Garnet or Garnets Curse Read Online Free PDF Page B

around my neck.
    I walked down the stairs slowly, considering going into a rage for all the servants to see, but then I thought of the curse. Harriet had said these things come in threes. Was she number three? Would I be number four?
    I stepped up into the carriage. Father looked at me and his eyes fell upon the necklace. “Beautiful,” he said, as if he had never seen it before.
    As the carriage pulled away, I looked over the gardens, trying to imprint the vision in my mind. I wished more than ever I could reach my Auntie.

    Chapter V
    Destination Unknown

    Father stared straight ahead. If the horses slowed down, he would crack his whip and force the poor beasts onward. I knew this ragged road well. It was the road to the village. A driver had to make graceful turns or else he might find his rig tumbling down the side of the cliff.
    I held onto my seat and cried silent tears. I feared for my life, contemplated the uncertainty of my future and mourned the loss of my freedom.
    It was only by the grace of God that we reached the valley below. On the outskirts of town, I had begun to smell the savory smell of sausages cooking. I was reminded that I had not eaten since yesterday. Father stopped the carriage abruptly, “We should stop here and get a bite to eat before we head north.”
    “North?” I asked.
    “Shh,” he scolded me. “You never know who or what might be listening. We shall not speak of our destination until it is safe to do so. Do you understand me, Garnet?” he asked, looking at me with piercing eyes.
    “I suppose,” I replied respectfully. Still, I refused to take his arm as we walked up the street. We stopped at the first cafe and my father ordered for both of us. The food was appealing, but I found it hard to swallow for the lump of tears in my throat.
    He tried to engage me in conversation about the weather and how much the city had changed. He was polite to the wait staff and smiled at the people passing. I am sure for all outside purposes, we appeared to be enjoying a normal day’s outing. There was nothing to enjoy and the day was anything but normal. Normal days do not enfold death, curses and the supernatural.
    When we had finished our meal, Father was anxious to leave. To my right I noticed a man staring at me. I lowered my eyes as we walked by, but he called my name. I then realized it was Mr. Bastille, Auntie’s lawyer. He stood up to address me. “Miss Dragos, I am sorry to hear about your aunt’s death. I was quite fond of her.”
    My mouth was ready to speak and my lips parted, but Father stepped out in front of me, “Yes, things like this are hard for all concerned,” he said coldly.
    Mr. Bastille looked confused. He tilted his head to look around my father. When his eyes met mine, I nodded slightly.
    “Good day, sir.” Father said. He then took hold of my arm and quickly directed me out the door. “Who is that man?” he asked, looking at me as if I was guilty of a crime.
    “He was Auntie’s attorney. Am I not even allowed to speak on my own behalf?” I raised my voice, which caused two women passing by to look at us suspiciously.
    “Garnet,” he whispered. “I think you know what is at stake here. The last thing we need is some nosey lawyer snooping around. You must control yourself.”
    He attempted to take hold of my arm, but I jerked quickly away. A man walking into the cafe stopped. “Something wrong, Madame?” he asked.
    Father was quick-witted with his reply. “She is just like her mother, God rest her soul. This one is just as independent, with a mind of her own.”
    The man shook his head and laughed. “Got a daughter like that of my own.”
    Smiling, Father took hold of my arm. “Shall we go, dear?”
    He kept a tight grip on me as we walked quickly back to the carriage. I reluctantly stepped up on the first step, wishing I could break loose, run back and ask Mr. Bastille to help me. He must have recognized the look of flight in my eyes and gave me a light