CHAPTER 9

The girls loaded the supplies in the car. On the way back, Penelope told Caroline more about what she found in the records. "I still can't figure out why there were no records of their deaths. It was like they never died or if they did, no one put in the dates."

"Penny, didn't people like that usually have their own cemetery?" "I suppose they did. Maybe it's time for us to do some real looking around."

When the girls got back, they unloaded and put the supplies in the kitchen. "Well, which do we do first - clean or look around?"

"Look around," was the quick reply. "Where do we start?" "Let's try the sitting room." The girls went in the room. Penelope went over to a desk in the corner. Very carefully she began opening drawers. She found yellowed paper, which crumbled when she touched it. In a top drawer, Penelope didn't see anything, but something told her to keep looking. Running her hand around, she felt a small lever. Pushing down, the bottom flipped up. "Oh! A false bottom." Lifting the bottom she saw a small object, a tattered rag wrapped around it. Carefully lifting it out, she placed it on the desk, removing the rag.

"It's a book," Penelope said. She carefully opened the cover. There was printing, but she couldn't understand what it said. "Do you know German?" Penelope asked. "Not much. Let me see." Caroline looked. "I think it's a journal."

Penelope slowly turned the pages. Caroline looked at the writing and shook her head. "I don't know enough to be able to know what it says." "We may have to have the lawyer translate." Penelope rewrapped the book. She looked at the portrait above the fireplace. "If only you could talk. Come on, Let's look around the back yard."

The girls went out through the kitchen. The yard was full of vines, some with sharp thorns. Picking their way around, they pictured what it would have looked like. Stone walkways, trimmed hedges on either side. They saw what was a fountain in the center, now crumbling apart over the years. As they walked further they saw rotted wooden benches underneath the vines.

"I could just picture what it looked like. Benches around the fountain. The water gently splashing, soothing to the nerves. A young couple would stroll through hand-in-hand, the moon full, the smell of flowers in the air," Penelope said.

"I can picture it, too. Very romantic," Caroline said. Looking around, she saw another path leading further away. "Penny, let's see where this path goes."

CHAPTER 10

Though the path was covered with vines, they picked their way through, going further away from the house and down a small hill. "Caroline, look over there! Is that what I think?" Caroline looked to her right. "From what I remember, most of the well-to-do in that time did have them. Let's take a look."

The girls had seen a rusted iron fence. Inside were tombstones and a couple of mausoleums. It took some doing but they got the rusted gate open and entered. Penelope began brushing away some of the dirt from the stones. She looked further, trying to see if she could find the grave of the young count. Caroline and Penelope looked for 3 hours, checking each tombstone, but found no grave marking his burial place.

"Caroline, this is strange. I thought we would have found a grave showing when Karl died. I thought maybe the town hall records might have been inaccurate, but there's nothing."

Suddenly a strong breeze came up, blowing dust around them and on the stones. The girls covered their faces and made their way out of the cemetery. Once outside the gate, the wind stopped. They turned to see the stones were covered with dirt. When they looked around, the ground outside the cemetery was untouched.

"Penny, I don't understand. Why was the wind only inside?" "The stones were to remain covered. Something didn't want us to uncover them. They went back inside to the sitting room.

"Okay, let's go over what has happened so far. I get a brown envelope from a lawyer telling me I am to claim an inheritance. We come here. The people in the village look at us, rather me, and seem scared. We drive on a road loaded with boulders and other obstacles trying to keep us from coming. Then we almost run into a tree lying on the road. A sudden storm comes up, rushing us to get inside. We find this room, furniture covered, but in good shape. We look upstairs, the last room in good shape, as if it was made ready. Then our suitcases are at the top of the steps. We find food cooked for us. While we sleep someone touches me..."

"Whoa, back up! Someone touched you while we slept?! You didn't tell me!" "I thought it was my imagination at the time. We have water in pails for us to clean up. We go to the car, the tree is gone. I find the birth date of my cousin, but no date of death. What is more weird, the same happens to another young count. We find this journal, but can't read what it says. Then we look at the cemetery, no stone for a Karl von Kemptstein. Then a breeze comes up, blowing dirt everywhere, stopping when we exit the cemetery. I just don't understand it.

I'm getting a headache just thinking about it. What made my relatives up and leave, even going so far as to change their name? What happened to my cousin and his friend?"

CHAPTER 11

"Let's get the dust washed off of us. I'm just a bit hungry. Right now a sandwich is just the thing," Caroline said.

The girls went in the kitchen. Pouring some of the water into bowls, they rinsed the dust off of them. Caroline got out the bread, meat and cheese. They each made a sandwich and ate some fruit. Penelope was just about ready to take another bite of fruit when she heard a noise.

"What was that?" Caroline asked. "Quiet! It sounded like it came from the front hallway," Penelope whispered.

She got up slowly, grabbing a small block of wood. Caroline did the same. They tiptoed out of the kitchen toward the front hallway. They were halfway there when they were grabbed from behind. The girls screamed, both kicking and twisting to get free. Caroline stomped on a shoe, the hand letting go of her. She started to run but was caught. A deep voice began speaking, but in a language neither girl understood. Then Penelope saw a small silver dagger in front of her, going directly toward her throat.

She closed her eyes, then heard something hit the floor. She saw the dagger had been dropped. The man holding her screamed as she felt him being pulled away. Caroline felt herself being loosened as she heard her attacker scream.

The girls turned around to see both men up in the air, suspended by some unknown force. Their eyes opened wide as the squirming, screaming men floated toward the front door.

The girls followed, scared at what they saw. The front door opened, both men flying through the air, landing on the road. Both men slowly got up, backing away from the house, babbling incoherently, then turning and running away.

The girls backed away as the front door closed, wondering if they were next. Penelope felt something on her arm. Her mouth opened wide to scream but nothing came out. Caroline was hanging on to Penelope's arm. "Penny!" she screamed, digging her fingers into Penelope's arm. Both girls fainted to the floor.

CHAPTER 12

Penelope woke up and blinked her eyes. Looking around she found herself on the sofa. Caroline was on the settee, she too opened her eyes, looking around.

"Penny, what happened? The last thing I remember is falling to the floor. Thanks for putting me on the settee." "Caroline, I also fell to the floor. I couldn't have put you on the settee." "If you didn't do it, who did?"

"I don't know. Maybe it was whatever saved us from those two men." She began to shake. "Caroline, the two men! I had a dagger coming at me when it was dropped! Didn't we see them suspended in the air, then taken to the front door and thrown out?"

Caroline began to shake. "Damn, Penny! They weren't taken, they were floated out of here! What I want to know is why were we attacked?" "Who were those men? They spoke a weird language. I've never heard anything like it."

Penelope felt a chill come over her. She looked up at the painting over the fireplace. She shrank back on the sofa, her face pale. Caroline also looked at the painting. Both girls got up and ran to the doors. They were locked. Both tried to open them, pulling and twisting the knobs.

The girls slowly turned around as they heard a rubbing sound from across the room. The picture above the fireplace began to swing back and forth. Frantically, they tried to open the door, but the knob wouldn't turn. The noise got louder. All the girls could do was watch the frame swing back and forth. Penelope closed her eyes and prayed. Opening them, she saw mist coming from the picture.

The mist slowly began to take shape. An outline of a man's shape became clearer. Clothes then began appearing, then filling out with a very tall man. Finally a flesh-colored visage appeared. Penelope looked at the painting, the picture no longer there. "Don't be afraid," the visage softly spoke. "I and my friend have no intention of harming you. I'm Karl von Kempstein." Penelope looked at her cousin; his hair a light brown, blue eyes, his clothes fitting him perfectly. "Karl?" "Yes." "Where is your friend?" "Erik, let my cousin see you."

Another mist appeared, taking shape. The size almost the same as Karl's. The girls saw long red hair, green eyes, his clothes also fitting him perfectly. Penelope could do nothing but stare at him. "Cousin, this is my friend, Erik von Marchinoff."

CHAPTER 13

Neither girl could move, each looking back and forth at the apparitions. "What are you going to do to us?" Penelope managed to ask in a weak voice. "We have no intention of harming you. It was us who brought you in here. Please, come back and sit on the sofa."

The girls had no choice. They cautiously sat on the sofa. "Then it was you who got rid of our attackers," Penelope said. Karl nodded his head. "And was it also you who has been doing all these things here - the food, the suitcases at the top of the stairs...?"

"Yes, it was us. We also moved the tree." "That was a good size tree! It would have taken at least a good five men to move it!" Karl looked at his cousin. "You look so much like my mother. I knew you had to be the one when I first saw you."

"You were in the bedroom, weren't you?" "Yes. You weren't imagining things. I did touch you." "There are so many questions," she said, finally calming down just a bit. "Where do I start?" "Let me explain it from the beginning." The girls sat back on the sofa. Karl stood in front of them and took a deep breath.

"Erik and I grew up as best friends, our parents best friends also. We did everything together, even getting into trouble together. We were members of a men's club - going on hunts, etc. As young men usually do we also would look at the girls, doing our best to get them to a private spot for a kiss. One day a band of gypsies came through the village. They stayed and did their usual - palm readings, selling trinkets, dancing, etc. One of them was a very beautiful young girl. We all looked at her with more than just passing glances, but we knew better than to touch her, knowing it would bring a curse on us if we did.

Some of the guys wanted to see what she looked like under all those clothes. We found out where they camped and went to take a look. We saw her head to the river to bathe. When she had stripped, we all couldn't believe how beautiful she was.

A couple of them wanted to join her in the river to see if she would give a little as we were told gypsy women were rather loose. Erik and I shook our heads and headed back to the inn. A couple of hours later the others came back with grins on their faces.

The next day Erik and I were riding to the local tavern when we were attacked by the men from the camp. They said we raped one of their women and were being taken before the Pasha (head gypsy). When we arrived at the camp, the Pasha was waiting as was the young girl who was bruised and bandaged. The girl screamed as soon as she saw us that were were the ones who did it. The men in the camp were ready to kill us. The Pasha stopped them, saying all it would do is make things worse. The head gypsy brought out an old woman who looked to be a hundred. She walked around us, then cut a piece of our clothing off and put it in a jar. See, here are the cuts on our jackets.

She went to the main fire. Taking some pouches from her pocket, she opened the pouches and sprinkled bits of what looked like powder from each one into the fire, speaking a strange language.

She turned to us, then pointed to the jar. The pasha told us we were forever cursed. That the last place we rode to would be the place we were to be for all eternity. Just as the pieces of cloth were closed in the jar, so would we.

We were let go. We didn't think much of it. We ended up here at the house. Erik stayed for a while, then left to go back to his house. He had gotten to the end of the property line and found he couldn't go any further. It was like an invisible wall was there. You couldn't see it, but you could feel it. And this is where we've been since."

Chapter 14

"But what about the rest of the family?" Penelope asked. "They could some and go. Only Erik and I were confined. My parents hadn’t known what happened. I told them about being taken to the gypsy camp. Father was really angry, going to town to get the Bergermeister to have them arrested. He, the Bergermeister, and a few of the men went to the camp. Father ordered the Pasha to lift the curse. The Pasha said the curse was to stay. Father struck at one of the gypsy men. The old woman cursed the men, the whole village, saying bad things would happen.

Shortly after, strange things did begin to happen. People died for no reason. Crops withered and died. Even the water became foul tasting. The whole village blamed my family. They began taunting my parents and the servants. The stores refused to let them buy anything. People shunned them, turning their backs on them. They had no choice but to leave. On the day before they were going to leave, mother came into my room to wake me up. I woke up at her screams.

My father rushed in and gasped. I looked at them strangely as they were pointing at me. I looked in the mir5ror. I couldn’t believe what I saw. My body was no more than a mere outline of my form. I heard another yell coming from the hallway. Erik ran in, his body the same as mine. It seems the old woman made sure we would stay by making us disappear, to be ghosts for all eternity, without dying. The family and servants left the same day, leaving everything behind.

The only person who really believed us was the family lawyer. To this very day, his descendants have taken the responsibility of being the executors. On one of their visits, we asked them to search for members of the family. It wasn’t until a few years ago that they found out that the spelling had been changed and that’s how they found you. Cousin, you are the only hope Erik and I have."

Chapter 15

"Why the gravestones in the cemetery?" Penelope asked. "When we wiped the dust off, a breeze came up and blew dirt back over them. When Caroline and I left, it stopped." "I don’t know," Karl shrugged. "Well, something or someone doesn’t want us here to find out the truth," Penelope said. "But how will we break the curse? All but you two are dead, as are the gypsies.

Those men who attacked us were going to make sure we were also" A withered hand ran over a clear orb. A wrinkled face watched the four young people. "So she lives. How dare they lie to me!" she thought. "Well, young lady, you may be alive for now, but break the curse you will never do." Penelope turned her head, looking around the room. "What Penny?" Caroline asked.

"I don’t know. I thought I heard a voice." "You must be tired. I didn’t hear anything." Penelope put her hands to her head. "Oh, my head hurts." The old woman blinked in surprise. This was something she would have to look into. "Someone in the family must possess telepathy. But which side?" "Maybe I need to lay down. I’m going up to the room." Penelope rose to go upstairs. "I’ll take you," Erik said. Penelope felt his hand on her arm. It felt strong, but gentle. A slight chuckle came from Karl. "Looks like my friend might have taken a fancy to my cousin."

He turned to Caroline. He saw a beautiful young woman with a lively personality. Caroline blushed as his eyes took in the length of her. "Maybe I should go to the kitchen and see if there isn’t something that will help her feel better." Karl followed Caroline into the kitchen. "Perhaps a small glass of brandy would help." He went to a cabinet and pulled open a secret door. "I looked through that cabinet before and didn’t see a door," Caroline said perplexed. "The cook we had used to hide her bottle up here and take a sip when no one was around." Caroline smelled the liquid, almost passing out. "You mean that brandy is a couple of hundred years old?"

It’ll definitely get rid of her headache, if it don’t kill her first." Karl took down a glass, pouring only about a shot. He chuckled. "I don’t think it’ll kill her, but she will sleep."

Chap. 16

Karl escorted Penelope upstairs, holding her gently by the arm. "Thank you, Karl. I don't know why I got a headache. It came on me all of a sudden."

"A good night's rest will help," he said. "I think I heard Erik and Caroline heading to the kitchen. She said she was going to fix you something to help you rest."

When they got to the bedroom, Karl helped her sit on the bed, then knelt to take her shoes off. "Karl, that's not necessary. I think I can manage."

Erik and Caroline came in the room, Caroline carrying a tray with two glasses containing an amber-colored liquid. She gave one to Penelope, who sniffed the contents. "Wwhhoo!! What is this?" shaking her head.

"It's brandy," Caroline replied. "It'll help you sleep."

Penelope took a sip. Immediately her eyes bugged out and she began coughing while trying to catch her breath. "Where did you find this?" she gasped.

"Erik found it behind a hidden door in one of the cupboards."

"The family cook always kept a bit hidden. She thought no one knew," Erik smiled.

"How old is this stuff?" Penelope hoarsely asked.

"About a couple of hundred years old."

Penelope nearly choked. "You trying to kill me?"

"It'll relax you."

Penelope put the glass on the stand. "One sip is enough!" She laid back on the bed, eying Caroline. "Aren't you going to drink some?" After seeing how her friend had reacted, Caroline was rather dubious about trying it but took a small sip. "OOHH! This stuff is burning my throat!" Caroline fanned herself. She quickly set the glass down and laid back on the bed. Erik removed her shoes as Karl covered them. The girls were soon asleep.

Karl gently stroked Penelope's hair. A soft chuckle made him look up. "I see my cousin has made an impression on you," Erik grinned.

"She has. I wish I had met her before this damn curse." He bent and kissed her forehead. Erik studied Caroline as she slept. "I wish I had met her friend too before this."

They walked softly to the portrait that hung above the fireplace. "Do you think she can?" Karl asked.

"I hope so."

"If by some chance she does, what will happen to us? Will we return to full human form in this life or will we fade away?"

"I don't know," Erik replied, shaking his head.

Both men faded back into the picture.

The next morning Penelope woke up at the sound of the door opening. Thinking it to be Erik, she sat up, but was shocked to see a young girl dressed in serving attire bringing in a small tray. "Good morning, miss. Lady Von Kempstein had me bring a tray to you." The girl sat the tray on the small table near the fireplace. "Is there anything you need?" Penelope looked around the room in a daze.

"Miss? Is there something wrong?"

Penelope blinked her eyes, shaking her head. "Uh, no, no. Everything is fine."

"If you need me, pull on the rope by the bed."

Penelope nodded as the young girl left the room. Standing up, she walked over to the window and opened the velvet drapes. The sun cast a golden light in the room. As Penelope gazed out the window, she saw the garden in full bloom. As she turned, she saw her reflection in the mirror. For several seconds she stared at her image, rubbing her eyes, still seeing the same image. "Oh my God!" she gasped. "I must be dreaming!" She rushed over to the bed and shook Caroline. "Caroline, wake up!" Caroline mumbled, turning away. "Come on! Wake up!" Penelope shook her again.

"What?" Caroline moaned.

"Look at me!"

Caroline blinked to focus her eyes at Penelope. "Where did you find those? Those were worn a couple of hundred years ago."

"I know."

Penelope looked in the mirror again. She was wearing frilly pantaloons and a white chemise. Her hair was pulled back away from her face, a sleeping cap on her head. Caroline got up, joining her at the mirror. Caroline instantly became awake as soon as she saw she was dressed the same.

"Pinch me," Penelope told her.

Caroline twisted the skin on the back of her arm. "Ouch!" Penelope rubbed her arm. "I'm not dreaming. This is the real thing."

The young girl who had come in earlier returned. "Lady Von Kempstein sent me to ask if you would like to join her and Herr Von Kempstein in the morning room?"

"Yes. Tell her we'll join her."

"Would you like me to help you dress?"

"Please," Penelope replied hesitantly, looking around for the closet.

"Miss, your clothes are here in the armoire." The young girl opened the door to reveal several dresses, looking at the girls a little puzzled. "We're still trying to wake up," Penelope assured her, looking the dresses over. "Would you be so kind as to pick out something for us to wear?" The girl nodded, going through the dresses, choosing a pastel yellow for Caroline and a light blue for Penelope.

After their morning ablutions, the girls dressed in fresh undergarments. The young girl helped them each with their corset and underskirts, then their dresses. Penelope nodded, the girl leaving. The girls brushed their hair, pulled it back, holding it in place with silver combs. "Shall we?"

Chap. 17

The young serving girl had informed Lady Von Kempstein the young ladies would join them shortly. "I do hope my niece enjoys her stay here," Lady Von Kempstein said. "She did come on short notice before I could plan something."

"It was rather sudden she decided to come by for a visit. It's unlike your brother not to inform us," her husband added.

The girls found their way to the morning room. "I don't understand this. It was only yesterday the place was dusty and dark," a puzzled Penelope commented before entering the morning room.

"Good morning, my dear," Lady Von Kempstein smiled. "I trust you and your companion slept well."

"Yes, thank you," Penelope replied. "This may sound absurd, but when did we arrive?"

"Late yesterday evening. Why? Do you not remember?"

"Not really. The trip must have worn me out."

"Those coaches can be very uncomfortable. Please help yourself." Lady Von Kempstein pointed to the buffet behind them. "Just tell Bueler what you want."

The girls decided and sat. Bueler placed their plates in front of them, then poured hot tea as the girls ate slowly.

"It is so good to see you again, my dear," Lady Von Kempstein said. "How is your father?"

"He's doing fine. I know it's rather odd my coming here unannounced, but I was in a traveling mood and it had been a while since I visited my favorite aunt."

"Thank you, my dear. I'm sure Erik will be pleasantly surprised to see you."

At that moment, Erik came in, his entrance like that of a swirling breeze. He immediately told Bueler to dish up his usual as he kissed his mother on the cheek. "Good morning, mother," then sat and enthusiastically dug into his food.

"Erik! Where are your manners! Don't you see we have guests?"

Erik stopped and turned his head. "Cousin!" He got up and immediately kissed Penelope's hand. His eyes drifted to Caroline and stopped. "And who is this beautiful young lady beside you?" he asked, gently lifting her hand to his lips.

"This is my friend, Caroline."

Erik kissed the back of Caroline's hand and winked. Caroline felt her cheeks redden and lowered her eyes, her hand still warm from his lips.

Erik sat back in his chair and continued eating. "So, when did you arrive?"

"Late last night," Penelope replied. "I plan to stay for a few days."

Bueler came in and announced that Erik had a visitor in the living room. "Must be Karl," Erik said and left. Soon he returned, bringing Karl with him. "Good morning, Baron and Lady Von Kempstein," Karl said, bowing slightly. His eyes shifted to Penelope and Caroline.

"Erik, why don't you take your cousin and her friend for a drive around the estate," Lady Von Kempstein suggested, turning to Penelope. "Is that all right with you, dear?"

Penelope nodded.

"Bueler, have one of the kitchen servants go to the stable and have the coachman prepare the carriage." Bueler nodded and left. "I would suggest you girls each wear a shawl and take a parasol with you."

The girls went upstairs. As soon as they were in the room, Penelope sat on the bed. "I can't believe this is real! We are 200 years in the past!" Penelope put her head in her hands, her mind deep in thought.

Erik and Karl waited in the hallway. "Who are those two beautiful creatures, especially the one in the blue dress?" Karl asked.

"That's my cousin, Penelope, and her friend Caroline."

"Mind if I ride along?" Karl smiled.

"Not at all," Erik chuckled. "I see you've already taken a fancy to my cousin. I have to admit, I'd like to get to know her friend."

"What are you thinking?" Caroline asked.

"How we got here. Something or someone has put us here in this place and time."

"You think to prevent the curse?"

"It would have to be. We are here before it is to happen to prevent it from happening, if that makes sense."

Bueler knocked then entered. "Miss, the carriage is waiting."

"Tell them we'll be down shortly."

The girls took a look in the mirror, fussing a bit with their hair, then each wrapping a shawl around them and taking a matching parasol with them.

"Sorry, to keep you waiting, Erik," Penelope said as they came down the stairs.

"That's quite, alright. It was worth the wait," he said, smiling at Caroline, who couldn't stop blushing.

"Cousin, I would like you to meet my best friend, Karl Van Maraschoff. Karl, this is my favorite cousin, Penelope."

"It's nice to meet you," Penelope said softly.

"The pleasure is mine," Karl said as he gently held her hand.

Chapter 18

"The carriage is ready, young master Von Kempstein," Bueller announced.

"Shall we?" Erik offered his arm to Caroline, who put her hand on top of it. Karl offered his to Penelope, who also put her hand on top of his.

As the carriage made its way down the driveway, Penelope stared at the surroundings. "So different," she thought to herself.

The carriage turned onto the main road. Erik was busy explaining and showing Caroline the vast estate they had. "You look lost," Karl said, touching Penelope gently on the arm. Penelope blinked and turned to Karl. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

"I said you look lost, like you've never been here before."

"It's that I've not been here in a long time, everything has changed. Caroline and I arrived late yesterday, so I am still somewhat tired."

Penelope remained amazed at the vastness as Erik continued showing Caroline. He ordered the carriage to stop. "I want to show you one of my cousin's favorite spots," he said, helping Caroline down from the carriage.

A soft breeze caught the girls' attention. "What is that scent?" Caroline asked.

Penelope sniffed the air. "It smells like apple blossoms."

"They are just now in bloom," Erik said. "I remember when we were kids, we would play among the trees about this time of year. Remember?"

Penelope nodded. "Yes, I do. I had a lot of fun running through this place, especially when there was a breeze like this. The petals would fall off the tree and into my hair. Of course, you would be chasing me and shaking some branch you had broken off."

Caroline looked at Penelope in surprise. Penelope couldn't believe she had said that, as if she had actually done that."

They came to the edge of the orchard, the trees so full of blossoms they resembled huge snowballs. As they walked through, the breeze blew the petals into the girls' hair, Karl and Erik laughing. The girls opened their parasols and brushed the petals out of their hair. "Just like when we were kids," Erik said, laughing.

The foursome returned to the carriage to continue their ride. As they rode, Erik noticed Caroline had missed a petal and gently flicked it away. Caroline smiled and looked into his hazel eyes, blushing as they held her.

Penelope saw her companion's pink cheeks and smiled. It wasn't often one could make Caroline blush or hold her attention. She turned to comment to Karl and found his eyes had changed to a dark, smoky green. Penelope found herself being drawn to them. "You have very beautiful eyes," he told her. "Like two orbs of gold."

A low chuckle brought her out of her trance. "Watch it, cousin. Karl has been known to be very devilish with the ladies."

Penelope sat back. Karl furrowed his brows at Erik and turned his head. "Don't believe what he tells you. If anything, he is the one with the reputation."

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion. "We're back already?" Caroline asked, a bit disappointed they hadn't gone further.

"There's plenty of time," Erik said. "But, I want to show you alone," he whispered in her ear.

The couples entered going to the drawing room. Lady Von Kempstein was seated by a huge bay window embroidery needle in hand. She looked up as they entered. "Did you have a good time?" she asked.

"Yes, it was wonderful," Penelope replied.

"You have such a large estate! And beautiful also," Caroline added.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Erik, I've invited a few of your friends over for a small welcoming party for Penelope and her friend. You hadn't planned on anything, had you?"

"No, nothing in particular."

"Good. It's nothing too formal. Just a light buffet and music."

"Sounds delightful," Penelope said. "What time?"

"About seven."

Karl took Penelope's hand. "I'll be back later," then left, Erik leaving with him after kissing Caroline's hand.

"I think I'll go upstairs to rest," Penelope said. Caroline nodded to Lady Von Kempstein. Once in their room, the girls got out of their dresses and sat on the settee. "Penny, Erik is such a dream! Those hazel eyes of his," she dreamily sighed. Penelope lightly snickered. "Caroline, I've known you a long time. This is the first I've seen anyone hold your attention for any length of time."

"I can't help it. He is so handsome and such a gentleman," Caroline sighed again. "Karl was very enamored of you. He didn't take his eyes off you once. I'm sure that if Erik and I had not been there, I believe he would have kissed you."

Penelope blushed. "I'm still thinking of the comment I made at the orchard. It came out so natural, like it had actually happened, but it couldn't have, could it?"

****************************************

Karl and Erik rode to the village to hang out at their usual spot. Karl was lost in thought as they sat at the table with their usual beer. "Karl," Erik said. When Karl didn't respond, he started chuckling and snapped his fingers. Karol looked up and saw Erik grinning at him. "Still thinking about my cousin?" Erik asked.

Karl sheepishly smiled and nodded. "She is a beautiful woman. I'm anxious to see her again tonight."

"You could find her dance card full," Erik arched his brows.

"I hope so, because I plan to be the only one on it."

"That goes for me with Caroline."

They left the inn, Karl going to his house to change, saying he would be there at seven.

Part 3

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