My Nocturnal Serenade

Chapter 4

I must have fallen asleep at some point, but the stop of the carriage had jerked me awake. I peeked out of the curtain, trying to get a look at where Poe had taken me. I caught a glimpse of a large building before I heard footsteps and voices outside. 

"Have you got her?" A male voice I didn't recognized asked, an arrogant tone hanging in the air. I immediately shut my eyes, unsure of what exactly I was brought here for.

"Yes, master. But be warned, she's exhausted." Poe's gentle tone traveled to my ears as the soft click from the carriage door startled me. My fear must have shown, because the unfamiliar face that greeted me softened. Poe called out from behind him, "Miss Brynn, this is Daniel Winthrop; He's the master of the manor."

My jaw dropped to the floor. I've seen portraits of the manor's last master, but those were painted over a hundred years ago. I backed away, mind spinning. This was definitely his face, but how? He looks no older than nineteen, like he stopped aging. I looked him in the eyes to see the same confusion.

"Nice to meet you, Brynn. Welcome to my summer home, though it's nowhere near as grand as the manor," He and Poe stepped aside in unison, revealing a beautiful work of cobblestone and wood. Master Winthrop chuckled at my awed expression, but his gaze quickly shot up to the sky. "I'm afraid we have to cut this visit short, my dear. Poe, it's almost dawn. Get her out of here."

Before I could even let out a 'hello', or ask anything, the carriage door was being shut and we were moving again. I tried my hardest to stay awake, but my eyelids seemed to droop of their own accord; as the movements lulled me back to sleep.