Page 7 of Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
She granted him a smile.“No, Mr.Williams.You’ve been generous with your time.Thank you for everything.”
She picked up the thick envelope with the banking information along with the folio and rose.Her uncle got to his feet.She sensed unease coming from him.They bid the solicitor farewell and headed back into the late afternoon.
Chapter 2
Twodayslater,Victoriapacked her meager belongings.Her aunt was beside herself.She was determined to keep Victoria from leaving and heading to Elderbloom with her inheritance.It took her uncle, as the voice of reason, to talk her down from her near hysteria.
The night they returned from the solicitor, he asked her one question.Are you certain?
She replied simply, “I am.”
Trepidation had been her constant companion since she had accepted her inheritance.Her stomach was constantly in knots.Even so, she was determined to go through with it.
When she was alone in her room, she read over the paperwork in the folio Mr.Williams gave her.Once she accepted the inheritance and took possession of Ravenfell Manor, there was no going back.Since she was part of the bloodline, she was taking it as is, and there was no selling it.It was one of the clauses buried deep within the codicil that Mr.Williams hadn’t pointed out.
The moment she read that, hot pinpricks danced up her spine.
But she was determined to do this thing on her own.She was set on forging her own path and becoming her own woman.
She gave her room one last glance before closing the door behind her and heading down the stairs.She had no intention of looking back.This was a place of sadness for her.Once she stepped foot onto Ravenfell estate, she would shed her sorrow and her mourning black and become the mistress she was meant to be.
Or so she hoped.
Aunt Eloise and Uncle Hubert waited at the front door.He, with his hat tucked under his arm and coat buttoned up.Her wringing her hands and her face pinched with worry.It was clear she was ready to launch into another diatribe about how inappropriate it was for Victoria, a single woman, to move to a country estate all alone.
With her small reticule in hand, Victoria steeled herself against the argument that was to come.
But Aunt Eloise remained mute as she halted in front of them, drawing in a steady breath.Her uncle gave her a warm, encouraging smile.
“Shall we?”He motioned toward the door.
Aunt Eloise made a whimpering sound.He gave her a warning glance.She pressed her lips together into a straight line, her hands still clenched.
“Do be careful, dear girl,” she said.“I hope you’ll keep in touch.”
“I’ll send a letter as soon as I’m settled,” Victoria said with a reassuring smile.Though her stomach was still fluttering with nervous knots.She kissed her aunt’s cheek.“Thank you for everything.It means the world to me you took me in.”
The older woman’s eyes grew misty.“We were glad to do it.”
Though Victoria wondered about the truth of that.
She followed her uncle out the door and into the early morning sunshine.He intended to escort her to her new home to see her safely there.It would be a day’s ride to Elderbloom and Ravenfell Manor.She had but one bag of her belongings packed on the carriage.
Once they were both settled, the carriage trotted away, leaving the busy city streets behind for the country.And, she hoped, a slower more peaceful way of life.
It was late in the day when they finally made it to the estate.Excitement followed by apprehension drummed through her as she peeked out the window.The carriage wheels crunched on the gravel drive as it made its way up the long road flanked by verdant green lawns perfectly kept.
The last of the evening sun touched upon the sprawling manor house that stood tall and imposing against the fading indigo sky.There, rising out of her memories, was Ravenfell Manor.
Its honey-colored stone walls reflected the dusky twilight, worn by time and ancient secrets.Ivy snaked across the timeworn walls toward the gables, and chimneys rose like pointed spires reaching for the sky.To one side, trees offered shade from the early summer sun.On the other side, a gate led to the grand garden that appeared to be in pristine condition.As if someone tended the fragrant blooms with loving care and attention.
The carriage came to a halt outside the grand entrance where the arched doorway was flanked by twin columns.Over the door, its pediment cracked as though it had once borne a family crest now lost to time.The tall paned windows reflected the twilight and—beyond—the faint glow of the interior that was less than welcoming.
The imposing structure stood silent, waiting, watching.
Victoria swallowed, a sudden lump of fear in her throat.Suddenly, her determination waned.It took everything in her not to tell her uncle to turn the carriage around and go back.
“Well, here we are,” he said, trying to sound cheerful.
