Page 18

That night, after our conversation in the library, I found myself sitting primly next to my mother, dressed in my finest pale green gown, my red hair drawn up into an elegant style. Mother looked very lovely in her sapphire blue gown as she sat reading her book. May and Father stood near the fireplace, attempting to ward off the drafty chill that haunted the library. We were all quite relieved with our decision to return home, yet anxious.

The sun had barely set below the mountains when Ilona announced that dinner would soon be ready and that the Prince had returned. So far, the mysterious Prince Vlad had yet to make an appearance and I was quite relieved. I was not looking forward to seeing him after the nightmares I had experienced.

I plucked absently at the lace of my dress, my thoughts turning to the journey home. I was desperate to see the old house nestled among the lovely green trees. I wanted to see Andrew and his beautiful wife rush out to greet us and feel their embrace. Perhaps they would throw a lovely party for us. That would be so grand. I would wear my new gown that Mother had bought me in Paris. The dark green one with the flouncy ribbons. Of course, I would have to make a point of acting charitable around Nigel. It would be hard, but I would do anything to escape marrying Prince Vlad. I could perhaps find a way to avoid marrying altogether if I was clever enough. For now, I had to convince my family I was sincere. Perhaps I would write Nigel.

The door swung open and Prince Vlad swept into the room clad all in black, his long reddish hair hanging over his shoulders. Again, I was struck by the intensity of his green eyes. He immediately settled his gaze on me, smiling.

“How beautiful you look, Lady Glynis, on this most lovely of nights,” Prince Vlad said.

“Thank you, sir,” I responded automatically.

“Prince Vlad, we are so glad to see you,” Father said as he swiftly placed himself between the Prince and me.

“Earl Wright, good evening. Good evening Lady May, Countess Wright. ” Prince Vlad greeted them all as a true gentleman should. “I am so sorry I was called away early this morning. I meant to be here to show you my castle. Some of the areas of my home are quite beautiful and rich with history. ”

“We did look around a bit,” I said rather lightly.

Again those bright green eyes settled on me. “Did you? And did you like my home?”

I felt unnerved by his tone and almost could not look him in the eye. I forced myself to raise my chin. I felt so bare and exposed under his gaze. “Yes, I suppose. There were many interesting…things. ” I thought for a moment of the presence I had felt dwelling in the bowels of the castle and felt a chill down my spine. I immediately dismissed these thoughts, afraid to study them any further.

“Yes, many interesting things. This castle holds a great history within its walls. And a great many ghosts. ” He smiled at us and disregarded Father’s skeptical gaze.

Prince Vlad was such an impressive figure, tall and strong, all dressed in black with his long flowing hair. He seemed almost inhuman: like a god. And like those gods of old, his mouth had cruelty to its curve that frightened me. When he spoke, his voice seemed to vibrate through me.

When I had met Lord Byron, I had felt a great attraction to the poet and had behaved outrageously girlish. With Prince Vlad, I felt an overwhelming magnetism that seemed to pull on me, yet at the same time repulsed me whenever I drew too near to him or felt his gaze upon me.

“Dinner is ready. We should go and sit down before it begins to cool. Ilona and her helpers have worked hard all day to make you a feast. ” Prince Vlad motioned us toward the door. “Come, come, all is ready. ”

Again, I tried to linger and be the last one to depart. I did not want to go near the Prince. My father realized my discomfort and tried hard to keep the Prince distracted. Inevitably, his green eyes seemed to constantly find me.

As we walked along the corridor, there was a metallic clatter upon the stone floor. Prince Vlad bent down to retrieve what had fallen. My family had already passed on through the doors into the dining room, and I hurried to pass the kneeling Prince. As I neared him, he looked up at me and his gaze caught mine.

“Glynis,” he whispered.

I stared down into his eyes and saw the passion burning in them. The passion he had for me. The deep dark desire that hungered deep inside of him. The intensity of his gaze burned into my soul, and I stood there transfixed.

“Do not be afraid,” he said as he slowly stood. In his long hand was a golden chain on which a gold dragon dangled from the links.

I gasped, unable to understand how something from my dreams had entered reality.

Vlad’s sensuous mouth spread into a smile as he held out his arm to me.

Feeling beguiled, I slipped my hand into the crook of his arm, allowing him to lead me into the dining room. As we entered, I could see the shocked expressions on my family’s face. I slowly withdrew my hand from the Prince’s arm. I recovered myself and slid into the chair he drew back for me. I was seated next to him, of course.

As our dinner began, he turned all his attention to me. Though his English was heavily accented, he made a great effort to speak well, often searching for the right words. I tried to concentrate on eating, but Prince Vlad kept asking me questions. My father tried to divert his attention, but the Prince seemed determined to cast all his attention on me despite my discomfort.

“Did you enjoy Buda, Lady Glynis?”

“Yes, it was very lovely,” I responded, trying to take a bite of food before he asked another question.

“We especially enjoyed the beauty of the cathedrals. ” My mother smiled sweetly at him. “Which church do you attend in Buda?”

“I have my own personal chapel on my estate,” Vlad said smoothly, returning his gaze to me.

“Really?” My mother was quite persistent. “We saw many grand estates when we were in Buda. Which was yours?”

The Prince returned his gaze to her slowly, his green eyes quite intense. “Near the Danube, dear lady. Lady Glynis, did you enjoy the shops?”