His eyes widened. “You are not?”
“Not until,” she lowered her voice, “we can find these people who want to cause your family harm and put a stop to it.”
It was as if a light was turned on inside his head, and it finally hit him to the real reason she was here. “So true, Miss Chapman, and I’m very grateful that you are trying to help us in that regard.”
“Since I’m the only one that heard those two men—that I know about anyway—I believe I can be of some assistance.”
With great relief, the dance ended. She curtsied to Edward as he bowed, then he led her back toward Andrew. Her heart hammered quickly, and she couldn’t wait to be in his company once again. The excitement dancing in his eyes let her know he felt the same.
Just before she reached him, another gentleman walked up to Edward. “Pardon me, Lord Brimhall, but would it be permissible to be introduced to this lovely lady?”
She glanced from the man who was trying to be charming, to Andrew…who was back to wearing a scowl.
“But of course. Miss Chapman allow me to introduce Lord Putnam. My lord, Miss Chapman is a friend from America, who is visiting with our family for a short time.”
Being polite, she reached her hand out to shake his—before realizing that she shouldn’t. The lord’s eyes widened in shock, but before she could withdraw, his hand shot out and grasped with hers. A charismatic grin touched his mouth. Oh, great! Now he thought she was one of those brazen women.
“Miss Chapman, my pleasure, indeed.” He lifted her hand and placed a small kiss on her knuckles.
“It’s nice to make your acquaintance, my lord.” She curtsied.
“Miss Chapman, may I have this honor of escorting you out for the next dance?”
She really didn’t want to, but rejecting his offer would not make her look credible at all—especially in Andrew’s eyes. She nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”
Lord Putnam kept hold of her hand and led her back out to the dance floor. She prayed she could remember all of the dances she’d been taught over the years of studying the Victorian era.
And that’s when the evening took off. After Lord Putnam, a different gentleman requested introductions before taking her out to the dance floor. Pretty soon there were a string of men waiting for introductions, and to dance.
She prayed that Andrew would come save her, but he didn’t. She kept an eye on him while she was kept busy with these other men, and noticed that the only other women Andrew danced with were his mother and a couple of matrons. A silly little flutter bounced in her chest, knowing that he wasn’t interested in any other woman…not yet, anyway.
The next man to make her acquaintance was the very one she had spotted earlier. Nigel. He was introduced to her as Mr. Radcliff. She studied him as he walked her out to the dance floor, and was surprised to see he didn’t look as old as he had when she’d last seen him at the bed and breakfast. His hair appeared to have more color and much more full of bounce than when she’d seen him before. Interesting…
“So Miss Chapman, I hear you are visiting the Harringtons.”
“You have heard correctly.” She watched him for any signs of recognition, but there didn’t seem to be any kind of spark in his brown eyes.
As he continued to ask her questions, she could tell that he did not remember her, which meant he hadn’t traveled with her when she came back in time. Of course, that could only mean one thing…he had somehow traveled forward in time when Andrew was sent.
Very, interesting…
* * * *
Andrew seethed inside. His mother had taught him manners, and it wasn’t polite to interrupt Miss Chapman’s enjoyment while she danced in the arms of several other men. When would those fops stop flocking to her as if she were a tasty morsel? Andrew wanted her all to himself. He tried to convince himself it was because he wanted to know the things she was about to confess before Edward showed up, but deep in Andrew’s heart, he knew the only reason he wanted her back was to watch the way her eyes sparkled when she gazed at him. When he caressed her cheek, he wanted to hear her sweet sigh. Heaven help him, he even wanted to continue the kiss they’d started. She’d only given him a sample, and now he wanted more. Having her in his arms while their mouths moved together in unison had been the most pleasure he’d had while kissing a woman. Even Lucy had never been so passionate…and she was an experienced woman.
And, why did she know about Agnes? And why did Halle make such a scene? Answers. He needed answers before he went mad.
Growling softly, he paced the floor. A few people tried to converse with him, but he kept his reply short and clipped. Thankfully, it didn’t take them long to realize he wasn’t in the mood for socializing.
Edward walked past Andrew with Lady Agnes on his arm. Andrew nodded to the pair, but didn’t say anything. He wondered if Edward had offered marriage yet, but the expression on Agnes’s face didn’t look like a woman who’d just been asked to marry a wealthy, titled, man.
Lady Agnes gave Andrew a sly smile, keeping her stare on him until he was out of her view. He really loathed women like her. Her brown hair, gray eyes, and a slender figure made her a very lovely woman—although not as lovely as Miss Chapman—but she flirted outrageously. She’d been forward with Andrew a time or two, but he knew the woman was searching for a wealthy husband because her father and brothers were quickly depleting their coffers. Their gambling habits were getting out of hand, but the dolts kept returning to the gaming tables. Unfortunately, she had captured Edward’s interest, so if Andrew’s idiotic brother wanted to be married to a money-hungry woman that was his choice and Andrew wouldn’t try to stop it.
He returned his attention back to Miss Chapman. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked exhausted from the line of men wanting to meet her. Perhaps it was time for Andrew to be gallant and rescue her.
Smirking, he adjusted his clothes and headed toward her. Thankfully, the dance was just ending. As the gentleman turned her to head back to the others, Andrew stepped in front of them. Her eyes widened as a smile of gladness touched her lips.
“Pardon me for intruding, Hostettler, but my mother would like a word with Miss Chapman.” He switched his focus back to her and offered his hand. Immediately, she slipped her palm against his as excitement snapped in her eyes.
“Of course, my lord. Please, take me straightway to your mother.”
He led Miss Chapman out of the ballroom and toward one of the parlors, where he knew his mother sat and visited with several other matrons, but before they neared the room, he turned them in a different direction. Miss Chapman hitched a breath and her gaze flew up to his, but she didn’t say anything. She kept the pace with his long strides as he took them through one of the back doors and outside.
Once they were on the path leading to the cluster of trees, Miss Chapman inhaled deeply and blew it out.
“Oh, thank you for rescuing me, Andrew.” She smiled up at him. “I didn’t know how to tell those men to leave me alone.”
She said my name! Strange to think how he delighted in hearing his name from her. It was like hearing heavenly harps played by angels. Good heavens, he was in serious trouble if he was feeling sappy all ready. “Did you truly want to be left alone? I would think you were enjoying all the attention.”
“In a way I enjoyed it, but…” she shrugged, “I didn’t know any of them and so trying to think of a topic to talk about was becoming strenuous.”
“Then forgive me for not coming to your aid sooner.”
She chuckled. “There is nothing to forgive.”
“I noticed that man you had spotted earlier came to dance with you.”
She nodded, but didn’t reply.
“He didn’t threaten you in any way, did he?”
“No. In fact, he didn’t even remember me.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Actually, in this situation, it is.” She glanced up at him. “You do know he’s not my beau and had never broken
my heart, right?”
“Of course, since I was the one who made up that lie.” They walked a little further into the yard before he said, “I hope you don’t mind if we continue our…um…our discussion.” He really wanted to continue the kiss, but he felt it best to first find out what made Miss Chapman so mysterious.
“Not at all.” She rubbed her palms up and down her arms.
“Are you too cold?” he asked. “Would you rather go back in?”
“I’m fine, really. I’m slightly chilly, but it’s refreshing, and will make my mind alert—which is what I need right now.”
He turned down the same path that headed to the spot they’d been earlier, but voices murmured from within. He recognized Edward’s tall frame and the petite woman in his arms—Agnes. Quickly, Andrew took another path, further back into the trees. There were more shadows there. Although that was a good thing…he really did want to hear her explanation of everything that she’d said earlier and why she’d left him so confused.
“I hope this spot is satisfactory,” he said softly.
“Yes, it is.” Her voice was equally as faint.
He went first, stepping over a fallen log and in between two bushes. Reaching out, he took her hand and gently pulled her through. She stumbled and fell into him, bracing her palms against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her upright.
She chuckled. “Sorry about that.”
“No need to be. I should not have brought you this far from the lighted pathway.”
“I’m a big girl and know how to take care of myself,” she said in a low voice.
“Actually, you are wrong.” He slid his hands over her back and around her slender waist. “You are not big at all. In fact, I would say you are…” he paused, staring into the shadows of her eyes, “perfect.”
Just as before, he had the incredible urge to kiss her—passionately, but he fought it. Answers were what he needed right now, not to sweep some beautiful woman off her feet…or be swept himself.
“Andrew, you are too sweet.”
His heart melted a little bit more. “Miss Chapman—”
“Please call me Halle.”
“Halle,” he replied, rolling the name off his tongue, and liking how it sounded. “You are such a mystery to me, and I find you very fascinating. I want to get to know you better, but then at times I fear that if I do, I would be disappointed.”
She tilted her head to the side as if studying him. “You know what kind of person I am. I’m friendly, caring, and giving. That will never change no matter what you discover about my past.” Slowly, she slid her hands up his chest then linked them around his neck. “Do you enjoy being in my company? Do I make you laugh?”
He grinned. “Indeed, I find you very charming, which makes me want to be with you more.” He shook his head. “But I’m curious to know why because no other woman has been able to hold my interest for very long.” He moved his hand to her face and gently stroked her cheek.
“Andrew, I need to tell you something, but I want you to keep an open mind.”
“I shall try.”
She brushed her fingers through his hair briefly before taking a deep breath and stepping out of his arms. It surprised him how emptiness settled inside of him even though she was only a few steps away.
“Have you ever read the book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens?”
“Yes, of course. Most people have read that book.”
“What did you think about the Ghost of Christmas Past, and especially the Ghost of Yet-to-come?”
Andrew shrugged and leaned against a tree. “It’s a wonderful story written by a very talented artist.”
“Very true, but what did you think about those particular ghosts? What did you think when you read about the ghost taking Scrooge into the past and future?”
“It made for a very interesting tale.”
“What have you heard about time-travel?”
He arched an eyebrow. Where was she going with this? “I’ve read a few books. It’s definitely a fascinating subject, but very far-fetched.”
“Yes, it does seem far-fetched, doesn’t it?”
“Why do you ask?” He stepped away from the tree and toward her.
Sighing, she rubbed her forehead as she remained facing him. Because of the shadows he couldn’t quite see her eyes to know where she was looking.
“Andrew, there is no other way to say this, but to just say it.” She took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I met you for the first time in my time, which to you is in the future.”
He stopped from moving any closer and shook his head. He couldn’t have heard correctly. “I’m not sure you said what I heard. Did you just say I have traveled to the future?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. In my time, your estate is a bed and breakfast called Buckland Manor. In my time, you worked as the gardener. My friends and I had gone to the bed and breakfast on holiday and that’s where we met you. You told me you had been sent forward in time, but didn’t know why. Just before you were sent forth in time, your family and the manor was attacked by a mob. Your father had told you to run to the tree, and that is where you had gone.” She paused, swallowing hard and noisily. “And the tree is where I had gone to come here to your time.” She moved closer, laying her hand on his arm. “I am from the future. That is why I talk and do things differently.”
Silently, Andrew cursed the shadows because he wanted to look into her eyes right now to see if she was serious. His heart dropped as sadness encased him. Clearly, Halle—Miss Chapman—was insane even though he wanted her to be normal. He needed to accept it now before his heart became any more involved than it already was.
Chapter Thirteen
Halle studied Andrew’s face—what she could see of it, anyway. Now she wished they weren’t in the shadows. His expression didn’t give away his thoughts very well, but deep down inside, she knew he didn’t believe her.
Back in her time when Andrew had told her about traveling through time, she hadn’t believed him either, so she shouldn’t expect him to just trust her word. Yet how could she convince him? There had to be a way.
“Earlier tonight you had asked me how I’d heard about Edward’s engagement,” she continued. “The reason I know is because you told me…in the future. You told me that you and your mother were against the match because you both thought Lady Agnes was a money-hungry woman.”
Even through the shadows she could see him scowl, so she quickly continued, “You know nobody else knows this, so how else would I have this information?”
He shook his head. “Impossible.”
“And Nigel…the man at the party tonight, he worked at the inn where I stayed—in the future. However, I can’t quite figure out his purpose yet, but I will.”
“That cannot be,” he mumbled.
“It doesn’t seem logical, I know, but there is more.” She took a deep breath to continued, but he held up his hand, stopping her.
“No more for now.”
She hesitated to ask, because she felt she already knew the answer. “Andrew?” Slowly, she stroked his arm, which was stiff. “What are you thinking?”
“What am I thinking?” He chuckled with a forced voice and shook his head. “My dear, I’m wondering why I have kept you away from my family and all your admirers for so long. I need to return you to the ball.” He hooked her hand around his elbow and pulled her back toward the bushes and fallen log.
“No, Andrew.” She planted her feet in the ground and resisted. “You have to listen to me. Your life—and the life of your family depend on what I have to tell you.”
“Halle, I really think you have over exhausted yourself. Let’s take you back inside for a refreshing glass of—”
“I don’t need to drink anything.” She faced him again and rested her palms back on his chest, lightly grasping the lapels of his coat. “What I need is for you to listen to me.”
He stood still, but didn’t say
anything. She heaved a deep breath as an ache began pounding in her skull. “Andrew I know what you’re feeling. When you first told me you had traveled through time, I didn’t believe you. I needed a little while to think it over, but you didn’t give up on me, and I won’t give up on you.” She rubbed her hands over to his shoulders. “I know what you’re feeling, because I felt the same way. You think I’m a nut case, don’t you?”
He cocked his head slightly. “Nut case?”
Inwardly she groaned, realizing she said a wrong word. Again. “You think I’m a psychopath—that I’m insane.”
Silence stretched between them for a few awkward moments, which gave her the answer he never spoke. Voices from the lighted pathway floated through the small breeze but were too far away to be worried about anyone disturbing them.
“What I think is that I need to return you to the party.” He tugged her arm again and led her back out of the shadows and onto the pathway.
This time she didn’t stop him. He had given her time to think things over, so she must show him the same courtesy. Her heart clenched with worry as her mind scrambled for something intelligent to say to convince him. Then again…she hadn’t said very much that was considered close to being intelligent so far since meeting him in the past. “Andrew, let’s not go back—”
“There you are!”
The Duchess of Harrington’s voice jarred Halle out of her thoughts and she swung her head toward Andrew’s mother strolling toward them.
“We are here, Mother. Miss Chapman looked as if she needed some fresh air, so I brought her outside.”
The duchess stopped in front of them and smiled. “But it’s so cold out here. Do you want Miss Chapman to catch her death?”
“Of course not, Mother, which is why we were only out here for a few minutes—and that’s why I’m taking her back inside now.”
“You are such a thoughtful son.” She patted his cheek lovingly.
The duchess hooked her arm with Halle’s. “Come back inside. I want you to meet some of my friends.”
Now that Halle could see Andrew better in the light, she could finally read his expression. He was way too stiff and proper—pretty much like the way he was the first time he’d seen her a few days ago after she’d come back in time. There would be no more talk of time-traveling tonight. Maybe that was a good thing since Halle really needed to collect her thoughts and present him with a good case…one that he could believe.
Love Lost in Time (Victorian Time-Travel) Page 16