The Tale of the Vampire Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

tossed my curls and fussed with my robe. I was tired from the events of the night and rather perturbed that my Mother dismissed my trauma. My fear and emptiness of the earlier hours gave way to a nice rush of indignant anger.
    I pouted at her, and she ignored me.
    “Well, it looks rather sweet on you even if you are not.” My mother set her lips and gave me the look I could not bring myself to defy.
    As she helped me dress, I grumbled.
    “Oh, to be home, with proper servants,” she said.
    “I rather miss Midge and Gretchen.” They had tended to the Wright children all of our lives. I had a fond spot for both of them.
    “Yes, I miss all of them. It is too tiring trying to look after both you and May. Your sister barely slept last night and kept falling asleep when I was fixing her hair.” I caught the look of disdain on her face. “It is this dreadful place.”
    “Then we are leaving soon!”
    “Perhaps.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Glynis, my darling, we must act like proper guests.”
    “I do not want to!”
    “But you must.”
    “Why must I always do what I wish not to do?”
    “Glynis, my most difficult child, every woman must do what she does not wish to do.”
    “That’s nonsense. I do not like it. I do not see why we must always bow to the rules of society or our husbands!”
    “That is because you are young and foolish.”
    I tried to turn to protest, but she firmly turned me away and went back to work on fastening me into my dress.
    “I am not foolish,” I countered.
    “I beg to differ, my darling one. You always rush ahead without a thought. You seem determined to shock us all with your behavior. It is time for you to learn that life is not the games of your childhood, and you must mature into a fine young lady ready for marriage and a family.”
    “I will not marry this horrible count!”
    She fluffed my sleeves and fastened upon me the most stern of glares. “Glynis, your father told me last night that Sir Stephen has only the highest praises for our host. It is only right and proper that we allow our dear host to show us all he can offer to you.”
    “In other words, as long as he is rich and well-titled, he is a good husband.” I stomped my foot. “I will not marry that terrible man. He even haunted my dreams!”
    My mother took hold of my arms, her fingers digging into my soft flesh. “You will act like a proper young lady when he is with you. I will have none of this behavior. He is a prince. A respected man, I am told, in this country.”
    “But not in England? Is that not what you wanted? A husband with standing in society? So I would not be the outcast you were!”
    I instantly regretted my words. I could tell they stung her. It had never been easy for her being a foreigner in British society. She was dark and exotic compared to the fine ladies of the aristocracy. Wild and foreign, many sniffed. I might as well have slapped her.
    “I want the best for you. Is that so wrong?” Her voice trembled with a mixture of emotions. She drew away from me, her slim body tense. “You are my daughter. My blood! I want you to marry well and have children.”
    “But what if I do not want that?” I could not help myself. I truly could not. I wanted her to understand that my needs where not what she thought them to be. I wanted to be free of the society she had tried so hard to be part of.
    She threw up her hands. “I do not know what to do anymore, Glynis. I want you to be married, taken care of, and respected. But you have fought your father and me ever since we began our travels. This may be your last chance to find a proper husband. Last night I was overcome with the journey and the storm. I realize I must as least consider Prince Vlad and treat him with the respect he deserves.”
    “Then you consider him, but I will not.” I stomped my foot for good measure, turning my back on her.
    “Darling, does this castle seem so horrible to you in the light of day? Yes, there are areas in