by Dawn Brower
Drat. Trust the boys to pick up on that part. “He didn’t. Because murder is wrong.”
“But it makes for a fine story,” Nicholas said. “Please finish it.”
Elizabeth sighed and wrapped up the story. “And no one knows what happened to Captain Jack to this day. He’s been missing for years. Some think he was taken to the Sea Gods for his crimes. Others believe he is one of the gods and he watches over sailors as they embark on their voyages. Either way, his fate remains a mystery.”
“I think we’ll meet him someday,” Nicholas said quietly. “There has to be a reason his story is passed around in our family.”
Elizabeth hadn’t thought about it in that way before. “Maybe to keep his memory alive. I think Lady Evelyn is our grandmother.”
“Really?” Christian said. “That’s splendid. Why haven’t we ever met her?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Mother’s never said. Perhaps we should ask her.”
“Ask me what?”
They all turned toward their mother, Alys Kendall, the Duchess of Weston, and ran into her arms. “Why haven’t we met our grandmother?”
“Because she’s not with us in this time.” She frowned and then shook it off replacing it with a soft smile. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss her. She’d have adored each one of you.” Alys lifted her hands and brushed one over each of the twins head. Then she pulled them in for a hug. “Now tell me what brought this to your attention?”
“Is Lady Evelyn your mother?” Elizabeth asked.
Alys frowned. “I suppose in a sense she is. I think perhaps my mother interjected herself into that tale to make her courtship with my father more exciting. I’ve never asked her, and now I no longer have the opportunity to.”
Nicholas and Christian sighed. “Drat. It would’ve been neat if our grandmamma had a chance to fight against pirates.”
Only ten-year-old boys would find that exciting. Elizabeth felt much older than them, as if the two-year difference in their ages made them more than that—instead they were worlds apart. “You two are so silly.”
“Your governess is looking for you both. She said you gave her the slip.” Their mother said.
Both boys scrunched up their noses and said together, “We don’t feel like learning anything today.”
“That’s too bad. I’m not raising ignorant children. Run along now and join her in the nursery. It’s time for my lessons with your sister.”
They grumbled but did as they were told. Story time was over for the day. Elizabeth shuffled her feet and glanced back at the mirror. It had all been so real. Should she tell her mother about it? She shook her head and decided against it. It was a bit of fancy and her imagination. She smiled at her mother and said, “What will we learn about today?”
“I’ve decided to tell you something. I think it’s time with all the questions about your grandmother.”
Elizabeth tilted her head and said, “Oh?” Did the story have to do with their grandmother? Was her mother going to tell her about Evelyn?
Her mother smiled. “How about I start it like a tale?”
“I like stories,” Elizabeth said. “Let me sit and get comfortable.”
The duchess’s laugh filled the room. “That’s a fine idea.”
Elizabeth went over to the window seat. She climbed on top and tucked her feet underneath her. Once she was sure she was ready she glanced at her mother and nodded.
Alys pulled up a nearby chair and settled into it. Once she was comfortable her mother began speaking, “Once upon a time, a woman saw a white rabbit and fell off a cliff into another time...”
CHAPTER ONE
Elizabeth sat on the window seat in the library and stared outside at the greenery. It was a beautiful day, but she was stuck inside. She’d been working on her needlework for a while and had grown bored with it. Summer was fully upon them and she wished for the days of her youth, when frolicking in the sunshine had been acceptable. Now four and twenty, she didn’t have that luxury any longer. She was expected to be a lady at all times. Her mother wasn’t strict and didn’t enforce that behavior, but Elizabeth understood what society’s expectations were. If she didn’t want to be ostracized, she had to hold herself to a higher standard.
“Why are you so melancholy?”
Christian, the oldest twin, entered the room. The twins had finally lost any extra fat they’d carried for years. They’d bloomed while away at Eton and now were lean and muscular. They resembled their father, the Duke of Weston, but had their mother’s green eyes. Elizabeth supposed females might find them handsome. Having grown up with them, she found them annoying most days. Lucky for them, she loved them despite their maddening behavior.
Elizabeth turned to Christian and smiled. She tried to think of an acceptable answer to his inquiry, but failed to come up with one. Diversion would work better regardless. “Where is Nicholas?”
The twins were almost inseparable. Two brothers couldn’t be closer than they were. Still neither one of them had to live with the same rules she did. She doubted either of her brothers would understand her conundrum. It must be nice to be a man and not have to answer to anyone. She wasn’t so foolish as to believe her brothers didn’t have responsibilities. They both had their own burdens. It just happened they weren’t the same as hers. Their choices had more freedom attached to it. Elizabeth either married or became the responsibility of one of her family members. She wished she didn’t have to be dependent on any of them for her security.
“He’ll be around shortly. He wanted to take his horse for another hard run. I think something may be bothering him. Whatever it is, he won’t talk about it no matter how much I needled him.”
Elizabeth smiled. “He’ll tell you when he’s ready. When have you ever known him to keep to himself? He doesn’t know how.”
He nodded. “You’re right. I’m concerned though. It usually doesn’t take this long for him to spill.” Christian crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. “Since he’s being so obstinate, I decided to come see how my favorite sister is doing.”
“I’m your only sister,” Elizabeth said.
“Ellie,” Christian said placing his hand over his heart. “I’m wounded. That’s a minor detail. You’d be my favorite, even if you suddenly found you have a twin.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I think one set of twins is enough for our parents. I don’t know if they’d survive another.”
“Truer words have never been spoken,” Alys, the Duchess of Weston, said. “The twins give me hell on a good day. I can’t imagine two Ellies.”
Christian and Nicholas were well loved. They all were. In her family, any new edition was a blessing. Before they were born there had been a lot of heartache they’d had to survive through. Their father’s older twin had died in a carriage accident. He hadn’t planned on being the duke and was surprised to find himself stuck with the title. He’d joined a Calvary unit and fought against Napoleon in the war. He’d been wounded and thought doomed to die. Lucky for him, the surgeons had been wrong and he’d made a full recovery. The dukedom would have died out and Elizabeth, along with the twins, wouldn’t be around. Her mother, Alys, might not have had a chance either. She wasn’t from their time and had somehow managed to travel two hundred years to the past. Their father rescued her from the beach and helped her to survive. They’d fallen in love and the rest was history.
“You’d find a way to handle us all,” Elizabeth said. “Sometimes I marvel at your skills.”
“I don’t know myself sometimes. I suppose you’ll figure it out one day when you have children of your own. Though I’m far from ready to be a grandmother. Don’t take that as hint I’m ready for you to move out and start a family of your own. Take all the time you need.” The duchess turned to look at Christian. “One of you is missing. Where is Nicholas?”
“He’s still out riding,” Christian replied “Do you need him?”
“No.” The duchess waved her han
d. “You can fill him in on the details when he decides to grace us with his presence.”
“What is it, Mama?” Elizabeth asked.
Their mother didn’t seek them out often. Not unless she had something of importance to say. Whatever it was had to be significant if she sought out all three of them...
“We’ve been invited to a house party at the Earl of Clifton’s country estate. I believe his mother wishes to marry him off. It’s either him or his sister.” She shrugged. “It might be a two for one. Pawn both off at once and wash her hands of the two of them. I really don’t understand the aristocrats in this time. Why are they all in a hurry to get their kids hitched?”
Elizabeth chuckled. “What else are they to do? They don’t believe in working for their money. Most of them need to marry in order to obtain some sort of income. Plus, females don’t have much choice.”
Unfortunately for Elizabeth, her mother’s progressive ideas had rubbed off on her in her formative years. She wanted to do more with her life than being a man’s wife. What she could possibly do that might make an impact on the world she didn’t know. All she wanted was to leave her mark so she’d be remembered as more than a mother and wife.
“Too true,” her mother agreed. “It’s unfortunate. At least I know at some point it will change. If only it would in your lifetime.” She patted Elizabeth’s hand. “But I digress. Your father and I decided to attend. We think it will be good for you three to get out of the house and socialize.”
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose in displeasure. “Must we?”
“You’re too old to pout young lady,” her mother chastised her. “And yes. We’re all going. I’ve already instructed the servants to pack our trunks. We leave in the morning.”
“I don’t see why Nicholas and I have to be punished. We leave the house on without being prompted to. It’s Ellie who will gladly sit in that window seat and get lost inside her head daily.”
Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at him. It was childish, but she couldn’t help herself. Her brothers brought out the worst in her. They were quite familiar with her weaknesses and managed to bring them to the surface regularly. They considered it their job as her brothers to irritate her whenever possible.
“The invitation is for the whole family, so we’ll all go.” The duchess sighed. “I don’t enjoy these events any more than you do. If I have to suffer, you all do too.”
“Then why are we going at all?” Elizabeth asked. “I’m rather attached to this window seat as Chris already pointed out.”
It really was her favorite spot at Weston Manor. She’d always gravitated toward it and didn’t see that changing anytime soon. The window seat was where she dared to dream of a time she’d never see in her lifetime and imagine what it might be like to be loved the way her father and mother did. So far, the men of the ton had left much to be desired in that regard. She’d rather be an old maid then willingly tie herself to the current lot of lords.
“My dear,” her mother said, “I’d love to give you whatever you want, but your desire in this instance won’t help you any. The ton is full of insipid fools, but surely there is one out there that is worth your time. However will you meet them if you don’t leave the house? It’s not like my time when I could turn on a computer and meet people through social media.” She sighed. “No, in this time people have to actually interact in person.”
Anyone other than a family member wouldn’t have understood a word her mother had said. But the world didn’t know she traveled in time and fell in love with the Duke of Weston. They weren’t even sure if she could’ve returned if she wanted to. Elizabeth suspected there was a way though... She stared at the mirror on the other side of the room. The memory of seeing a daring pirate inside its depths filled her mind. Was it possible? If so, how?
“Will we know anyone in attendance?” Christian asked.
Their mother shrugged. “I suppose it’s inevitable, but it’s not like I can ring up the dowager countess and say, ‘hey who’d you invite? I wanna know if this is worth my time before I commit.’ We’re going accept it.”
“Fine,” Christian said. “But I don’t like it.”
Elizabeth didn’t either. They were stuck though. She could at least take some pleasure in knowing she wasn’t the only one. The twins would be at their worst and that would make the excursion worth it. They’d make sure their parents paid for taking them along. Two bigger pranksters didn’t exist. They learned far more than the normal subjects at school.
“How long is the house party?” Elizabeth asked.
She wanted to know how long she’d have to suffer through the ordeal. No doubt all the men would be as dull as the ones she’d already met. Another house party wouldn’t change that fact. None of them had made her feel anything and they’d all bored her senseless. She didn’t do more than nod her head and they kept talking.
“A full fortnight,” her mother replied and held her hand up. “Don’t even start. Two weeks isn’t too long. You can and will survive it.”
Elizabeth had her doubts. “Please tell me this is the only entertainment you’re going to make us suffer through this summer. I had hoped to visit Seabrook.”
Their aunt was the Marchioness of Seabrook. Elizabeth adored Lady Rosanna and visited her whenever possible. If she couldn’t stay at Weston, then she’d gladly go to Seabrook instead. Elizabeth liked what she liked and didn’t apologize for it. She was her mother’s daughter in that regard.
“You should still be able to visit with Rosanna,” her mother said. “Besides you know how Charlotte looks up to you. She is looking forward to the visit as much as you are. She’s young and impressionable. Be careful how you act around her.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips. She liked her cousin—she did—but she hated being quite that adored. Charlotte was ten and six and quite crazy about the idea of being in love. She hadn’t yet been disillusioned as Elizabeth had.
“Don’t worry. I’m prepared to handle Charlotte,” Elizabeth replied. “And I’ll try to enjoy this house party while we’re there, but I’m not making any promises.”
“That’s fair enough.” Her mother leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Who knows, maybe you’ll meet the man of your dreams while we’re there.”
“Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath,” Elizabeth said dryly. “My perfect man doesn’t exist.”
He truly was one only conjured up in dreams—brave, gorgeous, and charming. She’d seen him once in the mirror and never again. There wasn’t much chance the blond pirate would make an appearance in her reality. If wishing made it so... Her mother managed to find the one man meant for her by traveling through time. Perhaps she’d have to do the same thing to find her own happiness.
“I’ll leave you two for now.” Her mother nodded at Christian and then her. “I’ll see you later at the evening meal.”
Elizabeth watched her go and frowned. The two-week house party would be hell, but she’d do as she promised. Maybe there would be some friends there, and it wouldn’t be as bad as she envisioned. Even if there wasn’t—perhaps she’d find the library and dream of a man she’d never have...
About the Author
Dawn Brower holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Literature, History, and Sociology. She works as a substitute teacher and enjoys the flexibility it gives her to concentrate on her other endeavors.
Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She is a single mother of two teenage boys; there is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby. While she loves all genres she focuses most of her writing on historical and contemporary romance.
There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.
For more information visit her website at: http://www.authordawnbrower.com/
Books by Dawn Brower
Broken P
earl
Deadly Benevolence
Don’t Happen Twice
A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss
Marsden Romances
A Flawed Jewel
A Crystal Angel
A Treasured Lily
A Sanguine Gem
A Hidden Ruby
A Discarded Pearl
Novak Springs
Cowgirl Fever
Dirty Proof
Unbridled Pursuit
Sensual Games
Christmas Temptation
Linked Across Time
Saved by My Blackguard
Searching for My Rogue
Seduction of My Rake
Surrendering to My Spy
Spellbound by My Charmer
Coming Soon
Stolen by My Knave
Heart’s Intent
One Heart to Give
Unveiled Hearts
Coming Soon
Heart of the Moment