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“A castle!” Mother forgot herself, leaning her head out of the window. “Thank God!”

The horses began to whinny and the carriage lurched. The driver was trying to pull up on the reins to stop the carriage before it reached the vast courtyard of the castle.

“Good God, Ovidiu! Do not stop them! There is shelter,” Father shouted out.

Whatever the two frightened Transylvanians were attempting failed as the horses resisted. The carriage careened into the courtyard despite the efforts of the driver. Snorting and neighing, the horses clattered to a stop.

“At last! Shelter!” Mother snuggled her frightened youngest daughter to her body. “It is shelter, my darling May. ”

“Thank goodness, Mama. I was so frightened!”

I cast an annoyed glance at them, then stared out the window at the imposing castle. It had obviously fallen into disuse, and I doubted anyone should live within its walls. Its craggy exterior bid no welcome. I thought I saw a light above me. Glancing up, I saw a face peering down at me from one of the long narrow topmost windows. But as the clouds slipped over the full moon, the face vanished.

Ovidiu whipped the door open and stared at us with horrified eyes. “We cannot stay here! We must leave!

“Do not be ridiculous. We must consult with the master of this castle. ” Father climbed down and straightened his coat. “We must take care of the women. ” He stood on the ruined steps of the entrance, looking about at his dreary surroundings. He seemed not very encouraged by the sorry state of this gruesome castle, but he did have us to consider. He attempted to straighten his clothes and smooth his mussed graying red hair with his hands. Resolute, he marched up to the great ancient door of the castle, and then he hesitated.

Peering out at my father, I thought I saw his demeanor change for a moment. He glanced back at me with the strangest look. I thought I saw fear in his eyes, then he regained his composure, rapped on the door and waited.

“Please, sir, please, let us leave this place,” Ovidiu said piteously. He fearfully gazed at the door and clutched his hand to his heart.

The door opened and light spilled out of the doorway. A man appeared carrying a lantern. He carried it low at his side and I could not make out his face.

“I’m sorry to disturb you-“ Father began.

“Earl Wright, this is most certainly a surprise. I did not expect you until tomorrow. ” The voice coming from the stranger was low, seductive and powerful. It carried the accent of the country, and it chilled me to the bone.

“It is the Count!” Mother smiled with relief, laying her hand over her heart. “All is well!”

I glanced over at Ovidiu. The man was gesturing anxiously, looking more than a little afraid. I had the feeling that all was not as well as Mother thought.

“I am surprised you found my home. ”

Father looked too startled to respond. “Yes, err, um. . . ”

The Count moved toward the carriage. “I take it this is your lovely family, Earl Wright. ”

“Yes, yes! We are all here per your kind invitation, sir. We did not expect to find your castle. It was quite by accident. ”

“A most delightful accident! But rest assured, many strange things happen on nights such as these in this country. ” The Count reached the doorway of the carriage and lifted his lantern. His green eyes came sharply into focus and he stared directly at me. “Do they not, Lady Glynis?”

“I suppose,” I answered. I felt unnerved by this man. I could feel his aura of power pressing against me, and I shivered under his gaze.

The Count smiled with his sensuous lips, his eyes burning into mine. “Oh, I assure you they do. And welcome to my home. I am Dracula. ”

Chapter 2

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright - Continued

As I stared into the face of Count Dracula, I felt a fear so chilling my body began to tremble. His face was long with strong cheekbones and an aquiline nose. Soft, sensuous lips were smiling at me from beneath a thick mustache, and long auburn hair fell over his shoulders to his trim waist. He was staring at my face with such intensity I could not even begin to imagine his thoughts.

“Count Dracula, we are most pleased to make your acquaintance,” Mother said.

“I’m not truly a Count, my lady,” he said. Finally, he turned his gaze away from me, directing it at her. “I am Prince Vlad Dracula. They call me a Count because my family no longer rules this country. But I am truly a Prince. ” He moved back and extended his hand to Mother. His hands were long and strong, his nails unusually long in length.

Mother took his hand a little nervously and was helped out of the carriage.

“He is so very handsome,” May whispered to me.


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