Page 19 of Once Upon an Enchanted Castle

He remained silent as a carriage rattled down the street near them leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. He took her by the elbow and gently eased her away from the street, closer to the building.

“Perhaps you keep the book,” he suggested, “and I hire you to translate it for me.”

She considered this, wondering if there was some way to translate the book when she’d already had a difficult time of it. The words didn’t make sense to her. The longer she stared at the pages, the more elusive it became.

“Allow me to offer you my personal library as a resource, as well as room and board, if that suits you. And, of course, pay you for your services.”

A tingling of excitement skipped through her. When she left port, she was certain she wouldn’t have the opportunity to step foot into a nobleman’s library again. And now, here was the chance to do just that as well as find the answers to the inscrutable language within the pages of the book. An extensive library, at that.

Without another thought, she heard herself say, “When can I begin?”

Chapter 8

Leopoldleftbehindthetown of Driftbell, hope blooming in his breast for the first time in long, quiet, lonely years. He rode hard back to his estate on the southern edge of town, shrouded in mist and oak trees that hid the Castle Thornhurst from the road and prying, inquisitive eyes. Brambles and climbing roses the color of ink clawed their way down the stone wall to the iron gate that was the barrier between the real world and his dark, desolate world.

It was difficult to get the beguiling Isabella Rinaldi out of his mind. She was dressed in the latest fashion, but her bonnet concealed most of her face in shadow. Yet when she tipped her head back to look at him, the sunlight glistened on her face, illuminating it just right. She was breathtaking with delicately carved cheekbones, a full mouth, a dainty nose, and eyes fringed in dark lashes that rivaled the sea. Eyes that were intelligent, full of wisdom, and gleamed with curiosity.

She seemed flustered by his offer of room and board. Indeed, he felt it was the best way to keep her working as she studied the book. If she was able to translate it as he hoped, then all things would be returned to as they were before. She told him she lived at Hawthorne Hall—truthfully he thought the place abandoned—and that she would need to speak to her father first. A bit of hope died right there, but he had to believe she would find a way to help him, even if she didn’t realize she was helping him.

His horse trotted up the gravel drive where he halted, dismounted, and gave the mare a pat. The signal for her to return to the stables. She trotted off as he entered the castle and was immediately greeted by his valet, Dickens.

“Welcome home, my prince.” He bowed low in greeting.

“Dickens, I told you not to call me that.”

It was an age-old discussion and one that continued to be ignored.

He and Dickens were the only two remaining in the castle. Where the halls were once alive with boisterous laugher, enchanting balls, and lively music, they were now dark and desolate with creeping shadows that seemed to curl along certain hallways. The curse had not spared Dickens, affecting him in inexplicable ways. Not only was his life force was tied to Leopold’s, but he also gained interesting magical abilities. While he was able to remain a part of his life, the rest of his staff and court didn’t fare so well—they disappeared in a flash.

“As you wish, my prince.” He took his hat as Leopold handed it over giving him his best thin-lipped expression.

“You were gone quite some time. Are you sure that was wise?”

He and Dickens had been together since he was a boy. The old valet served his father and now him. Now that they were alone in this together, he wanted Dickens to call him a friend instead of prince. Old habits, and all that. He knew as well as Dickens did he’d never not call him prince.

The man eyed him with curiosity.

Leopold said, “A risk, yes, but worth it. Are you going to ask me about the girl? For surely you know about her.”

There was always that knowing his valet had—part of his interesting magical abilities. The sagacious light was deep in his dark eyes. His valet’s face remained impassive, as if Leopold’s guess was neither right nor wrong.

“If you wish. But I know you prefer I not spoil the telling for you.”

Leopold chuckled, a sound rumbling low in his chest. A sound, he realized, he hadn’t emitted in ages. In fact, he couldn’t recall a time when he last felt so light, so optimistic, so encouraged.

“She’s a beauty, I gather,” Dickens said.

He slipped off his waistcoat and handed it off. “You’ll see for yourself. She’ll be here tomorrow. I’ve hired her.”

That seemed to get a reaction out of the old man. His pinched expression was clear on his aged face. One thin dark brow rose. “You hired herandinvited her here? My prince, no one has been invited here in decades.”

“Yes, I know. So, I look to you, Dickens, to make sure everything is ready for her arrival. She may be staying with us for some time.”

“Staying with us?” He sounded utterly confused by the notion. “Forgive me, my prince, but are you certain you wish for this girl to be here? In this castle? Alone? With you?”

He laughed again, enjoying the way it felt to allow it to bubble up through his throat. He reached for his old friend, his valet, and clapped him on the shoulder.

“I am. You won’t believe what she has.”

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