by Laura Beers
“My friends call me Adam, if you don’t mind.” He gave her a lopsided smile.
“Perhaps you could go into more detail about why you are apologizing?” Peyton asked in an annoyed drawl.
Amelia turned her gaze towards Peyton. “There is no need,” she expressed. “I am pleased that we will be parting as friends.”
“Wait!” he shouted, his eyes frantic. “That is not what I want.”
“Oh, dear,” Aunt Nellie mumbled under her breath. “We will give you a moment to discuss…” she frowned, “whatever this is.” She walked over to the open door. “Miss Turner?”
Peyton cast him an irritated look as she slowly walked over to join Aunt Nellie.
He frowned as he watched Miss Turner close the door behind her. “I did not realize that Miss Turner was so intense.”
“We are friends,” Amelia replied, her eyes still on the closed door, “and friends protect each other.”
Knowing he had one attempt to set things right between them, Adam turned towards Lottie’s portrait and noticed that she was wearing the coral necklace that he had given her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace.
“I wanted to return this necklace to you,” he said, extending it towards her.
She shook her head, sadly. “No, I would prefer that you keep it. That way you will always have something to remember me and my mother by.”
This was not going well. “Won’t your mother miss it?”
Sighing, Amelia walked to the settee and sat down. “Sadly, I don’t think she will even remember it, now. My mother has a progressive disease called Alzheimer’s, and she has started to lose all her memories,” she explained. “We traveled to England so my mother could say goodbye to Aunt Nellie.”
“That must be unbearable for you,” he said, sitting next to her. “Are you close to your mother?”
She nodded. “After my dad died, we became especially close, but in a few months, my mother won’t even remember who I am.”
“Do you hire staff to look after her?” he asked, unsure of how things worked in the future.
“In a way,” she replied.
Adam reached for her hand. “No more vague answers,” he asserted. “Tell me the truth. I’ll try to understand your ways.”
She smiled gratefully. “There is a facility, kind of like a hospital, but much cleaner than the ones you have here, that will give her the full-time care that she needs.”
“While you work as a doctor?”
“Yes. My schedule is very demanding, and I won’t have the time to care for her, even with a full-time nurse to assist during the day,” she stated regretfully.
“And you enjoy working as a doctor?”
“I do, immensely.”
He watched her, attempting to memorize the details of her face, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time he’d see it. “But you were willing to give it all up to stay in England?”
Amelia lowered her gaze to the carpet, but not before he saw several emotions chase across her face. She was trying to be strong, but he didn’t want her to hide her feelings from him. He angled his body so he was facing her.
“Amelia,” he said, reverently. “I am a fool. I offered you my heart, but at the first test of honor, I betrayed your trust.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. A time-traveling female doctor would have seemed far-fetched to almost anyone.”
“I reacted poorly, and I hurt you,” he stated. “Please say that I haven’t lost you forever with my unpardonable actions.”
Amelia smiled, but it was that same blasted wistful smile. “It’s better this way.”
“Better for whom?” he asked, tightening his hold on her ungloved hand.
“It’s best if I go,” she remarked, softly. “We live in two vastly contrasting times.”
“Yes,” he admitted, with a decisive bob of his head, “but I don’t want to live without you.”
Dropping his hand, Amelia rose and walked towards her mural, stopping in front of it. She spun around. “We would never suit, Adam,” she declared. “I was raised in a time where women are treated as equals, I am fiercely independent, and I will never be subservient to any man.”
“That’s good to know,” he replied, rising, “but you are telling me nothing that I didn’t already know.”
She pursed her lips together. “I think your social etiquette rules are ridiculous, clothing for women is deplorable, and I hate riding side-saddle.”
“Duly noted. Is there anything else?” he asked, slowly walking over to Amelia.
“I do not like how children are ignored by their parents, only to be raised by nursemaids and governesses,” she continued.
Adam stopped in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I agree.”
Her brow furrowed and a line between her eyes appeared. “You agree with which part?”
“All of it,” he replied, slowly trailing his hands down the length of her arms until he held her hands. “I’ve realized I failed to mention one thing when I asked you to stay before.”
“Which was?”
He leaned closer. “I love you, Amelia Wright!”
“You… you do?” she asked, her eyes widening.
He gave her a roguish smile. “I started falling in love with you the moment you stepped into my study for the first time. No one has ever challenged me as you did.”
She smiled. “I believe you called me a ‘cheeky American spinster’.”
“That’s true,” he confirmed, “but I hope that you will become my cheeky American wife.” Keeping hold of her hands, he kneeled before her. “I am completely, utterly, deeply in love with you. Will you marry me?”
Adam could see indecision in her eyes, and he was desperately afraid that she would refuse him. “I know that I cannot fully comprehend what I am asking you to give up, but if you will allow me, I will strive to ensure that you will never regret your decision to stay with me,” he pressed, hoping that it was enough, hoping that he was enough.
Amelia turned her head to look at her mother’s mural. “My mother’s health is failing…”
“Bring her here,” he said, speaking over her.
She winced. “I don’t think that is a good idea.”
He rose and placed his hand on her cheek. “Your mother saved me. Let me show her the same kindness and love that she bestowed upon me.”
“Mum does love England,” she murmured, her eyes beginning to sparkle.
“Now that is resolved,” he paused, smiling, “please consent to be my wife, and I will spend every day showing you how much I love you.”
A tender smile lit her face. “Yes…”
Not wasting another moment, he pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her tenderly, and demonstrating to her without words just how much he truly loved her. Amelia lifted her arms to encircle his neck, molding into his arms.
His lips left hers and slowly started trailing kisses down the length of her neck. “How would you feel about obtaining a special license?” he asked before he started kissing the sensitive skin just beneath her ear, immensely pleased when she trembled in his arms.
“I… think…” she stammered out, breathlessly. “I can’t think when you are kissing me like that.”
Adam brought his gaze back up, his eyes soaking in her beauty. “I think that’s fair, because I seem to lose all rational thought when I touch you.” He gave her a devilish smile. “We were discussing a special license.”
She leaned in and kissed him, her lips lingering on his. “I have to go convince my mother to travel back, remember?” she said, keeping her mouth close to his.
“No,” he stated, shaking his head. “I am not letting you out of my sight.”
She chuckled. “I think we should talk to Aunt Nellie, then.”
“Good idea,” he said, kissing her lips. “But how about in five minutes?”
“Five minutes?”
“I am not ready to let you go,” he murmured, bringing his lips to her
s and savoring her nearness.
Chapter 17
Amelia felt as though her heart would burst with happiness. Adam’s arms slipped around her waist as he deepened the kiss, and she melted against him. In his arms, she not only felt protected and cherished, but she also felt complete. And his image, touch, and musky scent seemed to be imprinted on her very soul.
“I love you,” Adam whispered against her lips.
Her hand threaded through his hair at the base of his neck. “And I love you.”
He grimaced. “We didn’t make this easy on ourselves, did we?”
“No, we did not.” She laughed, resting her head on his shoulder.
The door was pushed open, and Peyton and Aunt Nellie entered the room. “Did you two come to a consensus?” Aunt Nellie asked smiling gently.
Adam stepped to the side but kept an arm around her waist.
“Yes, we have decided to get married,” Amelia announced.
“In what time period?” Aunt Nellie inquired.
She smiled at Adam. “I am going to stay here, in this time, because this is where my heart lies.”
“But there is no indoor plumbing,” Peyton reminded her.
“Indoor plumbing?” Adam whispered next to her ear.
“It is similar to a privy, but I will explain later,” Amelia answered. “There will need to be a few adjustments on my part.”
Looking back at Amelia’s portrait, Adam asked, “May I go with Amelia to the future?”
“You may,” Aunt Nellie declared, striding towards the far side of the room. “When you and Amelia first met, it was clear that you two were destined for each other.” She picked up a portrait that had been leaning against the wall and took a moment to admire it. “The magic even hinted to me that you might want to journey through time to visit Lottie again.”
Peyton looked at Amelia and mouthed, “Hinted?”
Hiding a growing smile, Amelia shrugged one shoulder.
Aunt Nellie walked back to them and turned the portrait over, revealing a perfect likeness of Adam. “It turned out well, if you ask me.”
“It did,” he replied, studying his portrait carefully, “and I can time travel through this painting?”
Aunt Nellie smiled fondly. “You can and will,” she answered confidently as she leaned the portrait against the wall and stepped back.
Reaching for his hand, Amelia did want to make sure he understood what he was getting into. “Just so you know, everyone has some pain or discomfort associated with time travel. I had ringing in my ears.”
“I was nauseous,” Peyton spoke up.
“Both are common effects, but they tend to wear off within a brief period of time,” Aunt Nellie informed him. “Now, shall we?”
In preparation, Adam placed his arm around her shoulder, tucking her against him. “Are you ready, my love?”
Hearing those words from his lips made her soul rejoice. “I am.”
Aunt Nellie removed the bag, pouring dust into her hand and started drawing what looked like a clock from the dust in her palm. Her hands came together as she sculpted a magical, glowing ball in the air. When the space around Aunt Nellie started glowing, Amelia felt Adam tightening his grip on her shoulder, as if attempting to protect her.
“Here you go!” Aunt Nellie shouted, holding the magic like a pulsing star. Then she clapped her hands together.
Suddenly, everything went white, and she felt like she was being blasted from a cannon. Then, Amelia fell onto something soft, and she heard a deep grunt. She took a moment to adjust her eyes and hoped that the ringing in her ears would subside soon.
“Welcome back,” Aunt Nellie declared. “And you brought a gentleman friend along.”
Amelia heard soft steps come closer. “Are you all right, Lord Harrington?” Aunt Nellie’s voice asked from above her. “I am pleased to see you have arrived in one piece.”
His voice came from beneath her. “I am… alive,” Adam sputtered, coughing.
Realizing that she had, in fact, landed on Adam, she pushed herself off him. “Sorry, Adam.”
Blinking his eyes, Adam grunted a bit breathlessly, “You can always count on me to be there when you fall, my darling.” He shifted his gaze towards Aunt Nellie, and his eyes widened in amazement. “How is it possible that you look younger now than you did in the past?”
Aunt Nellie smiled faintly, but it didn’t extend to her eyes. “That is a most pleasing way to be greeted.” She lifted her arm and looked at the watch on her wrist. “Unfortunately, Amelia, you have arrived almost one hour after you departed.”
“Is that a problem?” she asked, making her second attempt to stand.
Aunt Nellie assisted her to a standing position. “Your mother collapsed after you left. She is with the doctor now.”
Forcing herself to focus, she asked, “Is she in the same room as before?”
“She is,” Aunt Nellie confirmed.
Amelia glanced at the floor where Adam was still sprawled out. She couldn’t leave him, but she knew his effects were only temporary.
Aunt Nellie must have seen her indecision because she stated, “Just go. We will look after Adam.”
Bounding along the hallway towards her mother’s room, Amelia opened the door and saw a middle-aged man in a tweed sport coat with elbow patches. He stood with an air of seriousness over her mother’s bed. He was listening to Lottie’s heart with a stethoscope, frowning.
Taking a deep breath, Amelia pushed aside her fear and slipped into her familiar doctor mode, asking, “What can you tell me about my mother’s condition?”
The doctor straightened up to assess this younger, vibrant version of his patient. “You must be her daughter, Dr. Wright?”
“Yes, I am,” she confirmed, striding closer to the bed to shake his proffered hand.
The doctor leaned back from the bed as he explained, “Your mother collapsed, and her heartbeat is growing weaker. I am afraid there is not much time.”
“May I?” she asked, pointing at the stethoscope.
Accepting it, she listened to her mother’s heart. Reaching for her mother’s clammy hand, she saw the skin was a mottled bluish-purple, which was a sure sign that death was near.
Mustering up strength, she replied, “I concur with your prognosis, doctor.”
The gray-haired gentleman offered her a look of compassion over the top of his glasses, the same look she had given her own patients on occasion. “We could transfer her to a hospital. That might buy her some time.”
Amelia shook her head. “No, that would just prolong the inevitable.”
When she handed back his stethoscope, he said, “Well, if I can be of any further assistance, please give me a call.”
“Thank you, doctor,” she managed to say, but her eyes were fixed on her mum.
Once she heard the door latch, Amelia sat down in the chair next to the bed and tears began streaming down her face. She thought she’d have more time with her mother. A loud sob passed through her lips, and she felt her heart shatter. Then she felt a warm and comforting hand lay securely on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Adam standing beside her, taking in her mother’s waning form with compassion and wonder.
“It’s truly Lottie,” he said softly.
“It is. But she is dying.”
Adam stepped forward and reached for Lottie’s hand. In response, her eyes blinked open. “Lord Harrington,” she said in a weak voice. “Adam, my dear friend, is that you?”
“It is, Lottie,” he replied, his voice catching with emotion. “I have traveled a very great distance to see you.”
“I never had a chance to say goodbye,” Lottie asserted, her voice regaining some strength. “But as my Amelia grew older, I knew she could help you.”
A tear ran down Adam’s cheek, but he did not attempt to wipe it away. “You saved me, dear lady. Not once, but twice.” He looked back at her daughter. “Thank you for sending Amelia to me.”
Her mother lifted her other hand, enco
uraging Amelia to reach for it. “I knew… I had to get Amelia to travel to your time… because I knew you belonged togeth…” Her voice trailed off as she started coughing. “I wanted you to have each other… when I am gone.”
“Mum,” Amelia breathed out. “You should be more focused on yourself right now.”
Lottie shook her head. “No… my time is short. But I wanted to make sure you were taken care of, my dear… before I passed on.”
“You need not worry about Amelia,” Adam vowed in hushed tones, his gaze full of tenderness. “I will ensure she will never want for anything, especially love.”
“Thank you, Adam,” her mother replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Adam leaned forward and brushed a piece of hair off Lottie’s face. “No, Lottie darling, it is I that should be thanking you. All that I have, and all that I will become, will be because of your friendship. You rescued me that day in the river, allowing me the chance to live, and to love again.”
Her mother’s eyes drifted closed, but a smile came to her lips. “I knew you two… would suit.”
Releasing her hand, Adam grabbed another chair and positioned it next to Amelia’s. For the next few hours, he held her as they watched her mother grow weaker. She felt stronger with him by her side, buoyed by his silent support providing her with great comfort.
With love and gratitude in her heart for her mother, Amelia smiled at the thought that her mother had intended for them to fall in love. Mum hadn’t given up on her, but she had been fighting for Amelia all along.
Staring out of the blasted window of Twickenham Manor for the thousandth time, Adam grew more and more irritated by Amelia’s delay. “She said she would be back within the hour,” he grumbled under his breath.
Glancing over at the floor clock, he saw that she was two hours late. Why was her meeting with her attorney taking so long?
Aunt Nellie looked up from embroidering a handkerchief. “Perhaps you would like to practice your embroidery, Adam.” She grinned. “After all, isn’t this what you will expect Amelia to be doing all day when you are at your meetings?”
He chuckled. “I daresay Amelia does not have the patience to embroider.”