Chapter 1
Mina found herself outside a grand sprawling house made of a dark, grey, garnite-like stone. She stood on a graveled drive that stretched back almost a mile to a large wrought iron gate. There was several other carriages pulling in behind her own, so she knew she must move from the drive, but last minute feelings of trepidation crawled up her spine.
She took a moment to look down at herself. She was feeling self-conscious, as though her intent were evident in her very being. Tonight she would finally be free from her Uncle and his wretched plans to sell her. The fool would just gamble it all away again and her misfortune would be for naught. She knew she could not give him the satisfaction and that she would likely not survive the monster she was being sold to.
This would be her escape.
Despite her nerves, she remained the picture of elegance. Her full skirts were made of the finest forest green silk embroidered with gold brocade, her shoe buckles were encrusted with gems that glinted in the light and her form fitting bodice bodice hugged her curves leading up to her full breasts which teetered at the edge.
A flush of heat rose through her body. Nonetheless, she gripped a gold filigree mask in one hand and was glad of the additional disguise.
Fidgeting with the small beaded bag in her hands, which was all she now had, she eventually drew in a deep breath and slipped on the mask. Peter, her Uncle's valet, ushered her to ascended the wide stone steps to the door.
Peter was small for a male and his lank mousey-brown hair matched his overly long skinny limbs giving the impression everything was barely managing to climg to her skeletal torso. Despite his appearance, Peter was a good man. Kind and loyal to Mina through thick and thin and she knew his drab, sad appearance was likely down to her uncle's abysmal treatment of him.
"Are you sure about this?" he enquired quiety as they paused at the door of the manor. Concern furrowed his brow.
Without another thought, Mina gave a sharp nod and nothing more as the intricately carved oak-paneled door swung inwards to reveal a man clad entirely in black with a black mask over most of his face, revealing only a full set of browny-pink lips.
They were ushered into the entrance of the grand home and Mina took a small sudden step back at the the sensory barrage that greeted her. People in opulent dress with masked faces were everywhere. She realised she would never recognise anyone in the crowd and she felt the pulse in her throat quicken.
They were lead through the entrance way with a brass and dark walnut hand rail that spiralled upwards around the enormous crystal chandelier which dominated the central ceiling space. The masked man in black silently ushered them through a door off to the right.
At first, Mina struggled to make out anything in the room other than a few figures dressed all in white. There was dim lighting compared to the entrance way and it took time for her eyes to adjust. As they did, she was jerked forward again to find groups of men playing cards at various tables. The air was thick with the smoke from their cigars and the musky scent of men. The fire roaring away in the grand hearth ensured the room was almost too warm.
She then realised the figures in white were mostly around her age, and the only attendees unmakesd, both male and female. Several of them were seated on the arms of the gentlemens chairs or kneeling at their feet whilst others merely floated through the rooms as if specters. What little she could see of their faces astonished her. Each one was painfully beautiful and seemed as pristine as new-born babe. Her eyes were drawn to two males who appeared to be twins, they had pure white hair falling in ringlets on their heads and their skin looked like the blush of a newly budded rose. Neither seemed to have eyelashes or eyebrows and if they were there, they were not visible. One of the two angelic young men turned his head towards them and Mina's breath caught in her throat as his ice blue eyes seemed to pierce into her.
"I will look for my contact, you stay put." Peter whispered in her ear.
He walled away and Mina just stood in the centre of the room absorbing every detail.
After a few moments of hopping lightly from one foot to another, Mina was startled by Peter's soft voice coming into her consciousness. "Miss Mina, would you like a drink of something? you seem.. nervous." He trailled off.
She had not noticed him return and did not know how long ahe had been stood absorbed in her surroundings. His voice was barely more than a whisper and he was so close that his breath tickled her ear. Mina put a hand to Peters arm and steadied herself.
Unlike the rest of her Uncle's staff, who she had little to do with, Peter had been her only friend for the past 5 years. He had also orchestrated much of the evening.
"Yes, thank you Peter. And then, I believe I will be ready." She said. This is her chance, thought Mina. She could happily live here amongst the opulence and joyus revelry. Her pulse quickened again and she felt a whooshing rush of adrenaline that made her momentarily dizzy. It was thr rush of freedom.
They walked across the room to a sideboard where various drinks were laid out. Peter began to pour red wine into two crystal glasses. The heat of the room made the scent of the sweet, heady wine float over to Mina who stood back and watched.
Just as she was about to reach out for the drink, she heard the sound of a cane tapping across the wooden floor. She looked up in time to see the cane was accompanied by an enormous man who tapped it as he walked. His long powerful legs, clad in black creased trousers, allowed him to quickly reach her. She dared not to look up, so instead she focused on the highly polished leather shoes. These were shortly joined by a smaller pair of bare male feet which caused her to glance up.
Another man in white stood next to the imposing figure in black. His linen trousers so thin she could make out his slim legs beneath.
Before she raised her gaze any further, "Come!" barked out of the tall imposing man.
With a deep breath Mina began to move her legs forward.
This must be Mr Graystone.
