séance to find out where her brother hid the treasures. However, the spirit of the late brother did not reveal the secret. Emma tries to seduce the lawyer who is still on the estate. The girl hopes that the lawyer has the information she needs. But alas... As a result, a fire starts in the mansion house...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olga Kryuchkova
• Release date: Jan 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215681190

Olga Kryuchkova

Olga Kryuchkova began her creative career in 2006. During this time, the author had more than 100 publications and reprints (historical novels, historical adventures, esotericism, art therapy, fantasy). A number of novels were co-written with Elena Kryuchkova.

Book preview

Olga Kryuchkova

Series ‘Emerald Summer’

Book 2

In War, as in War

Imperial Russia. 19th Century.

Emma arrives at her father's estate with her fiancé and cousin. Gradually, all the heirs gather in the estate. Emma is confused. After all, there are six heirs with her. She is nervous and tries to convince herself that she has superiority over the other applicants for the inheritance. However, the announcement of the will finally destroys all her illusions. There are actually six heirs indicated in the will. But most importantly: this is the content of the will! The Count hid jewelry worth two million rubles on the territory of his vast estate. And in his will, he indicated: the inheritance in the form of a treasure will go to the relative who finds the treasure. If this does not happen before the end of the summer, then all the property of the count will be transferred to the church. The heirs were shocked by the condition of the will. Esmeralda, the Count's own sister (in reality, Elena) is trying to conduct a spiritual séance to find out where her brother hid the treasures. However, the spirit of the late brother did not reveal the secret. Emma tries to seduce the lawyer who is still on the estate. The girl hopes that the lawyer has the information she needs. But alas... As a result, a fire starts in the mansion house...

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 1

And finally, the long-awaited day has come — the first of June.

The inhabitants of the manor house were in a state of excitement: after all, not every day you receive an inheritance! Everyone was looking forward to the arrival of Karl Klebek.

Emma was sure that she would receive most of the inheritance. She already shared with Vasily her ideas on reforming the local lands. He nodded as usual and agreed with everything...

Esmeralda early in the morning decided to lay out Tarot cards (alas, all the fortunetellers she knew remained in Kaluga). The medium preferred a spiritualistic board — only by contact with spirits can one comprehend the future. However, in this case, she decided to ask Taro for advice

The results of the fortune-telling turned out to be stunning and differed strikingly from the previous ones, those that Esmeralda did before leaving for Selivanovo.

It would be better if I didn’t do this, she decided and mixed the cards.

Knyaz Kshidlovsky stood in front of the mirror for a long time, examining his reflection. After making sure that the bruise received in the battle for the beautiful lady is almost invisible, he came in a good mood.

A little more and I will finally receive the money, he said, pacing the room. Forgive me, Lev (he crossed himself at the mention of the name of his cousin), but this is the most important thing for me now. For I am bankrupt.

The Knyaz took an unfinished glass of wine from the table and sipped it.

Oh, Baden-Baden! A beautiful city. You will again take me into your arms. The main thing is not to lose all the money in the very first days after arrival, he thought.

Lyubov removed her most elegant dress from the wardrobe and put on it with the help of Vsevolod.

Ah, Seva, if you knew how hard it is to do without a maid. The maids here are the real village girls! she complained to her lover, as long as he buttoned the hooks of her dress. They ignore my demands!

My soul, tomorrow we’ll leave here, Vsevolod reassured her. I myself am dying of boredom here. I'm tired of being nice to the local society.

To society! Lyubov repeated indignantly. Unfortunate provincials! And even this Knyaz who came from Moscow is a real dork!

Do not forget that Mrs. Trushina is also a Muscovite, Vsevolod recalled.

Ah, this mother hen, said the ‘spouse’ with a mockery. It seems to me that her tutor not only educates the boys. But ... Ah!

What?

You pinched me!

Forgive me, dear, the lack of an experienced maid makes itself felt, Vsevolod tried to justify himself.

Stanislav woke up at nine in the morning. Adelaide was still asleep. He put on his housecoat and looked out the window. The morning was sunny.

Well then, he said, admiring the fountain in the courtyard of the manor house. In war, as in war! Let's cross the swords, gentlemen! Two hours later it will become clear: who is the winner and who is the loser.

Adelaide awoke.

Stanislav, have you woken up already? she asked in a sleepy voice.

Yes.

Are you worried?

A little. However, everything will happen by the will of the Lord and my uncle.

Adelaide yawned sweetly and reached out.

You know, I had a strange dream, she admitted.

I don't believe in dreams.

In vain... Adelaide reproached her lover.

***

The heirs drank morning tea on the veranda. Tea drinking was held in deathly silence, because everyone saw potential rivals in the people around them.

Karl Klebek arrived at the manor house at exactly eleven thirty in the morning. Glafira also served tea to the clerk, and he joined the company of impatient heirs.