Time's Arrow

by Clare Revell

  “There’s a name on her cross, Lady Louisa. Does thee suppose it’s ‘ers?”

  “Perhaps, although I don’t know how to pronounce it. These trousers look like something my brother would wear.”

  Sebastian shook his head, tired of the speculation. He headed below-stairs and made his way across the checkered marble floor to the library. He moved to the decanter and poured a drink, then leaned against the sideboard, gazing at the book-lined walls. There were so many empty spaces despite the huge collection. Something he needed to rectify as soon as he could. A knock at the door dragged his thoughts back to the present. “Enter.”

  Tarrant came in, his cap in his hand. “You wanted to see me, Sir?”

  Sebastian nodded. He sat down and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “I need to know exactly what happened on the road. Why didn’t you see the woman?”

  “She just…appeared.”

  “Out of thin air?” He stared at Tarrant in sheer disbelief.

  “Yes, Sir. As crazed as it sounds, one minute the road was clear. I could see in both directions and there was no one there. The next she was stepping off the road right in front of the carriage.”

  “Hmmm. Were you drinking whilst we were in town?”

  “No, Sir. I haven’t touched a drop since the incident three weeks ago.”

  Sebastian shook his head. Tarrant had almost killed them while driving when he was intoxicated, and he could refer to it as just an ‘incident’? He was lucky he still had a position here. “Very well. You may go.”

  “Sir.”

  Sebastian followed the coachman into the hallway, just as the doctor arrived. Sebastian spoke to him briefly, and then went back into the library and sat at his desk. Pulling his journal across he started to write an account of the accident. He wasn’t going to be caught out by lawyers if it could be avoided.

  Journal entry done, Sebastian got up and paced. The longer the doctor took, the more the visit would cost him. His blood pressure rose as he paced.

  Finally, Hudson escorted the doctor into the library.

  Sebastian clenched his hands behind his back. “Well, doctor?”

  “The young woman appears to have no broken bones, just cuts and bruises. Her ankle is rather swollen and she took a bang to the head, which would most likely be the reason she hasn’t woken. She was lucky. I left instructions with Lady Louisa and will be back in the morning, at some point. If you need me before then, do not hesitate to send for me.”

  “Of course.” Of course…but at what rate for during the night? He escorted the doctor to the door. “Thank you for coming.”

  “My pleasure, Lord Tyler.” The doctor nodded and put his hat on as he made his way down the steps.

  Sebastian shut the door. “Hudson, I want one of the female servants to remain with the woman at all times. I am to be told the instant she is awake. As is Lady Louisa. Day, or night, is that understood?”

  Hudson nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good. Now I am going over to the estate office while there is still some daylight left. I have lost enough time today, as it is.”

  ****

  Jonni opened her eyes, just as the light of the setting sun peeped through the edge of the curtains. Her head throbbed and she raised a hand, rubbing gently. She winced at the size of the substantial lump her fingertips found. She glanced upwards, taking in the wad of heavy curtains suspended about seven feet above the bed.

  Where am I?

  She glanced down and saw plain white sheets and thick heavy blankets covering her and closed her eyes again. This isn’t my bed…at least I don’t think so. She tried to think through the thick fog permeating her mind. Isn’t my room yellow? Maybe once the headache clears I’ll be able to think straight.

  Jonni tried pushing up, but fell back against the pillows, closing her eyes as the entire world shifted and spun in a never-ending nauseating circle. “Ohhh…”

  “Oh, yer awake, miss.”

  A young female voice spoke way too loudly and Jonni winced.

  “Liza, run an’ tell t’Master an’ Lady Louisa tha’ she be awake.”

  Jonni twisted her head to the left. A young girl of no more than fifteen, and wearing a rag cap over her blonde hair, got up and ran from the room.

  She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, a girl with dark curls started speaking again.

  “My name’s ‘Attie, miss. Now don’ yer go movin’ or nothin’ til t’master’s bin an’ sent for t’doctor. Yer took a nasty bang t’noggin under them ‘orses ‘ooves an’ been asleep for nigh on t’whole day.”

  Jonni rubbed her head, wishing the girl wasn’t speaking in such a broad dialect. “Horses? I don’t remember any horses.”

  “According to my driver you all but threw yourself under them, madam. He was hard pressed to stop.” The distinctly suave male voice, haughty and disapproving, came from the doorway.

  Jonni twisted to look toward the voice. Her eyes widened at the vision of perfect manhood that strode over to the bed, his hands clasped behind his back. His form fitting breeches, shirt, waistcoat, and tail coat showed off his slender figure to perfection. But, why was he in fancy dress? Had she missed a costume party?

  Long black hair framed his face and fathomless brown eyes stared down at her as his baritone voice rang out again. “What did you think you were doing running out into the road like that, madam? You could have been killed.”

  Her heart pounded and her voice stuck in her throat. “I—I didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t remember any horses, let alone stepping into the road.” She massaged her temples. Everything was just a blank and that terrified her.

  “Who are you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You remember nothing at all?”

  “No.”

  The man looked at her, his brown eyes narrowing. “Well, you have a strange way of speaking, and also of dressing, from what I recall.”

  “I’m not the only one,” Jonni whispered. She glanced around the room and then focused her attention back on the man as he spoke again.

  “I was not the one running around in public wearing nothing but inappropriate clothing and undergarments. Now, I have some questions that need answering.”

  I was doing what? Jonni looked at him, her face burning. “Where am I?”

  “My home,” the man replied haughtily. “In which I ask the questions.”

  He didn’t have to bite her head off. It was a simple question. She tried again. “Who are you? What is this place?”

  His tone became even more abrupt. “You ask far too many questions for someone who isn’t prepared to answer any, herself. I am—”

  “—Far too ready to demand answers and not give them at times, Sebastian.” A woman smiled as she approached the bed. “I am Lady Louisa Tyler, and it’s good to see you awake. Please excuse my brother. He understands little of polite conversation at times, nor the female need for information before divulging any herself. Let me introduce him as he won’t do it himself. Lord Sebastian Tyler, third Earl of Elton. You are in our home, Southby Manor.”

  Jonni looked at Sebastian and held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Lord Tyler. I’m afraid I don’t know who I am, so I can’t tell you my name.”

  She watched incredulously as Sebastian humphed and spun on his heel, leaving the room. She dropped her hand and looked down. What had she done?

  Louisa plumped down on the bed next to her and Jonni glanced up. Louisa’s blonde hair was piled on her head, the sides falling in ringlets. She wore a green silk dress, with an impossibly narrow waistline. An off the shoulder bodice was cut a lot lower than anything Jonni’d wear, the long sleeves edged with lace. The full skirt fell to the floor over what appeared to be at least two petticoats and possibly hoops.

  Louisa smoothed a hand over her skirt. “What is the last thing you do remember?”

  “I’m sorry...my head is so full of mist right now, I can’t remember anything. Well nothi
ng useful. I mean, I know this is a bed and sheets and things like that, but my own name or stuff...sorry.” She shrugged.

  “I may be able to help you with that. There’s a name engraved on the back of your cross. We weren’t sure of the pronunciation. We think its Joanie. Is it your name?”

  Jonni looked at her, her fingers rising to touch the cross around her neck. It sounded familiar. “I don’t know...there’s something there, but...I guess so. I’m sorry. I really don’t remember.”

  Louisa smiled. “That’s OK. We’ll call you Joanie for now.”

  Another woman came into the room. Dressed completely in black, her dress was higher cut than Louisa’s. She moved over to the bed, her bearing indicating that she was in charge here. “I am Countess Maud Tyler, the mistress of this house.”

  Jonni looked at her and tried to sit up. “Thank you for letting me stay here overnight, but I should leave. I—” Her vision blurred and she fell back onto the pillows. Dizziness overtook her and she raised a hand to her head, fighting the urge to be sick. She took several deep breaths, not wanting to appear weak in front of this formidable woman.

  “You will stay here until the doctor says otherwise and that is an end of it. Besides, you can’t even sit up, never mind walk anywhere.” Countess Maud’s tone left no room for debate.

  Jonni swallowed hard. “All right.” She closed her eyes, hoping when she opened them she’d be in her own bed in her room and everything would be normal again.

  A sudden burst of nausea filled her. “I’m gonna be sick...”

  A bowl appeared in front of her just in time. Cool hands held her hair out of the way. Once the heaves were over, she leaned back. “Sorry...”

  “It’s all right,” Louisa said, giving the bowl to Hattie. “Do you feel better, now?”

  “A little.” She closed her eyes, hearing Hattie leave the room.

  “My Lady?” The voice from the doorway made her open them again.

  “Yes, Hudson?” Countess Maud answered.

  “Doctor Gordon is here.”

  “Good. Show him in.”

  Hudson nodded and showed him in, shutting the door behind him.

  Doctor Gordon was a tall, plump man. He wore a black frock coat with a pocket watch and chain in the pocket and carried a top hat. The image of a man wearing a purple coat and top hat popped into Jonni’s mind, along with a name. Dr. Foster and something about it raining in Gloucester. Although she had no idea what the weather had to do with a doctor’s visit.

  Panic flooded her. What was he going to do? Would she be left alone for this or would he examine her in full view of these strangers?

  The doctor moved over to the bed in a slow, deliberate, and self-important manner. “Countess, how are you this fine day?”

  “Very well.” Countess Maud looked pained as she suffered through the light kiss he placed on her hand. “But you haven’t come to discuss my health.”

  Doctor Gordon nodded and sat on the bed next to Jonni, taking her wrist. “This won’t take long. How are you?”

  “Dizzy.”

  “Are you feeling nauseous?” He paused as Hattie placed the now empty bowl next to her. “I see you are.”

  “A little...when I move.”

  “Then don’t move.” He let go of her wrist and moved her face this way and that. Then he pulled at her eyelids. “Lie back, please.”

  Closing her eyes, Jonni laid totally still as he gently prodded her stomach and then twisted her ankle one way, and then the other. She inhaled deeply, determined not to show pain in front of everyone.

  “You were very lucky. Those horses should have killed you. The headache and ankle will be fine in a day or two.”

  Jonni looked at him. “I’m more worried about my memory. I don’t remember anything.”

  “Again, that’s not unusual after a head injury. I am sure it will come back in time. In the meanwhile, rest, try to sleep, and eat something.” He stood up and looked at Countess Maud. “Do I speak to you, or Lord Tyler about my fee?”

  Jonni noticed the slight hesitation before the Countess replied. “You should speak to my son. He will be in the library. If you come with me, I will show you the way.”

  As they all left the room, Jonni slowly pushed herself up. She pulled her legs to her chest and rubbed her ankle. Something familiar about the room tugged at her subconscious mind. It wouldn’t stay still long enough for her to grasp it. There should be a tree and a tire swing outside the window.

  Jonni pulled herself upright, hissing as she put weight on her injured leg. Her head swam and her stomach roiled. She took a deep breath and slowly hobbled across the room, holding onto pieces of furniture, to the huge window. Pulling aside the curtain, she gazed out.

  There was a tree outlined against the darkening sky, but a good deal shorter than she remembered it and no tire swing.

  “Where’s it gone?” she whispered. She spun around.

  From the lamps burning in the room, there was no electricity in the house. Why could she remember some things and not others? Why couldn’t she remember her name?

  Tears filled her eyes and terror knotted her heart. Wrapping arms around herself, she slowly headed back to the bed. Her foot caught on a loose floorboard, sending her tumbling to the floor. She cried out in pain as she landed heavily. Grabbing her foot, she fought a wave of nausea, the pain throbbing through her, accentuating that in her ankle.

  Jonni sat there, trying to get the pain under control. She kept tripping over that floorboard. Gabriel really ought to fix it before she...who’s Gabriel?

  “What are you doing down there?”

  She looked up to see Sebastian standing before her. “I fell...tripped over the loose floorboard.”

  He gently picked her up. “You are meant to be resting.” He carried her back to the bed.

  Color flooded her face, making her aware of how little she had on and the way he was holding her. Could he feel her heart pounding, the shameless way she responded to his touch? “I’m sorry. I was looking for—”

  Sebastian laid her on the bed. “Rest now. Answers will come with sleep and prayer, and perhaps we can get you home. Goodnight.” He blew out the light and picked up one of the candles from the night stand.

  “Goodnight.”

  The problem was she didn’t know where home was, or even if she had one.

  3

  Jonni woke to find the sun streaming through the windows as Hattie tied back the thick, heavy curtains. Jonni lay there watching her.

  The way Hattie bustled about and called her ‘miss’ seemed to indicate she was a servant, but no one had servants these days. Apart from the Queen, and that was different.

  Glancing around the room in daylight, the paneling on the wall looked familiar. As if she had seen it before. But where? Dawn’s house, maybe? Was Dawn related to this Gabriel she’d thought of the previous evening when she’d tripped on the floorboard?

  Warmth filled her cheeks as she remembered what happened next.

  The tall dark-haired man had appeared and picked her up, carrying her back to bed. Lord Sebastian Tyler, third earl of Elton. A mouthful of a name, and what a man. Attractive…try drop-dead gorgeous, but he had to be, without a doubt, the rudest, most arrogant men she’d ever met. And that included Bryan.

  Bryan?

  Jonni sat up straight. She could visualize him perfectly. He had blond hair, permanent stubble, and wore a suit and tie, but what was his connection to her? She closed her eyes, concentrating on the image. Bryan...Bryan Rains.

  Of course. Bryan was her two-timing ex-boyfriend and boss. She’d broken up with him and quit her job and gone...this was so infuriating. Her mind was like Swiss cheese. Think...he lied and cheated and we broke up. I went somewhere, but where? A bride and groom and a dog and...that’s it. I’m housesitting for Dawn and Gabriel while they’re away. But if these people found me on a road, I must have been outside when it, whatever it was, happened.

  Jonni lay back on the pillows. Images
ran into her mind. Cars, buses, shops...she was walking and had gotten as far as the crossing and stood waiting for the lights to change. They had and she’d stepped out and there were horses—wait a minute—horses on the main road?

  She sighed. That was all well and good, but the important bits—like her name—were still missing.

  Hattie came over to her. “Mornin’, miss. ‘Ow yer feeling? Did yer sleep all right?”

  “I’m fine.” Jonni pushed the covers back and eyed the nightgown. “Are my clothes anywhere?”

  “There weren’ much left o’them once t’orses finished tramplin’ yer. Although t’Master sent t’men t’look, they never found nothin’ resemblin’ a dress. T’Master said yer should wear one o’ t’Mistress’s dresses. I laid some out for yer.”

  Jonni looked at her, swallowing back the horror. From what she remembered, the countess was the plumper of the two ladies she’d met. “I don’t think they’d fit. My clothes will do fine. The Countess is bigger than I am.”

  “Nay, miss. Not the Countess. She’s t’Master’s mother. These clothes belong to his late wife. You an’ she be roughly the same size, but I got the thread to alter it, if need be. Doub’ I’ll be needin’ it cause t’nightgown fit yer fine an’ dandy, like.”

  “I need my clothes,” Jonni insisted. “They have my ID and phone in them.”

  “Yer what?” Confusion crossed Hattie’s face.

  “My papers, telling who I am. If you could find them for me...”

  “I’ll go look, miss.”

  Jonni swung her legs off the bed, gingerly placing her foot on the floor. “I’ll have a shower while you do that. Could you tell me where the bathroom is?”

  “The what room?”

  Was there something wrong with her hearing? “Bathroom. You know, bath, shower, toilet.” Jonni took a cautious step, pleased her ankle took her weight.