Page 13

My mother surprised me by throwing her hands over her face as she sobbed, “Yes!”

I instinctively reached out and laid my hands over hers. “Please do not cry!”

“What do you expect me to do? When all I desire is for you to have a good life and you fight me!”

I began to protest that I was not as difficult as she said when the door opened. My father entered the room and smiled grandly at us. Either he did not see the tears on my mother’s face or he deliberately ignored them. He, too, looked tired, but he smiled at me fondly.

Mother quickly wiped away her tears and greeted him with a loving smile.

“How lovely you both look this morning. ” He ignored our flushed faces and kissed us both on the cheek. “Now, what were we speaking of?”

“Nothing at all,” my mother answered him.

Turning from him, I strode to the window across the ancient stone floor. I did not like this place, and I would not stay. In all honesty, if I had my way, I would never marry. Instead, I would be the mistress of someone exotic, like Lord Byron. I had met him once and he was quite charming. Of course, if my mother knew that I had chatted with him she would never allow me out of her sight again.

“Really? It did seem there was a discussion in progress,” my father said.

“It was most likely Glynis having a tantrum,” my sister said from the doorway.

“Ah, I see,” my father said, giving me a slight smile.

May stood pale and slight in the corridor. Her fair hair was piled on her head and she looked her usual delicate self. I had a mad moment where I actually considered pinching her to see if she was alive.

“Oh Glynis, I could not sleep a wink,” she said. “I kept hearing these strange whispers in my room. ”

I have to admit by this point I was feeling quite contrary and disagreeable. I pretended to look worried.

“Really? It sounds as though you might be mad! The journey has driven you to insanity perhaps. ”

May’s eyes widened. “Do you really think so?”

I giggled at her innocence, relented, and kissed her cheek. “Of course not! Don't be silly. ”

My family found our way to the dining room, May and I following our father and mother like dutiful daughters. I have to admit I appeared quite pleasant, but I was already planning what to say to the Prince to shock him horribly so he would cast us out. In the dining room, several gypsy women were setting the table while the old woman named Ilona looked after them. She seemed to sense our presence and turned toward us with a toothy smile.

“Ah, come in, come in!”

“How is Prince Vlad this morning?” My father gave me a warning glance and commenced into the dining room.

“He was called away quite early this morning on business. He assured me he would return tonight. ” The old gypsy woman motioned to a chair. “Please sit down. Eat! He wishes for you to relax and enjoy his hospitality. ”

“Damn,” I whispered under my breath and watched May’s eyes widen. I smiled at her slightly, then flopped onto a chair. I was not sure what I would have said to the Prince over breakfast, but I was quite sure I could have thought of something quite horrible.

Breakfast was extremely boring. Father was obviously disappointed that our host had departed for the day and he kept muttering this under his breath. Mother lectured me endlessly about proper etiquette and how to be a proper young lady. All the while, May sat picking at her breakfast, staring warily up at the paintings hanging on the walls. I sat primly in my chair and tried to look as bored as possible as my mother droned on and on.

As soon as we could, I escaped with May into the castle on an exploring expedition. May was surprised to be invited, and I felt badly for leaving her out of my recent adventures. I was used to her declining to rush off on some half-conceived notion of mine. I thought she looked particularly miserable this morning, so I asked her along. Surprisingly, she said yes.

With an admonition to be careful from our father ringing in our ears, we began to explore the decrepit, yet fascinating castle.

“Isn’t it terrible that we are doing this, Glynis?

The Prince should be the one to show us his home,” May whispered as we peered down a long hallway.

Now that I was away from my mother, I was in better spirits. No more talk of marriage for a few hours and I might actually behave myself. Well, probably not, but it was refreshing to be away from the constant lectures.

“Oh, please! Come on, May! Have fun for once without worrying. Besides, if I am forced to marry the Prince, this is going to be my castle. ” I made a face at the thought. “Isn’t that ghastly to think about?”

“Oh, Glynis!” May giggled. “You would not stay here. He said he wants to move to England. Perhaps he could have a grand estate there. And I could marry a nice gentlemen and live nearby. ”