Bandits and thieves. What sort of place was Montoni bringing us to? It was sounding more and more like a quiet corner of the world to do away with us.
“Is there much in terms of society then?” my aunt asked Montoni, and I leaned forward, genuinely curious.
“Unfortunately, there is not,” Montoni said, blowing on a cut of meat before carefully removing it from his fork with his teeth. I noticed Henri eat with the same care and almost snorted. He looked as if he thought the lamb might return to life and bite him. Blanche, I noted, didn’t eat at all, but rather cut at the meat and pushed it around her plate. Perhaps it wasn’t to their liking? Despite it being quite rare, it wasn’t bad.
“It is surrounded by forest on three sides, and built into a mountainside,” Montoni continued. “The ride is more treacherous than I like, but the view is simply stunning. As a quiet retreat, it will be like nothing you will ever experience. The perfect setting for a honeymoon.”
Aunt Cheron smiled, but it did little to brighten her features. Even she was having misgivings. Udolpho Castle sounded isolated, like a prison. And I had been hoping to win the estate for my own, had been banking on it. It was strange how things turned out. As much as I was bored of the arduous journey we were currently undertaking, I suddenly wished for it to be prolonged to avoid reaching our destination that much sooner.
It was another two days before the Apennine Mountains could be seen in the distance, bringing our journey to an end. We passed through several valleys, some barren of trees, rocky and unforgiving, while others were covered in pine or fields of tall grass. There was a small village that consisted of perhaps thirty houses and a tavern, but otherwise, the only signs of civilization were farmers’ cottages here and there. We ventured through a vast pine forest before trees gave way to a gorge, which we had to traverse via a covered bridge, its wooden planks rickety beneath the wheels of our carriages. It truly was an out-of-the-way area, but I had to admit that Montoni was correct about the landscape. It was majestic and beautiful and lifted my spirits, despite the situation we found ourselves in.
“And there it is,” Henri said after some time had passed. I couldn’t see what he was referring to, so I scooted to his side and leaned over him to gaze out through the carriage window. Night was fast falling, the sun seeming to be swallowed by the mountainous peaks ahead of us. It made for a pretty scene, pinks and oranges cooling to purples that played over the rock face. Built into the mountains looming large beyond was a sprawling castle. I gazed with melancholy awe upon the structure. Despite the beautiful colors at its back, the castle seemed to swallow the light with its moldering walls of dark gray stone. As I watched, the lights of the mountain were snuffed out all at once, sending shadows racing over the castle, as if chased by specters. I absorbed the stretches of ramparts and looming towers, the turrets that jutted up from the gloom, and thought what a lonely place it looked. As we reached the gigantic castle gates, some details began to stand out to me, such as the hunched figures along the battlements, hideous deformed stone monsters that would likely have given the gargoyles of Notre Dame a run for their money. They lurked, as if watching for travelers below and perhaps, warning them away.
Once the gates had been opened from within by unseen servants, we traveled through the courtyard, choked with weeds and grass. Inside, it seemed, would be as gloomy as without.
“Home, sweet home,” Henri said, smiling thinly.
“But perhaps not for long,” Blanche offered a beacon of hope.
None of us replied.
The carriages skirted the end of the courtyard, coming to a stop before two large doors boasting knockers shaped like wolf heads. I felt uneasy and light-headed from the long days of travel, and I was grateful for Ludovico’s help down from the carriage.
Despite night having just fallen, a chill already permeated the air, and I followed the procession of my travel companions inside the main doors, conducted by a short, round man named Bertolino, who kept bowing and scraping to Montoni as if the count was royalty.
“You’ll see to the horses?” Montoni asked as Bertolino led us to a sitting room, where we sat on stiff-backed furniture that had seen better days. The dark stone walls were covered with tapestries in an attempt to hide the cold features, while a roaring fire had been prepared. I welcomed the warmth and gazed around uneasily, meeting my aunt’s eyes briefly before they slid away.
“We have a very capable new stablemaster, my lord,” Bertolino informed the count. “While your message was a surprise, we have no shortage of people in the village looking for employment. You’ll recognize many familiar faces from years past, when Udolpho was utilized more regularly. We’ve only had a few days to prepare for your arrival, but I think you’ll be pleased with the result. Usually, we keep the east wing completely closed up, with the furniture protected, you know. The common rooms have been aired out in anticipation, including the gallery.”
“Very good. Bertolino, meet Lady Montoni, my new wife. She will be mistress of the castle, and you will see to her every comfort. The other unfamiliar face is her nephew, Marquis St. Aubert. You will make sure to give him the red room in the east wing.”
Bertolino bowed deep to my aunt, and then to me, before turning a confused look on Montoni. “The red room, sir?”
“That’s what he said,” Father Schedoni sniffed.
Bertolino hesitated but nodded. “We can arrange for fresh bedsheets. The rest of your family will accept their usual rooms in the west wing?”
“That will do,” Montoni said, waving a hand.
Henri straightened. “I could take a room in the east wing, to keep Emile company. It’s no trouble.”
“We aren’t going to complicate the matter further,” Montoni said with a finality that brooked no further arguments. “Now, I think we are all weary from our journey.” Waving a dismissive hand at Bertolino, he issued his next set of orders. “Perhaps you can show Lady Montoni to her room and direct the luggage to their appropriate destinations. Then have some food sent to each of us in our bedchambers.”
“Very good, my lord,” Bertolino said, bowing, before escorting my aunt from the room.
I clasped my hands together tightly before me, unsure and feeling uncomfortable in this big, unfamiliar castle. Despite the fire, I still felt a draft in the room, and I wondered if the entire castle would be cold, as if it were in the very bones of the place.
“I will show you to your room,” Henri offered, suddenly standing before me. He didn’t look to Montoni to confirm that the action was acceptable but instead helped me to my feet and led me from the room, holding a lantern to see by.
The halls were dark and narrow, and I tried to pay close attention to where we were going so I wouldn’t get lost in the night. I kept telling myself that the castle would look more like a home by the light of day, but I wasn’t sure. It just didn’t feel hospitable.
“I’ll come to your room when I can,” Henri said, glancing back at me, the lantern light chasing the shadows from the planes of his face. “I don’t know why uncle gave you a room so far from everyone else, but itisa big room. You’ll be quite comfortable there, I’m sure.”
“I’m sure,” I repeated.
Henri stopped and turned to look at me. He put a hand on my shoulder and smiled encouragingly. “I know that it looks dismal right now, but it won’t be that bad. We’ll be together. There’s plenty to explore and keep us occupied. I’ll show you the library in the morning. It’s immense.”
“A library?” I asked, perking up. Now that I was no longer a servant in disguise, and had no social engagements, I would actually have time for such diversions.
