You could say it is Clue, but the story is so much more memorable You could say it is light romance, but it's romantic fantasy You could say it is a fancy mansion, but it's a house of dark secrets You could say God never gives pain or troubles, but He reveals himsef in the most interesting circumstances . . .

SUCH A SITUATION AS THIS

By ABIGAIL ZANTINGH

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Abigail Zantingh
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4685-2963-0

Chapter One

**Nestled in the mountains, northeast of New York, Canada

YOU TRULY BELIEVE in such?" A slight breeze blew the words from Ava's mouth and flew with uncertainty wavering within its wings. Her irrational friend, Uli, took a step towards her with boundless energy radiated from her hopelessly romantic thoughts.

"Of course!" She exclaimed enthusiastically. "How could one not believe in such things? I tell you now—go out on a whim and you'll find the most quizzical happenings." She lifted her chin a mite in a show of pride and the envious feeling of being correct. "I declare, Ava, that upon the dawn at the end of this week, I shall be shone in the light of love."

"But does love not take time to grow and be nurtured, Uli?" Ava shot back, however coolly and with a calm voice doused in a tad of curiosity.

Uli gave a happy huff. "Truly, Ava, have you never heard the saying `love at first sight'? You must, I command, must, learn of such happenings more." She placed a slim hand upon her chest and drew in a deep inhale, her chest rising as her eyes glazed over with her outlandish thoughts. She lifted a foot, spun on her heel, and almost flew away with the invisible winds. Her long yellow dress, fading to green at the bottom, flew out behind her in a tangle of chiffon and lace.

Placing a delicate hand upon the rich vanity in front of her, she supported herself and drew her weary body upwards to a standing position. Her long gown of lavender settled in silky waves at her feet as she strode out of her room into the parlor. "Fetch me my coat, please, Gerard," Ava said, her voice loud and commanding. Gerard skipped away hastily at her call and returned almost momentarily with her light fur shawl. She draped this over her bare shoulders.

Lifting her skirts, she hailed her carriage into town and to the nearest dressmaker's shop. In six days' time she would be carried off to an un- known couple in the hills that went by the name of Lord and Lady Crystelle. They would be hosting a grand masquerade ball, and Ava was determined she would only be dressed in the best of the best, the envy of many a woman's eye, the sight in many a man's dream, the jealous cause for many a woman's gossip and scandals.

Pulling open the large white door that led into her dressmaker's shop, Ava once again wished Uli could have been here before she plastered a tired smile upon her face. No need to not be polite, no matter how worn and faint one might feel. She greeted her seamstress. "Why, Ava, are you excited for your new gown?" She said, leaning forward with a smile. "I hear the masquerade ball is only to be held in the honor of the finest people in the area. I have heard many a day that woman talk about you."

Ava couldn't help but let her smile spread across her face freely. "Is that so, Isabella? How peculiar. I never considered myself worthy of such a delightful invitation, and in course, to be held in such high esteem." Though Ava was toying with mechanic words, she was actually very excited for the weekend's events and anticipating what was to come without the supervision of mother's and father's unrelenting eyes.

Later on, when her gown had been tried and tailored to perfection, Ava was whisked home once again in time for supper. She went upstairs, pulling all the pearl pins out of her thick brown tresses. Her hair fell down piece by piece in its natural wave against her shoulders. Pulling it into a loose bun and quickly changing into more comfortable dining attire, she made her way towards the dining room.

Her mother eyed her gown with a disapproving glance and settled her eyes elsewhere. Of course, her mother had her long brown hair piled atop her head like a peacock and wore only the best fashions. Her dress was taken over by bulging sleeves and a low cut neckline stuffed with multiple layers of lace. Her ears and neck shone with thick and rich jewels that seemed to weigh her small frame down. Her father just gave a quick smile and glanced towards the kitchen doors as the servants filtered in, their arms bestowed with platters of food. The course of meals was set one by one in front of Ava, who ate silently and avoided her parent's little conversation.

After dinner she prepared for bed. The next day's events would be scandalous indeed, and she could hardly wait.

* * *

Liam straightened his glasses and replaced them to be overcome with the splendor before him. His carriage jostled to a stop in front of an elaborate mansion. He never would have guessed such beautiful majesty existed, lest he ever see it. A lock of his unruly wavy blonde hair once again fell in front of his eye and he brushed it away quickly. Smoothing a hand down his spotless black tux, he made sure his red silk handkerchief was secure in his pocket and the rose beside it was still giving off its enchanting smell.

Satisfied, he stepped outside in broad day light, tuning out the gorgeous landscape of lush greenery and shrubbery around him, and studied the architectural design of the building in the midst of his awe. A large manicured garden bed was on either side of a polished rock walkway, the base starting out large and easing out into a graceful curve to lead up to The Crystelles' mansion.

The mansion was all shining gold trim and African mahogany wood, gleaming in the sun's brilliant touch. On either side at the farthest point was a room that arched out from the building and protruded in a circle. There were no walls, just a sparkling clean glass that went in a slight tremor to blur the inside. I'm struck with the beauty of it, Liam thought. The points on either end came up to a tip, edged with a gleaming gold trim that pointed up then sloped down the whole way round.

Glass windows were placed on either side of the massive entrance doors, going the length of the two floors with a break in between levels. On the second floor the windows fanned out on top and had multi- colored panes of glass to complete it. The doors had beautiful carvings of birds, their wings spread in flight, around the edges. Spacious balconies came out from the wood all along the second floor, with closed glass doors and creamy white curtains behind it.

A man, smartly dressed in a tux and waiting patiently to help with his bags, appeared to have been standing for quite some time while Liam admired the beautifully constructed building. He reeled in his fantasies and lost thoughts and told the kind gentlemen which cases to take. He grasped the smallest bag in his own hand, not yet wanting it out of his sight, as his own designs could be in the care of none but himself. Following the man up the glossy stones, he sucked in a breath and smiled. Later, he might write down his own thoughts on the building, and perhaps his own ideas to take the main frame of the structure and twist in his own famous creations. His mind spun with the delightful thoughts.

Taking a quick glance at the rolling hills sweeping up to their highest point around him, shrouded in a lovely green hue, he stepped inside after the man to be left in the care of the home's butler. The butler gave a quick smile and motioned for Liam to follow him as he set off down the stunningly dark tiled floors and the walls which had a soft pine color and a soft green twirl. End tables held glass cut vases with white roses occupying the sweet-smelling space. Chandeliers were draped exceptionally along the halls, casting bright doses of light into the room.

After a bit of twisting through the halls, they came to a rest at the top of the staircase, which came up on two sides with a soft green carpet tightly secured to the dark wood beneath it and a golden railing curving out in the middle. The butler turned to face him. "The restroom facilities are just on the corner here, when you have need to ... relieve yourself." He grinned and continued strolling down the hall until he came to pause in front of a single pine door set against cream and green swirls. The butler slipped a key from his pocket, large and boasting gold, and opened the door to swing it wide.

"I am Hafiz Rochettili, if you ever have need to call me, and this is your room. I hope you enjoy your stay," the butler said. After Hafiz left, Liam spun into the room and found his bags placed neatly against the dark wood of the king-sized bed, draperies hanging softly off each side in green. A large desk edged in gold sat off to the side, and a dresser sat facing the wall. Liam smiled at the beauty of the room, with two light end tables on either side of the bed holding fresh flowers and illuminating the room in sweet scents. It was decorated beyond perfect, what with the gold trim at the top of the walls.

Fixing his hair, he checked his reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall and stepped outside his large room. He turned at the staircase and skipped down them to the foyer, where a young woman was currently arriving. She had masses of blonde curls that were pinned up yet partially fell down to frame her tiny face. She wore a voluminous dress that did not run short on silk in the least, layers of dark jade green collecting at her feet after being swept down her petite form. At the bust she had cinched chiffon bordering the accents of the dress. Her eyes had a light shimmer of green layered with a faint orange. Her lips were light pink with a cool blush spread across her cheeks.

She was bending over, fiddling with one of her bulging cases, and when she lifted her head again her curls shook and a few curls came loose to fall around her face. Liam started to blush as her friendly gaze landed on him, though she did have a befuddled look to her. He gave a slight bow. "Hello, Madame. I am Liam Cheytin, another resident for the ball," he said, smiling brightly and taking up her hand for a kiss.

She gave a relieved sigh and dropped the heavy case in her other hand in a weak attempt to fix her hair. She beamed up at him. "Hello!" She said cheerily. "I'm Uli Zalli. It's so very nice to meet you, Liam Cheytin," she said, turning to pick up her case but tripping in her haste.

She stumbled towards him and he caught her before she lost her footing. Quickly disentangling herself, a large blush stealing her cheeks, she smoothed out her skirts and mumbled a thank you. He laughed at her interesting character as well as her urgency and brightness towards things. She glanced at him and attempted to hide her smile by tucking her chin. He sighed, nearly worried by the thought that his laugh might be taken the wrong way. Thankfully she had a lively energy that would not allow her to be flattened by a mere laugh.

He couldn't help his goofy grin. He knew that he smiled so when excited or happy at the oddest concepts, but he didn't care in the least at the moment. Pushing up his circular black-rimmed glasses, he took one of her cases to hand and followed her and Hafiz up the stairs. They strode past Liam's room, though only slightly until they stopped in front of a door that looked exactly the same as Liam's. Hafiz said the same rehearsed line he had laid upon Liam's ears and left. Uli opened the door, fumbling with the knob, and stumbled in while dragging her large cases behind her.

Strange her bags weren't carried up for her, Liam thought suddenly and mulled it over in his mind. "If you don't mind my asking, where is it you come from, Miss Zalli?" Liam asked her, patiently waiting outside her door while she laid her bags around the room, not knowing whether to stay or appear rude by leaving. Uli joined him in a few moments.

"Please, call me Uli. I am actually visiting my friend Ava here for two years while I take a specialized artists course," she replied with a bursting tone that told him how excited she must be to take the course.

"I assume you are very much honored. It sounds to me time well spent and very beneficial, asides from the fact that it is wholly entertaining," Liam responded. They began to stroll through the hall and down the stairs. They stopped at a corner and opened a large door to enter a large and beautiful library. Books shone in every volume and author imaginable, and some valuable antiques sat on displays. A few had been opened upon tables spread through the room with notes and a feather pen complete with ink beside them. Of course, the ink was concealed well so it did not taint the novel.

"I am so ecstatic! I cannot possibly put my enthusiasm into words," she said, her voice taking on a dreamy note.

Liam smiled as he stared up at the many bookshelves lining the walls. "You don't have a need to. Your voice betrays all you hope to keep under lock and key," he said, feeling a slight blush creep fingers up his neck, "so, what is it that you wish to specify in?"

Uli took a novel from a large shelf and gingerly flipped a page open, then plopped unto a plush red settee with brown bordering. "I specify in several areas. I love to write, but I also harbor a love for illustrating the scenes I describe in all my numerous stories." She gave a sigh and stared into some expanse invisible to his eye. "I find all I do is live in the world of my stories." She snuck a look at him.

Liam gave a chuckle. "Well, whatever is wrong with one's imagination? And even better, wishing one's creative fantasy would become reality? Even if for naught but a day?" he let the question linger, thinking about it and finding his words to be true to his own self.

Uli's eyes brightened. "You are right. Though my friend, Ava, believes I should do different with my time and put my talents, which I do not own, to different uses. Sometimes I wish she would let me be who I want to be," Uli spoke the words with a light yet heavy sadness.

Liam was about to respond when Uli's eyes bulged and she slapped a hand over her mouth. She gave him a worried expression. "I am so sorry," she said hurriedly, jumping up. She snapped her book closed and replaced it. "You must believe me when I say I do not tell all men my troubles. I just find that you actually ..." her cheeks were so red from embarrassment they looked to be on fire, and she turned away, placing the back of her hand against her forehead.

Liam gave a long, hearty laugh. "Oh, my, no need to apologize. I find it quite alright. Formal talk and dances don't quite interest me as much as the people underneath it all," he replied, trying to put her at ease until he realized he might have just crossed the line himself. Slapping his hand to his head, he met her eyes in utter humility. "I now find I am the one who needs to apologize—"

Uli gave a cute little laugh, just over a giggle, and put a finger to her mouth. "How about we cease all the sorry lines and get back to our conversation."

Liam sagged in relief. "Yes. It does no good to tie ourselves up in embarrassing knots."

Uli nodded her agreement. "You are correct. Now, before our great spectacle, where were we?" She picked up another book from a gold-edged shelf.

"Ah," Liam said, his finger on his chin, "we were discussing your admirable writing and illustrating talents and the freedom to wish the fantasies could be reality for none but a day."

"Why thank you for your sweet and considerate compliments, but flattery is not always appealing."

"Well, it was in earnest," Liam said, defending himself, "But I can stop if it appears to damage you."

Uli sighed. "I'm sorry. I just despise it when men flatter me for naught but their own selfish reasons."

Liam turned to face her. "I swear, I stand out in that crowd, because I flatter for your own righteous reasons."

Uli stepped towards the door and hid the obvious blush his words set to life upon her small cheeks. "Would you like to roam elsewhere?"

"Sure," Liam replied, "we can prowl the tiles with our sharp claws if you'd like."

Uli laughed, in the action throwing her head back. "Prowl with our sharp claws?" She asked him in an amused voice.

Liam grinned and made a claw motion. "Fantasy turned into reality."

Chapter Two

NAIA PEERED AT the rolling hills and with a weary sigh contained herself before knocking on the panel connected to the driver's seat on the carriage. "Are we almost there?" She asked, attempting to remain in control of her frustration.

The driver slowed the carriage and turned his head so she could see his face a mite. "In a few moments, my lady." He smiled apologetically and resumed his previous pace.

I'm already late! She thought. But in the moment she thought it, the carriage rolled to a stop and the driver jumped down and assisted her out to the sight of lovely views, casting dreamy spells upon her eyes. Her bags were hoisted inside to the door, then she was left by her driver in the care of the butler. After being shown to her room and taking herself back to the foyer after unpacking her bags, she was still astounded by the mansion. Her excitement level was driving her insane as it rose and rose. She could not wait for the night's festivities.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from SUCH A SITUATION AS THISby ABIGAIL ZANTINGH Copyright © 2012 by Abigail Zantingh. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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