“Honestly, Violet. I know you don’t have power, but would it kill you to make an effort? You went to the neighbors for dinner without any makeup and you didn’t even shower or change out of those awful paint-covered clothes. If you want to make it in the fashion world, especially here in the city, you have to make an effort. Someone is always watching.”
“I don’t think the gators care if I’m wearing lipstick.”
Duncan let out a snort.
The face on the box frowned. “Who’s there? Is that a man with you?”
Violet shook her head and angled the box away.
“No one. Just the wind.” She scrubbed a hand through her short hair, making it stand up in the back. “I’ll have the designs to you soon.”
The face disappeared. “How does she fit in the small box?” Duncan swallowed, thinking how awful it would be to be stuck in such a small box for eternity.
“I’m too tired to explain how phones work tonight. I’ll tell you all about them tomorrow, okay?”
“As you wish.” She was vexed, so Duncan wished to make her laugh.
“I thought mayhap ’twas your sister. She is a beautiful lass.”
Violet scowled. “Men are pigs.”
He chuckled. “We appreciate a shapely backside.”
When she hit him on the shoulder, he oinked and then winked at her.
Instead of smiling, her face crumpled, her eyes leaking.
Saints he was witless. “Forgive me, Violet. I am an arse. I was merely jesting.” He waited until she met his gaze.
“Anyone can see how beautiful you are. Your mother is shrill and unpleasant and that takes away her beauty.”
He held up his hands.
“I wished to make you laugh, and I failed.”
“No, Duncan. It isn’t your fault. She knows exactly how to get to me.”
Violet leaned back in the chair, long legs stretched out in front of her. One day he would not gape at seeing so much skin.
“My mom is unhappy and makes herself feel better by tearing down others. She should have left my dad a long time ago, but she stays in the marriage for status and money. He’s a chronic cheater and so is she. It’s such a cliche, he cheats with models and other young women in the industry. They get younger every year. The last one was younger than me. He’s always chasing youth.”
She cleared her throat.
“Because of that, my mom is obsessed with youth and always looking perfect, so what you said rubbed me the wrong way.”
“Truly, I am sorry for any offense.”
The tears shimmered in her eyes but did not fall. She was a bonny lass with her guileless smile and kind eyes. The woman would be at home in a faery glen. A quiet beauty that snuck up like a thief in the night.
Duncan reached out and touched her hair.
“Tell me what happened to your hair.”
He swallowed, “you are not a faery or a witch, are ye?”
“A witch? Why would you think that?”
He pointed to her hair.
“Your hair is shorter than mine. Did you escape the priest after he cut off your hair?”
With a long-suffering sigh, she rolled her eyes at him.
“I am not a witch. I like my hair short. It doesn’t get in the way. Long hair is popular, but it’s such a pain. You have to put it up when you sleep so it doesn’t strangle you. It’s hot here most of the year, so you have to put it up during the day or your neck gets all sweaty. And don’t get me started on how long it takes to dry. So if you’re going to keep it all up anyway, what’s the use in having it long? Cutting it all off was the best thing I ever did.”
Duncan cursed silently and tried again.
“Ye have a bonny shaped head.”
This time Violet laughed. “Thanks, I think.”
As Duncan leaned over to reach the cooling box, he hit Violet’s phone with his foot. He watched in horror as it tumbled end over end, hitting the water with a splash. All was quiet. When he snuck a glance at her, she looked like she was counting or deciding whether to push him into the dark water after the small box.
“I have killed your phone.”
Violet patted his arm as if he were a small child.
“Don’t worry about it. I should have put it in my pocket, especially after what happened with the tablet.”
’Twas not his fault. He had been walking across the room when the tablet made a terrible sound. Before he knew what he was doing, Duncan smashed the foul thing with his blade.
Violet shrieked and told him she could not send her designs to her mom.
“Don’t panic,” she muttered. “It’s fine. I’ll buy a new phone and tablet tomorrow. We need to get you clothes, anyway. I have plenty of time.”
11
“Are you sure you don’t want any help?” Violet frowned at him as if he were a lad going off to his first battle.
Duncan shook his head even as he dubiously eyed the strange tools.
“Nay. I willna be long.”
He firmly shut the door to the bathing chamber, then turned and eyed the can and the wee blade. Violet told him to press the top of the can and then use the foam on his face. Then he was to use the pink blade to shave. A pink blade. His brother, rest his soul, would laugh until he fell over if he could see Duncan now.
When he pressed the top of the can, it made such an unholy sound; he dropped it in the sink. When he opened his eyes, there was white foam on the looking glass, the sink, and the counter. Violet would be most displeased at the mess he had made.
“Bloody hell.” He cleaned up the mess and stared at himself in the reflection. ’Twas strange to see his own visage looking back at him. There were times he caught sight of his face in the waters of the loch, but in this strange land there were mirrors everywhere. Why did people wish to gaze upon themselves so often?
There was a knock upon the door. “Duncan? Is everything okay in there?”
He almost dropped the razor and can again. If that woman did not have a touch of the sight, Duncan would eat the terrible little green trees from last night for a fortnight.
“Aye. In a moment.”
He was a bloody liar. It took him three more tries to get the right amount of foam. The white stuff was cool on his skin. He made faces in the mirror at this older version of himself.
Then he eyed the razor and prepared for battle.
When he emerged from the bathing chamber, Duncan strode across the room.
“Shall we go or are ye going to laze about all day?”
Violet gaped at him. Then stood and reached out, touching his face, running her fingers up and down his skin.
“Wow. You clean up well. I swear you look like some ancient goddess sculpted you from marble.”
He smirked.
“You find me most pleasing.”
“I didn’t mean to say that last part out loud.” She turned a fetching shade of pink. Then she stuck her nose in the air. “It was simply an observation, like admiring a beautiful flower. Some people find that chiseled look attractive.”
“Ye think I am as pleasing as a flower.” His mouth twitched, but he knew better than to laugh out loud.
Violet held up the keys. “Let’s go.”
He followed her out of the house. “Aye, ye find my form and visage most pleasing, you may tell me ’tis so.”
“If you don’t stop talking, I won’t let you taste pizza.” For a moment, Duncan was so distracted by her long legs in the scandalous shorts that he almost missed what she said.
“Wait. What is ‘pizza’?”
The woman smirked at him. “Be quiet and you’ll find out.”
She opened the door to the horseless carriage. ’Twas an odd shape, almost like an egg on its side.
Duncan paled. “Nay, I wish to walk.”
“Don’t be a baby. All men love cars. Get in.”
Hrumph. Duncan refrained from telling Violet he was not afeared of anything. Unsure of the metal beast, he opened the door and held his
breath as he climbed in, praying to the old gods to keep him safe.
“Put your seatbelt on. I think we’ll be okay to drive. They said on the radio that most of the flooding has receded.” She demonstrated how to put the seatbelt on.
The noise when she bade the beast go made Duncan grip the edges of the seat.
“How does it move? What does it eat?” And on and on he asked Violet questions until she stopped the beast and glared at him.
“I love that you’re fascinated by everything. It must be like an alien world with the memory loss and all, but seriously? You’re driving me crazy. When we get to the shop, you can pester Sam. He’ll answer all your questions.”
She held up a hand. “I’ll explain aliens later. Sam works for my grandmother.”
Duncan wisely kept his mouth shut until they drove down a street and he could not keep quiet another moment.
“Look. She hasna any clothes on.” Duncan pointed at the woman with dark skin.
Violet burst out laughing.
“Oh boy, wait until we go to the beach. That’s a swimsuit. Perfectly modest and acceptable.”
He gaped at the woman who was picking up debris in the yard. “’Tis scandalous.”
“Trust me, that’s modest. Wait until you see a bikini.”
Nay, could it be?
“Men allow their women to go out in such garments?” Duncan eyed Violet. “Do ye wear such clothes?”
She rolled her eyes. “First, in modern times, women make their own choices. They don’t have to marry and men don’t tell them what to do.” She paused. “Well, except in some countries, but it’s too early in the morning to get into all that.”
Then Violet smirked. “A queen rules England. She’s been the ruler since before I was born.”
He pulled his gaze from the people. “Nay. ’Tis not possible.”
“What? That a woman is in charge?”
The tone in her voice told him to be careful. Duncan smiled.
“Nay, lass. That it took so long. Women are superior at resolving conflict. We men prefer to meet each other in the lists over blades. I would much like to see this queen.”
Seeing the look on her face made him laugh.
“Does a queen rule this country?”
Violet pursed her lips. “No. We have a president elected by the people instead of being born to the role. There are elections every four years. When we get home, I’ll show you a few sites on the internet and you can read all about it.”
“There is much information available in this time. Mayhap too much.”
“I’ll second that.” Violet nodded.
“Saints, ’tis hot. I think hades must be this hot.”
“Welcome to Florida.” She winked at him.
Duncan’s hand was numb from gripping the handle to the door so tightly. Saints, he felt like a lad seeing his first battle. The horseless carriages went so fast ’twas hard to think. He prayed he would not be sick.
They were almost to the store before he relaxed and enjoyed the speed of the metal beast.
“The store is only open for a few hours today. They’re on generator power until the power company restores the electricity.” Violet parked and turned off the car as he gaped at the building in front of them.
“’Tis verra big.”
“Here in America we believe bigger is better.”
She got out of the carriage; the sun turning her skin to gold. He watched her walk around to him, admiring her grace.
“Come on. Lots to do today.”
He followed her into the store, looking at everything. So many sights, colors, and textures. He wanted to touch everything, much to Violet’s dismay.
She tapped her foot as he lingered in front of the big screen TVs.
“Duncan. I’ve got my new phone and tablet. Let’s get you some clothes.”
He turned away from the people in front of him. Aye, ’twas true, bigger was better. As he came to the counter, he saw a piece of paper with numbers on it.
“Bloody hell, I could purchase a castle with what you paid for the small boxes.” They cost a fortune. How much money did people have in this time?
He swallowed, his palms clammy. “I will pay for what I broke.”
“It was an accident, don’t worry about it.” She squeezed his hand. “Really, it’s okay.”
As he followed her to procure clothes, he kept trying to see the prices on items they passed. ’Twas horrifying how much things cost.
Violet was muttering to herself as she tapped on the screen of her small box. He now knew it was a phone and allowed you to communicate with others across vast distances. Truly a marvel.
“Why do you need ‘social media’?” He watched as she scowled at the screen. On it was a woman who looked sick, she was so thin.
“I don’t really like it. Social media can be a great way for families that live faraway to keep in touch, but it can also be ugly and cruel.” She let out a heavy sigh.
“Teenage girls are often bullied and feel so inferior to all the artificial pretty images that they take their own lives.” Her eyes were sad when she looked up at him.
“Why do they care what strangers say?” It perplexed him.
“Our society is based on youth, beauty, and money. If you’re lacking in any of those areas and don’t have a strong sense of self, you can find yourself staring up from the bottom of a deep hole.”
Duncan took the bottle Violet held out.
“Here. Smell this one.” She smiled and everything around them faded. Saints, she was lovely.
“You need shampoo and soap so you don’t keep using mine.”
He sniffed. The scent was pleasing. Like a summer day.
“Aye. I do not wish to smell like flowers.”
She left him to pick out what he wanted while she went to the next aisle to purchase her womanly things.
As he was deciding between smelling like summer or a new car, Duncan jumped and let out a yelp.
Rubbing his backside, he turned, looking for what beast had stung him.
’Twas a woman. She leered at him. “Hello handsome.”
“Mistress.” He inclined his head, desperately looking around for Violet.
The woman moved closer, a predator scenting prey.
“I haven’t seen you around.” She had lips as red as blood and skin dark as old leather. Her assets were on display and if Duncan hadn’t already learned, this was how some women dressed he would have thought her a prostitute.
“Aye. I needs go.”
“Oooh, you’re from Scotland.” She pouted at him. “Too bad you’re not wearing a kilt, I’d love to find out what’s underneath.”
She ran her fingers up his arm, the bright red nails leaving faint marks on his skin. The scent she wore went up his nose and he sneezed three times.
The woman pressed herself against him. “Why don’t we get out of here?”
“Duncan?”
As Violet came around the corner, Duncan wanted to hide behind her like a small lad.
She glared at the woman. “Back off. My friend isn’t interested.”
The woman tossed her hair and sniffed. “Whatever. Though why he’d want you when he could have all this is beyond me.”
She flounced off, leaving Duncan with his mouth wide open. When he dared a glance at Violet, she had her arms crossed over her chest, muttering under her breath.
“Is she gone?” Duncan let out a breath. “Was that one of the ‘mean girls’ you told me about?”
She nodded. “That woman would eat you for breakfast.”
He shuddered.
“Come. Let us leave before she comes back.” He leaned down and whispered in Violet’s ear. “She pinched my arse.”
Violet clapped a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking.
“‘Tisn’t funny.”
A laugh escaped, and she wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh but the look on your face when I came around the corner.” She doubled over laughing.
“I think you were more afraid of her than the alligator.”
“I was not afeared.” Duncan stiffened. Then he grinned. “Aye, you’re right, she terrified me. You should have heard the scandalous things she whispered in my ear.”
His woman kept softly snorting as he tried on shoes and clothes. ’Twas a wondrous place. So many clothes to choose from and none had to be made. They were already finished and ready to wear.
The basket full, Duncan pushed it to what Violet told him was a self-checkout. It fascinated him how the items moved down the belt and then beeped when she moved them across a screen.
He insisted on scanning each item and felt weak as the numbers went up and up.
“Is that everything?”
Violet looked at the list in her hand. “We need more ice, but we’ll get that on the way home after we go by the shop. Otherwise it will melt before we get home.”
He pulled the bag of coins from his boot. “I will pay.” He prayed he had enough.
Violet took the bag and pulled out a coin. She turned it over in her hand, then gave it back to him, an odd look on her face.
“You can’t use those, they’re antiques.”
“Antiques?”
She held up a small blue card and paper money. “Remember? Credit card and cash. This is what we use.” She pursed her lips as she paid.
“There’s a coin dealer a few doors down from the shop. If he’s open you can exchange them there, but Duncan?”
“Aye?” He looked up as he put a blue bag into the cart. ’Twas satisfying to put the things in the small bags, though at times they stuck together and he could not open them. He only swore a few times.
“Are you sure you don’t want to keep your money…until you can go back to your own time?”
He stilled. Did she believe him?
“Nay. I should provide for you.” He took hold of the metal cart. “It wounds my pride for you to pay. Men take care of their women.”
She spoke softly, her hand on his arm. “If I were lost and had no money, wouldn’t you do the same?”
“Of course I would, lass.”
“Then don’t worry about it.” Violet looked thoughtful. “If you can’t get home, maybe you could teach classes on how to use a sword. I bet men would pay a lot of money for something like that.”
Falling Through Time: A Lighthearted Time Travel Romance (Knights Through Time Romance Book 13) Page 7