All this dirt and exhaustion just to spend a day at the Highland Games and have a fancy dinner. I wouldn’t mind so much if we had a car. Going fifty miles an hour we’d get to the castle in less than five hours. But it’s not the 21st Century, it’s the 19th, and after months of living in Victorian England, I’ve learned what a huge difference a hundred years can make.
We hit yet another bump and for once I don’t curse my bustle. It gives me some extra padding as we jostle over our thousandth pothole. The Highland Games better be pretty awesome after this sucky journey.
Jin gazes contentedly out the window oblivious to my aching butt.
“Is not the countryside marvelous? Scotland is a wondrous place. I hear the castle is spectacular. We are just kilometers away.”
I love Jin’s enthusiasm for everything. It’s like he is seeing things for the first time, which in this case, for once, he is.
“What are you more excited about?” I ask. “Staying a night in a famous castle or seeing the Highland Games?”
“Both of course. I always wished I had been given a Master in Scotland. There are so many unique dining options here.”
“Well, all I can say is if they have haggis for dinner I’m not going to eat it. The whole idea of serving a meal out of a sheep’s stomach is just gross!”
He gives me a mischievous smile. “Why are you so adventurous in life and so completely stilted when it comes to cuisine?”
I stroke his handsome face. “Having a genie as a husband takes a lot out of a girl.”
Jin laughs. “’Tis true. I hope it is not too vexing.”
I squeeze his hand. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
His face grows serious. “Are you certain, dearest? You have given up so much for me. Would not you be graduating from high school about now?”
I keep forgetting how perceptive Jin is. When I’m struck by a bout of homesickness he feels it with as much strength as I do. “Yes, I would be getting ready to head off to college. But because of you I get to visit a spectacular Scottish castle instead. It’s a fair trade-off.”
The look on his face shows he doesn’t believe me, but he lets it go. “Speaking of spectacular, look, we’ve arrived at Robmar!”
The carriage stops in front of a sweeping two-tiered stone staircase as wide as a stretch limousine. Two large urns sit atop a pair of massive pedestals that are even taller than Jin. The only castle I’ve seen in real life is the one at Disneyland. Robmar is at least three times the size. I do everything I can to act like I belong in such a formidable place. “Such a quaint little castle.”
Jin laughs. “Yes, indeed. I am certain the owner has a manor house far larger.”
Having seen some of the manors in Derbyshire, I think Robmar might just beat them out. Two footmen join us at the base of the stairs and gather up our trunks. I move in front of the taller of the two. “Excuse me, but I was wondering exactly how many rooms are in the castle?”
“I believe it has over seventy, Madam, but it may be more. I have never had the opportunity to view the entire residence.”
I shake my head as the footmen trot off with our trunks like they weigh nothing. “Seventy rooms? Do they really have that many guests?”
My answer comes quickly as we enter the vast entryway to the castle. The massive wood-paneled room buzzes with the voices of at least fifty guests milling around talking and drinking. Seven uniform clad butlers pass through the room with large silver trays covered in glasses. I turn to Jin. “It’s so late, what are the people drinking?”
“I believe it is a hot toddy. Very gracious of the Duke to offer an aid in procuring a good night’s rest.”
One of the butlers walks by and I take a glass. “I could use some sleep after that trip.”
Jin sees someone in the crowd he knows. “’Tis Lord McKenzie the Earl of Dundee. He has to be the person who invited us. I must go and thank him.”
I down my glass and follow behind him like a dutiful wife. We weave through two groups of people until we are standing in front of the lord. Jin gives him a slight bow. “Good to see you, my lord. Thank you kindly for the invitation.”
Lord McKenzie could be the poster boy for Scotland with his flowing red beard and colorful plaid kilt. “Aye, ’tis you, Mr. Sansby. Glad you are here for the games, but I did not invite ya.”
My throat goes dry. If he didn't invite us, then who did?
Jin smiles and takes the news in stride. “Well, I am glad to see you nonetheless.”
The lord pats him on the back. “I hope ye and your wife will join me at the games tomorrow.”
“Will be our pleasure.”
A bell sounds, and like cows being led to the barn, we all head to our assigned rooms. Jin opens the door to our bedroom that features a gilt canopy bed over ten feet tall covered in a dramatic black and purple fabric. The ceiling, decorated with an elaborate oval wreath dotted with roses, crowns the room that looks like a movie set.
I slip out of my dress and fall into the feather bed mattress, exhausted from the long journey. Even though I still have on three layers of undergarments, Jin tucks me into bed. “Sleep well, my dearest. You will need energy for watching all those strapping men tomorrow.”
I wake up bright and early for the games. I hate to leave the comfort of the featherbed, but after arriving late yesterday, I want to be on time for breakfast. I put on a day dress and Jin puts on a tweed suit and we head down to the grand stone staircase to the main salon. Everyone mills around waiting to be assigned a carriage. Lord McKenzie waves us over so at least will know someone. He takes my arm. “Ye is in for a treat, Mrs. Sansby. We be having our breakfast in the tent on the lawn with a grand view of the games.”
I suffer through another bumpy carriage journey. Luckily it is a short ride to the vast field where the games are held. Sure enough, the Duke has put up a fancy red tent the size of a McMansion, dominating the center of the field. I knew by the castle the Duke was rich, but this is way over the top.
“Duke Launder’s folly,” Jin utters under his breath as we enter. The tent would make any sheik jealous. Persian rugs carpet the ground so not even a patch of grass can be seen. Candelabra hang from the rafters like oversized crowns. Butlers wander with silver trays covered in plates of toast, eggs, bacon, beans, and sausage—a moveable English breakfast. Jin and I each take a plate and follow McKenzie to a group of chairs lining the edge of playing field. “Sit ye down and enjoy the games.”
It seems ironic sitting the comfort of a fancy tent while watching men in kilts grunt and groan flinging huge hammers and stones through the air. Judging by the applause, several men are doing quite well. I munch on my toast enjoying the public display of bulging biceps and abs. Jin is in great shape but some of these men have him beat. At least I haven’t caught a glimpse of any male parts when the kilts fly up. Maybe they really wear underwear after all.
Lord McKenzie points to a large man standing next to a huge log. “The caber toss is me favorite. Ye are in for a treat, Mrs. Sansby.”
Tossing a log seems pretty silly, but I’m amazed by the men’s skill, balancing such a heavy and clumsy object. I motion toward a log one of the men just threw. “Lord McKenzie, did he win?”
“Aye, indeed he did. Are ye likin’ the games, Mrs. Sansby? They must seem strange to an American.”
“Yes, they do but I’m enjoying myself.”
Jin’s back straightens. “Speaking of things peculiar, have you ever seen that man over by the edge of the tent before?”
Lord McKenzie follows Jin’s gaze. “Matter of fact, I have. He looks to be a foreigner.”
I lean in to Jin. “What’s wrong? Do you know him?”
He doesn’t answer at first. Instead, he stares at the man until he vanishes. Everyone else’s eyes are on the Duke as he enters the tent. The guests stand in unison. “I hope you have enjoyed the day at the games. It is time to return to Robmar for a repast.”
With that pronouncement, Duke Launders vanish
es as fast as the stranger. We pile into the carriages for the brief ride back to the castle and everyone retires to their rooms to change for dinner. As soon as Jin opens the door, I plop down on the bed. “Jin, I’m sorry but I’m not feeling well. You head down to dinner without me.”
He strokes my forehead. “You do not possess a fever.”
“All right, I’ll tell you the real reason. One of the butlers told me that they are serving haggis tonight. I‘m exhausted and I’m not going to fake my way through eating sheep guts.”
“God forbid.” He kisses my cheek. “I’ll return as soon as permissible.”
Jin closes the door and my eyes quickly flutter shut. My sleep is so deep I don’t even know he’s returned until he gently shakes my shoulders. My eyes pop open and I don’t like what I see. Jin is visibly shaken. “I have made multiple inquires about the foreigner and no one knows who he is. But that is not the worst news. I have been unable to discover who invited us here. No one knows, not even the Duke himself.”
I shoot up off my pillow. “Why would someone invite us to the games but not want us to know?”
“’Tis a good question. I fear the answer will be a dangerous one.”
We finally arrive in Leeds, the halfway point of our journey home. After spotting the tall dark stranger in Scotland, Jin thought it would be safer to stay in a large city instead of an inn in the country as we originally planned. Although the dark stranger would stand out like a neon sign in the countryside, in a large city we had far more places to hide in case the man was a spy hired by Roderick or the High Council.
Our carriage stops in front of a formidable hotel that takes up the entire corner of a city block. It is everything you would expect from a first class British hotel. From the imposing brick façade, to the front door crowned with a stone pediment, it screams money.
Jin leads me into the large circular lobby, the arched glass doorways echoing the shape of the window over the door. A nautilus-shaped staircase makes a grand statement next to the main desk. Jin checks in while I stand taking in the thirty-foot ceilings.
A young bellboy takes our luggage. “Madam, will you please follow me to room seven hundred and ten.”
Jin gives me a mischievous smile as I pass him on the way up the staircase. What is he up to? I walk up the grey and red-carpeted stairs wondering why such a fancy hotel wouldn't have an elevator.
The bellboy stops in front of a pair of wood-paneled doors and pushes a switch. “We recently installed a lift. It has made my job here much more pleasant.”
I bet. I was dreading having to climb seven flights of steep circular stairs. “Fantastic, my feet are killing me.”
His eyebrows dart up. “Whatever do you mean?”
When I’m tired, my slang always pops out. “Sorry, it’s an American expression.”
He nods, but I can tell he still thinks I’m weird. The doors slide open and Jin is there to greet me with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. “For you, my darling wife, for our anniversary.”
The bellboy stands frozen in place, amazed that Jin beat us up to the seventh floor. I’m too. Genies are very quick on their feet but Jin usually hides his abilities in public. He hands me the flowers. “Come, dearest.”
The bellboy grabs our bags and follows behind us. I wonder what Jin is up to. Our anniversary was months ago. The bellboy unlocks the door while Jin takes my hand and leads me into a spectacular room. The walls are covered in scarlet damask fabric and the gold ceiling glitters from the light of an impressive twenty candle chandelier. An elaborately carved four-poster bed takes up half the space.
I suck in a breath. “Flittermouse, the room is magnificent.”
Jin runs his hand seductively up my arm. “Only the very best will do for my love.”
The bellboy’s cheeks flush. “Sir, if you have no other needs, I will leave you.”
I stare up at the chandelier. “How do we put out the candles?”
He walks over to the far wall and points to a large brass rod. “I am sorry for the inconvenience, but if you wish to be alone, you must snuff out the candles yourself.”
Jin drops a few pence in his hand. “’Tis a small price to pay.”
“Very good, sir.” The bellboy moves toward the door and then suddenly stops. “I would be remiss if I did not tell you that someone left a gift for you on the mantel.” He speeds toward the door. “Congratulations on your anniversary.”
Jin sits down on the edge of the bed. “I thought the man would never leave.”
“What is going on?” I take his hand. “You know our anniversary was three months ago.”
“They only had inferior rooms left. The suites are reserved for honeymoon and anniversary couples only.”
I run my fingers along his high cheekbones. “You are one clever genie.”
“Thank you, Mistress.”
He hops back off the bed.
“Hey, where are you going? I need some private genie time.”
Jin laughs. “I just wanted to see what gift the hotel left us. A bottle of champagne might be in order.”
He knows me well. Ever since Jin first introduced me to champagne, I love to have a glass to celebrate special occasions. “Hurry, open the package.”
Jin pulls away the wrapping and staggers backwards. “No, it cannot be!”
I fly off the bed and grab the large sterling silver basket. The inside is chockfull of expensive chocolates. A bottle of champagne is nestled like a baby in the middle of a pretty scarf. “Jin what’s wrong? It’s just a sliver basket with some treats. Looks like a harmless gift to me.”
His hand points to the base of the handle. “The metal is not silver—something far more rare. It means we have been followed!”
“By who? Is it some magic Roderick has done? I’ll kick his ass!”
Jin shakes his head. “’Tis magic all right, but not from a magician.” He points again to the left side of the basket. ”Look at the seal.”
I examine the base of the handle. An ornate engraved shield covers one side. Inside a heavily scrolled border are two magnificent phoenix birds perched on a willow tree surrounded by flames. “Do you know what this means?”
He chokes out the words. “It… is… the crest of the High Council.”
Party Down
Esme
Talk about a change of plans. Now instead of packing for the big trip to America, I’m scrambling to have the perfect gown made for my tea with the Duchess. Jane, my petite redheaded dressmaker, pulls two large pattern books out of her leather valise. Then she stacks several bolts of fabric against the damask covered divan. Jane unfurls the material so I can see the colors. With the tea less than a week away, I’m grateful she came so quickly, as I wouldn’t trust anyone else. She made the beautiful gown Jin gave me as my wedding present.
I would rather be sailing off to America than having tea, but I have to admit I’m curious what a high tea with the Duchess is like. If only she knew I’m not turning twenty as she thinks, but eighteen. The amount of lying I’ve done since meeting Jin makes my head spin. But lying about being older doesn’t feel wrong. I’ve always felt like an old soul. Maybe it’s because my grandmother raised me. She always treated me as an equal, never like a kid. A pang jabs my heart as sharp as any of Jane’s needles—I miss Gram so much.
Jane hands me a pattern book with the latest fashions from Paris. “The pink tea dress would flatter your figure and be perfect.”
The dress is stunning but it has way too many ruffles for me. Even in Victorian times, I’m not a girly girl. “I like the overall look but can you remove the ruffles on the sleeves and around the neckline?”
She purses her lips. “Of course, madam. But ruffles are the signature of the House of Dorset.”
I think Jane is disappointed I’m not more of a fashion maven. “I’m also not too fond of pink.” I point to a bolt of pale teal fabric. “I’d like you to make the dress in the muslin over there.”
Jane grabs the bolt of fabric a
nd sets it aside. “I should have guessed. It is your signature color.”
Funny, for a moment I forgot the fancy gown she made for me, my wedding gift, was teal also. “When do you think you’ll have it finished?”
“I will have the gown completed by Friday at noon next week.”
That’s cutting it close as the tea is at three, but I’m surprised Jane can sew such a complicated dress in that short of time. Jane’s a popular dressmaker so I know she will be working on more than my gown. “I will pay you extra for such short notice.”
“It is not necessary, madam. The bill has been taken care of.”
“Really? By my husband?”
“No, madam.”
“Can’t you give me a clue? I’d like to thank them.”
A little grin passes her lips. “’Tis a secret.”
The Duchess has gone all out for the high tea. Roses of every color are in vases strategically placed all over the house. I still don’t know why she wants to honor me with a one-on-one visit. Maybe it’s become the fashion to have an American friend. I should stop trying to guess and enjoy the fact it feels wonderful to be accepted into British society—even if there is a hidden agenda.
She greets me with a slight smile as the butler stops just outside an elaborate glass conservatory. “I thought it would be appropriate to have our tea here.”
Her thoughtfulness surprises me. That is until I see Lady Gamby putting the last flourish on the lace draped oval table dotted with little rose nosegays. What the heck is going on?
I follow the Duchess over to my seat of honor, right next to her at the head of long table. “How thoughtful of you.”
Lady Gamby sits next to me with a huge smile on her face. “Happy Birthday!
The Duchess is throwing me a surprise party? “This is wonderful, thank you so much.”
“It was our pleasure.” Lady Gamby points to the table setting. “Your party theme was easy to execute knowing your love of gardening.”
Jin In Time Boxed Set 1-3: A Young Adult Time Travel Romance (The Time is Forever Series) Page 22