by Mari Carr
“Sorry.” He released her. “Templeton is right. We should be getting back.”
Jack shifted her more firmly in his lap and headed toward the house. She sensed the tension in his body and suspected he wasn’t looking forward to the coming confrontation with Lord Wilshire.
Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed Templeton had fallen well behind them.
Jack grinned. “He’s trying to give us some privacy. I have little doubt he’ll pester me to death with questions about you when we return to the house.”
“Why does your uncle hate you?” She couldn’t stand his vague answers regarding his uncle and Julia.
Jack seemed unsurprised by her persistence and briefly explained the adversarial relationship between his father, Jonathan and his uncle. Apparently Wilshire had intended to wed Jack’s mother, but she chose Jonathan instead.
“Where are your parents?”
Jack fell silent and she kicked herself for her prying nature. She was far too familiar with the blank expression on his face. She recognized it as the same look that took over Erin’s face when her father, Phil’s untimely death was mentioned or that erased the laughter in Marian’s eyes whenever Hayley tried to talk about her father. She was good at reading faces and she knew when an overwhelming pain was recalled, people tended to lock the doors and bar the windows to protect themselves. She was pretty good at the technique herself.
Jack erected his battlements before answering her question. “My parents passed away,” he said quietly. She bit her tongue to keep from pursuing it, but he answered her unasked question anyway. “They were killed in a carriage accident when I was eight.”
“I’m sorry.” She was at a loss for words to soothe what was obviously a painful topic for him even after so many years.
“My little sister was with them. The wheel came loose as they were taking a rather sharp turn. My father had a tendency to drive too fast, usually at the urging of my mother and sister. It was exhilarating and exciting and he’d do anything to please them. Unfortunately, without the wheel, the carriage tipped over and crashed into some large rocks. My parents were killed instantly, but Annie—” he paused, unable to say anymore.
She grasped the reins to slow the horse and shifted to wrap her arms around his neck. Words failed her and all she could do was hold him.
Jack clung to her as if she were his only lifeline back to shore. He’d never spoken to another living soul about his parents’ deaths or his sister’s painful struggle to cling to life. He’d stayed by Annie’s bedside, talking to her, begging her to wake up, willing her to come back to him. However, she’d passed away, never regaining consciousness, never giving him the chance to tell her how much he loved her.
He cleared his throat. “She died a week later.”
The sound of Templeton approaching pulled them apart. Hayley, with a sweet, comforting smile, kissed him lightly on the cheek before turning around. Amazed by the kindness of the gesture, he struggled not to cry out his anguish on her shoulder, the eight-year-old child emerging, as the painful memories shook him to the core.
A horse’s ninny recalled him to the moment and to Templeton’s presence. Grasping the reins more firmly, he shut away the agonizing memories before continuing to the Grange.
“So who is Julia?” Hayley asked.
“Ah well, that’s an easy question. She was the most difficult woman in my life until you appeared.” He found his grin and made sure it was firmly back in place.
“Oh. The competition, eh? Well, it’s good to know someone else has been giving you a run for your money prior to my arrival.” Although she spoke lightly, her face tightened for a moment and it gave him a moment’s pause.
“Actually, before this disappearing act, Julia was no hardship at all.” He studied their surroundings more closely.
“You’ve been searching for her during this entire ride back to the Grange, haven’t you?
He shrugged.
“And she lives with your uncle? Is she a cousin?” She must have assumed his relationship with Julia was a familial one.
“No, she was the sister of my uncle’s wife.”
“I see. Templeton mentioned her. I was sorry to hear about your aunt’s death. How did she die?”
“She fell down the stairs. She was seven months pregnant,” he replied. “My uncle almost managed to displace me as his heir. I’m sure to come so close to ridding himself of my inheritance only to lose it has been very hard on him.”
“That’s a rather cold statement.” She seemed shocked by his apparent indifference, but she didn’t know the earl. “Surely he was distraught by the loss of his wife and child.”
“My uncle cares only for himself. Helena’s death and that of her child’s wouldn’t have affected him in any way other than to damage his pride at having lost the means to remove me from his life once and for all. He used that poor girl for years and honestly, I can only believe she’s better off in some higher place than in that house with him.”
“Well, surely he can’t be as bad as all that,” Hayley said stiffly, as she recalled her own troubling childhood. She hated to think how bad the countess’ life truly could have been.
She was suddenly anxious to meet his uncle and wondered what had happened between them to create such powerful animosity.
“Hayley,” Jack said. “If, actually, when my uncle arrives, I want you to stay in your room until he leaves.”
“What? Why?”
“Just stay in your room,” he said. “I have my reasons and they’re good ones. You’ll have to trust me on this.”
“I don’t see what harm there could be—”
“Dammit, Hayley,” he shouted. “Just do as I say.”
If she had one major failing, it was that she never knew when to pick her battles. Softly, though sharply, she said, “I think you have the mistaken impression, Captain Campbell, that you’re my keeper. Let me assure you—”
Jack interrupted her. “I am your keeper. It’s my fault you’re here instead of safe at home in your own time.”
“Your fault?”
“Yes, my fault.” His voice was remorseful. “In case you’ve forgotten, I was the one who yanked you through that tree. You were safe on your side until I pulled you through.”
For a moment, Hayley was speechless. Jack blamed himself for her unexpected trip to the past. “Don’t be silly,” she said after a moment. “You didn’t know what was happening. Neither one of us did. I was in pain and you reached out to help me.”
She turned and looked closely at Jack’s face. It was full of anguish and regret. “Jack,” she continued softly. “What makes you think I’m sorry to be here? If you hadn’t pulled me through, I wouldn’t have found Erin. You have no idea how grateful I am to you for that.”
Jack’s features softened at her words, but he still seemed under the control of some powerful emotions. The confessions of the last few minutes coupled with the events of the past few days had taken a heavy toll on him.
“Please,” he said. “Stay away when my uncle comes. Trust me.”
Hayley simply nodded. They rode in silence and Hayley felt the continual tension in Jack’s arm around her waist. Jack blamed himself for her current predicament. She certainly didn’t think it was his fault and she wasn’t even that upset to be here.
The whole experience was an adventure that she found herself enjoying immensely. Finding Erin safe, happy, and in love lightened Hayley’s heart and, for the first time in a year, she felt more like her old self. She had Jack to thank for that. No blame, no regrets, no other recourse for her. Seeing Erin in this environment was the salve to heal all her wounds and as soon as she could unravel the secret of the tree, the doorway would open again so she could return to her life in the future, finally able to set Tori’s mind at ease as well. Tori had hoped they could heal and with the truth, they finally would. The tree had opened twice that Hayley knew about and it would again. Until then, she would cherish this time like a precious
gift and savor every minute with her friend while it lasted.
Hayley broke the silence, changing the subject. “Templeton seems like a nice man. It’s obvious he likes working for you. Not really what I thought a valet would be like, though. He actually looks more like a bodyguard.”
Jack, happy for the distraction, chuckled at Hayley’s accurate description. “Templeton was a soldier during the war with France. He served under my command. When the war ended, he came to work for me. He does have the look of a bodyguard, which is not a bad thing, given my line of work. The docks can become dangerous at times.”
What Jack didn’t say was that Templeton, like so many other men who returned to England after the war, was a hero without a job. Down on his luck and homeless, Jack found Templeton in a back alleyway in London begging for food and offered him a job. Many of the young men in his employ were former soldiers who had served under his command. Only now they worked at the docks or as sailors aboard the boats in Jack’s shipping company.
Doubly cursed, Templeton had an intense fear of the water and suffered from severe seasickness. After two brief weeks as a crewmember aboard one of his trade ships, Jack decided Templeton was better suited to join his household staff as his personal valet. Jack genuinely liked the man, despite the fact he tended to fawn over him, considering him some sort of personal savior.
Hayley was silent during the remainder of the ride. In his brief time with her, he had never seen her sit so still and quiet. Templeton was riding a discreet distance behind them again and Jack was pleased to note her hair had completely dried, as had his breeches. With any luck, Alex and Erin, distracted by the imminent arrival of Wilshire, wouldn’t notice that once again, their appearances were suspect.
Hayley sighed and slowly leaned back against his chest. Her sweet, trusting gesture astounded him. In their two-day acquaintance, they had experienced time travel, brawling, swimming and passionate kisses together. Jack shuddered to think what the next two days might bring. Life with his firebrand was never boring.
His firebrand. His. His.
The head groom met them in front of the house and took Lancelot away after they dismounted. Jack offered Hayley his arm and she took it with a friendly smile. Giles was waiting in the front hall when they entered. He informed them the lord and lady were in the library. Erin looked up as they entered.
“There you are. We were beginning to get worried.” Erin rose and walked to Hayley. “Still obsessed with running I see. Don’t tell me you dragged poor Jack along with you. Tori and I could never keep up with her. Her stamina is incredible.”
“He dragged himself along with me,” Hayley said with a grin. “And he kept up—on his horse.”
The two women laughed as they sat down on the chaise near the fireplace.
Jack rolled his eyes.
“I sent your man, Templeton, to fetch you. I assume he filled you in on the unfortunate events surrounding your uncle.” Alex’s tone expressed concern as Jack had described Wilshire’s unstable behavior and strange comments to him last night.
“Yes,” Jack responded. “I’m not surprised my uncle is blaming me, though I didn’t think he would go so far as to involve the law. I’ll dispatch a messenger to London to find Ben. We dined together at White’s the night Julia ran off. He can confirm my innocence. The truth is, Alex, I wish I had been here to help her escape. At least then I’d know she was safe.”
“I hope she’s alright. She’s such a sweet girl. I’d hate to think of anything bad happening to her.” Erin glanced over at Hayley and noticed her unkempt appearance. “We’d better get you cleaned up. You’re a mess. Did you go swimming as well?”
“Yep,” Hayley said with a grin. “The water was great. That reminds me. Can I have a swimsuit made?”
“Sure,” Erin said. “I should have realized you couldn’t resist the water for long. It may be a few days before it can be completed and I should warn you I don’t think you’ll like the amount of material that goes into swimsuits.”
“Jack already warned me. The sight of me in my bra and panties nearly gave him a heart attack.” Hayley shot a quick grin toward Jack.
Erin choked on the tea she was sipping. Alex stood quickly and Jack scowled at her.
“What do you mean bra and panties?” Alex asked gruffly.
“I was swimming when Jack found me. He said I would have to wear a proper swimming…what did you call it, Jack? Oh, yeah, bathing costume. Sounds like Halloween. Anyway, he said I couldn’t parade around in my underwear anymore,” Hayley said matter-of-factly.
“And I take it you were walking around in your undergarments in front of Jack?”
Jack intently studied the tips of his boots to avoid what he was sure was a nasty look from his friend.
“Actually, he was swimming with me,” Hayley added nonchalantly.
“Alex,” Erin added quickly. “It’ll take Hayley some time to get used to the way things are done here. I’m sure you’ll recall that in the beginning I did things you considered shocking as well. I still do actually. Just this morning, he had a fit when he caught me—”
“Erin, I don’t think they would be interested in the topic of our marital disagreements.” Alex quickly interrupted Erin’s story, clearly embarrassed.
“I’m interested.” Jack was more than happy to turn the attention away from his uncanny knack to get into compromising situations with Miss Garland.
“Let’s just say,” Erin continued with a sheepish grin at her husband, “that Hayley is lucky to have people like you and me and Jack to help her adjust.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Actually, if you don’t mind, I think I will go freshen up. I need to wash the salt and sand off. My skin is itchy.” Standing, Hayley threw Jack a mischievous grin; grabbed Erin’s hand and the two women left the room giggling.
Alex looked at Jack through narrowed eyes, but Jack simply threw up his hands. “Don’t look at me. You’re the expert on these June girls. You’re married to one, after all.” Jack laughed at the name Erin and Hayley had given themselves when they were children.
Alex shook his head, chuckling. “What is that old saying? ‘One is one and two is ten.’”
“I think that’s referring to children.”
“Somehow I think it applies to time-traveling women as well. I’m not sure I’ll be able to manage those two alone. What are you doing for the next year?”
“Oh no, don’t look at me. I have a shipping business to run.”
Alex shrugged, then changed the subject back to the imminent arrival of Robert Campbell, Earl of Wilshire. “So you think Wilshire will come here to confront you?”
“I’m sure of it,” Jack responded grimly. “Apparently, since Helena’s death, his hatred of me has magnified tenfold. I think, in his arrogance, he truly believed he could produce an heir simply by willing it. The fact Helena didn’t give him a son in five years of marriage has him in a state of panic, and he cannot abide the fact that I will inherit everything he holds so near and dear to his heart. As if I would want to live in that mausoleum he calls an estate and carry a title that, through his tireless efforts, is now continually linked to the terms depravity and cruelty.”
“Helena’s untimely passing has affected Wilshire more than any of us realized.” Alex sat behind his desk. “I’ve heard tales—through the servants—of his uncontrollable rages. There was a rumor that right after Helena’s death, he nearly beat a young groom in his employ to death with a horse whip.”
“That’s not a rumor. I visited the young man at his mother’s home on my way here after my visit to the Homestead. It’s one of the reasons I was traveling so late. My man, Josh Harrison, caught up to me and took me to see the lad. He is only twenty-three, Alex, and he has a long, hard recovery ahead of him. The doctor doubts he’ll ever walk again.”
Jack related the details of the beating to Alex. “Since then, many of the servants have quit in fear for their lives. I don’t believe it was the
loss of his wife and child that unhinged him. There is something else at work in that house and I suspect Julia knew about it. Whatever it is, Helena’s death must have brought things to a boil. I wish I’d been here when she passed away. Poor girl. No one should suffer as she did—married to such a heartless bastard at only sixteen.”
Jack stood by the window, looking at the rose garden without seeing the flowers. His mind was on Julia. She had been an energetic thirteen-year-old when she’d arrived at the Homestead. With her fascination for sailing and general curiosity about everything, she’d become a constant fixture at the shipping company, much to his grandfather, Sebastian’s delight and Jack’s dismay.
When Jack returned from the war on visits, Julia followed him around like a faithful puppy. Sebastian took a liking to the lonely little girl—who reminded him of Annie—and had allowed her to run freely around the office and docks. Over the years, Jack also developed a special fondness for Julia and constantly worried she was suffering at the hands of his uncle as he had. However, Julia adamantly denied any abuse. Wary, Jack kept watch over her throughout the years, as Sebastian had done prior to his death, making sure she remained safe and unharmed in Wilshire’s care.
Devoted to her sister, Julia insisted life at the Homestead was tolerable and that the earl ignored her more often than not. Now, with Helena gone, Julia had seen to her own escape. For the thousandth time, he kicked himself for not returning the moment he’d learned of Helena’s death. Julia looked up to him as an older brother, and he, in turn, protected and cared for her as if she truly were his little sister. He couldn’t help but think that Annie would have been so much like Julia had she lived. Now, Jack had failed in his duty to protect a sister once again.
“Dammit, Alex.” Jack slammed his hand down on Alex’s desk. “We need to find her. You know as well as I do what can happen to a young woman alone.”
“We’ll find her, Jack. In fact, several of the men from the nearby farms are working with my servants to search for her. She’ll be found. We need to focus on keeping suspicion off you and figuring out a way to calm your uncle down. If he is as mad as you say, he may try to harm you when his attempt to have you arrested fails.”