The horse's rhythmic trot echoed over the gobbled brown pathway and the small colorful bells hanging from the carriage curtains jingled softly as they entered through the gates of Mayfair Manor Hotel. The rusting sign swung welcomingly on the wrought-iron gate.A clearer view of Mayfair Hotel soon came into sight. The hotel was lit by the sun's glow and its grey and white bricked structure framed by the surrounding green trees that swayed with the breeze. The clock tower stood the ticking clock at its tallest tower. Its hands pointing to half ten.
And with no doubt Cleorata anxiously waited for her young cousin's arrival at the entrance of the grand hotel. Her hands gracefully cupped into each other at her waist and her long brown hair clipped at the back with a white bow and parted in two over her thin shoulders. Her long cream dress occasionally fluttered and with smiling eyes she scanned the new atmosphere of her carriages pulling up one by one, guests emerging and smiling as the cool breeze passed through them. Some elderly guests being helped out of their carriages, their luggage being offloaded and moved onto waiting carts. She smiled at a laughing couple and nodded politely hello.
"Welcome to Mayfair Manor Hotel, Cleorata Ravenscrof,Mr Ravenscrfts granddaughter.Its a pleasure having you back,Please do make your way to the reception for some refreshments" she bowed curtly and looked back as the other carriages disappeared down the gobbled path.The pathway now lay empty.Her cousin surely will arrive any moment.She strained her hazel eyes down the long path hoping to catch a glimpse of her cousins carriage. With none in sight,she heaved a huge sigh and turned to enter the hotel to formerly welcome her guests when the familiar sound of the trotting of a horse caught her attention. She spun around with raised eyebrows and a wobbly smile plastered on her face.
A black carriage pulled by a strikingly big black horse trotted at unexpected pace up the path.The horse stopped tiredly and bowed its head down and snorted sending a swirl of dust to fly up. A couchman pulled back the curtain and waiting for its passenger to exist. Cleo looked on closer to observe what the carriage holds within. It made her think and look back at her guests that had already entered the grand hotel that surely she did not know any of them and that their must keep safe within them their deepest and darkest secrets...
With earnest eyes Cleo looked on as the passenger stepped out. The coachman stepped away when a young gentleman step out, pushing his black hat down over his eyes. His fair face lit by the setting sunlight. An aching feeling of disappointment set into Cleo. Certainly, there must be another carriage bringing my dearest cousin. She thought sadly. She looked past the horizon. The sun almost setting and the open skyline turned into a bright orange colour.
"Miss Cleorata" he said tipping his hat as he jogged up the staircase. He stopped infront of her slightly out of breath.
"Welcome to Mayfair hotel" she managed to say.
"I have unfortunate news Miss cleorata..."
"What is it?" she asked in haste breathing in deeply.
"Your dear cousin Miss Mathra has..."
"Has what?!" she snapped
The young gentleman took of his hat and smoothed back her black curly hair. With his hat politely at his chest. "sadly is very unwell"
Cleorata gasped audibly, her shaking hand few up to her mouth "oh dear...this so unfortunate Mr..." she looks up know realizing she has not been introduced to this gentleman.
"Samuel Pritchart,Samual if you wish to call me by" he flashers her a eager smile
Cleorata nodded politely know regaining hope "What do you do?"
"Nothing more then an eager assistant for Inspector Blackwood.Its hasn't been for such long time, but I must say I do hope to get better at it! "
"Ah" she says with a thin smile now quite enjoying his pleasant personality "I have very close aquainteness to Mr.Blackwood myself.He help investigate my grandfathers murder death not to long ago. Unfortunately the murderer has not been uncovered" with a low voice
"Indeed Miss Cleo, I have heard of the case, but at that time I was still in training and wasn't quite ready to assist.."
"Very well" Cleorata looked up to see the sun fade away from her sight and as darkness now quickly enveloped the sky.
"Dear me, its quite late! Well, surely you'll come in for dinner Mr Samual?"
"I wouldn't mind"
Cleo couldn't help but smile with her eyes and push back her hair behind her ear shyly as Samuel shot her a dreamy look.As they turned to enter the hotel the candlelight's held in gold and brass peacocks handles lit up magically as the two entered through the carved double doors. Its colour a polished green with brass handles the shape of gold peacocks. Cleo nodded in the direction of a caramel cat who swished its tale gently on the windowsill on the right of the door. Who surprisingly meowed in reply as if it could understand her.
The doors gracefully opened themselves and the two stepped into the grand hotel. The cream and white marble tiles sparkled as they entered and a huge crystal chandelier twinkled from the ceiling. The smell of vanilla and jasmine wrapped itself around them and the portraits on the walls whispered a hello....
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