It came down to if Chelsea had succeeded with her part of the plan.
“Let’s find Mrs. Williams,” Drew said.
* * *
Mrs. Williams wasn’t a scary woman by any means, but I was afraid to confront her. After all, I had just humiliated her son in public by announcing that I was in love with someone else during our engagement. She would have every right to hate me and cancel the party on the spot.
Drew must have noticed I was nervous, because he took my hand and squeezed it. “It’s going to be okay,” he said. “Tomorrow we’ll be home, and this will all be in the past.”
“I hope so,” I said.
It wasn’t hard to find Mrs. Williams. She stood near the entrance to the ballroom, frantically fanning herself while talking with the circle of supporters surrounding her. She looked stressed, but I suspected she thrived on this kind of drama.
Drew and I approached, and everyone talking with her quieted.
“Would it be all right for Miss Davenport and I to speak with Mrs. Williams?” Drew asked.
The question was met with nods and mutterings of “of course,” before everyone scurried in different directions. The three of us stepped into the hall for privacy.
“Mrs. Williams,” I said, feeling a rush of guilt just from looking at her. I may not know her personally, but she was close to my past self. “I’m sorry for the turn of events tonight. I wish things could have been different. I understand if you want us to leave, or if you want to end the party entirely.”
“No, no, my dear,” she said, shushing me and shaking her head. “I mean, yes, at first that was what I thought I would have to do. But then I saw James dancing with Miss Kate Duncan, and they were having such a splendid time together that I wouldn’t dream of calling off the party!”
I smiled, because if what she was saying was true, then Chelsea had succeeded. I also wasn’t surprised that Mrs. Williams was pleased—Kate Duncan came from a wealthier, more respected family than my past self did, which was important to people in this time-period.
Actually, I supposed it was important to people in modern times as well, although not nearly as intensely so.
“Please believe me when I say I’m sincerely happy for him,” I said. “I think Miss Duncan will be a wonderful match for him.”
“Me too, me too,” Mrs. Williams said. “And congratulations to the both of you!” She smiled at me, and then turned to Drew. “Please don’t repeat this, but once you get past titles, I can happily vouch for Miss Davenport’s character over Lady Catherine’s any day.”
“I agree with you, and I’ll be certain to not say a word,” Drew said, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have to check on my guests, but I hope the two of you have a lovely time tonight,” Mrs. Williams said. Then she leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I’m looking forward to the wedding. I’m sure it will be more lavish than anything this town has seen in years!”
With that, she left and met up with the group she had been gossiping with before Drew and I approached her.
Chelsea must have been watching us talking, because it wasn’t long until she joined us in the hall.
“You did it?” I asked.
“Yep,” she said proudly. “It wasn’t hard. I was able to recreate the potion Alistair showed me how to make that we gave to our parents to convince them to let us come to England—the one that opens people’s minds. Once I put some in James’ drink, he was completely open to the idea that Kate was a better match for him than you. He had apparently been interested in her for the past few weeks, just as Jeremy was interested in Keelie, but didn’t say anything until you broke up with him. I found him in the middle of the first dance you and Drew shared, and by the time everything was revealed, he seemed happy that the engagement was off so he could pursue Kate!”
“I’m glad that worked out,” I said, although my stomach fluttered at the knowledge of what I had to do next. I could be putting my life on the line—again.
I wasn’t sure I was ready for this.
“Everything will be fine,” Drew said. “Remember that I’ll be right behind you, so if anything dangerous happens I can stop it.”
“I trust you,” I said. “Let’s do this.”
I might have sounded prepared, but I didn’t feel that way at all.
CHAPTER 34
It took a while for us to find the perfect time to enact the plan, when Catherine’s parents and Drew’s parents were both in hearing distance from the three of us. The four of them didn’t look pleased with the events of the night, but they were doing their best to pretend like they were happy. They weren’t doing a great job, but the other guests were too busy dancing and enjoying the refreshments to notice.
Drew let me know that now was the time.
“I’m getting a bit of a headache,” I said, loudly enough that everyone within a ten foot radius could hear. Of course, this radius included Drew’s and Catherine’s parents. “I’m going to step outside in the garden for a few minutes to get some air.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Drew asked.
“Thank you for offering, but no,” I said, plastering a smile on my face. “Stay inside and enjoy yourself. This night has been so eventful—a few minutes by myself to process it all will be good.”
“As you wish,” Drew said. “I’ll be in here waiting for you.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
As I headed outside, I walked past Drew’s parents and Catherine’s parents, where they stood talking with each other and a few other guests.
“Are you all right, dear?” Mrs. Carmichael asked me. She sounded genuinely concerned.
“I’m fine.” I smiled. “I just have a slight headache, so I’m going to step outside for a few minutes to get some air.”
She looked like she wanted to say more, but she didn’t, instead giving me her wishes for me to feel better.
I thanked her and walked past the groups of guests chatting and drinking. Many heads turned in my direction as I walked by. I supposed the drama earlier that evening was making me somewhat of a celebrity for the night.
The harsh cold of the winter night struck my face when I stepped outside. Luckily, the layers of my dress kept me from completely freezing. I was unsurprised that the inclement weather was keeping the other guests from dallying in the gardens. Anyone with sense would stay inside.
This garden was smaller than the one at Drew’s grandparents house, and unlike when we walked through that garden, this one was not covered in snow. The only signs of life were the interspersed evergreens. I saw spots where flowers would bloom in the warmer seasons, but now they were bare.
A stone fountain gurgled in the center of the garden, and I sat on the bench across from it, preparing for whatever was going to happen next. The bench was far enough from the house that no one could see me through the door or window, which made it the perfect place for me to wait.
Biding my time, I looked up at the stars, the twinkling dots millions of light years away connecting me from this time-period to mine. The Big Dipper and Orion’s Belt looked the same as they did in the twenty-first century. I loved looking at the stars—they put in perspective how small I was compared to the Universe. Each of those hundreds of billions of stars was its own sun. It could have its own solar system of planets orbiting around it, and some of those planets could even contain life.
The vastness of possibilities in space reminded me that while my life felt important, it was tiny in the scheme of things. Human civilization was only a blink on the radar of time.
Did anyone else have these moments of amazement over the existence of humanity, when they are in awe of how they are here, and alive, even if it’s only for a short while?
I wished on my favorite star, the middle one of Orion’s Belt, that everything would work out tonight.
“Miss Davenport,” a female voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I do hope you’re feeling all right?”
&n
bsp; I looked up and saw Catherine’s mother, Lady Givens, holding her skirts as she walked toward me. Her question was one of concern, but it didn’t sound like she cared.
“Lady Givens,” I greeted her. “I’m fine, thank you for asking. I only needed a few minutes by myself to take in all that has happened this evening.”
“It has been quite … dramatic,” she said with distaste. “Do you mind if I sit with you?”
“Not at all.” I scooted to the edge of the bench to give her room. What was she up to? I felt like it wasn’t something good, but her presence put me in no danger. She couldn’t do anything other than attack me with words. I refused to allow her to get to me.
“Did you come out here because you’re having second thoughts about your engagement to Mr. Carmichael?” she asked. She looked flushed—I couldn’t tell if it was because of anger or the icy breeze—and her eyes flickered with hate when she said the word engagement. “I wouldn’t blame you if you are.”
“Why would you say that?” I asked.
“He’s clearly torn between you and Catherine,” she said. “It’s obvious that given time he’ll come to terms with his mistake, break his engagement with you, and everything will continue as it was meant to be.”
“By ‘meant to be,’ you mean him being with Catherine?” Anger rose in my chest at that she dared say such a thing.
“Why, of course.” She smiled, although it was filled with malice.
“That’s not going to happen,” I said, my tone sharp. “Drew loves me, and the two of us will be married.”
“Surely you see why it’s more practical for him to marry Catherine,” Lady Givens said.
“But he doesn’t love Catherine,” I said, more forcefully now. “He loves me. And I love him. I’m sorry for Catherine, truly, but she will eventually meet the right person for her.”
“It’s a pity it has to be this way,” Lady Givens said with a shake of her head.
“What do you mean?”
“Mr. Brookes?” Lady Givens called the name of Lord Givens’ personal valet. “It’s time.”
Before I knew what was happening, Mr. Brookes emerged from the shadows and secured one arm around my shoulders, pinning me to the bench. He wrapped his other hand around my mouth to stop me from screaming. I squirmed to try and escape, but he was too strong for me to fight.
Then Lady Givens pulled a small knife from her glove, the silver glinting in the moonlight. Her eyes had a wild rage to them, like an animal about to pounce.
I tried turning my head to get out of Mr. Brookes’ grip, but it was no use. I was trapped. I couldn’t even scream for help.
I would have been more terrified if I didn’t know that Drew had followed me outside to help in an emergency. What was he waiting for? I shouldn’t worry, though. He would come to my rescue at any second.
Lady Givens toyed with the knife and cocked her head to the side, watching me with a twisted smile. “I really did like you, Elizabeth,” she said. “Until you stole my daughter’s one chance at happiness—her chance to make sure her family was protected for the rest of our lives. If Catherine doesn’t marry Mr. Carmichael, it will be the end of everything. Our lives will be over. We’ll have to sell the estate, the coaches … we’ll be destitute. This was our final chance. And then you had to ruin it.” She was looking at me with absolute hatred. “It will be so sad when you’re found in the gardens, having slit your wrists because you couldn’t handle the guilt of betraying your ex-fiancé and closest friend. Then, with you out of the picture, Mr. Carmichael will surely return to his original promise to marry Catherine.”
I wanted to say that no one would believe her and that her plan was crazy, but it came out as a muffled noise against Mr. Brookes’ fleshy palm.
Lady Givens held the knife closer to my wrists, tracing a delicate line on top of my gloves. I wasn’t sure if she would go through with it, but you never knew what people would do when they felt like their entire existence was threatened.
I looked around, starting to panic. Where was Drew? He should be here by now. I kicked my feet to try to break free, but it was no use. I was stuck. If Drew didn’t get here soon, Lady Givens might go through with this insane plan, and I would be right back to where things had ended originally—lifeless, outside in the cold, surrounded by pools of my own blood.
Finally, just when I thought something had happened and Drew hadn’t followed me, he stepped through the hedges and into the opening.
“Put the knife down, and let her go,” he commanded. His voice was steady, although his eyes raged with anger.
“Oh, Mr. Carmichael!” Lady Givens laughed—an evil cackling sound that reminded me of a witch from a fairy tale. “How nice of you to join us.”
“Did you not hear me the first time?” He took a step closer. “Put the knife down and let Elizabeth go.”
“You misunderstand.” Lady Givens’ voice was sickly sweet. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
She didn’t have time to explain, because I used that moment to slam my head back into Mr. Brookes’ face.
His grip on me faltered, and I bolted from where I’d been pinned to the bench to stand next to Drew. He put his arm protectively around me, pulling me close. My head hurt from the impact on Mr. Brookes’ jaw, but I would worry about that later.
“It was exactly what it looked like,” I said now that I was safely out of Mr. Brookes’ hold.
“You’re lying,” Lady Givens accused through clenched teeth. “Besides, who’s going to believe your word over mine? I’m from one of the oldest, most well-respected families in this town, and you’re from absolutely nothing.”
“I heard the entire thing,” Drew said. “And we know this wasn’t the first time you’ve tried to hurt Miss Davenport. You made sure her carriage would be tampered with, and if I had to bet on it, I would say you put something in her wine that night we dined at your home. It was only by mistake that Mr. Williams drank it instead.”
Lady Givens paled, and said nothing.
“But clearly you couldn’t do this on your own,” I said, turning my attention to Mr. Brookes. “The big question is—what did you have to gain from this?”
“If Lord and Lady Givens have no money, I’m out of a job.” He rubbed his jaw, which must hurt after I’d whammed it with the back of my head. “My Lady is quite observant, and she wasn’t blind to Mr. Carmichael’s affections for you. I was promised a substantial raise if I helped get you out of the picture so Mr. Carmichael would continue with the plan to marry Lady Catherine. I just had no idea the task would prove so difficult.”
Lady Givens was still as pale as ever, looking like she was about to throw up. I assumed she was in shock.
Then she stood from the bench, raised the knife, and launched herself toward me, her eyes ablaze with hatred. But she wasn’t threatening or fast in her party dress, and I easily stepped out of her reach. Drew used the opportunity to grab her arm and pull the knife from her hands.
She looked back and forth between us in malice.
“What do you plan on doing now?” she asked Drew. “Ruin me more than you already have?”
“I didn’t fall in love with Elizabeth to spite Catherine and the rest of your family,” he said. “I’m sorry you’re having financial trouble, but I’m not to blame for it, and Elizabeth certainly isn’t responsible.”
Lady Givens huffed, clearly not agreeing with that statement.
Drew ignored her, and continued, “Here’s what’s going to happen now. You will stop going after Elizabeth, and you will let us live in peace, because no matter what, I will never marry your daughter. Am I being clear?”
“And what will I get if I listen?” she asked.
Drew glared at her like she was the most disgusting person on the planet. “If it’s money you want, you’re not going to get any from me or my family,” he said. “But if you stop these attempts on Elizabeth’s life, you will get my silence. We will never speak of this again, and you will not face the le
gal system for attempted murder. Do we have an agreement?”
“What of my family?” she asked. “What are we to do?”
“To be honest, that’s not my problem,” Drew said. “Although I do consider Lady Catherine a friend, so I will introduce her to friends of mine in London next Season. But you should remember that I am doing that for her, and not for you. Now, I’m only going to ask one more time. Do you agree with my terms?”
“You promise to help find an acceptable match for Catherine?” Lady Givens asked.
“If doing so ensures that you stop these ridiculous attempts on Elizabeth’s life, then yes, you have my word,” Drew promised.
“Thank you,” Lady Givens said helplessly, apparently seeing that she had no other options. “I agree.”
With those words, white light filled my vision, and I was on another roller coaster through time. Everything around me went silent. It felt like I was falling forever and would never stop. I think I screamed, but I wouldn’t know, since I couldn’t hear a thing.
The next thing I knew I was sitting around the table at Misty’s shop, my thumb pressed gently against the garnet ring.
CHAPTER 35
“What happened?” Misty asked. “Did it not work? I wouldn’t worry about it not working the first time. Things like this take practice. We can keep trying until we get it right.”
“No.” I blinked away dizziness as my mind adjusted to my surroundings. Drew and Chelsea sat on both sides of me, similarly dazed. “It worked.”
Misty looked at me in shock. “But it’s only been five seconds! At the least! Yes, I suppose the three of you looked out of it for those five seconds, but …” She sat back and shook her head, as if she were taking in the magnanimity of what I’d said. “Tell me everything.”
Drew, Chelsea, and I spent the next two hours explaining everything that had occurred in our journey to the past. The story got the most interesting when we reached the end. Chelsea hadn’t witnessed what had happened with Lady Givens, and while Lady Givens wasn’t her real mother—she was Catherine’s mother—Chelsea was visibly upset that she had been responsible for attempting to murder my past self.
Timeless (Transcend Time, #2) Page 15