Valerie buried her face in Alec’s shoulder, not wanting him to see her tears. He was right, of course, but she never considered those things. She just wanted to help them so badly. She still missed them every day, wishing that they hadn’t gone to their deaths thinking her dead and buried in some unmarked grave. Her disappearance had broken their hearts, and there was nothing she could do to change any of it. She thought she was so clever by devising her plan, but as usual, Alec was the practical one. Why did he always have to be right?
“You can still show me London,” Alec said softly, lifting her chin with his finger and wiping the tears away. “It would be so fascinating to compare the London of today to the London of your time. What do you think?” His eyes were aglow again, full of wonder.
“Yes, of course. We’d need a plan. It’s not so easy to go to the future. You need money, identity papers, not to mention clothes. We’d look like actors from a Renaissance Faire in our finery,” Valerie chuckled.
“So what do you propose?” Valerie knew exactly what he was doing. Valerie was always happiest when she was planning something, so this would take her mind off her recent worries and give her something pleasant to focus on.
“Well, you have no record of being born, and if I suddenly resurface, that would flag something somewhere. We can’t stay in a hotel without documents, or rent a car. So, we can do day trips,” Valerie announced proudly.
“Day trips?”
“Yes. We can leave in the morning and come back at night. All we need to do is bring something of value to sell, like period coins or a piece of jewelry. That would give us enough money to buy some clothes and do the touristy things we want to do in the future. As long as we pay for everything in cash, no one would be the wiser. We can ride the double-decker bus, take a taxi, and go for a spin on the London Eye. What do you think? I would love to see you in a pair of skinny jeans and a tee-shirt.” Valerie grinned at Alec’s confused face.
“I don’t think I’m ready to commit to anything called “skinny jeans”, but it would be fun to wear modern clothes. Do they not have breeches and shirts?”
“Ah, yes, but the breeches look somewhat different, and women wear them too. You have no idea how I miss wearing pants. And, I will make you eat sushi.”
Valerie was warming up to her theme. There was so much she wanted to show him. He might be a little overwhelmed at first, but they could go a couple of times and not do everything in one day. She might even take him to the zoo. Alec had never seen any animals other than the ones common to Europe and North America. She would love to see his reaction to seeing a tiger or an elephant, or even a shark. People of the seventeenth century still believed there were monsters lurking below the dark waters of the ocean. It would be educational for Alec to see what these “monsters” really looked like. Of course, his primary interest lay in all things mechanical.
“We can go to Victoria Station and take a train to the airport. We can’t fly anywhere without passports, but you can watch them to your heart’s content.”
“I would love that,” Alec answered dreamily. “What I wouldn’t give to fly somewhere.”
“That’s settled then. We’ll go a few days after we come back to London. Look, it’s clearing up. Should we risk it and go back to the house?”
“Race you!” Valerie called out as she sprinted between the droopy branches, enjoying the gentle raindrops falling onto her flushed face.
Chapter 7
The sun never came out, but the rain stopped, bringing with it a temporary cool that was such a welcome relief from the heat of the past few days. The house was strangely quiet with Evie and Aunt Maud taking their naps, and the staff taking advantage of the lull to rest and have their midday meal. Valerie trudged up the stone staircase flanked by portraits of long-deceased relatives, hoping to find Louisa in the nursery. She could have sworn she heard Robbie squealing up there, and she wanted a few minutes of privacy with her sister.
Robbie was seated in a copper basin, his face alight with joy as he splashed away, spraying water onto the exasperated Mills. Her lips were pursed and her face a mask of disapproval as she tried to get close enough to Robbie to actually wash him without getting soaked. Valerie felt a pang of longing as she looked at her gleeful nephew. It wasn’t so long ago that Finn had been small, splashing around in his own bath as Bridget scrubbed him to a shine.
“Please, let me,” Valerie offered, coming closer and promptly getting the front of her dress soaked. “I’ll give him a bath.” Mills just gaped at her in shock, but gave a small curtsey and stepped aside.
“Leave us, Mills.” Louisa had just walked into the room and smiled at the sight. “He loves bath time.”
“Who doesn’t?” chuckled Valerie, as Robbie kicked his legs and splashed water onto her face. “It wasn’t that long ago that Finn and Louisa were babies, and look at them now. Finn is married, and Louisa only has eyes for young men. It all went so fast, Lou. Not an hour goes by that I don’t think of Finn.”
“I can’t imagine anything worse than losing a child. When I thought Evie might die on the crossing, I lost all will to live. Nothing seemed to matter anymore, not even Kit or the new baby. The thought of a life without her was like a constant agony that tormented me day and night. I know Finn isn’t dead, but not being able to see him or talk to him, or even know if he’s all right must be hell.”
“Lou, did Aunt Maud have any children?”
“Yes, she did. Actually, Maud never told me about them, but Caroline did. She could barely tolerate Aunt Maud, but she felt sorry for her. The poor woman hasn’t had a happy life,” Louisa answered as she prepared a towel for Robbie.
“She was married off at fourteen to a man more than twice her age. It was a marriage of convenience, but she fell in love with her husband nonetheless — an unforgivable sin in those times.”
“I take it her feelings weren’t returned?” asked Valerie sadly.
“No. He refused to give up his mistress,and only stayed as long as it took to get her pregnant before leaving again. She gave birth to seven children— four boys and three girls. Two were stillborn, two died before the age of five, and the other three died in adulthood. I can’t imagine the heartache she endured. Her husband died by the time she was thirty-five with his mistress by his deathbed.”
“Poor woman,” Valerie sighed. “Losing one child is heartbreaking enough, but to lose seven — no wonder she’s so bitter.”
“Yes, that’s what Caroline said. She felt sorry for her. For all her venom, she’s just a sad, old thing who’s trying to cling on to the old ways out of fear. I think she would be better served if she were a little kinder to those around her, but if she lets her emotions get the better of her even once, she might just lose control and completely go to pieces. Her nastiness is just a defense mechanism against all the pain and loss she suffered as a young woman.”
“How sad,” Valerie sighed, seeing Maud in a whole new light. “Was there anything she could have done?”
“She could have taken a lover after her husband died, but she remained faithful to him, God knows why. She’s still mourning him and the children. She doesn’t even have a grandchild to call her own. Evie and Robbie are the closest she’ll ever get to having grandkids, and she takes very little interest in them. They’re too young to have any real value, as far as she’s concerned.”
Louisa deftly scooped Robbie out of the bath and wrapped him in a towel, carrying him to his cot. He peered out of the fluffy towel, his blue eyes full of mischief.
Valerie handed Louisa Robbie’s clout and gown as she toweled him dry and let him roll onto his belly butt-naked. He seemed to enjoy the moment of freedom, promptly rolling onto his back and peeing all over his mother’s gown.
“You little demon,” Louisa laughed, “I should have known better than to trust you.” She gave Robbie a resounding kiss before putting on the clout and handing him over to Valerie.
“Here, why don’t you put his gown on, and I’ll go
change mine. He gets me every time.”
July 1777
Maryland
Chapter 8
Slanted shafts of late-afternoon sun pierced the canopy of leaves above the road, striping the world in alternating ribbons of light and shade. The sun was already hovering above the horizon, painting the sky in lovely shades of fuchsia and gold. Another half hour and the first stars would start to shyly appear in the darkening sky, signaling the end of another day. Abbie loved this time of day. The sunset was a symbol of a day’s promise fulfilled, and a few hours of well-earned rest to look forward to before going to bed, but there would be no bed tonight. Finn would find a place to camp for the night, and they would sleep next to their fire, hoping the smoking embers would keep the bugs away. Abbie didn’t really mind sleeping outdoors, but after more than two weeks of travel, she was eager for a real bed and a proper bath.
She wouldn’t admit it to Finn, but she was already homesick. This was her first time away from home, and she had no idea when they would be coming back. She could still see her mother’s forlorn expression as she said goodbye to them. Only a few years ago her parents had a houseful of children, but now only Sarah and Annie remained at home. Sam had been the first to leave when he joined the Continental Army, followed by Martha and then Jonah, who joined on his seventeenth birthday in May. And now Abbie and Finn were gone as well. At least Martha was close enough to be able to visit frequently and bring baby Joe to see his grandparents. He was such a sweet, good-natured baby who everyone secretly thought had been lucky to take after his father in temperament, and not his mother. Martha was bossier than ever, especially since Gil’s mother passed away. She was now the woman of the house and didn’t have to defer to a mother-in-law. Martha finally had what she’d wanted all along — her own home and family.
“I think it’s time to make camp,” Finn said, looking up at the sky. “We probably have less than an hour of daylight left. Let’s turn off here. I think I can hear a creek somewhere close by, so we should have water. You look tired, sweetheart. I’ll set up the camp, and you can have a bath if you like while I prepare supper.” Finn gave her a tender look. Abbie was perfectly capable of taking care of herself and him, but it was so nice to have him cosset her this way. It made her feel special.
“We still have some bread and cheese, and a few slices of pork. That will do for supper. How about I help you set up camp, and then we take a bath together?” she asked, a seductive smile playing about her lips.
“You are a brazen woman, Mrs. Whitfield. What would the minister make of such lewd suggestions?” Finn chuckled, already envisioning Abbie’s naked body, her hair damp and her skin cool from the water in the creek.
“I’m not certain, that’s why I won’t be making such suggestions to him, but you Mr. Whitfield, are a different matter altogether. Unless my lewdness offends you.” She giggled as Finn pulled the reins of her horse, bringing her closer and kissing her hard.
“It makes my life worth living,” he whispered.
**
The creek turned out to be a lot deeper than expected, allowing them to actually submerge themselves in cool, refreshing water and not washing in parts as they did all week. Normally, Abbie would have kept her shift on, but they were far enough from the road, and they hadn’t seen another person in hours, so she stripped down and walked into the water, conscious of Finn’s gaze on her body. She knew the effect she had on him, and relished it like a wonderful secret that only she was privy to. She leaned against him as he came up behind her, his stiff cock against her buttocks. Finn cupped her breasts, kissing her neck and moving his hips against hers in silent intent. Abbie was about to move back to the shore, but Finn stopped her, turning her in his arms.
“Don’t go,” he whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. The water made her feel languid and weightless, and strangely aroused. Finn lifted her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing him hard. She felt his fingers caress her before he slid inside her body, moving her hips against his. Time seemed to stand still as their bodies moved in unison, creating ripples of water that swirled around them like rings of Saturn that Finn had shown her in a book on astronomy. Abbie felt like melting butter in Finn’s arms as her insides quivered with release. She laid her head on Finn’s shoulder, not wanting to let go of the moment, still joined to him body and soul.
July 1624
England
Chapter 9
Alec poured a brandy and took a seat close to the open window. A lovely breeze blew from outside, bringing with it an aroma of flowers, warm earth, and freshly cut grass. He’d missed the smells and sounds of the country while aboard the ship to England. He’d also missed having a little time alone. Being cooped up on the boat with his wife, daughter, and a crew left him longing for a few moments of peace, and being in this house didn’t help. Alec took a sip of brandy, enjoying the bouquet of flavor. This was expensive French brandy, not the merely adequate stuff he drank in Virginia.
Alec had greatly enjoyed seeing Louisa, Kit, and the children, but he felt undercurrents that he couldn’t quite understand. Something wasn’t right, and it wasn’t just Louisa’s suspicion of infidelity. Kit seemed tense underneath the gay façade, almost vibrating with some unknown worry. He’d been like a brother to Alec in Virginia, but here things were different. They were now on a different social standing, and Kit was back in his element, whereas in America, he had been just a brother-in-law. As much as he wanted to talk to him and draw him out, he wasn’t sure it was his place to do so. If Kit wanted to talk, he’d have to make the first move. He seemed about to say something to Alec several times, but changed his mind at the last moment, and suggested going hunting the following day or playing a game of cards after dinner.
Alec was distracted from his thoughts by a knock on the door. He hoped it wasn’t Maud, but then she wouldn’t have bothered to knock. She would have just barged in, treating him as she would a servant who happened to be in her way. Alec rarely disliked anyone to the point of hatred, but he had to admit that the old lady managed to offend him on every level, and he hoped they would see less of her once the Sheridans went back to London. She had her own residence close to Whitehall, and would hopefully find a reason to stay there for the remainder of their visit.
“May I join you?” Kit asked as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.
“Of course. Shall I pour you a drink?” Alec asked, already rising to his feet.
“Yes, please — a very large one.” Kit sank into a chair. He looked tired and worn, his normally laughing eyes overshadowed by something Alec couldn’t name. He handed Kit a glass and sat across from him, unsure of how to proceed. He didn’t want to pry, but something was obviously troubling Kit a great deal.
“Kit, are you all right? I know it’s none of my business, but I’ll be happy to listen if you want to talk.”
Kit set down his glass, burying his face in his hands. Alec heard a muffled sound, but couldn’t tell if he was crying, laughing, or a little of both. “Oh, Alec, I don’t know where to begin. I’m so ashamed. I can’t even look you in the face.”
It seemed that Kit was about to confess the affair. At least he was remorseful and ashamed, so maybe there was hope of him ending things quietly and returning to his wife before things had gone too far, unless he didn’t want to.
“Kit, you can confide in me. I won’t judge you; just try to help. Who is she?” Kit’s head snapped up at Alec’s question, a look of confusion on his face until he understood whom Alec was referring to.
“Alec, the she is a he. It’s George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.” Kit rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands, clearly miserable; his shoulders slumped with a resignation Alec had never seen in him before.
“Kit, I don’t understand. You don’t have a mistress at Court?” Alec took a sip of brandy, using the time to compose himself. He had no idea what they were talking about, but didn’t want to appear foolish.
“Ale
c, I have no idea how any of this happened. It’s laughable, really, but I’m in an impossible situation. His Majesty invited me to join the Privy Council at the suggestion of the Duke of Buckingham. As you know, my father served on the Council, but I have no good reason to be there. There are other men who could contribute much more than I ever could; I’m not a military man or an experienced statesman. I’m not sure if you know, but Buckingham is the most powerful courtier at King James’s court. His Majesty trusts him implicitly, not only in matters of State, but in personal decisions as well.”
“I’m not sure I’m following, Kit,” Alec leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. Where was this going? Was Kit simply worried about his ability to perform on the Council? That didn’t seem like him at all. He might not be an experienced politician, but he was a man of intelligence and integrity, which is more than could be said about most of the ministers chosen by James. Alec didn’t know all the intricacies of the policy being put forth, but he tried to stay abreast of political developments as much as he could despite the limited flow of information to the Colonies.
“Alec, Buckingham is a law unto himself. He does whatever he pleases with whomever he pleases, and he’s taken a liking to me. It’s no secret that he goes both ways. There’s some talk of him being the King’s lover, but even to say that out loud is paramount to treason, despite the King’s ardent proclamations of love for his “wife,” as he calls him.”
A Game of Shadows Page 4