Cordelia leaned her head gently against the window, the simple closeness to him a balm to the nerves still fluttering beneath her skin. She could already imagine the charm of the seaside town: the salty breeze, the quiet sands, the sweet shops and tea rooms the Dowager Duchess had described.
Cordelia had no idea how long the ride lasted, but when the carriage finally came to a halt, she glanced out of the window to see a grand yet unpretentious manor nestled among swaying dunes and wildflower meadows. Her breath caught as she took in the sight that unfolded before her.
The house was a graceful Georgian structure, its pale stone walls softened by climbing ivy and the blush of blooming roses. Tall windows caught the sunlight like polished glass, and a wide veranda wrapped around the front, offering a perfect vantage point over the shimmering sea just beyond.
Cordelia stepped down from the carriage, her skirts rustling softly. The fresh, salty air filled her lungs, carrying with it the scent of the ocean and sweet honeysuckle. She felt a stirring of wonder and delight and a quiet thrill at the thought of calling this place home, even if only for a time.
Mason helped her off the carriage, smiling. “Welcome to Galleon Hall, Cordelia.”
Before she could say anything to that, his eyes swept the grounds with a growing unease. The estate seemed eerily quiet. There was not a single servant in the gardens nor a figure near the house.
He stepped forward and called out, his voice steady but tinged with concern. “Hello? Is anyone here?”
Only the soft rustling of the sea breeze answered him.
Cordelia noticed the tightening of his jaw and the flicker of worry in his amber eyes. “Is something wrong?” she asked gently, placing a hand on his arm.
He shook his head though his gaze remained restless. “I’m not certain. It is unusual… the place feels empty, as if everyone has vanished.”
Cordelia’s brows furrowed, but she quickly found her voice. “Shall we go inside? Perhaps the household staff are within, preparing for our arrival.”
Mason nodded, grateful for her calmness. Together they approached the wide front door, its polished wood gleaming in the sunlight. However, even though they were expected, the door did not give in.
“Locked?” Cordelia echoed.
“Yes, but…” He grinned, producing a key from his pocket.
He proceeded to unlock the door and then they stepped into the hall. As soon as they did so, they felt the quiet emptiness of the exterior being replaced by an air of warmth and elegance.
The interior was every bit as beautiful as Cordelia had imagined. There were soft tapestries adorning the walls while the floors shone beneath richly woven carpets, and sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting a golden glow over polished furniture and delicate porcelain.
“Come,” Mason urged her as they wandered through the vast rooms on the ground floor, calling softly for any sign of life.
The heavy silence felt almost unnatural, and Mason’s brow furrowed deeper with every unanswered call.
“I was certain I informed everyone of our arrival,” he muttered more to himself than to her. “I urged them to have everything prepared.”
Cordelia glanced at him, puzzled. “Could it be that someone has mistaken the date?” she ventured gently.
He looked at her. “What day is it, then?”
“Why, the twenty-second of June,” she replied.
His eyes widened as realization dawned. He brought a hand to his forehead, tapping it in frustrated disbelief.
“How could I be so silly? I entirely forgot about the Midsummer Revelry in Brightmere. It’s a grand festival; the entire town attends. No exceptions. And besides, we did arrive a tad bit earlier than expected.”
Cordelia smiled, a light laugh escaping her lips. “Well, then, it’s no one’s fault.”
Mason nodded, a reluctant grin tugging at his mouth. “An honest mistake, certainly. But it means we are on our own for the evening… and for food.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Do we have to hunt?”
He chuckled, playful and warm. “Yes, indeed. A hunt for supper, Duchess.”
Her laughter rang through the quiet hall, and for a moment, her worries slipped away like the gentle sea breeze.
“Now, we have two options,” she heard him say as he approached her. “We could go into town and join the festivities, or we could have a makeshift dinner here and just…”
