Nice development!
There were some lines in the preliminary template that made me think that the scene was placed in an earlier time. Surely the Countesses exist nowadays as well. I think Princess Diana was a countess. But look at this phrase below, specifically at the word "ride"
He feels, and I must agree, that it would be too dangerous to ride back in such weather.
To me, it points to a horse ride. Again, all is possible and nowadays one can ride a horse as a pleasure. Yet I doubt this would be the choice of transportation before the storm.
Surely, this could also point to a bus ride. But it seemed doubtable to me that the Count that has a mansion and servants would have to ride a bus from his office in the city to his mansion.
Though I might not fully appreciate the word "ride". Maybe a drive in a car could also be considered a ride. What do you think?
You know, that's very interesting and I believe you are likely correct, but (being honest here) I do remember noticing the word "ride" but it didn't translate for me into riding horseback. Maybe it was because when I'd gotten that far I was already plotting it out as a story taking place in the current time frame?
I just can't remember why the word didn't jump out at me, as it should have.
I think it could refer to a ride in a car, since he probably would be driven by a chauffeur and therefore be "riding," but I think it's more likely that your interpretation is correct. :)
It's interesting to see everyone's interpretations.
When I wrote the prompt, I imagined it taking place around the time that @mgaft1 said, but I intentionally left it vague. So modern day or historical are both fine. He could be riding a horse, a bike, in a carriage, in a car, whatever you all wanted for your stories. 😉
Yes, I think it being vague had something to do with the direction I went. The way you used it was very clever as a key part of the prompt, giving the feeling of going one way, but also allowing for a broader interpretation. Thanks for the explanation!
Yeah, the ride with a chauffeur fits the template snugly. It's interesting how we all perceive different things from the same startup template. Cheers!