The Duke's Muse

Chapter 3: The Castle

Laying my feet for the first time on the ground of Laviland gives me a euphoric feeling. Walking past the lush green trees on the wobbly road, I feel lost. Something is familiar about this place. Probably I saw it in my dreams, as the place is utterly serene and beautiful.

After walking for ten minutes, I finally see a large iron door. On the sides of the pillars, surprisingly, the stoned heads of wolves catch my attention. Their sharp teeth, ready to tear their prey apart, make me raise my brows high.

I call out, so that the security would let me in. However, no one answers. I shake my head, frustrated. How can the owner of such a large estate leave the door unattended? Or is it that no one comes here uninvited?

But, wait, I have an invitation. I shuffle through my bag to get the invitation out. The white paper is slightly scrunched on the sides. The evidence of how eager I had been to visit this place. Putting the paper in one of my coat pockets, I decided to enter. As I put my fingers on the cold metal, the barking sound of the dogs scared me. How did they come here?

The dogs give me a death glare, but I stay on the other side of the gate. More than dogs, the animals look like wolves, large wolves. Saliva flows from their bare teeth, as if they are ready to pounce on me and eat me in one piece. I should be frightened, but I continue to glare back. Surprising, but something inside tells me to not cower.

"What should I do? How to enter?"My mind asks many questions. Maybe I made a huge mistake coming to this secluded place. The carriage rider had warned me against coming here.

My brain is clogged with many questions, when an old man comes into my view. He walks slowly towards the door, and the dogs or wolves start scattering and within seconds vanish in the green canopy of the trees.

"You must be Ms. Clare?" He asks while opening the lock on the gate.

I politely nod to answer the fine old man. He has a charming smile that hides away the freckles on his sculpted face. He slowly opens the door, which makes a loud noise, as if it had not been opened in years.

Judging my discomfort, the old man speaks, "You took the wrong way, lady. This is the back of the castle, and no one comes this way." This explains the wobbly road and welcome by the large predators.

"Let's go inside, Mam is waiting for you."

I nod again. It seems I lost my voice seeing the animals.

"I am Curt, by the way, the caretaker of the castle." He again passes me a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Curt." I smile back.

As we reach the castle, my eyes bulge out of their sockets. The gigantic estate is beautifully adorned with two large gardens on each side of the path leading to the main door. There are large statues, sculptures and fountains speaking volumes about the lifestyle of the residents of this estate.

I gulp hard and rub my sweaty hands on the rich material of my dress. How would I, an ordinary girl, fit in such a lifestyle? They'll learn I have little experience and send me back. But, I can't afford to lose this chance. I need to find the truth behind my mother's identity. Therefore, no matter what, I would put my best foot forward. I have to make it work.

I am taken to a large room. However a painting hanging on one of the walls catches my attention. It has a huge black wolf with shiny fur. It seems the piercing gaze can hypnotise anyone who looks at the painting for a little longer. My attention is transfixed on the beautiful animal when a soothing voice brings me back to the real world, "It was painted by my husband when our son turned eighteen."

I smile at the elegant lady standing before me, "Hello, Mrs. Anderson. I am Sybil Clare." and bow to show my respect to the high-ranking lady, who is probably in her mid-fifties.

The streaks of grey in her jet black silky hair make her all the more alluring. I cannot stop myself from staring at her crystal clear skin. It seems she has an aura that shouts power and position.

Her polite smile makes me instantly like her. She accepts the greeting and gestures for me to take a seat. Nervously, I walk and get comfortable on a sofa. She eyes me curiously and then begins, "Ms. Clare, you can call me Michelle. Well….uhm….I checked your education and working experience. And I am impressed. But teaching my daughter Brittany, who is my youngest and most loved, is going to be tough."

With folded hands on my lap, I listen to her every word attentively. She shifts a little in her seat and then continues, "All the teachers before you, I must say, tried to teach her but she did not like anyone and finally they all had to leave." I can sense worry in her words. She genuinely wishes for her daughter to study, however I know children can be difficult.

She lifts her gaze, trying to gauge my expression, when a bubbly girl in her early teens enters the room, whining in her thick English accent, "Mamma, brother as usual is denying my request to ride a horse."

The fine old lady chuckles softly. Placing her hand on her daughter's shoulder, she replies, "Probably because you hurt yourself last time you went riding. Your brother doesn't like any harm to come your way, my darling."

The girl makes a sad face, when her gaze sets on me. Narrowing her crystal blue eyes, she asks her mother, "Who is she, Mamma?" Her petite figure clad in a luxurious flowy knee-length dress, makes her vulnerable and beautiful at the same time.

She, with measured steps, walks towards me and passes her hand for me to shake, "Hello, I am Brittany but you can call me Britt."

My eyes widen at how politely the young lady behaves. It seems people have a wrong view of this young woman. I shake her hand while replying, "Pleasure to meet you Ms. Ander…...oh...um….Britt…..I am Sybil. Sybil Clare." She passes me a sweet smile but soon I feel something wet on my hand. Without speaking further, the girl removes her hand from my grip and throws the hand glove covered in blue paint in the bin and runs out of the room while I stare at my wet blue palm probably due to the ink Britt deliberately pressed onto my hand.

Before exiting, she informs, "Brother Nate is soon going to return from the stables, then he'll send you home, my Lady."