by Clare Revell
He stripped off his wet clothes. He could still feel her in his arms. The way her soft body fitted so well with his. Just when he thought things couldn’t get any more complicated, this woman had to come into his life. Was his mother correct about her having a temper to match her flame red hair? Her emerald eyes certainly shone with emotion, whether it were annoyance or grief. Would they shine the same way with love and adoration?
One thing he did know, she had awakened something within him and as loathe as he was to admit it, he liked the feelings. He was just not sure what to do next.
****
Jonni sat on the bed, rubbing her hair with a towel. She sighed at the knock on the door. She got up and moved the chair away before sitting back down again. “Come in.”
She watched the door open a tiny crack. “It’s OK, I don’t bite.”
The housemaid looked at her. “Beggin’ your pardon miss, but t’Master wants to see you in t’parlor soon as you’s decent.”
Jonni nodded. “Thank you. Tell him I’ll be down directly.” She crossed the room to hang the towel next to the washstand by the window. Her foot caught in the loose floor board and she tumbled to the floor.
Jonni landed on her hands and knees. She cried out in annoyance. Rolling over, she sat up and pulled back the rug. The floorboard didn’t fit properly at all. She ran her fingers around it and managed to pull it up.
Underneath was a small hole, she estimated to be no more than eight by four inches, and roughly two inches deep. Jonni shook her head and put the floorboard back, hitting it until it fitted snugly.
Sliding her feet into the slippers, she got up and left her room. Jonni headed downstairs, trying to remember which room the parlor was. It took several attempts before she found it, having first found several sitting rooms and what appeared to be a coat room.
The parlor was empty and looked out over the front lawns. Jonni wandered around for a moment, admiring the furniture and wall hangings. Looking at the paintings she stopped in front of one of Sebastian and a plump, blonde woman. “Lady Tyler, I assume.”
“That was painted when we had been married for ten months.” Sebastian’s voice came from behind her. “Alexis was four weeks old.”
Jonni looked at him. “She must have been a honeymoon baby.”
“Honeymoon?”
“Holiday the bride and groom go on immediately after the wedding.”
“What strange ideas you have. The day after the wedding, Mary took over as mistress of the house, and I carried on with my duties on the estate.” He paused. “You said you remembered where you came from.”
Jonni nodded. “It’s kind of a long story, and a strange one.”
Sebastian indicated the chair by the fire. “Sit down and tell me. We have time.”
8
Jonni sat and took the cup Sebastian offered her. She wrapped her hands around the cup. “Thank you for this.”
Sebastian sat opposite her. “You’re welcome. So tell me what you remember.”
“Where do I start?”
“At the beginning.”
“All right…” Jonni paused. She stood to risk everything if she were honest. Her story would make her sound like a crazy woman and he’d be just as likely to put her in a madhouse as chuck her out onto the streets. Either way he’d want nothing more to do with her. But lying to him? That wasn’t an option. If she was going to lose everything, her principals weren’t going to be a casualty of war.
Lord, guide my words here. Don’t let me sound too insane.
“I’d just taken the bread out of the oven and headed out to the shops to buy a few things.”
“Baking bread? You are a kitchen maid?”
Jonni shook her head. “No, no, I’m not. I—I worked in an office…until last week, and I have my own house.”
“Your husband allows you to work?” Sebastian both looked and sounded aghast. She realized too late that having to work would make her poor in this century. Women didn’t carry on working after marriage for another fifty years or so. “I— I’m not married. The man I was—” she struggled to find a word he’d understand, “—courting, was seeing another girl at the same time, because I wouldn’t sleep with…do what he wanted, I ended the relationship last week and as he was my boss, I gave up my job, too.”
“I see.” Sebastian gave her a hard look, as if he were trying to ascertain how truthful she was being with him. “You went shopping and then what?”
Her cheeks grew hot under his intense gaze. The next few moments would decide her fate, yet there was no turning back. “I walked through the village to the milestone, the same milestone you found me by, just now. I touched it as I waited for the lights to change—uh, the traffic to stop. When it did, I walked out into the road. There…there was a shout and horses hooves dancing around me…your horses.”
Sebastian didn’t speak for a few minutes. “So your home is where?”
“Reading…not far from here. I’m house-sitting for a friend for a while. Only when I tried to go back, the village wasn’t there.” Jonni pushed her hands though her hair in frustration. She couldn’t tell him she’d been living here, in this very house—his house. “I did everything the same as before, but it didn’t work. I’m stranded and I can’t get home.”
“The nearest village is a mile from here. And there is no record of you, or your family in Reading. At least, none that I have found, so far.”
“There won’t be now, but there will be. When I left the house, it was twenty eleven. December twenty eleven. I wake up here and it is December eighteen forty-one. I can’t get home and I am stuck here in the past.”
Sebastian shook his head. “That has to be the most fanciful story I have ever heard.”
“It’s the truth. Why would I make something like that up?”
“You claim to come from the future, own a house and yet do your own cooking, cleaning, and housework. It certainly explains your language.”
“And what’s wrong with it? I speak the Queen’s English as well as anyone else does, I’ll have you know. At least I don’t drop letters like your servants do.”
“You, Madam, are a liar,” Sebastian said harshly, “and not a very good one, at that.”
Jonni put her cup down. She knew he wouldn’t believe her, but did he have to be so mean about it? Before she realized, the frustration of having everything turned on its head flooded her and spilled over.
“And you, Sir, are one of the rudest men I have ever met. For all your airs and graces, you are nothing better than a stuck-up commoner with delusions of grandeur.”
Sebastian looked at her. “How dare you, Madam? It is not your place to lecture me.”
“I dare, because unlike everyone else around here, I don’t have to bow and scrape to the likes of you. No one else dares say these things to you, despite it being the truth. You also have no idea how to handle children. Alexis says no one spends time with her. She needs love, attention, and you being with her. Not palmed off to some governess who doesn’t teach her a thing. She didn’t even know what lightning was.”
“I beg your pardon.”
Jonni raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were deaf, as well. Would you like me to repeat it? You know, if I never saw you again it would be too soon. Just leave, will you?”
Sebastian scowled at her. “You seem to have forgotten this is my house. You leave.”
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure.” Gathering her skirts in one hand, Jonni stormed out of the room. Ignoring the servants in the hallway, she ran towards the front door. Flinging it open, she ran out into the pouring rain.
The slippers on her feet let the water in instantly. Her dress was soaked through before she made the foot of the steps leading to the driveway. She ran in front of the carriage as it drew up by the house. Jonni felt the wind brush past her and caught sight of the horses out of the corner of her eye. She’d almost collided with the horses again. She ran faster. He wouldn’t thank her for hav
ing to call the doctor out, yet again. No doubt he’d bill her for the previous two times. She had no way of repaying him, but that wouldn’t stop him.
“Jonni, wait.”
Jonni ignored Louisa. She couldn’t go back, not now. Running blindly down the path, her feet sliding beneath her, she stumbled and fell, landing on her hands and knees. She cried out, the rough stones cutting into her knees. Breathing hard through the pain, she pushed herself upright, and kept running onto the grass. She headed to the undergrowth and pushed through it, holding her skirts up in one hand and pushing tree branches out of the way with the other.
****
Sebastian stalked after Jonni and stood in the doorway as she ran down the driveway, narrowly missing running under the carriage, yet again.
His mother had been right, after all, about her. Her temper did match her hair. A small part of him admired her for the way she stood up to him. No woman had ever dared do that before.
He felt his heart react again and shook his head. He could not allow himself to care for her. She was nothing but trouble. She was gone and good riddance. Out of the corner of his eye, Sebastian saw his mother walk up the steps. He forced his mind to return to other things. “How was your morning, Mother? Did you succeed in finding a wedding dress?”
“We got most of the things we needed. Where is Miss Peterson going without a coat?”
Sebastian shrugged. So much for keeping my mind on other things. “I do not know, neither do I care.”
“Are you going to just let her leave?”
“With any luck she’ll fall under the wheels of someone else’s carriage. A more disagreeable creature I hope I never have the misfortune to meet.”
“And what if she gets lost, or hurt?”
He caught himself. Why was his mother suddenly championing the cause of someone she’d made clear she didn’t like?
“Miss Peterson is a liar and a fraud. In your own words, we have wasted enough time and money on her.”
“And if she dies out there?”
“That really is not my concern, right now.” Even as the words fell from his lips, Sebastian regretted them. His conscience pricked him as he spun on his heel to find Alexis standing behind him. “You should be in your room.”
A huge flash of lightning split the sky in two. He sighed as she ignored him and started counting. “What are you doing now, child?”
Alexis finished counting as the thunder crashed overhead. “Miss Peterson showed me how to work out how far away the storm is. It is about half a mile. She was going to teach me the piano and cut my hair until you chased her away. I hate you.”
“How dare you talk to me like that?”
“She would have gone, anyway. No one wants to be around you.”
Sebastian inhaled sharply, his conscience thumping him hard. What? Where did that come from? “Will you be silent? Get inside and go to your room. You will stay there until I say otherwise.”
“With pleasure.” She whirled around and ran across the hallway, tossing a final remark over her shoulder. “Maybe I should just pack and leave, too. It would be better than staying here.”
Sebastian watched her go, her words stabbing him to the core. Was he really that bad? Perhaps he could be a little harsh at times, but she was not an easy child.
His mother was constantly on his back, the servants not as deferential as they should be, sometimes to the point of downright insubordination—
He broke off. He should not quibble. There were no excuses for his behavior. Alexis was right. At times, he was not very pleasant to be around.
****
Jonni ran down the path, with no idea where she was going. Not that it mattered, as she could no longer bear to be in the same house as Sebastian. It seemed incomprehensible that less than an hour ago, she had been in his arms and trying to ignore the way he made her feel. Now all she felt for him was irritation and sadness.
Jonni slipped again. She caught herself and stood there for a moment, her heart pounding and chest heaving. Perhaps if she headed back to the milestone, tried again to get home. It was as good a place as any other to be, right now.
The rain made it difficult to see where she was going. Jonni pushed at the undergrowth. The road had to be here somewhere. The sound of rushing water filled her ears and pushing through the last bush, Jonni found she had gone the wrong way.
The swollen, frothing river blocked her path. She stood there for a moment and then ran down the tow path towards the bridge, which she could just make out through the rain. Her dress was heavy and slowed her down. Jonni pulled up the skirt with both hands as she reached the bridge. Climbing up the steps, she began to cross.
The bridge was rickety and old. The force of the raging water pushing against it more than the old timbers could stand.
With a loud creak, and a snap, and crack, the central support gave way. The bridge folded in half, sending the timbers and Jonni down into the powerful grasp of the swollen river.
She cried out as she fell into the icy water, the force of the torrent pulling her under.
9
“Sebastian, wait.”
Sebastian spun around as his sister grabbed his arm. “What now, Louisa?”
“We can’t let Jonni leave like this.”
“Miss Peterson is a grown woman. If she wishes to leave, she can. Alexis, on the other hand, is wild and out of control. She drove away yet another governess this morning with her ridiculous antics. She needs a reminder of how to behave.”
Louisa scowled. “You don’t need to take your anger out on the child, either. She has done nothing wrong, except answer you back, and that is not enough justification for your fury.”
Sebastian shook her off. “This is my house and Alexis is my daughter. I will treat her how I please.”
“Sebastian, please think before you act. It is not Alexis you are upset with. Nor is it Jonni. Take a deep breath and ask the Lord for guidance before you do anything untoward.”
God, forgive me. I’m doing it again. Sebastian nodded. “I’m sorry, you’re right—”
Footsteps crunched on the gravel and a shout echoed from the driveway. “Master, the bridge has fallen. Miss Peterson is in the river.”
Sebastian’s heart stilled for an instant. “Confound that woman. How many more times must I rescue her? Send John and as many men as can be spared. Louisa, make ready for our return—dry clothes and warm blankets…And warm her bed.”
Sebastian ran as fast as the conditions would allow, taking the path that led to the river. His heart raced and his stomach churned. Varied reactions flooded him. His anger mixed with the feelings of desire from earlier, leaving him baffled. How could one woman affect him and his judgment so much?
Sebastian’s feet slithered beneath him, but he kept going. The river rose rapidly here, meaning every second he dallied was a second more in which Miss Peterson could die. Lord, help me here. I will not be the cause of her death. I care about her too much for that. The words were out before he could stop them, but he knew he couldn’t hide them from the Lord, in any case. He just wasn’t ready to admit it to himself.
****
Jonni tried to keep her head above water, but the fast current and the reeds on the river bed tangling her feet conspired against her. She sank again. She struggled and her head broke the surface, the rain splashing in her face. She gasped for breath, arms flailing, screaming for help as the current, and heavy dress and petticoats, pulled her under.
She got a mouthful of the filthy water and broke the surface, coughing and choking. Debris from the bridge floated around her, constantly bumping into her. Lightning flashed. Jonni thought she saw someone on the bank as the waters closed over her again.
Is it him? No, he wouldn’t come, not now.
The reeds pulled her down, their tight grip refusing to let her go. She struggled, tugging at them in a desperate attempt to escape. A piece of debris ploughed into her, forcing the air from her body. Darkness fell, her eyes closing as
the last air escaped from her lungs in a row of dying bubbles.
****
Thunder echoed loudly as Sebastian shed his coat and dived into the water, swimming to where he saw her last. He took a deep breath and plunged beneath the surface, looking. Not seeing her, he came up and took a few deep breaths, glancing around as he trod water. Then he dove down again, finally seeing something white against the riverbed.
Swimming neatly downwards, Sebastian reached Jonni. He tried pulling her free, but found the reeds fastened her tightly to the river bed. He touched her face with his hand. He got no response. Clasping his lips over hers, Sebastian forced the last of his air into her lungs. He pulled at the reeds, and then surfaced to breathe, tugging his knife from his belt.
Diving down again, Sebastian used the knife to start cutting Jonni free from the entangling reeds. Her body floated lifelessly against his and he held her with one hand. Pressure started to build in his lungs with the effort of holding his breath. At last, his knife cut through the final reeds and Jonni was free.
Sebastian scooped her up in his arms, and kicked hard towards the surface, hoping he wasn’t too late. He took a deep breath and pushed to where he could feel the bottom of the river beneath his feet. He stood up and carried her to the bank.
Don’t let her die, Lord, please. Don’t take her, yet.
“Sir, let me help.”
Sebastian ignored John’s arms and offer of help. Water streamed from his clothes, and his body shook as he staggered up the bank. He laid Jonni’s motionless figure on the ground and touched her face. “Miss Peterson? Jonni?”
There was no response. He put a hand on her neck and leaned over her, trying to feel for her breath. She wasn’t breathing. His heart plummeted. He was too late. He closed his eyes for a moment, tuning out the men around him and praying for help.