Love Mysteries. Full Version

By Olga Kryuchkova

Book 1. Imperial St. Petersburg. End of the 19th century. The nobleman Konstantin Matveev decides to pass the time and goes for a walk in the park, where an enterprising engineer placed a balloon for all to see.
Konstantin becomes a hostage of an unlucky thief and makes a forced trip in a balloon. The new-fashioned device crashes and Konstantin, who has lost his memory, finds himself in a distant estate. It is only by a miracle that he manages to avoid an unwanted marriage and escape from the tenacious hands of the newly made bride.
Returning to St. Petersburg, Konstantin learns that his beloved aunt died and bequeathed to him a huge estate and bank deposits. Entering the rights of inheritance, the young nobleman did not even suspect that he will go to his aunt's estate and reveal her secret. But the main thing: during a horse ride through the forest, he will meet the stunning ‘Diana the Huntress’, who wounds him right in the heart with her arrow.
Book 2. Eighteen-year-old Pauline, daughter of Antonina Zabrodina and Konstantin Matveev (Book 1. Diana the Huntress), attends the University and meets the student Gregory Veniaminov. The student falls in love with a charming girl, but cannot reveal his feelings to her. Gregory is too timid with girls. He writes a letter to Pauline, in which he confesses his love to her with the help of Shakespeare's sonnet. Pauline is intrigued by Gregory's attention.
However, after partying with friends, his behavior changes dramatically. Gregory's timidity disappears and he becomes a womanizer. And Sigmund Freud and the ‘Ancient Goddess of Love and Fertility’ are to blame for this. So what happened at the student party? Will Pauline and Gregory stay together?
Book 3.Estate near the city of Pskov.
The Matveev family and the Rogozin family go to the Matveevo-Orlovo estate for a joint vacation. They intend to have a great time, and at the same time bring Pauline and Anatoly Rogozin closer together. The men plan to devote time to duck hunting and fishing in a special hunting lodge on Reeds Island. Women intend to relax and enjoy the local beauties. And Pauline and Anatoly, in the opinion of their parents, should get even closer and also visit Reeds Island. But, alas, the plans of the venerable families were thwarted. Pauline went on a horse ride alone. Paulina's stallion was frightened by the bird and rushed towards the neighboring estate. Pauline was already preparing for the worst when Peter, the nephew of a landowner neighbor, came to her aid. A chance meeting with Peter changed the course of subsequent events.
Nevertheless, Paulina and Anatoly went to Reeds Island, as their parents had planned. However, the young people never reached the island. What happened to them?
Who will Pauline give preference to Anatoly, whom she knew from childhood, or fearless Peter?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olga Kryuchkova
• Release date: Mar 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215530504

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.

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Olga Kryuchkova

Love Mysteries Book Series

Full Version

Cover Design: Cover Generated by AI (Stable Diffusion, NightCafe)

Diana the Huntress

Book 1

Mystery number 1

The Messenger of Heaven

June 1879, St. Petersburg

Konstantin Aleksandrovich Matveev was sleeping peacefully when the butler stealthily entered his bedroom.

Sir, wake up.

Konstantin opened his eyes.

What do you need? Why did you wake me up? the young master was indignant.

(Barin is a man from the upper class of nobles, landowner. In the novel, also called master).

Do not be so angry, Konstantin Aleksandrovich. Only the time is already approaching noon. Your friend, Mr. Shuvalov, has arrived. He said that you were going with him to the Olginsky pond, the butler justified himself.

Konstantin stretched out, sat up in bed and yawned loudly.

Exactly, we wanted to walk in the fresh air, and I forgot. Okay, make me breakfast. In the meantime, I'll take care of my toilet. And please, treat Mr. Shuvalov with tea.

Sir, your friend will already deign to drink tea, the butler reported.

Konstantin put on a robe and stretched out sweetly again. To be honest, he wanted to sleep and postpone the walk to the Olginsky pond indefinitely. But what to do: an agreement, as they say, is more expensive than money. All the more so because Konstantin knew the temper of his companion.

And then, as a sin on the Olginsky pond, an air balloon appeared. Some skilled engineer made it. For a reasonable fee, the engineer put the passenger in a basket attached to a hot-air balloon. The balloon was then lifted into the air, and the thrill-seeking passenger could observe the surroundings from a bird's eye view. Of course, the engineer also thought about a precaution: he tied the ball by a strong rope to a special mechanism that did not allow the French invention to go free flight.

The passenger was enjoying the flight for exactly half an hour. Then the engineer was turning on his ingenious mechanism and it, winding a rope on a special metal reel, returned the balloon to its original position.

Shuvalov, having found out about this miracle of technology, shared the news with Konstantin, just the other day at the card table, surrounded by pleasant company:

And do you know, my friend, that the French invention of the Montgolfier brothers, at last, is also available in St. Petersburg?

Konstantin ‘raised’ his eyebrows in amazement.

Air balloon? he specified.

Exactly, my friend! And I yearn to take a hot air balloon ride!

Konstantin smiled skeptically.

Why, my friend, do you need this?

I will spit on the city from a bird's eye view!

The men's company laughed in unison.

Konstantin shrugged his shoulders.

A business worthy of a nobleman, he said and stared at the cards again. Hmmm... No luck today."

So what, my friend? Are you with me or not? Let's spit on everything together!

Konstantin took out his wallet and counted out his loss, fortunately that it was not big.

Well, dear Serge. Let's spit! How did you say so!

Then I will pick you up tomorrow closer to noon.

On that the friends decided.

...Konstantin made his morning toilet and went into the living room to greet his restless friend, and at the same time to have breakfast.

The men shook hands.

Really, Konstantin, you are a sleepyhead! Shuvalov noticed with a slight reproach in his voice.

Hmmm, to be honest, I like to sleep! And, to be honest, I have nowhere to rush! Konstantin answered calmly. His late parent had secured the future of his offspring, so he had nothing to worry about.

You will sleep like this all your life! Eat breakfast faster! And let's get into the carriage! Shuvalov did not calm down.

Serge, have mercy, Konstantin moaned, sipping a cup of tea.

By the way, it is fashionable this season to have picnics on the Olginsky pond. And sometimes you can meet charming young ladies there!

New-fashioned girls-students? specified Konstantin.

Yes my friend!

Painfully they are young and stupid, said Konstantin.

This is the whole charm! Well, why the hell do you want a decent girl with strict rules? You will go crazy with such a girl!

No, I don't need such an immature girl. Matveev agreed. But older and more experienced, he said dreamily.

To press the girl to the birch... Serge picked up.

By the end of breakfast, Serge's imagination had sharpened completely.

Damn it, my friend! Get dressed, my friend, and let's go now! I am filled with a thirst for new adventures! Serge could not resist.

Finally, the friends got into the carriage and set off in the direction of the Olginsky pond. It was an excellent day. This June was sunny, but not hot. There was almost no rain, so nothing could darken the picnic: if only pure coincidence.

Shuvalov's carriage was approaching the cherished pond. Even from afar, friends noticed several carriages ‘parked’ in the shade of trees. Beside them the coachmen strolled imposingly, looking condescendingly at their masters frolicking in nature.

Serge gazed at the three families with children. The carriages were undoubtedly theirs. Families have settled down on the picturesque beach. The women spread out the tablecloths and laid out food on them. Men, on the other hand, quickly found a common language, walked around and discussed something. Children rushed along the shore of the pond like crazy.

Here rest respectable married couples with children! Serge remarked busily. I am, of course, have nothing against the kids, but they make too much noise! Let's drive away. Yes, and I can't see the air balloon either.

Or maybe it doesn't exist at all? Konstantin shot. And all this is a game of your imagination.

You know how to say something nice, dear friend, Serge reproached. I'm sure the balloon is somewhere behind the trees.

And Serge was not mistaken. Suddenly the trees ‘parted’ in front of the carriage, and the friends saw a gray balloon tied with ropes to a basket that was on the ground. Young people crowded around the balloon.

The engineer with a businesslike air was broadcasting:

Do you know, friends, that the invention that is presented to your attention was named after the names of the inventors: The French brothers Montgolfier. And the first hot air balloon flight took place in France in 1783, almost a hundred years ago. True, even up to that moment many inventors tried to take off in a hot air balloon. Some even succeeded, and they were off the ground by a few sazhens! During the first flight, the Montgolfier brothers climbed to an altitude of 300 sazhens (1 sazhen=2.13 meters) and flew almost two miles! The apparatus presented to your attention, improved by me, can fly a much greater distance.

And in the next moment, the engineer began to devote the venerable public to the details of his improvements. Some young lady let out a cry of amazement.

Another young lady-student, Konstantin winced, going down from the carriage to the ground.

Hmmm... You are partly right: the local society consists of free listeners of the university and students who are fond of the new science of aerostatics.

(Free listeners of the university were young men and women who could freely attend university lectures. But they did not receive a university diploma).

So, where are your promised lovely young ladies? Konstantin did not fail to prick his friend.

Let's walk around the pond, there are many beautiful hidden places, Serge suggested.

But what about going up to the height of a bird's flight and spitting on the whole city from above?

We'll have more time. Let the talkative engineer satisfy the public's passion for knowledge. Students won't crowd around him forever!

The friends headed around the pond. Several couples in love went by. Almost immediately, the gentlemen noticed two charming ladies. The ladies were about thirty years old, maybe a little more. They looked charming and were clearly looking for company. One of the women was leading a tiny shaggy dog on a leash.

And here are the ladies! Serge and Konstantin exclaimed almost simultaneously. And immediately we set a course for them.

Madam, good afternoon! said Konstantin in a velvet voice and ‘raised’ his hat. The ladies smiled back.

What a cute dog! Serge connected. What is the name of this breed?

French lapdog... answered the lady.

How lovely! Serge exclaimed, bent down and stroked the dog.

Five minutes later, the ladies, and their names were Natalya and Olga, were already walking with the gentlemen and chatting incessantly about all sorts of nonsense. Konstantin ‘had his eye’ on Olga. She was the wife of some official from the Ministry of Land Management, who constantly disappeared on business trips. And the young wife was bored.

Ah, if I were your spouse, I would sit beside you all day, Konstantin said in the voice of a hero-lover.

Alas! Olga said and smiled languidly.

"And you do not know for an hour, dear Olga, the local pond was accidentally named not in your honor?’ the gentleman continued to flirt.

The lady laughed heartily.

Konstantin was already looking forward to the evening in the arms of a new acquaintance lady and decided to consolidate his success.

Madam, have you seen a balloon?

Yes. We often walk here with Natalie. The balloon and its owner, a crazy engineer, appeared here a couple of weeks ago. Students and strange personalities are always crowding around him. It used to be so calm and romantic here. And now the outskirts of the Olginsky pond are simply overflowing with Petersburgers!

Why don't you and I go up in a hot air balloon?

Olga ‘raised’ her eyebrows in surprise.

I never thought about it... she admitted.

But why? Come on! It's so romantic to see the city from a bird's eye view! true, Konstantin wanted to say: and spit on the city from a height. Yes, but such a frankness would have jarred the lady.

Oh, really, I'm afraid of heights, Olga flirted.

I will hold you in my embrace! promised the gentleman. Olga blushed.

And how lovely she is! flew through Konstantin's head.

Agree, madam! he attacked. And our friends to join us! Isn't that right, Serge?!

At this moment Serge clung to Natalia's pink ear and whispered something to her.

What? He asked absently.

We decided to go up on the balloon! stated Konstantin.

Excellent! And for now we will sit in the shade, Serge accompanied Natalia, along with her pet, a French lapdog, to a gazebo entwined with wild grapes.

Konstantin took Olga in the direction of the balloon. After them from the gazebo, they heard female laughter.

The crowd of young people by that time had diminished somewhat. The engineer would lift no more than two people in the balloon. His device for adjusting the length of the rope worked flawlessly.

Finally, another couple descended from heaven to earth. The girl flushed, her lips swollen from passionate ‘air’ kisses. Konstantin paid the engineer a proper fee, and already intended to sit Olga in a basket and in the air not only squeeze her in his arms, but also enjoy her alluring lips. As distant screams were heard, they were approaching.

Suddenly from behind the trees, heading straight for the balloon, a young man flew out, brandishing a pistol. Three elderly men were chasing him.

Stop, stop the thief! they shouted.

Konstantin froze in confusion, then, deciding that this did not concern him, made another attempt to sit Olga in the basket.

But he didn't have time. The thief ran to the balloon and yelled in a youthful falsetto:

I'll shoot everyone! Everybody get away from the balloon!

The thief pushed Konstantin away first, then his lady. But Konstantin, as a true knight, could not stand it.

What do you allow yourself, impudent boy?! he was indignant and rushed at the armed youth.

However, he coolly put a pistol to Konstantin's forehead and ordered:

Engineer, untie the rope, I'm flying away! And I take this gentleman with me!

Olga gasped and fainted. The engineer opened his mouth and did not know what to do. A few more spectators were simply shocked and froze in place. Then the pursuers arrived.

Return the wallet! One of them shouted, brandishing a cane.

All away! Otherwise I'll blow his brains out! Shouted the thief, aiming the pistol at Konstantin's forehead.

Konstantin was how in a dream. Before the thief put a pistol to his head, everything that happened seemed clear to him. Here is a balloon, here is Olga, here is a pond. But not now. It seemed to Konstantin that this was some kind of stupid theatrical joke, and in general, all this is not happening to him.

Drop the gun! One of the pursuers roared. You will go to hard labor!

Catch me first! Answered the armed thief and ordered his hostage: Well, get into the basket!

Konstantin had no choice but to obey.

Police! Police! A woman suddenly screamed.

Lord, what a brazen youth! the old man was indignant. "They are not afraid of anyone! Poor Russian Empire! With such younger generation, she has no future! Jerk! And he brandishes his pistol like a real terrorist! And mind you gentlemen, all this happens in broad daylight!

...Konstantin came to his senses and looked around. He was sitting at the bottom of the basket. His ‘companion’, an insolent youth with a pistol, untied the bags of ballast and dropped them from the basket down to the ground. The wind ruffled Konstantin's hair.

We are flying! Fuck your mother! We fly briskly! the insolent shrieked with delight.

Konstantin finally pulled himself together.

I would strangle you, scoundrel! He swore and, regretting Olga, added: You ruined me a great day and a promising evening. So that you die, you shit!

I apologize, sir! answered the youth.

Konstantin rose from the bottom of the basket and, grabbing the rope slings, looked down. His head immediately began to spin. He no longer wanted to spiting on the whole world from a bird's eye view. He wanted to vomit his breakfast out.

However, the people who were on the ground actively gesticulated, thus expressing their active support for the balloonists.

You need to be beaten up, asshole! Konstantin grumbled.

The guy took a pistol from the pocket of his student jacket.

Have you forgotten about that, sir? Just come close to me: I'll blow your brains out!

Hard labor is crying for you, retorted the hostage.

Ha! The youth grinned. Soon everything will change! The future belongs to the revolutionaries!

Revolutionaries, in other words, rebels, oppose the autocracy. Konstantin remarked busily. And you are a banal thief. Besides, you kidnapped a person.

I don’t care what you say! The wind is blowing towards Finland, so we will soon leave the borders of the Russian Empire!

Konstantin laughed.

Looks like you studied badly in the gymnasium: Finland is part of the Russian Empire. Nobody canceled imperial laws there!

Be quiet, sir! the guy insolently ordered and grinned. I'll throw you out of the basket! And fly like a bird!

Konstantin fell silent, realizing that anything can be expected from this ‘young man’.

After a while, the guy was clearly nervous. He rushed about the basket, pulling the rope slings in one direction, then in the other. Konstantin watched him, sitting at the bottom of the basket.

Why are you sitting? Fuck your mother! Help! the guy swore. The wind has changed direction!

I won't. Do it yourself, snapped Konstantin.

The guy took out a pistol and aimed at the hostage. Everything went cold inside Konstantin: is it really his death? Will he die by chance? After all, he lived so little! I didn't even have time to get married and have children.

Konstantin stopped feeling sorry for himself and thought: Damn it! It's all Serge's fault! He wanted to fly in a balloon and spit at everyone from above! I wish I hadn't left my house today! Serge is now sitting, I suppose, in the gazebo and kissing Natalia!

Konstantin closed his eyes and prayed. The guy pressed the trigger. But no shot was fired.

Heck! He swore and squeezed the trigger again.

Konstantin opened his eyes, and abruptly rose from the bottom of the basket. The guy was visibly nervous.

Are you really out of cartridges? Konstantin shouted sharply and struck the youth in the jaw with his fist. The guy was thrown by a blow to the opposite side of the basket. From this, the basket tilted sharply. The guy, having lost consciousness, began somehow unnaturally rolled from side to side: just a little more and he would fall down.

Konstantin grabbed one of the rope slings.

Lord! Help me! He pleaded. I'm still young! I don’t want to die!

And then the burner snorted and went out: the fuel ran out. The balloon stopped receiving hot air. Apparently the Lord had his own plans for Konstantin Matveev.

Konstantin understood: the crash is inevitable.

The invention of the French brothers in the Russian version was sharply losing its height. Konstantin, hanging on a rope sling, tried to make out the landscape spread below, and determine where he would fall after all. It's better to fall into the water - at least this way the landing will be soft.

Alas, but there was no reservoir ahead.

Suddenly the thief came to his senses. His head was hanging from the basket, which was tilted abruptly on its side. Realizing the danger of his position, the guy let out a wild cry.

Help! Help! He squealed.

Konstantin cast a contemptuous glance at him.

A little more and we will go to another world! I, at least, as an innocent victim will go to Paradise! He shouted, drowning out the gusts of wind.

The guy with the last of his strength grabbed the side of the basket with his hands. But the roll of the basket was too strong.

Grab the sling! Konstantin shouted to him.

And so the basket touched the tops of the trees.

***

Maria Nikolaevna Vinokurova was in a bad mood. She, sitting in her wheelchair, due to the weakness of her legs, and sharply reprimanded the manager. Outwardly, the manager of manor looked very much like a landowner-woman in her youth.

I don’t want to listen to anything! Shrieked the angry old woman. You ruin me! I know! And your father was the same swindler! She was indignant.

At the same time, the manager tried to justify himself to the landowner-woman:

Mother, you seem to have forgotten that Europe is going through an economic crisis. And Russia is no exception! And the times have come tough for the sale of agricultural products!

You will be teaching me, puppy! The old woman swore. You will completely ruin me! I cannot collect dowry for your sisters!

The manager Vladimir was the illegitimate son of his predecessor (former manager of manor) and Mrs. Vinokurova. He took a breath and said:

With your income, ten daughters can be married. Not to mention the two girls! The girls are already overripe! The eldest daughter is twenty-five!

It's not your concern! The decent nobles, ready to take a girl without a dowry for intelligence and beauty, have not disappeared yet! I'm almost broke! And you say: I have to give something for the girls!

But, sitting on the estate, they will never marry, even without dowries. Nobody sees them here, except for me and the country men! The girls must be taken to Petersburg! Vladimir bent his line.

Yes, you lost your mind! This is a good twenty miles over bumps! And what expenses! No! The greedy old woman snapped.

"Mother, come to your senses! God gave you adorable