Love and secrets

Chapter 3

      "UGGH!!!" I moaned as I fell back on my bed. It had already been three days and I hadn't gotten anywhere. I went through every book in the entire library of Moonacre history and there was nothing of any use to me. "I could use a hot bath." I thought to myself remembering the bath I had on the first day I arrived. The warmth and the soap helped me clear my head. I sat up and reached for my cane that Marmaduke had given me. I was preparing to stand up when Maria walked in holding something behind her back. "Have you ever heard of knocking?" I asked her in a cold, sarcastic tone. She smiled the sickeningly sweet smile she always throws at people. "Here, I thought you might want to look through these before I throw them out. See if you want any of them." She handed me a handful of brightly colored earrings. I was taken aback by the gesture. This was really nice, especially for Maria. "Thanks!" I told her and smiled. "I think we got off on the wrong foot the other day, I'm Maria." She said holding her hand out to me for a handshake. Suddenly I grew suspicious, people don't just change like this, especially rude ones. I looked down at her hand and backed up at her. I crossed my arms over my chest. I wasn't taking her hand. After a bit she got the hint and withdrew it. "Hmm, well!" Maria said with a smile "I heard you weren't having any luck in the library, So I thought you might like to look through this." She said handing me a large leather-bound book. It was beautifully decorated with gold and pearls that seemed to shimmer and glow though it was coming toward evening. "It's beautiful!" I cried taking it in reverent hands and running my fingers over the cover. "The Ancient Chronicles of Moonacre Valley." The title read. "Yes." Maria said, "I got my best clues out of this book. I inherited it from my father after his death. I thought it might be of some use to you seeing how we both had missions in the valley. If it's anything like the adventure I had watch out for unexpected things." She smiled at me "Well I must go I wish you a good night! Return the book when you are finished with it." She flipped her hair and walked out the door closing it behind her. I immediately reached for the earring she had left on the table and poked through them. In the end I decided to take all of them. I quickly stuffed them in my desk next to my leather bag and turned my attention to the book. I unclicked the clasp and began to read. I was enthralled at the amazing history, but when I got to the end I still saw nothing that would help me. I sighed and was about to close the book when a small sheet of old-fashioned paper caught my eye. There were ancient ruins etched on it. For some reason or another I ignored these and turned the paper over to find written words on the back. They were written in messy, scrawly handwriting. The words read: "I have hidden the amulet deep in the walls of the De Noir's fortress. Only the Coeur De Noir can tell you more." I could not keep down the excitement that bubble inside of me. This was it! This was the break I was looking for! maybe I could indeed save the word in time. I would go to the De Noir's fortress tomorrow and ask about this.