A New Estate - Crimson Peak

Chapter One

It had been a long and bumpy ride, the carriage rattling on the cobbled pavement with only a short, temporary reprieve at some point during the arduous journey.

The constant vibrations of my seat shook my bones to a point where I'd begun to feel sick and could feel a terrible headache starting to kick in.

I had heard that my new estate was quite a travel away from my current home, but I hadn't quite expected this.

After hours of rattling, bouncing and feeling like the wheels of my carriage may come off at any point we finally reached the large gates of my newly claimed home.

Allerdale Hall.

The entrance gate had the look of something almost regal, with the red bricks holding an almost golden arch over the entry. The sign decorating the middle stating the estate name and topped with what I'd presume to be a family crest, surrounded by a design that reminded me of a clockwork spin wheel.

The red bricks of the pillars matched perfectly with the continuing wall that currently housed dead looking twigs, which grew up the blocks like clasping hands.

Past the gates lay a vastly empty and large area of land, it wasn't anything I'd call a garden, not with all the dead looking grass and leafless trees that barely decorated the view.

"For such dead looking things, the plant life sure is thriving," I muttered to myself as my eyes scanned the area.

The path, mainly brown mud which was tinted red, that led to the house was still a trek, I'd estimate that it would take at least five minutes to walk from the front gate to the main door of the large, foreboding manor that sat at the end.

As the carriage continued to bounce down the path, I took note of various bits of machinery I'd never seen the likes of before.

A smaller building stood to the side of one of these large machines.

Not something I would be getting close to if I could avoid it.

The manor itself was gorgeous, much better than how I'd imagined it to be.

Standing larger than I'd anticipated, who knew how many rooms were in there to explore.

The design was stunning, unlike any other building I'd seen in the countryside where I'd come from. Though I'd never seen anything as isolated either.

Each level was higher than the other, the dark roofs ending in small piers that were simply enticing to look at.

Everywhere you looked there'd be something new to look at, unlike many houses which all began to look the same after the first few.

Initially the front of the building looked almost perfectly symmetrical, it wasn't until you took a closer look at the details that things truly stood out.

Allerdale Hall was truly a unique something to behold.

And Father had bought it for barely a thing.

The carriage finally came to a stop, letting me jump out and take some much needed cool air, anything to try and ease my unsettled stomach.

Up close the manor was much more beautiful than I'd given it credit for, almost like an old dolls house my father made me for my birthday one year.

"Well, here ya go."

I turned away from my new home to face my driver, his thick, farmer like Wiltshire accent shining through in every sentence he spoke. An accent I had apparently not picked up unless spoken on specific words, despite living there for twenty five years.

His brown cap was covering slicked, greasy dark hair and matched his jacket and trousers. The only thing that didn't match was his beige shirt, white socks and black shoes, I could only tell his socks were an off white colour because his lanky legs caused his trousers to have a fight with his ankles.

A fight his ankles quite clearly lost.

Despite the reputation of my home county, he was a well presented man who was only faintly rough around the edges.

"My father paid you for this long trip, correct?"

He grinned at me with yellowed teeth whilst climbing down from his spot in the carriage, once his feet hit the ground he made a few exaggerated movements to ease his tense muscles and stretch his limbs.

"He did, don't you worry 'bout it."

In a few swift movements he'd pulled my bags out of the carriage and set them to one side, I noticed his dark eyes briefly flickering towards the manor as an uneasy look flashed across his face.

"You'll be all alone here, 'mam."

"I'm fully aware, but I shall be fine thank you," I smiled at my friendly, though kind of peculiar looking driver.

"You're aware of what happened here, ain't chya?"

"I can safely say I am."

"Ya still wanna risk it?"

"I do."

"Bit mental if ya ask me."

"There's a certain appeal to a house with history, much like Lizzie Borden's home I'm sure."

"Horrible case that, you think she done it?"

"I'm not entirely certain what I think," I laughed faintly whilst picking up my belongings, two bags in either hand. "Thank you for bringing me here, but I can take care of things from this point."

He put his hands on his hips and looked back at the manor, letting out a low whistle.

"Ya sure ya don't want me to stay?"

"It'd be fairly uncouth for me to invite in a near stranger, besides you should leave whilst you still have some light."

There was a brief pause before he shrugged and climbed back onto the carriage, wiggling his hips a little until he'd found a position he was comfortable in.

"Sure you'll be alright?"

"Positive, I have people coming in a few days to check the roof for further damage," I nodded as I speak, thinking of the repair that my father had already paid to be done before I arrived.

Something about seeing to the base of the house as it was sinking into a red clay like substance.

This was apparently how it'd earned its nickname of Crimson Peak, a name I found oddly fascinating.

"Right well, luck to ya," he tipped his hat.

I stepped back and watched as he maneuvered the carriage around and headed back down the path, giving me a farewell wave.

After returning the wave I took one last deep breath, my lungs filling with nippy autumn air that held the smell of clay, before heading to the front door.

Setting my bags down I take out a selection of keys, fumbling around until I found the right one to twist into the lock.

With a clunk the doors swung open to invite me to my new home in Allerdale Hall.