Chapter 5

Audrey was still reeling from Nicholas’s abrupt departure when a man entered the chamber. He was dressed in a dark suit, obviously designer, and expensive. He was tall, easily six foot five or so. His frame was enormous, but Audrey was quite sure there was not an ounce of fat on him, he was solid. All muscle. He looked more the part of a bouncer or a body guard than a man servant. While his size was intimidating his facial features were softer, and kind. His hair was dark, peppered with grey. He wore it shoulder length but neatly trimmed. His eyes were a sparkling blue. He possessed a smile that lit up his entire face.

“Good evening Madam” he bowed, “My name is Max, I have been instructed by my lord to see to your every whim. I assume you will be our guest for the night?”

“Yes I suppose so” Audrey answered, though the words seem to come from someone else. She was trapped in a fog, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She had come here seeking a great evil and she had found something else. Or was there evil disguised beneath the enchanting beauty of that place? Her host was certainly eccentric but so were many that possessed great wealth. He was wealthy, of that there was no doubt. Eccentricity was not evil in itself.  There was something about this place that filled the nearby villagers with terror. Audrey truly believed all rumors begin with some measure of truth. Was Nicholas the source of these stories, these fears? Did they even know that the castle stood in these woods surrounded by its breathtaking garden? After all the existence of the grand estate was not even hinted at from outside the tall stone wall and rusted gates. But it seemed illogical for all this grandeur to lay undetected for all this time.  How had Nicholas managed to remain unknown, and more importantly, why?

“Shall I show you to your chamber now, or would you prefer to remain here for a while? Perhaps you require something from the kitchen?” Max offered with that same jovial smile.

Audrey shook her head slightly, as if the gesture would banish the troubling thoughts from her mind. “I am suddenly quite tired.”

“Of course” Max retrieved a candelabra from the mantel then offered Audrey one of his massive arms for support, helping the lady from the settee. He escorted her out of the chamber and back out onto the landing. The cold, darkness descended on them immediately. It felt oppressive to Audrey; Max seemed not bothered at all. The candles he carried barely lit their way; they did nothing to bring cheer to the dank stone corridor.

Audrey was thankful when her guide did not move towards the long staircase but instead led her further down the corridor. “Your Lord does not use electricity?”

“No madam, he prefers to live more simply. This castle remains little changed since it was first erected here.”

“And when was that?” Audrey looked up at him as they walked; Max kept his gaze straight ahead.
 

“Too many years have passed since then to be sure.” He smiled.

Audrey knew she was not going to get any other answer. Instead she looked away from her guide and tried to discern more of her surroundings. As they passed soft candlelight splashed along the walls. In those brief moments she saw ornately carved wall sconces, which held unlit candles, adorning the stonework. Several wooden doors in arched frames lined the corridor. No light shone underneath them. Along the walls elaborate tapestries depicted scenes she could not quite make out in the gloom. Paintings, mostly of women of great beauty, dotted the walls. All of the subjects were garbed in fashions of long ago ages. The images made Audrey feel even more small and plain.

“Ah here we are” Max stopped in front of one of the wooden doors. He produced a large and rather old fashioned key from his jacket pocket. He inserted it into the lock and it turned over with a resounding clunk that echoed through the corridor.

But Audrey was not paying attention; she was intent instead on the door across the hall. A small sliver of light shone underneath it. Though she did not understand why, her heart skipped a beat as a brief shadow passed through the light under the door.

“Madam” Max gestured for her to enter her chamber ahead of him.

Audrey, startled, turned around sharply but quickly recovered. “Thank you” she forced a relaxed smile and passed him and entered the room.

“I do hope it is to your liking” Max followed her inside. “I took the liberty of lighting a fire and the wall sconces. There is fresh linen should you like to freshen yourself before retiring.”

He continued on but Audrey was no longer listening, she was entranced by the bed chamber she now found herself in “It is beautiful” she sighed

The stone walls had been plastered and papered in an elegant antique gold. A large fireplace added a warm brilliance to one wall. Its mantel carved from the purest mahogany. Several candles and fresh flowers adorned its surface.  The floor was covered with a plush rug of a deep crimson; her feet seemed to sink into its depth. A massive four poster bed, also of mahogany, extended from the wall across front the fireplace. The bed was dressed in a plush velvet coverlet of crimson, golden pillows of various shapes and sizes were scattered about the head. From the beds canopy flowed think velvet draperies of the same color as the coverlet. Beneath these draperies and drawing all around the bed hung panels of sheer pale silk.  An antique armoire and a small writing desk and chair were positioned on one wall beside the bed while the opposite wall offered its mistress an elegant dressing table and velvet covered stool.  The dressing table was littered with silver brushes, and combs, perfume bottles of all colors and design, cosmetics and crèmes; truly anything she should desire or require. A dressing screen stood poised in one corner while a velvet covered settee lounged in another. A small archway lead to another chamber which she assumed was a bathing room. Although eyeing the brass chamber pot beside the bed with much distaste she had given up hope of indoor plumbing. Though the object, she had to admit, added even more charm to the room.

“If you should require anything at all please ring for me” Max gestured to a golden rope tasseled at the end that hung from the ceiling by the bed.

“Yes, thank you.” She replied.

Max moved to the door, the huge key still in his hand.

Audrey felt a sudden panic wash over her, “You are not going to lock me in are you?”

“Of course not madam” Max smiled and tucked the key into a pocket. “Good night madam.” He bowed deeply and retreated from the room, closing the door behind him.