Love's Past: A Twickenham Time Travel Romance

by Laura Bastian

  Jack eyed the servants. He took her hand and rested it on the crook of his elbow as he led her back to the cottage where Amelia was. As Kaitlyn saw the girl and then her expression as she caught sight of Kaitlyn’s hand on his arm, she knew for sure Amelia didn’t have feelings for Jack other than sisterly affection. Her expression lit up and Amelia smiled brightly at the two of them.

  “What do you think of Jack’s holdings?” Amelia asked.

  “I believe you are right,” Kaitlyn said. “He is a wonderful master of the area. I can see the people respect him and are well cared for. I do hope he can find great success in his future endeavors.”

  Jack smiled. “I believe fortune has already smiled down on me.” He patted her hand and Amelia smiled again.

  She looked up into his face. “Do you have news you might want to share?”

  Jack turned to Kaitlyn as if to ask permission. She didn’t know how to respond, so she smiled back shyly. Jack let go of her hand. “Nothing is official until I can speak with her brother, but I am hopeful things may work out to everyone’s satisfaction.”

  Amelia moved over to Kaitlyn and took her arm after Jack had released it. She looked down at the sweet girl, hoping she hadn’t made a mistake. She hadn’t considered what might happen with Amelia. She was relieved to know there was no jealousy, but if she loved Jack the way a sister would, then how hurt would she be when Kaitlyn broke off the engagement and never returned?

  The thought of playing a trick on her brother no longer seemed as fun as it had now that she knew her impromptu idea would have consequences beyond a little fun on her part and a way for Jack to get his uncle to ease up the pressure.

  ***

  Kaitlyn’s heart pounded as she looked into the library, hoping Jem wasn’t actually in there, even though three different servants had all confirmed seeing him in there within the last quarter hour. She saw his boots crossed at the ankle as he sat in the chair that had become his customary spot while he read through the newspapers of the day. She’d thought it odd that he actually read them, but he said it helped him get into character better.

  “Jem.”

  He sat up a little and turned toward where she stood. “Kaitlyn, you’re back. Did you have a fun time?”

  She smiled. “I did.” After a slow breath to steady her nerves, she took a few more steps into the room, glancing behind her to see Jack still standing just outside of view from where her brother sat. He must have noticed her gaze because he turned more in his chair to see what she was looking at. After catching sight of Sir Hughes, he stood and joined Kaitlyn.

  She looked at him and could tell his curiosity was growing. Hopefully she’d be able to pull this off. She very much wanted to beat him at his own game. If Jack could keep a straight face and deliver his lines, she was sure it would work.

  “I wondered if we might have a private conversation for a moment?”

  Jem nodded. “Sure, what’s up?”

  Jack closed the door of the library, making Jem’s eyebrows raise a little. As Sir Hughes took a few steps closer, he moved more toward where Kaitlyn stood rather than approaching Jem directly, and Kaitlyn thought the man was a genius. Jem’s eyes widened a touch as Jack reached for her hand, and then he lowered his hands before touching Kaitlyn. He squared himself and faced Jem directly. Kaitlyn had to bite her lip and hold her breath to keep from laughing at the growing concern on Jem’s face.

  “Mr. Taylor,” Jack began. “I understand you are the acting guardian for Miss Taylor, and I was hoping I might plead my case before you.”

  Jem’s eyes widened even more. He turned to Kaitlyn, his mouth almost opened, but he furrowed his brow and studied her. She hoped she might be able to keep a straight face, but his intense gaze was intimidating. She looked down at the floor as Jack reached for her hand. She gladly grabbed it, knowing that it was all pretend, but having him there to face down her brother’s concern, even though she was doing this on purpose helped strengthen her resolve to see the joke through.

  “As I’ve spent time with Kaitlyn,” Jack said, her name rolling off his tongue with a hint of reverence like he’d been too afraid to ever say it before, “I’ve come to realize she is unlike any other woman I’ve met. She’s bewitched me and I hope we may have your blessing on our future union.”

  Jack squeezed her hand and she nearly burst out laughing. She struggled to control her face and make it look concerned for Jem’s approval. When she looked up, the fear and panic in his expression was almost enough to make her give up and come clean.

  He shook his head and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “What?” He stared at Kaitlyn. “Are you actually serious?” He looked at Jack and then back at her. “You told me you’d never consider staying here. That this was all for fun. Mom could never handle this. I can’t go home without you.” The sound of loss and anguish filled her ears.

  Kaitlyn’s heart tightened and she let go of Jack’s hand, reaching for her brother. “Oh, Jem. You are the sweetest and most loving brother out there. And for that reason, and that alone, I’m going to put you out of your misery.”

  “You mean you aren’t engaged?” Jem asked.

  “Oh, no,” Kaitlyn said. “We are engaged.”

  “What?”

  “But it’s temporary.” Kaitlyn looked at Jack, who was watching her like he wasn’t sure what to do. Like the planned prank hadn’t gone as she’d hoped.

  Jem shook his head. “Explain. Please.”

  Kaitlyn took Jem by the hand and led him over to the little settee. Jack followed close and sat on a chair nearby, raising him in her esteem even more. If she wasn’t actually intent on going home, she could very easily fall in love with the kind of wonderful and honorable man Sir Hughes was.

  “I proposed to him as a way to help.”

  Jem’s voice rose a little. “You did what?”

  Kaitlyn shushed him and glanced at Jack. “Can I tell him all?”

  Jack nodded. “I think it would be best.”

  As Kaitlyn explained the reasons behind her rash idea, Jem visibly relaxed. After a moment he slumped into the seat as if he’d melted. Then he sat up so fast and grabbed Kaitlyn in a gentle headlock and pulled her tight against him. “You are just horrible.”

  Jack stood and moved closer, but Jem had already let her go and Kaitlyn lifted her hands to calm Jack down. “Don’t worry, Sir Hughes. He’s teasing.”

  Jack studied them for a moment. When he seemed sure Jem had calmed down and really wasn’t upset with Kaitlyn, he returned to his seat.

  “I’m sorry, Jem. I just had to. How many chances will I get to completely freak you out like that?”

  “I hope never again,” Jem said. “I told you when we first got here that if you did fall in love and stay here, Mom would kill me. I thought I was a goner for sure. I was gonna have to get a job working here on some farm, or go try to get into some theatre group.”

  “So can you keep the falseness of it a secret?” Kaitlyn asked. “It will only be for a little while. And since we’re leaving soon, the engagement can go on for a while until Sir Hughes is in a position where he can get the news of either my breaking the engagement or of my death. Whichever he wants to use for his benefit.”

  “I’ll keep the secret from the others, but I’m not going to keep it from Reese or Cyrus.”

  Kaitlyn nodded. “I planned on telling them. And Cora when she returns. But everyone here needs to believe it’s true.”

  “Even Aunt Nellie?” Jem asked.

  Jack shook his head. “No, she needs to know the truth.”

  “How will she take it?” Kaitlyn asked.

  Jack shrugged. “I believe she’ll be understanding. She knows Amelia now and I think she’ll want what’s best for her. In fact, I think she might help me find someone perfect for her. She seems to know so many people.”

  “Good thinking,” Kaitlyn said. “So now I guess we need to figure out how we’re going to announce this fake enga
gement. And we’ve got to be sure we need to hold off on setting a date. We’ll tell everyone I have to wait until I can return home to my family and prepare to bring them back here for the wedding.”

  Jack stood and took a step close to Jem. “Thank you.”

  “Not a problem,” Jem said. “Thank you for not stealing my sister from me for real. I just hope we can work it all out for the best in the short time we have left here.”

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Cyrus stared out the blurry window of the library and silently cursed the continual downpour. It wasn’t a flooding type of rain, but it would prevent them from traveling the last thirty miles to Aunt Nellie’s estate. If they were lucky, they might be able to leave in the morning if the rain let up during the night. He could finally see Kaitlyn and talk with her again. He wanted to tell her all about the things he had seen while traveling with William, but mostly he wanted to see her. And after writing everything out, he might be able to actually tell her how he felt instead of keeping all his thoughts bottled up to himself.

  She filled his thoughts most of the time, and he tried to come up with ways to let her know of his interest. Of course, getting to her was the most important thing he could do. He hadn’t thought this trip through very clearly. He thought it would be a quick few days there and back. Instead, it was pushing more than a week.

  William entered the library and stopped abruptly when Cyrus turned around. The look of concern on his face made Cyrus worry.

  “What now?” Cyrus asked. “How much longer are we here for?”

  William rubbed the back of his neck as if unsure what to say.

  “Is something wrong?” Cyrus asked. “Has something happened?”

  William nodded curtly. “I’ve just heard some news from one of the servants whose sister works for a neighbor to Aunt Nellie.”

  “Is everyone okay?” Cyrus asked. When William nodded, relief washed over Cyrus. “Has something happened with the magic then?”

  “No, nothing like that. And everyone is okay. It’s just I’m afraid there has been a development.” Cyrus wished the man would just spit it out. Finally, William spoke. “There has been news of an engagement.”

  “Has Reese fallen for the earl?” Cyrus asked, feeling the disappointment deeply for his friend.

  William shook his head.

  “Cora?” Cyrus asked.

  Sadness and pity crossed William’s face and Cyrus felt the heat drain from his. “Not Kaitlyn,” he whispered.

  “I believe so,” William said in a low voice. “I asked the maid and she was very clear in her details of the message she heard.”

  “Kaitlyn has gotten engaged?”

  William nodded. “I’m sorry.”

  Cyrus paced the room. It was impossible. It had to be a mistake. Kaitlyn had said more than once how this was all just a fun accident, but she had met a baronet and fallen in love. Because he knew there would be no way she’d give up her life back home for what was available here. Not unless she felt very strongly for the guy.

  And Cyrus hated to admit that Sir Hughes really wasn’t a horrible man. He’d proven himself to be honorable and kind. But Jem would never allow it. Knowing Kaitlyn, she wouldn’t let that stop her. She was going to travel to England with just her friends. He’d only been invited because she wanted to appease her mother.

  Her total commitment to an idea or plan she developed had been something he’d loved and admired about her. And she didn’t jump into things blindly either. She would have thought this all through. If she agreed to marry someone here, she’d have a good reason.

  But Cyrus didn’t want to accept that.

  “I need to get home,” Cyrus said. “I have to see her. Talk to her.”

  “We can’t leave tonight,” William said. “It’s too dark with the storm. Aunt Nellie would have me skinned alive if I allowed any harm to come to one of her visitors. But if the weather hasn’t worsened in the morning, we will leave at first light.”

  ***

  It was the longest night of Cyrus’s life. He tossed and turned most of it before climbing out of bed and pacing the room. The storm continued for most of the dark hours, but when the night turned to dawn, Cyrus looked out the window to see a clearing sky.

  “Thank goodness,” Cyrus said, feeling more at peace. He could finally do something about the rock in his stomach. He packed his bags and waited with anxious energy until the sounds of servants in the house made him sure he could move about more freely.

  He left the room, moved over to William’s room, and knocked softly. He hoped he wouldn’t be too upset with him. When William opened the door wearing his breaches and shirt instead of just his night clothes, Cyrus almost breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I’ll be ready to go soon. If you want to check with the kitchens and see if the cook has some breakfast for us we could take like she’d offered last night, I’ll meet you at the front.”

  Before long, they were on the horses, riding in the cold morning, but Cyrus could barely feel it on top of the cold fear in his heart that he had lost the girl he’d come to realize should be his. If only he could make it in time to convince her to change her mind. Because without her in his life, he doubted he’d feel warmth and light again.

  The roads were muddy, forcing them to move slowly, but they rode without stopping longer than needed to rest and feed the horses or take in a quick meal at a small inn or pub along the way. They reached Nellie’s property after nightfall. Cyrus gladly handed the reigns over to the groom, who met them at the door and climbed off the horse, limping stiffly toward the front doors in his haste.

  When he reached the huge entryway, he looked around, hoping to see someone he knew. He moved over to the library in hopes of seeing Jem and Kaitlyn in there. When it turned up empty, he found his way to the parlor where they’d played so many games. He didn’t recognize anyone there besides a maid straightening up.

  William caught up to him. “The house has mostly gone to bed. I’ve checked with the butler and he’s informed me that Mr. Taylor and Miss Taylor had been invited to join Sir Hughes and his cousin Miss Amelia Woodrow at his home for a house party.”

  Cyrus stared numbly. “She’s not here?”

  William shook his head.

  “She’s already spending time at his house?”

  “With Jem there as her chaperone, everything is in order. And Aunt Nellie has sent one of her girls with them. She’s safe and in good hands.”

  Cyrus knew she wouldn’t be mistreated, but she was gone all the same. If she was staying at his house for a party, he could easily visualize her there charming all the guests and being introduced as his fiancée. She was probably dancing close with him now.

  “Is there any chance we could go there as well?”

  William gave him a look of pity and sorrow. “You’ve been traveling all day and are in no shape physically to go there tonight. Besides, you aren’t in any way ready to speak with her, or show her how you feel. Especially not smelling the way you do after a long, hard ride.”

  Cyrus knew it was true. He hated the thought that he was so close, yet still so far away. Although Sir Hughes’ property was only three or four miles away, it was impossible to go there tonight without making a complete fool of himself and alienating everyone. Sometimes he hated being confined to the rules of the day.

  “What if I went in the morning?” Cyrus turned to William. “Do I have to have an invitation to visit?”

  William shook his head. “No. Since you’re already acquainted with Sir Hughes, and he’s in residence, you would be fine to call on him. But if you go in like a mad man, he would be well within his rights to throw you off his land.”

  Cyrus nodded. “Understood.” He worked his way to his room, ready to collapse on the bed, but knowing his thoughts would not likely let him sleep much tonight either.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  After the final guest was gone, Kaitlyn sat quietly on the cushioned chair, looking into the small fire
as Amelia played a sweet tune on the pianoforte. It wasn’t as clear as the pianos Kaitlyn was used to back home, but it was still a beautiful instrument. Amelia played with obvious pleasure. Kaitlyn wished she had the same enjoyment in the instrument.

  Sir Hughes spoke with her brother in another room and Kaitlyn was relieved to be there with just Amelia. No pretending to be in love with the baronet. No conversations with fancy rich people. Just music and the dancing of flames in the fireplace.

  She should have been having the time of her life, but all she could think of was getting back home to her own place and time. If only Cyrus were back. He’d been gone for so long. She wondered if he missed her at all. There had been no notes or anything from him. Of course, it was too difficult to communicate quickly, but he could have at least sent a letter when he’d gotten to Bath.

  They only had one more week left. She refused to consider the idea of him not making it back to Nellie’s in time to go back home with them on the full moon coming soon.

  Unable to sit still any longer, she got up and moved closer to the fireplace. Amelia paused in her music and Kaitlyn turned to her.

  “Are you all right, Kaitlyn?”

  “Yes, Amelia.” She put her hands out to pretend she was just looking for warmth. “The storm has seemed to give me a bit of a chill.”

  “Oh, I do hope you won’t get sick. Is the weather where you’re from much warmer in the Americas?”

  Kaitlyn shrugged. “It’s similar. I suppose I may have just been in a drafty area.”

  “Be sure to let Jack know. He’ll want to make any repairs as soon as possible.”

  Kaitlyn only nodded. She had no intention of telling Jack about the imaginary draft. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your playing. Please continue.”