Two artists, Fred and Henry,  immersed in the Pre-Raphaelite art movement, with its yearning for romantic escape from the materialism of Victorian society.  Two men deeply in love with their beautiful models.  But every heart hides a secret and both couples have put certain shameful events behind them, events that, if exposed, could threaten their blissful new life. The Crimson Bed, a family heirloom passed down through the female blood line since Elizabethan times, brings with it ancestral secrets that will eventually affect Fred leading him into the darkness of London slums and a very different world to that of his peaceful home. Passions escalate as he becomes increasingly jealous of his wife’s closeness to her handsome godfather, Lord Percy Dillinger, and when shocking truths finally come to light, their lives will never be the same again . . .

Adult Sexual scenes

The Crimson Bed created by Loretta Proctor an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

The Crimson Bed

One morning, a month later, the Farnham family were seated at home having breakfast.  Ellie was quiet and pensive.  Her mother, Maria, occupied in her mind with household matters, was drinking tea and scribbling some notes down on a piece of paper.  Joshua Farnham was busy with the morning newspaper.  Suddenly he looked up in surprise and said, 'There is an announcement here that Captain Alfred Dillinger, eldest son of Lord Percival Dillinger of Oreton Hall, has left Hertfordshire with his regiment.  This is very sudden. Did you know about this decision, Maria?'


His wife put down her tea cup, brushed her lips with a napkin, then replied,' I knew Alfred intended to join the cavalry and that Lord Dillinger had bought him a commission. But not that he was leaving so soon. That is a surprise, indeed, though not unexpected.'


She looked over at her daughter with apprehension. Ellie was looking at them both, her face a deathly white.


'He - Alfred - has left the county, Papa?'


'If you wish.' He handed The Times to her. 


Ellie read the announcement and gave the newspaper back. She said nothing but rose and left the table.


Her father looked up, startled. 'What's the matter with our daughter?'


Maria folded her napkin with care. She looked troubled. However when she spoke her voice was mild and calm. 'Oh, she's just upset. Alfred was her childhood playmate, after all. I expect she's annoyed he didn't tell her of his plans. You know how young girls are.'


'Young girls will always be a mystery to me,' said Joshua with feeling. 'She should be pleased for her old playmate.  It's a very sought after commission.'


Maria went upstairs later to find Ellie in her own room, sobbing into her pillow. She sat on the bed beside her and tried to touch her but Ellie shook her head fiercely and turned her head away. 


 'Come, come, my darling. Dearest, don't be so upset! It's not the end of the world. Come now, you're angry with your friend for his desertion of us all. He will write to you soon enough when he has settled.'


 Ellie turned a tear-stained face to her mother, her dark hair tumbling about her face. Maria handed her a handkerchief and Ellie blew her nose while her mother swept back the unruly locks and tidied them a little. It took a few moments for Ellie to control her sobs but she made an effort that Maria sensed was painful. 


'But Mama, why, why has he gone like this? It's all so strange. Why has he left so suddenly? Why hasn't he come to say goodbye to us?'


'I believe that a very worthwhile commission came up that he was keen to take and  ...well, you know young men!  You certainly know Alfred. He is always so impulsive and no doubt decided to go at once and join the regiment.  He will do well. He has all the makings of a good soldier.'


'But he never told me about it. He could at least have come to say goodbye.'


Maria smiled and took her daughter's hands in her own. 'Don't be troubled, dearest Ellie - he'll write or call upon us some time when he's on leave. I know you miss him but he's a young man; he has to go his own way in the world. You can't hold on to him and stay children forever.'


'You really think we're still children, Mama?' said Ellie, looking up at her mother now, voice full of anguish.


Maria looked at her with a strange expression. 


'No, I do not. I do not. Perhaps that's the problem.'


Something in her mother's demeanour forbade further probing. Ellie lowered her eyes and dared say no more.


She could draw only one conclusion from Alfie leaving like this, without a word, without a note or a whisper of his reasons and intentions. He hadn't the courage to speak up, but it must be true: he no longer loved her.


Chapter 7: Ellie has a shock