Page 23 of Once Upon an Enchanted Castle

“Em—”

“You’re going to see that man, aren’t you?” she asked.

“I—”

“Did you tell your father about him?” she demanded with a stern look in her eyes. She had never seen Emmaline so serious.

Heat washed over Bella as she stood rooted in place, clutching the book. “No.”

She pursed her lips in disappointment.

“Imustgo, Emmaline,” she said. “In light of recent events, our very livelihood depends upon it.”

She relented then, her shoulders sagging a bit as she stepped aside. “Perhaps I should come with you.”

“No,” she said quickly. Far too quickly. “I must go alone.”

“But my lady—”

“He won’t be expecting the two of us,” she said hastily. “Besides, I’ll be back by nightfall. Don’t lock me out.”

Bella breezed past her into the hallway. Emmaline followed.

“Are you sure about this, miss? It seems rather reckless to me.”

Itwasreckless, but what choice did she have? She had to do this. She had to earn the coin to keep them going until her father sorted out his merchant business. It was the only way to keep their household afloat and pay the bills that would surely come due.

She turned back to Emmaline, stepping close to her and lowering her voice. “It’s the only way I can make sure we will be able to continue to eat.”

The gravity of the situation hit the girl then, and her face blanched. She pressed a hand against her throat.

“Is it all that serious, miss?”

“I’m afraid it is. Please do not tell Gerald where I’m going. He’ll find a way to send a message to my father, no doubt. Just tell him and Edith I have business in town, and I’ll be home before nightfall.”

The girl’s gaze flickered from her face once again to the book clutched in her arms. “As you wish, my lady,” she said, sounding formal and stiff.

Bella reached for her then, placing a hand on her upper arm and giving her a light squeeze. “I’ll be fine. I promise. I can hold my own against pretentious nobles.” She flashed a quick smile.

When she did, Emmaline grinned and stifled a giggle, then immediately turned serious. “Please be safe, my lady. I do not wish to see any harm come to you.”

“I will,” she said. “You have my word.”

And then she was off down the stairs and out the door before anyone else stopped her.

Chapter 10

Thecarriagerattleddownthe gravel road, the distance expanding between her and the small town of Driftbell. With every turn of the wheel, her heart pounded harder, her stomach clenched tighter. She was a ball of nerves.

She had made it to town and found the carriage Mr. Thornhurst sent for her. It waited at the edge of the square, sleek and dark, its polished frame catching the morning light like black glass. On the door beneath the handle, she spotted the emblem of knotted thorns and curling vines, from which a cluster of roses bloomed, delicate yet defiant against the dark lacquer. The driver and footman were thin-lipped, quiet, and stoney-faced. The footman didn’t speak except to greet her with a nod as he held open the door. She thanked him and, once she was inside and the door was closed, they were away.

Now, they headed down the road shaded by large trees and moving deeper into the country, leaving behind the vibrant, lively town. An ominous mist pressed all around the carriage as they made their way through the tall oak trees. Then they were through the iron gate that swung open with a creak as if it sensed their approach. It was as if no sun pierced through the gloom, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention.

As they approached, she saw this was not a manor house as she expected.

No, this was no mere castle tucked away between the trees and hidden by shade and shadow. It loomed like a dream sculpted by twilight. It was an imposing fortress that exuded an otherworldly aura, the dark-blue façade appeared as though it was dipped in starlight and shadow. The spires and towers pierced the ever-night sky, reaching for the stars, the moon, or perhaps even a dapple of elusive sunlight.

The carriage came to an abrupt halt in the curved driveway. Bella clutched the book to her chest as the footman opened the door. With her heart in her throat, she stepped down from the carriage and gazed up at the commanding castle with gargoyles peering down with soulless, stone eyes.

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