I gasp when I see the hansom cab pulling up next to us. The ginger-haired man screams out the window, “I knew you were Jinar! Stop at once.”
Jin grabs my umbrella and sticks it out the window. Then he thrusts it into the back wheel of the cab. The wheel locks up and the carriage pulls violently to the left. Despite a valiant effort by the driver to straighten its course, the carriage flips over. The driver is sprawled out in the road. The ginger-haired man is hanging out the window, his head covered in blood. I turn my head away.
Jin puts his arm around me. “Dearest, I am sorry you had to witness such a horror, but something had to be done.”
I take his hand. “I know. We’re safe now.”
Luckily, we get a sleeper car this time but I don’t know how much sleep I’m going to get in a room that is shocking red-orange. The bedspread has giant silver poppies dancing across the bright red pillows and blanket. Why didn’t I bring a pair of sunglasses? I flop down on the sofa that converts to a bed. My feet are killing me as usual, so I unlace my boots. Next thing I need to do is get rid of this damn corset. “Jin, can you get my trunk? I’ve got to change.”
“I do not see why you would wish to change. Tis an agony in red, but your purple dress is quite striking against the walls.”
I laugh. “Agony, that’s what it is all right.” I know he’s teasing me about the purple dress. With my platinum blond hair added to the mix, I’m sure the clash of colors is making his stomach churn. He puts the trunk on the floor next to me. I flip open the latches and dig through Roderick’s mistress’s clothes. At the bottom I find my jeans, and Dad’s plaid shirt. I run my hand along the sleeve. A pang of homesickness hits me hard. Long Island feels like a universe away. Not only do I miss my dad, but part of me even misses the Crandys.
Jin frowns. “Dearest, what is vexing you?”
I pull out my jeans and Dad’s shirt. “I’m homesick. I’m going to put these on.”
“I do not think it is wise for you to wear your garments from the future.”
I bat my eyelashes. “But, Flitter Mouse. No one will see me.”
“If you insist. But you must change back before the train arrives at the station in Germany.”
“Party pooper.”
“Party poo? I can not fathom what you are talking about.”
I smile. It’s been awhile since he’s not understood my slang. Since we’ve been in 1890 I’ve tried really hard not to use any. “It means that you don’t want me to be comfortable.”
“On the contrary, I want nothing but your happiness. I just want you to be careful.”
“We’re safe for now. Loosen up your collar.”
“Yes, Dearest.” Jin winces in pain when he takes off his starched white collar. “These truly are quite the encumbrance. I must say I prefer the shirts of the future.”
I smile. “That’s the first time you’ve ever said anything nice about living in the twenty-first century. What was your favorite thing about it?”
He strokes my cheek. “You.”
I thought I couldn’t fall for him any harder, but I was wrong. He really would be the perfect husband. Just one problem—he’s not human. Maybe that’s why he’s never made a pass at me and we’ve only kissed. There is no better opportunity to find out if we can truly be together then now. “I’m tired. Think I’ll get some sleep.”
Jin nods. “It is wise that you rest. Confronting Roderick will take all your strength.”
The reality of his words hits me in the face like a cold washcloth. I make my way to the bathroom. I gaze at myself in the mirror. Esme, you may never get another chance. Anything can happen tomorrow. I unbutton my denim shirt down to my navel. Let’s see if Jin really did see me naked before.
I open the door to find Jin with a puzzled look on his face. “Whom were you talking to?”
“Ah, just myself.” I put my arms up so part of my breast is showing. “Sometimes I recite a little poem before I go to sleep.”
Jin can’t take his eyes off my chest. “I appreciate verse.”
I knew he was lying. “Really, is that what you appreciate?”
He turns bright red. “Ah…can you recite it for me?”
Guess he’s not ready to make a move. Maybe I can still win him over. “T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even my little Flitter Mouse.”
The train rocks back and forth as I toss and turn. Nightmares keep waking me up. In the first one Jin couldn't stop laughing about my stupid poem. He tells me I’m like a sister to him. Wait, did that actually happen? Nah. The next, the ginger-haired man follows us onto the train. He arrests Jin and before he’s whisked away, I make my final wish and return to Long Island alone. The train’s wheels squeal against the tracks and I wake to another nightmare—Jin is sick again. With every mile we draw closer to Prague, Roderick’s hold on him grows stronger.
I get up from bed to find Jin coming out the bathroom, wiping his forehead. “Are you all right?”
“I am doing my best to hold Roderick at bay. ‘Tis not an easy task.”
Boy, do I know it. He couldn’t even enjoy my little attempt at seduction last night. My cleavage wasn’t enough to combat Roderick’s growing hold over him. I give Jin a hug. “You’re the most courageous person I know.”
“I am flattered that you think of me as human. But there is no denying I am a genie. One who should be more proficient at warding off a malicious former Master.”
I cup my hands over his cheeks. “You are human to me. More than many real humans I know. Especially that jerk, Roderick.”
He gives me a weak smile. “Thank you. But I feel I have failed you miserably. You risked everything for me.”
“I’d do it again. Now stop letting him win. Pull yourself together. We have an evil magician to kill.”
“Kill? I doubt we will be able to get close enough to do him any harm if his powers have grown as much as he proclaims.”
“He’s bluffing. I know it.”
How can you be so certain?”
“Because we’re both still alive.”
“Point taken.”
The train pulls into the station and we barely have an hour to spare. I put on the only clean dress I have left. It’s bright red silk to match the sleeping compartment. With its strategically placed ruffles around the bust I instantly feel like a hooker. Jin doesn’t notice I’ve sprung even more cleavage. He’s too busy hailing a carriage. He flags down a lovely open coach. He helps me in and thoughtfully places a blanket across my lap. “Driver, make haste to the Estates Theater.”
The coachman cracks his whip and the horses lurch forward. Prague is a beautiful city with a river running through it covered by majestic bridges just like Paris. But we have no time for a romantic stroll. Instead, I run through various scenarios of how we are going to confront Roderick. Maybe I can find a way to get backstage and corner him, while Jin comes around from the other side. I have the element of surprise, as Roderick has no idea what I look like, but he will recognize Jin in a second. Disguise—he needs a disguise. But where are we going to get one at this time of night? Then I have a brilliant idea. I tap the driver on the shoulder. “Sir, we are to attend a costume ball. Do you know where we can procure some cool outfits?”
Jin smiles. “You sounded like a proper English lady until the end.”
The driver stops the coach. “Madam, there is nothing open except a rather seedy establishment.” He eyes my ruffled bodice. “Not fit for you.”
“I appreciate your concern, but it would be more of an embarrassment to arrive as we are.”
Jin leans forward. “It is perfectly all right, driver. Take us to the establishment.”
I keep forgetting that women have no say in Victorian times, especially over their husbands. “Sorry, Jin, I’m rotten at playing the dutiful wife.”
“You are doing marvelously. I am convinced.”
He always knows how to make me feel better.
; The coach stops in front of a brick building with a sign that reads, “Emporium.”
The driver hands Jin a card. “Knock on the door three times and give them this.”
Am I suddenly starring in a cloak and dagger movie? I hold my arm out for Jin, but he doesn’t help me out of the coach. “Tis not a place for ladies. Remember?”
I grab hold of the side strap and help myself down. “If you think I’m not going in with you, you’re crazy. I have to make sure your disguise would fool even me.”
He sighs. “All right, but it is highly irregular. I do not know if they will let you in.”
Ugh. I hate all the stupid conventions Victorian men put on women. Why should they have all the fun?
Jin knocks three times on the door. A scruffy man with a beard answers. “What ya want?”
He hands the man the card. “We need to obtain disguises.”
The man looks me up and down. “Ya can com in, but not the ladybird.”
I have a feeling ladybird isn’t a compliment. In fact, I’m pretty sure he just called me a prostitute. But instead of saying something snarky back, I keep my mouth shut and play the dutiful wife.
Jin loops my arm around his. “Sir, I will have you know this is my wife. She needs to purchase a wig for a costume party we are going to attend.”
He takes a glance at my tacky dress and steps aside. We enter a store filled with cases of mustaches of every style imaginable, beards short and long, and several types of wigs. Some very classy looking gentlemen are trying on fake beards. I nudge Jin. “Why do they need to hide who they are?”
“They are going to visit ladies of the night. These men are high born and most decidedly married. They do not want to be recognized.”
“Wow, that’s pretty disgusting.”
The men next to us turn and stare. Jin ignores them and tries on a huge handlebar mustache. “Do you recognize me?”
“Yes. You look like Jin with a ridiculous mustache.” I rip the mustache off his lip and slap it on mine. “Do you think I look like a man?”
He laughs. “One who likes to wear pretty frocks and ribbons in his hair.”
“Exactly. You need something that covers up more of your face.”
I laugh when Jin slaps on a pair of muttonchops. Now the large handlebar mustache will work perfectly. I stick it back on his lip. “Look in the mirror. You won’t recognize yourself.”
He gazes into the mirror on the counter. “You are quite right. Who is that man in the reflection?”
So the salesman at the counter doesn’t get suspicious, I point to a short red wig. “I shall take the red one.”
He puts the wig in a bag and turns to Jin. “Sir, would you like to wear your concealments out of the establishment?”
Jin nods and quickly pays the man. We dart out the door knowing there is hardly any time left to get to the performance. Jin makes sure I’m safely tucked into the carriage and then tells the driver, “To the Estate Theater posthaste.”
We speed through a labyrinth of streets and stop in front of an enormous three-story stone building. I squeeze Jin’s hand. “Are you ready to do battle with your former Master?”
He twirls his huge mustache. “I believe I am.”
I laugh. His face covered in fake hair looks ridiculous. “Do I know you?”
“I would hope you would recognize your own husband.”
Husband. I love how that sounds. Jin is my make-believe husband but for how much longer? Will we even survive the night? No time for cold feet. Jin helps me out of the carriage. There are so many people I can barely see the steps to the entrance. Roderick must be very popular. Jin helps me out of the coach and I have to tuck in my bustle to dodge several couples making their way up the grand steps. The women are wearing beautiful form-fitting gowns in jewel colors. I look like a hooker in my gaudy red silk dress. My cheeks must match my dress I’m so embarrassed.
Jin ignores the occasional sneers. “Let us make our way to the box office. With luck we’ll be able to obtain a pair of seats.”
Despite the fact I stand out like a duck among a flock of peacocks, I hold my head up high as we make our way up the steps. We wait in a long line at the box office. Bells ring out from inside the theater. The performance is about to start. Jin is finally in front of the box office but the cashier closes the window. Jin taps on the glass. “We would like a pair of tickets.”
The cashier slides the window open a crack. “Sorry, sir, the performance is sold out.”
I pull Jin aside. “Terrific. Guess we will just have to figure out a way to sneak in.”
“You look tired, Dearest. We should obtain food and a place to rest.”
“Jin, this isn’t like you to give up so easily.”
“Did you see the formidable gentleman at the doors? I have no strength to do battle. I grow weary of Roderick’s games.”
I take his hand and point to a bench. “Let’s go sit down over there. I’m sure we can figure something out.”
He reluctantly follows my lead. The pain must be unbearable with Roderick so near by. I notice his forehead is sweating again. I reach into my bag to get my handkerchief. Something is in the way. “What the heck?”
“Dearest, what is causing you consternation?”
“I don’t know. There is something inside my bag that wasn’t there before. Some kind of cards.”
Jin’s fake mustache dances on his lip. “Be cautious, Dearest. Roderick is up to something. I feel it in my bones.”
I slowly pull the papers out of my bag as if they’re a loaded gun. “OMG! Tickets to tonight’s performance!”
Chapter 11
Swimming Lesson
I’m excited and nervous at the same time. The tickets stick to my sweaty palms. “Should we accept Roderick’s invitation even though we’ll be walking right into his trap?”
Jin sighs. “There is no doubt we are heading into a flummut situation.”
“Flummut? What the heck is that?
“It means dangerous.”
The way Jin is throwing slang around I’m really going to need a Victorian slang dictionary. “What else can we do?”
“There is no avoiding him. He can do what he wants with me.”
I’ve never heard Jin so resigned. The pain he’s fighting off must be unbearable. “Look, we’ve come here to kick his ass. Don’t you forget that.” I hold out my hands like two pistols. “I’m armed with two wishes and I’m going to use them.”
A smile fades from his face and he gently takes my hand. “Esme, it has been my greatest pleasure to serve you. I want you to promise me you will save the last wish for yourself. You must use it while I am alive. I can not grant your wish if I am no more.”
“What are you talking about? I have two wishes left. I’ll save you.”
“Mistress, this is quite a calamitous situation. There is a possibility that Roderick will take my life. If you have not completed all your wishes you will be trapped in the Victorian era for the rest of your life. So it is essential that before anything dire happens, you find me and wish to return home—back to your father.”
“You’re talking crazy.” I can’t imagine going back to Long Island without Jin. But he’s right. Even if by some miracle I’m able to save him from Roderick’s clutches, if I use the last wish Jin will vanish. I’m willing to take the gamble on never returning home. “I’m sorry, Jin, but I can’t make that promise. My place is here by your side. I’ll never use my last wish.”
Jin looks deep into my eyes. “I care for you like no other. But will you not miss your father desperately? You fought so hard to save his life.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything. I’ll miss my father, but I would miss you more.”
He strokes my cheek. “Are you certain of such a monumental decision?
“Of course. I know nothing is going to happen to you.” I make sure his mustache and muttonchops are stuck down tight. “Now let’s go in there and destroy Roderick.”
We
pass through the huge marble columned entry of the Estate Theaters’ main lobby. My eyes have a hard time taking in all the amazing detail. From the enormous crystal chandeliers shaped like upside down wedding cakes, to the elaborately stenciled ceilings, the theater takes my breath away. I try to act cool, not like some awestruck American tourist. The inside of the theater is shaped in a semi-circle. Long rows of gilded boxes hover over the main floor seating section like the ridges inside a nautilus shell. The place is jam packed with people. No wonder it was sold out.
I scan the endless rows and find the last two empty seats. Great. They’re on opposite sides of the theater. I point them out to Jin.
A worried look spreads across his face. “We can not be separated at such a great distance. You will not be able to make a wish. Let us stand in the back.”
“No, it will be too easy for Roderick to spot us. Your disguise is good but not that good.”
“Dearest, it is not a wise decision. Let us…”
An usher interrupts him. “You must be seated. The performance is about to commence.”
I follow the usher to my seat. Jin hesitates at first, then turns and walks to the other side of the theater. I try to keep my bustle tucked in as I rush past two people to get to my seat. The Master of Ceremonies, dressed in tails and a top hat, trots out onto the stage just as I plant my butt firmly in the chair.
He speaks first in Czechoslovakian, and then in heavily accented English. “Ladies and Gentleman, what you are about to witness is magic like you have never seen before. Prepare to be astounded.” He tips his hat to the audience. “Without further ado, Roderick the Magnificent!”
Although I’d seen pictures of the magician in his home in London, seeing my enemy in the flesh is surreal. He’s short and pudgy with a bulbous nose like the photos. Yet somehow on stage he appears much taller. Maybe it’s the top hat and tails. Plus, he’s wearing a long black cape that hits his knees. Then I realize it’s because the spotlights cast a long shadow behind him. Clever.
Jin In Time Boxed Set 1-3: A Young Adult Time Travel Romance (The Time is Forever Series) Page 17