The mist obscured the rain-cloaked road as the carriage jerked along the track. Rain thudded against the roof, pattering onto the cobblestones beside the firth. Far out to sea a ship's bell rang out faintly, its sound lost beneath the rushing of the wind, the patter of raindrops, the rattle of the carriage, and the steady clip-clop of the horses' hooves against the cobblestones.
''I do hope there will be someone at the castle,'' said Mrs. Lacy from the cushioned seat across from Agnes, ''despite what the man at the inn said. Someplace to stay, and something to eat. Even tea or brandy would be welcome. How dreadful it is to be stranded on a deserted moor at night, miles from anywhere.''
Agnes said nothing, she was still thinking of the man who had recommended the moor. She had gone the last ten miles of the journey in the carriage. What he said he could do had seemed such a simple fix to her; she had written a quick letter of apology and asked him to collect her at the inn, but had not thought it necessary to tell him anything more. He had looked at his watch and said he would be with her in an hour or so, and that was the last she had seen of him.
''It is just as well, now he can't send you back to that dreadful place,'' Mrs. Lacy chattered on. ''Would you believe it? I saw her, the painted hussy. I was no more than in the stables, mind you, when I saw her. She was in her boudoir, dressing for another of those parties, I do believe. But, on our money! Well! It was wrong of Mr. Lacy to give in to her. I told him it was wrong right from the beginning, but he wouldn't listen to me.''
''Shh, Lucy, the driver might hear you,'' Agnes said to her companion, trying to be gentle. Mrs. Lacy was getting closer to Mrs. Lacy. ''It was wrong from the very beginning. But, think of what you would have had to endure, if the court had convicted you. I thought this was the end of that ordeal.''
''Well, I shall not tell Lucy what you said, but I am grateful you were here when they took me away. I turned away and tried to bury my shame, but you were there, and helped me get through it. You don't know how much I appreciated that. I am so grateful for this opportunity you have given me, and I am sorry I thought I had failed you. It was just my body, not my heart. I have learned a lot in these last few months, you know, admiring Mr. Lacy. I have done better things, I am so much more responsible than I ever was, and you have taught me whatever it was I could have learned.''
Mrs. Lacy sniveled into her handkerchief. ''You deserve so much,'' she whimpered, ''and yet, so little. You are everything. You are my sister. When I was released it was you who asked me to live with you. I had no home, and my own home is ruined. I can never go back there, and I could not stand alone. I am lucky to have you. It does not matter what she says or does. You will always be there for me, helping me with this, and that, and my good health.''
Agnes tipped her head down, and looked out of the window at the drops of water making small craters in the road. ''It is lovely to have you. I am glad you are with me, but I fear that we may be in trouble,'' she said as she sat up straight.
''What is it?'' Mrs. Lacy asked. ''Where are we?''
The carriage stopped. ''I'm not sure. I think we are at the castle.''
The carriage door opened. ''Sorry to keep you waiting, ladies, but it seems the rain has come early this year. We have the mists, and it's difficult to tell direction.'' One of the horses snorted and shook its head, as if to tell the driver something. Cobblestones crunched under the carriage wheels as the team turned around. An opening appeared, only to disappear into rain-streaked mist. It was a small, circular opening, but it opened.
Mrs. Lacy doubled over, and gasped for breath. ''It was right on this side, and now it is gone.''
''What do you mean?'' Agnes asked. ''It just disappeared into mist, and we are still here.''
''It must have moved, or merged, like the walls of the castle did.''
Mrs. Lacy straightened up. ''Turn the carriage around, and head back that way.''
''We have been driving these last few miles, and the mists have not dispersed.'' The driver consulted the gloved hands of the horses and nodded, turning the carriage about.
Agnes frowned. ''Why would the entrance simply disappear?''
The driver shrugged. ''Perhaps the fog is too thick?''
''Perhaps,'' Agnes said, but her frown remained, as she looked at the rain-filled night.
The carriage entered the opening. And then, the rain stopped. The road behind it vanished, though none of the three people in the carriage saw it. They clung to each other, and hoped for salvation, as the carriage rolled through the mist.