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“Glynis, my darling, we must act like proper guests. ”

“I do not want to!”

“But you must. ”

“Why must I always do what I wish not to do?”

“Glynis, my most difficult child, every woman must do what she does not wish to do. ”

“That’s nonsense. I do not like it. I do not see why we must always bow to the rules of society or our husbands!”

“That is because you are young and foolish. ”

I tried to turn to protest, but she firmly turned me away and went back to work on fastening me into my dress.

“I am not foolish,” I countered.

“I beg to differ, my darling one. You always rush ahead without a thought. You seem determined to shock us all with your behavior. It is time for you to learn that life is not the games of your childhood, and you must mature into a fine young lady ready for marriage and a family. ”

“I will not marry this horrible count!”

She fluffed my sleeves and fastened upon me the most stern of glares. “Glynis, your father told me last night that Sir Stephen has only the highest praises for our host. It is only right and proper that we allow our dear host to show us all he can offer to you. ”

“In other words, as long as he is rich and well-titled, he is a good husband. ” I stomped my foot. “I will not marry that terrible man. He even haunted my dreams!”

My mother took hold of my arms, her fingers digging into my soft flesh. “You will act like a proper young lady when he is with you. I will have none of this behavior. He is a prince. A respected man, I am told, in this country. ”

“But not in England? Is that not what you wanted? A husband with standing in society? So I would not be the outcast you were!”

I instantly regretted my words. I could tell they stung her. It had never been easy for her being a foreigner in British society. She was dark and exotic compared to the fine ladies of the aristocracy. Wild and foreign, many sniffed. I might as well have slapped her.

“I want the best for you. Is that so wrong?” Her voice trembled with a mixture of emotions. She drew away from me, her slim body tense. “You are my daughter. My blood! I want you to marry well and have children. ”

“But what if I do not want that?” I could not help myself. I truly could not. I wanted her to understand that my needs where not what she thought them to be. I wanted to be free of the society she had tried so hard to be part of.

She threw up her hands. “I do not know what to do anymore, Glynis. I want you to be married, taken care of, and respected. But you have fought your father and me ever since we began our travels. This may be your last chance to find a proper husband. Last night I was overcome with the journey and the storm. I realize I must as least consider Prince Vlad and treat him with the respect he deserves. ”

“Then you consider him, but I will not. ” I stomped my foot for good measure, turning my back on her.

“Darling, does this castle seem so horrible to you in the light of day? Yes, there are areas in desperate need of repair, but what has been restored is quite pleasant. It will one day be a lovely home. ”

“It’s horrible and I hate it!” I ran to the window and stared out at the broken battlements of the ancient castle. “Look at this place! It is horrible! How could you wish me to stay in such a place?”

My mother clasped her hands tightly. “Please, Glynis, you must be kind. You must be respectful and you must act as a lady. I insist on it. As your mother, I insist. ”

I whirled about and said, desperately, “How can you wish this of me?”

“The Prince has already decided to live in England. You would be a princess should your father agree to a marriage contract. ”

“That is little consolation when faced with the fact that I cannot marry who I wish! If I choose to marry!”

“What other life would you live? Do you wish to be an old woman with no children to comfort her at the end of her life?”

I was going to be rather rude and tell her I had no need for human spawn, but my eyes fell on her face and my words died. I could see fear mixed with some darker emotion in her eyes. She abruptly let go of my arm and turned away from me, fastening her eyes on the wondrous beauty of the landscape beyond my windows.

I tried to relax and force my anger from my face. I really did not like making my mother angry.

“Are you so desperate to have me married?”