Julia was fond of meat and she adored duck. She would answer with a calm voice. "Duck, please. I simply love duck." she said and then she looked towards Leva and bit her lip before she looked towards the man who was their host. "Um. Sir. Leva doesn't eat meat." she said, looking down at her shoes. "I hope I didn't offend." she said, biting her lip.

"Lord Kelnor." the Earl reminded her with a smirk. "And a vegetarian eh? Must admit we don't get too many of those this way. If afraid at this hour the menu may me somewhat inflexible, but our cook always provides an abundance of wonderful seasonal vegetables, so I promise you shalln't go hungry."

The food was not long in coming, and looked mouthwatering. The Earl was having the duck also. As they ate he asked the girls about their reasons for traveling through this part of the country so late at night and in such appalling weather conditions. In return, he spoke of himself, the house and his family. He explained that he was the last survivor of his family, and that his estate streched for miles around the house. At one time the estate was propserous, with many tenant farmers cultivatig his land and providing a healthy income for his family. But things started to change. His sister died at the age of thirty-two under mysterious circumstances. She was found dead in a clearing in the woods wirth strange marks on her neck.

News travelled fast, and the ignorant locals started muttering about witchcraft and black magic. In their eyes, the house was cursed. Pure superstitious nonsense of course, but gradually the farmers moved to new pastures, avoiding the estate.

Julia listened with pure interest at the tales, her mouth open as she stared. She loved these stories; they always amazed her and made her so curious. She ate as she listened, glancing at Leva with a smile as she kept listening and then when it was done, her duck was only half eaten because she had forgotten about the food and had been so entranced by the amazing tale this man had told of his house and his family. How old was he?

She would then sit upright with an excited face. "Really? A cursed house? I'm so sorry.. I love these kinds of tales. But I'm sorry about your sister.... do you have any idea what might have happened to her or was it so mysterious... that all ideas were ruled out?" Julia hoped she wasn't being too snoopy but she loved these stories and she had a taste for mystery and for the supernatural and dark magic. She had always been amazed.

Leva enjoyed the mans story and the wonderful salad that she ate. "Wow....what an interesting history, This place is so beautiful its a shame no one works it for you I can just see orchards surrounding this place making it look mysterious and more stunning then it already is." she said, she loved landscaping and hunting stories, she was almost as excited as Julia about this place. She noticed that she had finished her salad and looked back at it perplexed.

"All consigned to mystery and speculation I'm afraid." the Earl replied, a wistful smile on his face. "And yet we remain, for better or worse. Even so my dears, you must both be quite tired; it is well past midnight. Franklins will show you to your room."

The butler, still with a sombre expression, said "This way if you please." He led the girls up a wide staircase with carved wooden banisters. A landing at the top lead to various different rooms, each with a name plaque on the door. The butler stopped outside one which read 'Erasmus Room' and opened the door, wishing them a good night's sleep.

The room behind the door had been prepared. It was not large, but as huge mirror appeared to double it's size. Crisp white sheets had been folded back on the double bed, and a warm fire burned in the fireplace. The door closed as the butler left the room.

The girls knew that if they did not leave immediately they would not make tomorrow's appointment in time, but if it was true that there was no useable phone, what could they do?

Julia walked inside the room, looking around and admiring and observing the furniture. She was still in a bit of shock but had calmed down; and now she could feel the tiredness overtaking her. She looked to Leva and then she made sure the door was closed as she took off her clothes and had on a baggy t-shirt and some shorts on. She then climbed into the bed, and moved over, making room for Leva to climb in as she stared up at the ceiling. She hadn't said a word.

(Sorry for the late post...)
Leva smileda t Julia before dropping her bags and pulled out the dryest thing in her bag before droppping into the bed and falling into a dreamless sleep that overwhealmed her mind and soul. It was a deep almost loveing sleep.