Unveiled Secret

CHAPTER 7

The sun beat down on Vivienne's shoulders as she guided her chestnut mare down a winding dirt path flanked by rows of vines. Cresting a hill, she paused to take in the endless sea of green leafy vines and crimson grapes that marked the farthest reaches of her uncle's estate. This was her first time venturing so deep into the countryside alone. She had set out that morning, maps in hand, determined to memorise every inch of her new home.

Now, hours later with the afternoon wearing on, she found herself well and truly lost. The path she had been following petered out suddenly amidst the uniform rows of vines. Vivienne clicked her tongue, urging the mare left and right, searching for some landmark to get her bearings. But the perfectly manicured vines stretched as far as she could see in every direction.

"Well, Céline, it appears we've managed to lose ourselves," she said, patting the mare's muscular neck. The horse flicked her ears, unperturbed.

Vivienne steered Céline into the shade of a large oak tree that stood solitary in the middle of the vineyard. She swung down from the saddle, landing lightly on the grass. Removing her riding hat, she fanned herself. The cooling breeze felt heavenly against her flushed cheeks. From the oak's branches hung a weathered wooden sign. Vivienne stepped closer. Faded letters spelled out Route du Chêne.

"Oak Road," she murmured. "That's something at least."

She pulled the maps from Céline's saddlebag and spread them on the ground, tracing the inked lines with one gloved finger. To her immense frustration, she found no Oak Road marked. With a huff, she stuffed the useless maps back into the bag.

"Well, my dear, it seems we shall just have to pick a direction and hope for the best."

Hoisting herself back into the saddle, Vivienne turned Céline to face the setting sun. Its fading light filtered through the trees, dappling the vine leaves in patches of gold. Somewhere to the west lay the main house. Vivienne squared her shoulders. They would simply follow the light and eventually find civilization once more.

Céline set off willingly, the dirt soft beneath her hooves. The neat rows of vines continued endlessly. As the sun sank lower, shadows crept over the countryside. Vivienne kept a wary eye out for anything familiar. Surely she would recognize the sloping hills surrounding her uncle's manor once they drew close...

Abruptly the chestnut mare snorted, tossing her head. Her ears flattened back. "What is it?" Vivienne asked. She followed the horse's gaze to see a hulking shape detach itself from the lengthening shadows. For one heart-stopping instant she thought it was a wolf. Then the shape gave a resounding bark and she realised it was a huge black dog.

The dog trotted toward them, tail wagging. Céline pinned her ears flat and skittered sideways.

"Steady," Vivienne soothed, tightening the reins.

The dog moved closer, oblivious to the horse's distress. With another sharp bark it broke into a bounding run, tongue lolling. Spooked, Céline reared with a scream. Vivienne clung to the saddle as the reins were ripped from her fingers. She caught a glimpse of gnashing teeth before the horse spun on her hindquarters. Vivienne felt herself lifted free of the leather seat, head over heels. She collided painfully with packed dirt. Dazed, she lay winded, dimly aware of Céline's thunderous hoofbeats fading into silence.

"Good Lord, are you hurt mademoiselle?" came a disembodied shout. Stunned by the fall, it took Vivienne a moment to react. She pushed herself slowly upright, gingerly testing her limbs for injury.

"I believe I'm intact," she called back. The dog had planted itself by her feet, regarding her now with curiosity. She could see in the dying light it wore a studded collar. Squinting toward the sound of footsteps, she made out a figure striding through the vines. As he stepped from the lengthening shadows, Vivienne caught a glimpse of a chocolate hair. Something like dread curdled in her stomach even as her foolish heart gave a traitorous leap. "Henri?" she gasped, her breath still catching from the fall.