An Earl In Time

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “But don’t we both need to get the wand to that fairy?”

  “I don’t think so. The blue fairy blew magic on us. I think he did that so that we don’t need to be together to find the green fairy.”

  “You’re probably right, but what if you’re not?”

  “Then I’ll see if I can get the cat or owl to help me find the cage. I don’t need to see the fairy to give her the wand. I only need to know where the cage is.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him what he’d do if the cat and owl weren’t around to help when he needed to get to the fairy, but she decided to let the question go. No matter how much they might plot and plan things out, there was no telling how things would go. Perhaps it was best not to waste their time talking about all of the things Rose might or might not do. She would probably be wise to make the most of the time she and Julian had before Rose arrived.

  ***

  Julian and Willow spent the afternoon in the library. They were sitting together on the settee, and he had his arm around her while she was curled up next to him.

  He thought reading to her would help take her mind off of Rose, but Willow’s gaze kept going to the open window.

  Julian put the book down. “Would you like me to close the window?”

  Willow shook her head. “I like the fresh air.”

  Noting that her arm was cool to the touch, he said, “Would you like me to bring you a blanket?”

  “No. Being with you is keeping me warm.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t know whether I want Rose to stay away forever or just come here and get this over with.”

  He preferred to just get it over with, but he did worry he wasn’t going to be able to pull off the task of getting the wand to the green fairy. He didn’t dare tell Willow that. It would only worry her more, and she was worried enough as it was.

  He kissed the top of her head and gave her shoulders an affectionate squeeze before he turned his attention back to the book. Just as he began to read where he left off, there was a knock at the door. Both he and Willow jumped off of the settee so fast that they bumped into each other.

  “You have a visitor,” the footman called out from the other side of the door.

  Willow wrapped her arms around Julian’s waist.

  Julian put his arms around her and took a moment to gather his composure before asking, “Who is it?”

  “Mr. Francis Azazel,” the footman replied.

  “It’s all right,” he told Willow. “It’s my cousin.”

  Relieved, he took her hand and hurried to the door. He led Willow down to the entryway where the coachman set down a trunk next to a curly blond-haired, slender gentleman with the dark blue frock coat that Julian recalled helping him select when he was looking for something that would complement his wardrobe.

  “Francis!” Julian released Willow and hugged his friend. “I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again.”

  Francis returned his hug but let out a bewildered chuckle. “Your missive left me with some questions.”

  Julian let go of him. “It’s a long story. But as it turns out you’re all right. You came here, and you can see that I’m here with all of the servants.”

  The coachman and footman shot him a surprised look, but the coachman left and the footman shut the door.

  Julian turned to the footman. “Have tea brought to the library and instruct a maid to get a room ready for my guest.”

  The footman nodded and hurried to do as instructed.

  Julian slipped his arm around Willow and gestured to her. “This is my wife. She’s Willow. I told Willow about you. I told her you’re the greatest friend a gentleman ever had.”

  “You have a wife?” Francis asked, his eyes wide.

  “I know I said I wasn’t ready to get married when we last talked, but that all changed as soon as I met her.” Julian smiled at her. “I had the vicar come out to marry us.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady,” Francis greeted as he bowed to her.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” Willow replied.

  Before Francis could notice that she didn’t curtsy, and therefore wonder why not, Julian hurried to say, “While I am glad to see you, I’m wondering why you came when I warned you not to.”

  “That’s exactly why I came. You wrote for me not to come here, even if I never saw you again,” Francis told Julian. “You sounded like you were in a panic. I had to make sure you were all right.”

  Julian might have been better off explaining why he’d warned him not to come. Then Francis would have really stayed away. With Rose bound to come, it wasn’t best for him to be here. But Julian hadn’t seen him in so long that having his friend here was like reaching an oasis in the desert.

  “You have no idea how long I wanted to see you again,” Julian said. “It’s hard to believe this isn’t a dream.”

  Francis chuckled. “It wasn’t that long ago you came here to bury your father.”

  “I apologize. It’s just so good to see you and know that everything is going to be all right for you. You’ll get to marry Lady Kimberly, and you’ll have children and grandchildren.” He paused. He was only going to make his friend worry even more if he kept this up. “The important thing is that nothing bad is going to happen to you.”

  Francis glanced at Willow as if to ask her what Julian was rambling on about, but Willow just offered him the same smile she’d given the vicar when she wasn’t sure of what to say.

  “We should go to the library,” Julian said. “We’ll have tea, and then we’ll have dinner. Your timing is good. We’ll eat soon.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I brought my appetite,” Francis replied.

  “It is.” Julian put his free arm around his cousin’s shoulders and led him and Willow down the hall. “I have my two favorite people with me.” His gaze went to Willow. “When Francis marries Lady Kimberly, we’ll have dinner parties together. You’ll like Lady Kimberly. She’s a very sweet person.”

  “Should I be worried that you hold my betrothed in such high esteem?” Francis asked in amusement.

  “Of course not. I could never love anyone but Willow,” Julian replied. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  “I’d ask what kind of spell she cast over you to convince a confirmed bachelor to get married, but I suspect you were enchanted by her beauty.” With a look at Willow, he added, “You are a beautiful lady. Though, out of respect to my betrothed, I can’t say you’re more beautiful than she is.”

  “Fortunately for me, I can say that,” Julian said as he winked at Willow. They reached the library, and he hurried on ahead of them so he could pour tea into their cups. “Francis, why don’t you sit in your favorite chair? Willow and I will sit on the settee.”

  As Willow went to the settee, Francis glanced at the books. “My memory might be failing me, but I can’t help but wonder if your father always had this many books.”

  “He never left the estate,” Julian said. “Reading was his way of seeing the world.” Julian set the teapot down then handed Willow a cup. After she accepted it, Julian picked up another cup and beckoned for Francis to go to the chair across from the settee. “Sit and relax. You had a long journey here.”

  Francis hurried to the chair, accepted the cup, and sat down. “You two will have to tell me how you met. I know for a fact you didn’t meet in London.”

  “No, we didn’t,” Julian said as he sat next to Willow.

  He took a sip of his tea and thought over what he should tell Francis. It probably wasn’t best if he told Francis about the curse and the way Willow came here from the future. While he trusted Francis, it wasn’t fair to ask Francis to lie if someone inquired about Willow. Lady Kimberly, for one, would be curious since she also knew Julian had been reluctant to marry.

  “I met Willow on my way here,” Julian finally decided to say. “Her carriage was broken down, and I stopped to help her. I could go into detail, but it would
only bore you.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I think I’d find the story fascinating,” Francis replied then took a sip of his tea.

  Julian should have expected his cousin to say that, especially since his cousin liked details. “Really, there’s nothing to tell. Willow and I met, and I was attracted to her right away.”

  “I was attracted to you, too,” Willow spoke up.

  Julian glanced her way and smiled. It was nice to know the immediate attraction hadn’t been one-sided.

  “What was it about the other that attracted you both?” Francis asked.

  Julian gestured to her. “You can see for yourself how lovely she is to look at.”

  Francis smirked. “Isn’t it just like a gentleman to be focused on a lady’s beauty upon meeting her?” He directed his gaze to Willow. “Was the same true for you? Were you attracted to how handsome he is?”

  Willow’s face grew pink. “I did find him handsome, but I was drawn to his kindness. He wasn’t given to vanity or pride like I thought a wealthy gentleman might be.”

  “There are plenty of gentlemen who are vain and proud regardless of wealth or title,” Francis said. “I’ve met plenty of them over the years. One might wonder why a lady would marry at all.” He glanced at Julian. “It’s good for us that they do anyway.”

  Julian’s eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t recall Francis ever saying he’d met plenty of gentlemen who were vain or proud. But it had been two centuries since Julian had talked with Francis. It could very well be that Francis had joked about it in the past and Julian didn’t remember it.

  There was a knock at the door. Julian excused himself and went to answer it.

  “Dinner is ready, my lord,” the butler told him.

  “We’ll be there in a moment,” Julian replied.

  When Julian returned to Willow and Francis, Francis was saying, “I’m glad that you and my cousin are together. I’m only sorry I missed the wedding.”

  “We only had the vicar here,” Willow said.

  Julian placed his hand on Willow’s shoulder and then told her and Francis that it was time to eat. “I didn’t plan the menu, but it turns out we’re having your favorite dish this evening.”

  Francis rose to his feet. “I’ve been on my way here for so long that I’ll eat anything.”

  Julian helped Willow up and placed her hand on his arm. “Remember when we used to play that hiding game when your family came for visits?” Julian asked his friend as they left the room.

  Francis chuckled. “How could I forget? Children have to find ways to amuse themselves.”

  “I haven’t forgotten how you were hiding under the desk when my father sat behind it.” Julian turned his gaze to Willow. “He was there for nearly ten minutes before my father felt him with his foot. My father was so shocked that his scream could be heard across most of the manor. That’s how I ended up finding him.”

  Willow laughed. “That is funny.”

  “At least you finally found me,” Francis said.

  “After twenty minutes of looking.” Julian shook his head. “And to think that the hiding place was such a simple one.”

  “The simplest things are often the easiest to miss,” Francis replied.

  “Well, I never made the mistake of not looking under any desks again,” Julian said.

  Francis winked at him. “I suppose it’s lucky for me that I know plenty of hiding places.”

  “Yes, I suppose you’ll give your children ideas on where they can hide when our children play the game someday.”

  The three entered the dining room, and the conversation turned to the meal. Despite his warning to Francis to stay away, Julian was glad he was here. Waiting to see if Rose would come provided him and Willow with a lot to worry about. Francis’ arrival was a much-needed reprieve from all of that. For now, at least, they could rest, and the rest would do them both a lot of good.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  After dinner, Julian encouraged Willow to go to bed so that she could get some sleep. The past few days had been hard on both of them, and he figured that, between the two of them, she’d been under the most strain. He watched her as she went down the hall that led to the stairs. The red and gold thread connecting them glimmered along the floor.

  When she was out of sight, he followed Francis into the library. The maid finished lighting candles since it was now dark out. Julian waited until she was gone before he shut the door.

  “You really love Willow,” Francis said.

  “I do. I know I haven’t known her for as long as you’ve known Lady Kimberly, but I think when you find the right lady, you know she’s the one.”

  “It’s hard to argue with that.” Francis gestured to the decanter. “Would it be all right if I poured us both a drink?”

  Julian nodded and went to sit in a chair. “You have no idea what I’ve been through since leaving London. So much has happened. I’m not even sure if I can tell you about it or not. I know we’re used to telling each other everything.”

  “If we’re used to telling each other everything, why not just tell me?”

  “Because you’d think I was mad if I did.”

  Francis went over to him and held out the glass of brandy to him. “I’m sure we’re all a little mad.”

  Julian accepted the glass but didn’t drink from it. “What I’ve been through is too wild of a tale. You’re a gentleman of science.” He put the glass on the table and turned to his cousin as his cousin sat across from him. “You’ve always believed that for something to be true, it has to be explained through logic.” He took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. “There’s nothing logical about anything that’s happened here.”

  “You married Willow. You’re in love. Does the rest matter?”

  If only Francis knew about the curse and fairies…

  Julian was ready to ask him how things were in London when he noticed something glowing under his cousin’s frock coat. Sure he was imagining it, he blinked and looked at the frock coat again.

  He wasn’t imagining it. There was a faint outline of a thin, small object sending off a blue and green glow. Considering how thick the material of the frock coat was, Julian was surprised the glow was showing at all.

  There was only one person Julian could think of who would have something like that in a pocket, and he doubted it was Francis. His gaze went to the brandy the intruder had given him. Was there only brandy in that glass? Perhaps the person put something in it to make him sleep. Or perhaps there was some enchantment put over it to make him unable to react if danger were to suddenly come upon him.

  His gaze went to the face of the intruder who looked exactly like Francis. Only magic could accomplish such a feat. Julian forced himself to remain still. It wouldn’t be wise to let Rose know he knew the truth. The best option would be to get the glowing blue and green object. That thing had to be the wand. He didn’t know why he hadn’t seen it before, but he was seeing it now. That had to be the blue fairy’s doing. He had asked how he would know where the wand was when Rose finally came.

  Julian swallowed the lump in his throat. Willow was upstairs. Why did Rose let her go up there? Wouldn’t it have been easier to strike as soon as she arrived? Why put on a pretense of being his cousin?

  He glanced at the red and gold thread that was glimmering between him and Willow. They had some kind of magic between them. Was it possible that Rose needed to get them separated in order to act?

  Yes, that had to be it. The magic in the wand was powerful, but Julian suspected that magic between two people was more powerful than magic possessed by only one.

  “Go on and tell me what’s on your mind,” Rose said. “I can tell something is bothering you.”

  Julian couldn’t believe how much she looked and sounded just like his cousin. He hesitated to respond. What would be a good way to get that wand? As it was, she was across from him. He couldn’t just lunge at her to get it while she was looking at him. He had to be more subtle than that.


  “I have an idea,” Julian said as he stood up. “Why don’t we play a game of chess?”

  She frowned. “Chess? I didn’t come all the way from London to play a game of chess.”

  “We can talk while we play. I can tell you all about the things that have happened since I left London. There’s a lot I didn’t say before. I wasn’t sure if Willow wanted me to tell you.” Hoping it would prompt her to agree, he added, “The story is hard to believe.”

  She tapped her fingers on the glass of brandy she was holding and glanced at the chessboard that was against the wall. “All right. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to play the game.” She pointed to Julian’s glass. “Bring it along. If it’s as good as you make it sound, I think we could both use a drink.”

  Hoping she didn’t notice the way his hand trembled, Julian picked up his glass. He gestured for her to go first. “I’ll follow you.”

  She offered a nod and headed for the chessboard.

  Julian put the glass back down. He took a deep breath then leapt for her.

  She spun around and drew out the wand before he got the chance to reach her. He froze in midair.

  She threw her glass down. Then, her appearance changed. Instead of looking like Francis, she turned into a blonde lady who seemed to be in her forties, and she had on a pink gown.

  “Don’t bother explaining anything to me,” she said. “I know that blue fairy your grandfather hid somewhere on this property made sure you learned all about me and why you and Willow are here.”

  Before he could respond, she waved the wand, and he went flying through the air. The room blurred around him until his body slammed into the wall. Before he had time to move, glowing pink and purple bands formed around his wrists and ankles so that he was pinned in place. It took him a moment to realize he was hanging on the wall right under the ceiling. He tried to pry the bands off the wall, but they remained firmly in place. He did the same with his ankles, and they didn’t budge, either.

  Rose walked over to him and clucked her tongue. “I expected more of a fight from you. Of the two of you, I thought for sure Willow was going to be the easier one to catch. You, after all, had two centuries to prepare for my arrival.”