Now and Forever:: A NEW ADULT TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE NOVEL (RAVENHURST SERIES Book 5)

by Lorraine Beaumont

  “What about the other gentlemen. Do you think they are satisfied with the agreement?”

  “If you mean they will leave Lucian alone now…”He gave a look of longing over to his car idling in the driveway. “ I believe so.”

  “I’m sorry that you had to lose your car in the process…that hardly seems fair.”

  “Yes, well, it is only a car,’ Reed noted, and let out a heavy shuddering sigh.

  “She is a beauty,” Milford commented, glancing over his shoulder toward the driveway. He reached out and gave Reed’s arm a good squeeze. “Will you be all right without her, Sir?”

  “Yeah, I think I will.” Reed smiled a rare twinkle alight in his dark eyes.

  Milford smiled knowingly. “Yes, I believe you will.” A brittle leaf dragged across the steps, pressing up against the base of one the stone gargoyles perched beside the now broken door. “What of your brother?”

  Reed looked up at the sun, squinting, “I guess he will hear he is out of debt, eventually.” He shrugged and lowered his eyes back Milford.

  “Where do you think he went?”

  “Lucian?”

  Milford nodded. His thick white hair ruffled in the wind.

  “I guess he is floating around somewhere.”

  “Your brother always did remind me of a cat, Sir.”

  “A cat?” asked Reed, giving him a curious look.

  “Yes, he always seems to land on his feet, does he not?”

  “You are right.” Reed laughed. “I guess he does.”

  “He seems to have nine lives as well,” Milford added jovially.

  “That he does,” Reed agreed. Again he laughed, his broad shoulders shaking.

  Milford smiled and looked up the stairs.

  Reed turned. “There she is….” He smiled, feeling a fuzzy warm sensation unfurling in his chest as he looked at her.

  Raven gripped the banister tightly. She looked at Reed and stumbled. The banister creaked loudly.

  Milford and Reed jumped forward.

  “I’m good,” she called out, lifting her hands up.

  “You will have to keep a good eye on her, Sir.” Milford nodded in her direction, watching her descend the rest of the stairs.

  “She does tend to find trouble, doesn’t she?”

  “Yes, Sir, she does.”

  Reed reached out and pulled Raven to his side when she stepped down into the foyer and wrapped his arm around her. He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Hello wife,” he murmured tenderly into her ear.

  Raven beamed. “Hello…husband.” Her stomach flipped over on itself.

  “I plan on keeping a very close eye on her.” He smoothed a hand over back and pulled her closer.

  Milford smiled at them. They were perfect for each other, just as he suspected they would be. “Sounds like a good idea, Sir,” he readily agreed. “

  The ancient clock groaned out twelve chimes. Now that was one thing he wouldn’t miss. He reached down and pulled up the handle on his last suitcase, it snapped in place. Straightening, he looked around the foyer of Ravenhurst with his world-weary gaze. A million emotions seemed to fill him at once. Anger, sadness, regret, longing, and then he felt an almost euphoric feeling gathering inside of what was to come. He did it! Just like he promised he would. He was free. Finally after four centuries Milford had done all he set out to do…well almost. He smiled then. It was bitter sweet, but sweet just the same. Well then…” He shifted awkwardly “I believe it’s about that time, Sir.”

  Reed shook his head. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

  Milford looked at the broken front door. “Oh, I almost forgot what of the little mishap in the library earlier with the gun?”

  “Oh, that,” said Reed. He waved his hand in the air. “If you see a suitable replacement in your travels you will be sure to let me know…right?”

  “Of course, Sir,” said Milford.

  “I still can’t believe she tried to shoot that poor man.” Raven shivered.

  “Poor man!” exclaimed Milford appalled. “That man was nothing more than a scoundrel, a reprobate. Served him right…” I think. He suddenly remembered another scoundrel, Devlin. When all was said and done he did not turn out so bad in the end after all. Maybe there was a bit of redemption left for a few more as well…maybe. He shook his head and took a breath, his thoughts returning to the present once more.

  “Well it is lucky she missed and hit the sofa instead.”

  “I thought the man named Bishop was going to have a heart attack. His face turned purple. ”

  “Yes. But he seemed to recover quickly enough and so did his …man, Cuthbert, was it?”

  “Yes, I think they both recovered quickly enough,” agreed Reed. “I was surprised he still gave Cecily the money after that.”

  “Well, he did say he was a man of his word,” Milford reminded them both.

  “I certainly hope so, considering he gave me his word that he would leave Lucian alone and stay away from here.”

  “Yes, he did and after I deliver your car to him, the debt will be paid in full.”

  “I probably should have had it put on a trailer and delivered it that way,” Reed mused aloud.

  “Nonsense,” Milford said, waving his hand dismissively. “It is on my way.” Besides, he needed to make a few stops of his own. “Well,” he exhaled. “I should be off and deliver the car to him so you won’t be bothered by either of them again.” Milford jerked on handle to his suitcase.

  “Want some help?”

  “No!” Milford yelled suddenly. “I can manage.”

  “Oh—kay,” Reed said slowly, giving him a curious look. “What of the treasure, Milford?”

  “The what?” he squeaked, breaking out in a cold sweat.

  “Do you think we will have any trouble selling off what we found?” asked Reed.

  “No Sir. I do not think so.” His shoulders relaxed. “You say your dog found it in the back garden?”

  “Yes.” Reed shifted awkwardly.

  “But you do not own a dog, Sir,” Milford reminded him.

  “I know.” Reed gave him a conspiratorial wink.

  Milford nodded his head. “Very good, Sir,” he said.

  Reed looked at Milford and took a breath. “Milford, we found it, his treasure,” he said feeling the need to come clean.

  “Oh, I know.” Milford didn’t need him to explain who he was. He waved his hand in the air. “People love a good treasure story, Sir, and this one is a classic.”

  “Why yes, yes it is.” Reed cut Raven a knowing look and they both smiled.

  Milford tapped the handle on his suitcase. “I am off, then.”

  “Are you sure you can’t stay a while longer,” Reed asked, hoping he might change his mind.

  “Oh, Sir,” he gave him a wan smile, “I believe I have been here long enough, don’t you?

  Reed nodded.

  “Besides, I have a list of places to go, people to see…you know.” He stepped forward. “Ms. Tremaine…”

  “No.” Reed corrected him, “This is Mrs. Scott, now and forever,” he said, smiling at her warmly.

  Raven melted.

  Milford smiled. “Yes, I believe the name suits you.” He leaned in. “Take care of him will you.”

  “Of course,” she said, smiling broadly.

  Milford reached in and gave her a brief hug. “I believe you have your work cut out for you but he is worth it,” he whispered for her ears only and then pulled back.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “Thank you.” She kissed his cheek.

  “Anytime,” he said and stepped away.

  Reed blinked hard. “Take care of yourself.” He reached forward and gave Milford another hug. When he pulled away, his eyes were stinging.

  Milford waved his fingers in front of his eyes; they were stinging, too. “Allergies,” he choked.

  “Yes, they are terrible,” Reed, agreed, sniffing loudly.

  “I will be off then. You two take care of each other.
” With that, he turned and yanked on the handle to his suitcase, the wheels squealing on the marble.

  “I can help….” Reed reached forward.

  Milford yanked it out of his grasp. “No!” I can manage.” He gave them both a winning smile and dragged the heavy suitcase out the door; it thumped all the way down the stairs.

  Struggling, he loaded it in the car and shut the trunk. He stood there for a moment, looking at the silhouette of Ravenhurst and for the first time in four centuries, he knew all was right in the world he had fouled up. Lifting his hand, he waved goodbye and then climbed into the car. He slammed the door shut, shifted the car into gear, and put the pedal to the metal, never once looking back.

  “What do you think happened to the Raven Knight?” asked Raven, stepping up beside him.

  “I guess we will never know.” Reed shook his head, watching a lone raven glide through the air. Was it alone or free? He had to wonder.

  “What did Milford say?”

  “He didn’t.”

  “Really?” she said. “That’s strange, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “It is really strange.”

  A glimmer of something caught his eye near the base of the gargoyle. It was where Milford had set his luggage. He bent down and picked it up. It was a gold coin. He looked back toward the driveway and could have sworn he heard the sound of Milford’s laughter echoing in the wind.

  I’ve had the time of my life

  PRESENT DAYRAVENHURST

  “TELL me again why I am wearing this gown?” She waved her hand, indicating the flowing black lace and purple gauze gown she was wearing. Long matching black lace gloves covered her arms, the hand open to reveal the beautiful ring on her finger, sparkling in the moonlight.

  “Just be patient, wife.” He gave her one of his flirty smiles and her stomach flipped over—she loved it when he called her wife.

  “The gown looks perfect on you,” he added, his voice sounding husky. He stepped toward her and ran the backs of his fingers over her exposed shoulder. “You look good enough to eat,” he added, waggling his brows.

  “Reed,” she laughed, her cheeks blooming with color.

  “I mean it,” he said, growing serious.

  “Um, so do you,” she managed, feeling suddenly shy.

  Earlier, when Reed had brought her the gown he told her he had gotten it out of one of the armoires. It didn’t look Victorian so she couldn’t help but wonder where it had come from and who it had belonged to. But he never said and she was afraid to ask.

  “Once you are ready, come to the gallery in the Victorian wing of the house, all right.”

  Her brow creased. “Oh—kay,” she said warily.

  “It’s not the end of the world, Raven,” Reed said giving her an odd look. “I promise.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and started toward the door. “Oh and be sure to wear the pearls, too.”

  She glanced over at the pearls, her face flushing immediately, remembering a bit too clearly what he had done with those pearls. “All right,” she finally managed, not wanting to prod too deeply. The gown was beautiful and besides, who didn’t like playing dress up, especially for a man like Reed.

  “Oh Raven…”

  “Yes.”

  “Bring your iPod and speaker as well, would you?”

  “Sure.” She didn’t bother asking why; she knew he wouldn’t tell her.

  “Good.” He winked. “See you in a bit.” Then he turned and left her room.

  Now they were in a gallery filled with statuary and paintings in gilded frames. It was too dark to see the detail of the paintings, but Reed told her they held the descendants of Ravenhurst, including the Raven Knight. She wished she could see them better.

  “Did you bring it?” he asked pulling her from her musings. He was wearing a charcoal gray suit with a dark shirt open at the collar.

  “Yes,” she said her heart beating fast. She handed out her iPod and little cube speaker.

  Reaching out, he took it from her hand and without a word he walked across the room. He set the iPod and speaker on the table.

  “I did a little research of my own about the Raven Knight,” he said over his shoulder, fiddling with the iPod and speaker.

  “You did,” she said and twirled her ring nervously around her finger. Her footsteps echoed on the parquet floor as she walked around a statue of David, his perfectly sculpted buttocks, reminding her of Reed’s incredible physique.

  “Yeah, the story is quite sad really.”

  “Why do you say that?” She felt a shiver of unease.

  “Well, there was a huge battle, very gory and the Raven Knight didn’t make it.

  “What happened to him?” A clock chimed in the distance. The room, beautiful moments before, filled with a bright shaft of moonlight that poured through the large bank of windows to her right, suddenly seemed gloomy. She rubbed her arms.

  “He fell into the ravine about a mile or so away from here.”

  “Oh no!” she gasped and covered her mouth. An aching sadness swelled in her chest.

  “It’s a damn shame.” He shook his head regretfully. “What about Marguerite?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps it is written down in another book.” He shrugged. “His body was never found though.”

  “It didn’t say what happened to it?”

  “No. The ravine is supposedly haunted though and on a night like this when the moon is full some of the locals say you can see his silhouette searching the edge of the ravine for his beloved.”

  “That is so sad. I had hoped…”

  “Yeah,” he said interrupting her. “I was rooting for them as well.” He walked up to her.

  “I wonder why Milford didn’t tell you what happened.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t help but wonder that as well.”

  “Maybe the histories are wrong…maybe they escaped and are at this very moment living their very own happily ever after,” she said hopefully.

  He smiled. “Are you always so optimistic?”

  “Pretty much,” she sighed. “Too many movies I think. I am always looking for a fairytale ending.”

  “A fairytale ending?” he asked.

  “Yeah you know…the Prince will sweep his Princess into his arms and then he will seal their fates together forever with but a single kiss.”

  “So love conquers all?” he asked, sounding skeptical by the prospect.

  “Yes, I believe it does.”

  He reached up and brushed her hair over her shoulder. “Well,” he breathed, and stepped closer to her. The end of one of Pitbulls songs wafted out of the speaker from across the room. “Take my hand.”

  Raven’s skin prickled. She gave him a wary look.

  “Don’t look so serious. I only want to dance with you.”

  “Um… why?” she asked, her gaze darting down to the parquet floor.

  He exhaled. “Because, I want to, that’s why.” He held out his hand.

  “All right.” She tentatively placed her hand into his.

  His placed his other hand around her waist. “See this isn’t so bad, is it?”

  “No,” she agreed. “I feel I have to warn you though… I am not a good of a dancer.”

  “No!” he mocked and put his hand to his chest. “Fairytale endings a must, but the princess cannot dance.”

  “Hey!” She pushed against him. “That’s not funny.”

  He cracked a smile. “Oh, yes it is and you know it.”

  “Fine,” she giggled. “It is.”

  His face grew serious. “Raven, I…” he began.

  “Yes…” she breathed, her heart instantly thrumming uncontrollably. She bit her lip.

  “Don’t worry, I can show you?”

  “O-oh,” she said, not sure what she was expecting.

  Another song started to waft out of the little cube speaker. It was her favorite song. She gave him a questioning look. “That’s my favorite song.”

  “I know.” He
smiled and pulled her closer.

  “How did you know this was my favorite song?”

  “I kind of guessed, it was on your iPod twenty times and Pitbull coming a close second with fifteen repeats.”

  “You counted them?”

  He smiled. “I sure did. Every last one,” he said, smiling.

  “I knew it! You were listening to my iPod when you were shaving.”

  He pulled back. “You were sleeping. How did you know…?” He smiled. “Were you spying on me, wife?”

  “I’ll never tell.”

  “Keeping secrets from me so early in the marriage?”

  “Please, I am an open book.” She tugged on his jacket lapels. “What of you? Why did you count the songs?”

  “How else would I know which song to pick for our first dance as man and wife?”

  She blinked hard. “Are you serious?”

  “Raven,” he gave her a very serious look, “there are two things I never kid about…”

  “Stop!” she laughed out and pushed against him.

  “What?” He lifted his brow and pulled her closer, his hips moving against hers, guiding her back and forth across the floor.

  She stumbled over his foot. “Sorry.”

  Reed winced. “Pay attention, Raven.”

  “I am trying to.”

  Reed tightened his grip on her hand and spun her around, making the skirts of her gown bell out.

  She laughed, feeling lightheaded, dizzy, and euphorically happy all at once.

  Reed pulled her back into his embrace. “Now I’ve had the time of my life…” he sang. “ No, I’ve never felt this way before,” his words vibrated against her ear. “Yes, I swear… it is the truth…and I owe it all to you,” he murmured, pulling her closer. “I love you, Raven,” he said, pressing his forehead to hers, holding her tightly.

  “I love you too,” she cried and wrapped her arms around him. She closed her eyes …and then the prince leaned forward and kissed his princess, sealing their fates together now and forever with but a kiss…and then he did exactly that.

  Epilogue

  THE PRESENTNEW YORK CITY

  THE city streets were a bustle of pedestrians and rapidly moving cars and trucks. Horns squawked, like geese in flight, the air filled with exhaust fumes.

  The liveried door attendant stepped aside, letting him inside the lobby of the high-rise building. “Good evening, Sir,” he said, bobbing his head. “Your guests have arrived and I have sent them, as well as your luggage up to the penthouse, as instructed.”