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His eyes narrowed on my face, then nodded. “Very well. ”

I swept past him and left him staring at my dead mother.

Someday, he will know that she conquered him.

Someday.

Chapter 10

The Journal of Andrew Wright- England

17th of July, 1819

I must admit I am quite upset at the day’s events. The morning started quite well. I took a stroll across the grounds, overseeing my workers, and enjoying the morning breeze. The lush English countryside spread out around me as the sun peeked through the clouds sailing across the blue sky above. Not a drop of rain in sight. Heavenly!

Despite the loveliness of the day, I slowly found myself falling into a pensive mood. My thoughts became tormented as I walked toward the manor. For nearly a year I have lived without the company of my family and the months of separation are now unbearable.

Many a young man would be glad to be rid of his parents and sisters for such a long length of time and enjoy the freedom of running the family estate, but I am not that sort of man. At times I am utterly despondent. I miss the sharp tongue of my mother, the calm tones of my father, the shy giggles of my youngest sister and, of course, the wild ways of my sister, Glynis.

It has been nearly a month since their last letter. At that time they were visiting in Italy and preparing to leave for Buda. Their diversion to Buda had been unexpected and was a disappointment for it prolonged their stay abroad. But when my mother has set her mind, nothing will stop her. Though I am terribly fond of my sister and I want her to be happy, I am not sure marriage is what she actually needs.

I admit I am the only member of the family who does not find Glynis troublesome. Honestly, I adore her grandiose ideas of a life of freedom from society’s restrictive ways, and I have always admired her desire to be treated as an equal to any man. Many women are satisfied to be treated as a gentle creature in need of being cared for and protected. Glynis will have none of that. She has always wanted to be acknowledged as an intelligent, opinionated individual in control of her own destiny. Perhaps it is wrong for me to support my sister’s wild ideas, but I do think she is a marvelous delight.

I miss all my family and I am quite desperate for them to return. The house seems so empty without them.

It was in the midst of my thoughts I looked up to see my wife rushing toward me in a flurry of pink.

“Andrew, Andrew, darling!”

She was beautiful with her brown curls bouncing and her face flushed as she ran toward me clutching her skirt up around her ankles.

“Andrew, dearest, a letter arrived in the post. It is from your father!”

I felt my face burst into a wide grin. “At last word from my wandering family. I have been beginning to worry. ”

She ran into my arms, laughing with delight. “It was such a relief to see the letter. Hurry and open it!”

I anxiously took the envelope and pried it open.

Angeline drew close to me, peering down at my father’s looping handwriting. “What does he say?”

I quickly read, my lips moving silently. I began to chuckle as I read. “It seems that Glynis caused a little stir upon arriving in Buda. Father caught her in a sitting room trying to light up a smoking pipe. ”

“Will your sister ever stop trying to be a man?” My wife laughed with delight.

“She does not want to be a man, Angeline. She just wants to have the power of a man,” I corrected her. “Father goes on and writes that Glynis has been behaving abominably in our mother’s eyes. Evidently, May and Glynis were invited to join a riding party, and Glynis showed up in trousers, declaring that it is silly to wear a dress to ride a horse. ”

“Oh, my! What happened?”

“Mother wanted to wring her neck, but Father calmly sent Glynis to change. You know she always obeys Father. He goes on to write that May is recovering from her fainting spells and eating better now. Oh, this is interesting. Father says that a Count Dracula has asked to court Glynis. ”

“A count? Really? A native of that land by the sound of the name. ”

“I think so. Oh, yes, father writes that they are traveling to his country estate for a visit. That is interesting. It does sound rather serious. You do not think they would leave Glynis as a bride in that country, do you?”

My wife pursed her lips as she considered the possibility. “I do not know. Your mother is very intent on marrying her off. ”

“But it would not be right. I would miss her dreadfully. I never did like this whole concept of traveling the Continent to find her a husband. ” My brow furrowed. “No, no. I should not worry. She will do something to horrify the Count and then they shall come home. ”