Arthur Vane Blackwood

The flames in the fireplace crackled gently, dispelling the chill of that autumn morning. Arthur Vane, the Duke of Blackwood, opened his eyes slowly. The guest room smelled of jasmine and a subtle hint of an exotic perfume he would never forget.

He turned in bed expecting to find the ebony hair of the woman who had stolen his breath for the past ten hours, but the left side of the bed was cold and immaculately made. On the bedside table, a note lay beneath a simple lily-of-the-valley.

With his heart racing and his breath caught, Arthur reached out, aware that the woman who had brought him to utter ecstasy had vanished without a trace.

"GUARDS FIND THE WOMAN FROM LAST NIGHT"

The flames in the fireplace crackled gently, dispelling the chill of that autumn morning. Arthur Vane, the Duke of Blackwood, slowly opened his eyes.

The guest room smelled of jasmine and a subtle hint of an exotic perfume that he would never forget.

He turned in bed expecting to find the ebony hair of the woman who had stolen his breath for the past ten hours, but the left side of the bed was cold and immaculately made.

On the bedside table, a note lay beneath a simple lily-of-the-valley plant.

With his heart racing and his breath caught, Arthur reached out, aware that the woman who had brought him to utter ecstasy had vanished without a trace.