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I was almost relieved to hear the curt words of the maid. I was free to escape this strange house. “Could you please tell my sister that I will return tonight? I do want to see her. ”

“I will inform the Count that you will return,” the maid responded.

Once out of the house, I drew in great breaths of fresh air and rubbed my hands vigorously over my face. I am not sure what has happened to me, but it has struck terror into my soul. There is something malevolent lurking within the house and I am fairly certain, even now as I write this, that it is disguised as a man named Count Dracula.

Hurriedly, I climbed into the caleche and ordered the driver to my next destination. Sitting back, I glanced out at the house shrouded by shadows and shuddered. I want my sister to be free of that place and that horrible man.

Later -

Sir Stephen strode quickly across the marble floor, his hand held out in greeting to me. I had arrived at Sir Stephen’s offices a few minutes earlier and was relieved to see the bright sunlight pouring through the tall windows.

“Andrew, it is good to see you. I was not expecting you,” Sir Stephen said warmly as he took my hand. “My business partners have left for the day, so I am free for the afternoon if you wish a tour of the city. ”

“I came on impulse with no intentions. Just merely curious to see your place of business. It is a very modern building, is it not,” I said as I admired my surroundings. I truly was not sure why

I had decided to visit. I do not particularly care for Sir Stephen, but I did want to know more of Count Dracula and his dealings.

“It was built just five years ago. Mark my words, Andrew, Buda is on the verge of greatness. There is some talk of Buda someday being joined with Pesth into a great cosmopolitan city and I would not doubt if that were to happen in the next thirty years,” Sir Stephen said with great enthusiasm.

“And those who will benefit are those who are ready for change,” I said with a wry smile.

“And I am ready. Already a great many businessmen from all over the Continent are traveling here. I am quite happy to represent them in their business dealings,” Sir Stephen said smugly.

“I hear there is talk of revolution against the Hapsburg Monarchy,” I commented spontaneously as my host escorted me into a luxurious office.

“There is always talk of revolution in Hungary,” Stephen responded quickly. “As an Englishman I really do not care what fate befalls this country. One way or the other someone will need a solicitor when it is all said and done. ”

“Revolution always happens when common men are treated no better than dogs,” I decided casually. “And I do not want my sister in a country that could face a revolution. ”

“It will be a long time in coming. The Princes and Barons of this country are very powerful. The people beneath them obey them without question,” Sir Stephen said in a rush of words. He almost seemed desperate to put any misgivings I had about the country to rest.

I raised an eyebrow at his words, seeing a pathway into the conversation I desired to have with Stephen. “And this is how it is with Count Dracula? His servants respond without question?” I queried in a droll voice.

Stephen hesitated as he rounded his desk, glancing nervously back toward me. “Count Dracula is a great man. He comes from a very well respected family, and your sister is in very good hands, I can assure you. He will care for her with infinite generosity. ” Stephen fell back into his chair and forced an anxious smile. It was obvious that he was thinking rapidly, trying to decide what to say next. “Besides, he plans to move to England soon. ”

“Really?” I furrowed my brows thoughtfully. “Ah, yes, I do believe I heard him make mention of that last night. ”

“Yes, yes, Count Dracula wishes to leave Hungary for England. I believe that he, too, sees the changes that are coming to Hungary. There are undercurrents of instability in the countryside where he resides. He wishes to establish himself in England before there is a possibility of collapse. As a land owner he has more to fear from any sort of revolution than I, a mere solicitor of wealthy men. ” Stephen’s words were rushed, tripping off his tongue in a mad dash.

I considered Stephen’s words thoughtfully. I had mentioned revolution on a whim, remembering rumors I had heard along my journey through the lands ruled over by the Hapsburg Monarchy. I had, in passing, been mildly concerned about how the quest for independence would affect my sister, but now Stephen seemed to have seized on the concept of revolution. I could see the nervous trembling of the man’s fine long hands and it slowly dawned on me that Stephen was almost in a state of panic.

“Is the Count a wealthy man?” I asked finally.

“Oh, extremely. Very wealthy. He owns much land. In fact, he has a fine vineyard not far from the city. I could take you there,” Stephen responded. His eyelids fluttered and his long face seemed very pale.

“So, the Count wishes to move to England with my sister then,” I said in a soft voice.

“Yes, yes, and I would look over his business matters here after he left,” Stephen said.

“I think I would like to discuss this with him further. I have a great many business contacts in England and perhaps I could help him establish himself there,” I said with a bland voice, but settling a keen gaze on Stephen.

My host seemed extremely relieved at my words. “Yes, yes, Andrew, that would be excellent! You could help him with his move to that country. Socially, you could help him tremendously. That would be wonderful for you to do,” Stephen declared happily. “He would be so grateful. ”

“It would be an absolute pleasure,” I answered.

I am not an idiot. Sir Stephen was nervous at the mere mention of Dracula. That only fueled my suspicions about my sister’s new husband.

As I sat in that grand office, staring at the slender nervous man, I knew that I had been drawn into a web more sinister than I could have imagined. Count Dracula has drawn me here for a purpose. Perhaps the only reason he married Glynis was to ensure that he had an established contact in England that could help him move into English society with ease. And now I am ensnared, as is my sister, and I can only hope I am clever enough to outwit him.