When a Young Heart Loves (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

A First Year: A Chance Encounter and a Matter of Pride

A lone carriage traveled along the dirt road at night.

"I'm tired," Mathilde whined. "We've been traveling for hours! Why didn't we stop at the village?"

Her father raised his brows as he studied her. Looking to his sleeping wife, he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Ma poupée, had we stayed you would've complained. The village would have been too dirty for you."

Mathilde huffed and crossed her arms. "I just don't understand why I must leave. The school in Paris was wonderful and all my friends were going there."

"I know Ma fifille, but your mother insisted."

Mathilde turned to her mother, still asleep, and stuck out her tongue.

"Now, now, is that any way for a lady to behave?" Her father, though reprimanding her, couldn't fail to hide the twinkle of laughter in her eyes.

"No," Mathilde pouted. With a deep sigh, she reached into her bag and took out a book.

With his daughter distracted, Monsieur looked out the window into the dark. A worried frown creased his brow.

Staring into the trees his brother's words echoed in his mind, 'Stay. It's too dangerous. There's something out there.'

Monsieur scanned the trees before closing the curtain. He had wanted to stay in the village, but his wife was adamant they continue forwards. They were behind schedule and she didn't like the looks of the town.

As a safety precaution, Monsieur sent a first carriage filled with their belongings ahead of them. Hoping it would deter the thieves that were plaguing the area.

"Monsieur, come quick!" Their driver called. The carriage came to a stop and monsieur jumped out of the carriage.

He stopped dead in his tracks. In front of their carriage, blocking the road, was another carriage, thrown on its side.

"Papa, what's going on?"

"Stay inside, ma Cherie! And remain silent!" Pulling the curtain down, he ran to his manservant who was inspecting the wreckage.

Monsieur sucked in a breath. It was their luggage carriage. Their luggage lay scattered and broken around them, but the horses, they were gone. So was the driver.

"Papa..." Mathilde whimpered. She had stepped out of the carriage.

"I told you to stay inside, go now!"

Mathilde ran to the carriage but screamed out as the horses began to neigh and buck. Her mother's terrified screams were heard as the carriage began to shake and roll from side to side.

"Mathilde!" Monsieur ran to his daughter. He took her in her arms as a horse's hoof rammed into his chest, sending them both flying across the road.

Monsieur struggled to regain his breath. Their manservant helped them up.

"Gabriel! What's going on?" Mathilde's mother screamed. She struggled to get down the jostling carriages and came tumbling down to them. The horses becoming wilder by the minute.

With one last cry, the horses reared, broke their harness, and took off into the forest, leaving the family alone on the road.

"Papa, I'm scared," Mathilde began to cry. Gabriel took her and his wife into his arms. A cold chill settled in his heart.

He paled.

"Mon-monsieur!" His manservant shouted. A trembling finger was pointing to the forest.

"Shush! I see it too." Monsieur pulled his wife and child closer to his chest. His hand covered his daughter's eyes, wishing to save her from the sight before them.