“I am merely doing my very best in difficult circumstances,” I said swiftly, a touch embarrassed by her gushing words, but also antagonized by her portrayal of herself as an adoring friend.
“Never underestimate the English,” Percy said with a somewhat roguish smile. “That includes the ladies. ”
I fluttered my fan at him playfully. “Well said and so true. Enough of my dark past, what brings you to Buda?”
“I am a merchant by trade. My company deals in textiles. Such as the lovely silk your gowns are made of. ” His fingers lightly touched the puffed sleeve of my ice blue gown.
“So you must always know what is the latest fashion, I take it?” Csilla teased him with her long lashes and the alluring up turn at the one corner of her mouth.
“I know enough to know that you are both the most fashionable and lovely ladies at this party. ” Percy smiled again, his white teeth flashing in the candlelight. “I must say, Countess, your shawl is quite lovely and intricate in design. ”
“It was a gift from my mother. It is from Venice. ” I shifted the delicate fabric around my shoulders. It whispered against my flesh and the silk of my gown. Aware of my too white complexion, I tried to wear shades of pale blue instead of white. The shawl perfectly matched the dress Vlad had a dressmaker create for me during my last visit to Buda. Though my reflection eludes me, I could see in Percy’s eyes that he thought I was attractive.
“I thought perhaps your husband had given it to you. Is Count Dracula about? He seems to be quite a mysterious, yet striking figure according to all the rumors. ” Percy slightly inclined his head toward a group of vicious gossips huddled together tossing critical glares in our direction.
“He is quite formidable,” the baroness said with a beguiling laugh.
“My husband is not about at this time. He is at our country estate dealing with matters there,” I said, trying not to appear peeved at Csilla. “I am presently staying with the Baroness until our estate is restored. It burned earlier this year. ”
“Your life has held far too much tragedy in the last year, my countess. I hope and pray that your future will be far brighter. ” There was a genuine warmth in Percy’s voice that I found endearing.
“We all hope for the best,” the Baroness agreed, her arm sliding about my shoulders. Her kiss on my cheek sent the gossips flying like a flock of startled geese to all points of the party. The thought of them squawking out their particular brand of news amused me.
A figure in a demure white dress with a dark blue sash caught my eye. I craned my neck to see Laura standing beside her parents while several young people engaged her in conversation. There were two young men dressed in short pants and short coats and a young girl Laura’s age in a pale yellow gown. All were talking and laughing with the animation only youth can truly achieve.
Distracted, I missed the few bits of conversation carrying on beside me as I saw Laura’s eyes shift toward me. I gave her a nod and she smiled brightly.
“Ah, Sir Stephan’s daughter is being wooed by that horrible German. ” Csilla fluttered her fan below her chin, her keen eyes directed where I had been gazing.
“Why is the lad so terrible?” Percy sipped his wine and also turned to look toward Laura’s suitor.
“Dietrich’s father is a German prince and the boy is the son of his father’s mistress. His father sent his mother and Dietrich to Buda when he was just a boy. She had the good fortune to marry a very wealthy and much older man. Old Igor absolutely doted on the boy and spoiled him terribly until the old man died. Rumor has it that they were left with a comfortable allowance, but not enough to sustain both of them indefinitely. Though Dietrich believes his father will one day call for him and make him a prince, he knows he must marry well and into money to continue his lavish lifestyle. Thus his pursuit of Laura. ” Csilla arched her brows above her fan. “Since her brother died a few years ago, she is her father’s only heir. Sir Stephan does have a lot of money thanks to your good husband. ”
“I do swear you have all the scandal, don’t you?” I flicked my fan toward one of the old
gossips at work nearby. “Are you going to join them?”
“I can assure you my information is much more reliable than those harpies,” Csilla responded, smirking.
“Wherever there is money, there is intrigue. ” Percy grinned.
“I’m sure the poor have their intrigues as well. ” I thought of the gypsies I had accidentally trapped in the castle and felt a pang of guilt.
“Yes, but it is not as entertaining as all of this. ” Percy gestured to the ruins just beyond the illumination of the candles. “Or as beautiful. ” His eyes settled on my face and I flushed a little under his gaze. Perhaps I was flattering myself, but he appeared to be intrigued by me.
“I have decided I rather like you. ” Csilla flicked the collar of his coat with her fingers as she graced him with a seductive look.
“I am flattered, but I am a married man,” was Percy’s swift response.
The baroness’ expression told him quite clearly that she did not find this to be an obstacle.
No longer desiring to listen to the baroness, I said, “Excuse me,” and slipped away. Quickly darting around a group of revelers and out of the view of the Baroness and the Englishman, I sought out Laura. Her parents had abandoned her to Dietrich’s company. Laura looked a bit overwhelmed by his ardent gestures while her two friends giggled at her side. Her expression reminded me a bit too much of May and I felt the sudden urge to rescue her.
I wove easily through the throng of people moving toward the canopies under which the food had been laid in a spectacular spread. Willing myself to be unseen, I was able to navigate through the throng of guests with ease. I reached the far end of the party just as Laura disappeared into the monastery ruins with Dietrich and her friends. I should not have been surprised that the ruins would be a lure for the younger and more daring of the party attendees. It was an imposing sight in the moonlight. A perfect place to hide and seek, or for an indiscreet dalliance.
I hesitated, unsure if I should follow, when I saw the other young man and Laura’s companion dart out of the ruins, both of them laughing like conspirators. Realizing that Laura was left alone in the dark with a young man who seemed far too rambunctious to be of any good character, I rushed toward the ruins. As I neared the fallen structures, a sudden panic seized me. This had once been a holy place. Since my nature was corrupted by Vlad, perhaps I could not enter.
Lifting my dress and petticoats, I steeled my determination and took a step into the darkness enshrouding the ruins. Fire did not rain down upon me, nor did I feel the terrible disquiet that fills me whenever I am near a holy place. Encouraged, I hurried past the decaying broken walls covered in moss and shadows, following the sound of voices. I soon realized that many young couples had stolen away into the ruins for romantic rendezvous. I caught glimpses of them out of the corner of my eye as they tried to hide away in the shadows for a moment of indiscretion. Laura was not among them, but I could hear her.