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

Fred wrote to Ellie every day. Her replies were not as frequent but they came nonetheless.  She loved to read the letters and then hide them away in her little writing desk. It was yet another secret to add to her past.  She felt a sense of remorse at not letting her father know what was going on. A truthful and open girl by nature, she hated the fact that society and its rules forced one to keep certain things private and hidden.  


She had just taken Fred's latest letter from the leather mailbag when her father walked into the hallway. Hastily she put her hands behind her back, looking the picture of guilt.


'What are you hiding, Ellie - a billet-doux?' said her father. His look was stern and her glance fell. 'Let me see this letter.'


'No, Papa,' she said, 'it's my letter; it's private.'


Joshua simply held out his hand and, in the end,, she gave it to him, praying Fred had not said anything too compromising.


Joshua read the letter through and looked at her gravely.


Chapter 22: A secret is discovered by Joshua