Garnet or Garnets Curse

me high in the air and opened his mouth wide to swallow me whole. “ Let me go, ” I screamed. “ Someone help me! ”
    As I struggled and fought, a loud pounding noise filled my ears. I could hear voices, but I could not answer. I felt my body shaking and the room spinning.
    “ Garnet! Garnet! Wake up. You are having a nightmare, ” were the first words I understood. I opened my eyes and saw Robert and Rosa standing over me. I felt over my body to see if I was of normal size and sat up in bed.
    “ Too much wine! ” Rosa said, sitting on the side of the bed next to me. “ Robert, shame on you. You should have been more mindful of the girl, ” Rosa said, speaking to Robert as if he were a child.
    “ Are you alright, darling? ” Robert said, leaning over to touch my forehead for fever.
    “ Yes, I suppose it was too much wine, ” I agreed.
    “ She is soaking wet. Robert, go downstairs and get her some warm milk. I will help her get changed. ” Robert nodded and reluctantly left the room. “ Don ’ t worry my pet; Rosa will take care of you. ”

    Chapter XVI
    The End

    Thunder, lightning and the sound of heavy rain awoke me. I opened my eyes just in time to see a branch slap against the window like the wing of a big blackbird. It was so dreary and gray that I could not determine the time of day.
    The nightmare was a foggy memory. I assumed it was triggered by the Ortolans at dinner. Still, something about it had left me feeling uneasy about Robert.
    I sat up in bed and looked across the room at the giltwood chaise. It was empty, but tossed to the side was Rosa’s blanket and ruffled pillow. She had slipped out of the room without waking me.
    As soon as I was dressed, I walked across the hall and knocked on Maria’s door. There was no answer and my thoughts drifted back to the morning that Auntie did not answer her door. I opened the door, but she was gone. At first I panicked, until I saw her things neatly arranged in the closet.
    I walked down the hall hoping to find someone, but the oak room was empty. Before I started down the steps, I stopped to watch the rain gushing against the glass ceiling. As I stood admiring the architectural miracle, a large drop of rain pecked me on the head. I reached up and wiped the water off my forehead.
    “Nothing man creates is ever perfect,” came a voice from below. I looked down and saw Robert. “Feeling better?” he asked. “I expect you are famished. Will you join me for my midday meal? If it is not to your early rising taste, I will have the cook prepare you something lighter.”
    “No, I am sure it will be fine,” I said, realizing it was afternoon. I walked with Robert to a small dining room just off the kitchen.
    Just as I took my seat across from him, Rosa popped in the door. “There you are,” she said, now speaking openly in Spanish to me. “I was afraid that you would have the headache this morning.”
    “No, I am remarkably well,” I replied, even though it was somewhat of a lie.
    The meal commenced to be served. Although Robert accepted the wine, I requested spring water.

    Le Menu

    wine: Riesling
    *Salade Verte

    wine: Pinot Noir
    *Poutine (French-fried potatoes and gravy)
    *Carottes braisées
    *Maiale al Latte (pork roast braised with milk and fresh herbs)

    wine: Champagne
    * Le Fromage: Blue cheese and cheddar board, sliced apples, pears and walnuts

    *Cafe au Lait
    Presented with shavings of chocolate and brown sugar

    During the meal, I am reminded that Maria left early to ask Charles for a housekeeping job. Robert expected Aaron to return by tomorrow with information about my father ’ s ship.
    Robert said he had planned to take me horseback riding, but due to the weather and my restless night he had reconsidered. He suggested two options: a game of dominos or a tour of the stables.
    “ Why not both? ” I asked, offering up my best smile.
    “ Excellent, ” he replied, and walked over to the window. “ Looks like the rain has let up. Get your wrap and I will meet you downstairs in a half hour. ”
    He left the room, but I remained to finish my coffee. I wanted to see that tapestry in the daylight. I walked across the hall to the dining room. In contrast to last night, the room was cold and empty. The only evidence of last night ’ s meal was a single forgotten fork on the floor.
    I paused for a moment, then walked with quick steps to stand directly under the tapestry. It was a massive piece of work covering the better part of