Thank you to Pixiehoff for editing this story.
Thank you to EvolutionOfJane for proofreading this story.
Isla calmly walked back down the hall to rejoin the party. She looked around at all the guests and then saw who she thought must have been Lady Katie by the number of people she was talking to. She wore a wide strapped forest green full length dress adorned with jewels and precious stones, she had long wavy honey blonde hair and what Isla guessed was about a 34C cup size. Isla didn't realize she was staring till she was awakened from her state.
"That is Lady Katherine the owner."
She turned to see Nige again with a fresh tray of drinks.
"Perhaps another?" He said in his thick English accent.
"Yes, thank you," Isla replied, smiled and took another glass and Nige went on his way.
Isla kept making her way through the array of guests eyeing Lady Katie while taking sips from her glass. Lady Katie's chest looked like she was dripping with diamonds that hung around her neck, more diamonds dangled from her earlobes, a matching diamond bracelet around her right wrist and gold rings around some of her fingers. Isla took a few steps in Katie's direction without being obvious but still keeping a distance and saw she had blue eyes. The deep pools of blue gave her face a fresh look with a light touch of makeup. Katie looked at Isla just for a moment then went back to the conversation she was having with two men. Isla stood back to bide her time and wait for an opportunity to approach her. Isla looked around the hall as she waited for Katie to be free. She again admired the elegance of the decor and wondered how much was original and what was added or updated later on.
"Arts and crafts period, John Dobson 1842," came a voice from behind her.
'Damn' she thought people love to sneak up on me from behind as she turned to see Katie right in front of her.
"Katie Spencer," she said, extending her hand.
"Felicia Conrad," Isla replied (she never revealed her real name to victims) and shook her hand lightly. "Quite the estate, I assume security is top notch?"
"Private security, yes," Katie replied looking to see if she could see Cynthia patrolling anywhere. She didn't but assumed she was doing her job somewhere on the grounds.
Isla could sense that Katie wasn't one of those old, stuffy, stuck-up, ready to die heiresses. She was very young and seemed to be up with the times. She noticed parts of a green tattoo peeking out from behind the wide straps of her dress.
"Would you..." Katie started.
"I'd love a tour," Isla cut her off though not sure that was what she was going to ask.
Katie paused for a moment.
"Very well. Nige?" She called and waved him over. "I am going to give this nice lady a tour, please keep all glasses full and keep an eye on things. I do not see Cynthia around."
"Yes ma'am" Nige replied.
Katie then locked arms with Isla and began to walk down the hall. "Nige has worked for my parents since before I was born. He has been here all my life, tremendous help."
Katie opened the first door on the left and turned on the light.
"This here is the library. Many years of collecting beginning with my great great grandparents. Many of the books are first or very early editions. Last count was 1382 books, and no have not read them all," Katie said with little laugh.
She turned off the light as they exited the room and closed the door and they left and headed to the next room.
"This room," Katie said, opening the door and turning on the light, "is obviously the billiard room. Do you play Felicia?"
"Oh yes I played several games. I am not very skilled at it but I enjoy playing it."
Again they left the room and continued down the hall.
"Next we have the study..."
Just as Katie was about to reach for the doorknob Isla grabbed her arm and Katie looked at her a little shocked.
"I am sorry," Isla began. "But if you've seen one study you've seen them all. I am curious to where that door leads," she said pointing to a door on the back wall of the hall.
"Oh come."
They arrived at the door and Katie opened the door and turned on the light that lit up a staircase leading down into darkness.
"This is the cellar."
Isla started to head down the staircase and Katie held her locked arm tightly not allowing Islam to move.
"What's the matter?"
Katie was scared stiff. "I'm...I...I never go down there."
Isla could feel Katie trembling.