Forever Young: Time Travel Romance

by Gloria Gay

  “I would much rather have Teddy as my first heir but I am saddled instead with Cortland, who is too anxious to overlook the fact that I must first quit this earth before he can come into his inheritance.

  “He wasted his time at Eton and learned only the bad habits he now has.

  “It’s to your benefit, Miss Shallot, that I find out what Augusta and my cousin are up to and how she and Cort are planning to meddle in your presence here, for its obvious from her attitude that she has taken an uncommon interest in your business. I am quite certain she has sent numerous missives to Cort concerning you.

  “It’s a wonder how fast she was informed of your arrival, but then, the servant network is quite efficient, almost as good as the express mail service.”

  Kate winced at the idea that two people she didn’t know discussed her in their letters.

  “Lady Bunright’s fixation on me does not extend to calling me by any name other than ‘the Colonial,’” said Kate with a laugh. A pleasant frisson coursed through her as she held onto Lanquest’s arm and a feeling of well-being overwhelmed her as she strolled along garden pathways with him and his aunt in the sun-filled afternoon.

  She was so happy in his company and increasingly drawn to him. She should enjoy the little moments with him and not become depressed by her bigger problem of being stranded in the past. She must retain hope of returning to her age and that she would be able to discover the key to how she was sent here.

  She would always remember this time with Lanquest as the happiest of her life.

  “I know that your thoughts are not far from your problem and that you must be constantly trying to find the key to the return to your time period, Miss Shallot, and I cannot blame you for it,” said Lanquest.

  He seemed to sense her moods, thought Kate. It meant that he was at least a little bit as attracted to her as she was to him. Too bad they lived in different worlds. Not only was she displaced in his age but the enormous differences in his world and hers were too much to overcome, even if she had wanted to remain in the past. Knock on wood, she thought immediately. What would she do if she could not find the key to return to her time?

  A shiver of fear coursed through her.

  Lanquest must have felt it, for her arm was encircled in his.

  “I hope you are not fearful of being trapped in the past, Kate. I sense that in you and it saddens me.

  Amy lagged beyond their hearing, lost in her own thoughts.

  It was nice that he remembered to call her Kate when they were alone, for this gesture, although small, filled Kate with warmth that she had at least one true friend in the past and was not as lonely as she would have been without him and his support. She felt warmth from Amy, too, and looked forward to spending time with the kind lady.

  “But,” went on Lanquest, with a glance backward to make sure none of their uninvited guests were lurking about, “I beg you to concentrate on ‘our’ present, so that you may fit in a bit more in the age you live in for the time that we are lucky to have you with us. You have an enemy in Augusta and she can do you great harm with her tongue.

  “She will continue to bait you, Kate. Although it may bring satisfaction to reply to her rudeness, I advise you to forego such talk, for she will repeat what you say word by word to her acquaintances. We must not give her any more ammunition than she already has. Leave your battles to me, Kate, for I know how to handle my aunt.”

  “You are right, of course, my lord. I will do as you say and stay out of her way while she’s here,” Kate promised, “although she makes it extremely difficult to do so, as her speech is comprised of one rude statement after another.

  “She sees me a direct menace to her family and I don’t understand why. Can you explain that for me?”

  Lanquest breathed in and out audibly, sighed and shook his head in exasperation before replying.

  “I’m certain she’s imagining that we—you and I—are secretly engaged or some such idea. From her point of view, she would consider this, were it so, a direct threat to her sons’ inheritance, as Cort and his brother are my only heirs—for now.

  “I went through a wrenching engagement some years ago, Miss Shallot,” he added, when Kate, startled by his words, stared at him.

  She held her breath, willing him to go on about a previous relationship. She so much wanted to know him.

  “The woman I was going to marry betrayed our betrothal with another man and eloped with him while I was away at war. Augusta was greatly relieved by my misfortune, as it increased her sons’ chances of inheriting.”

  “It seems typical of the woman,” said Kate shaking her head, but stopped herself from saying anything else. She would have said that Augusta’s cold-hearted glee at Michael’s fiancée’s betrayal brought her even lower in Kate’s estimation, if that were possible.

  “Although it was a time of horrible experiences that left scars on my soul, as well as my heart, I do not regret my time at war, for I found out how heroic some men can be when called to it. I made friendships there that will last a lifetime.

  “My friend Hendrick, for instance. I’m hoping to secure his company for a visit this summer. I do hope you will meet him before you are able to leave us, Kate.

  “He is one of the best surgeons in England. He saved many lives during those horrible war days. I trust his judgment completely. My childhood friend, Will Sendever, would not be alive, were it not for Hendrick.

  “But I have not been able to contact Hendrick for some time, and it worries me. I hope he is all right. Were it not for the emergencies that have popped up in my tenants’ farms in the north I would have gone to London to see why Hendrick has not replied to my correspondence. After all, London is just a short distance away.”

  “I’m glad you made valuable friendships,” Kate responded. “And I hope to meet Doctor Hendrick before I leave. He must be a wonderful man if you value his friendship so much. Is Hendrick his first or his last name?”

  “Jonathan is his first name,” Lanquest replied. “When I am able to connect again with him I will ask him to visit. I look forward to introducing Jonas to you.”

  “How did you come to meet him?” asked Kate, eager to know someone Lanquest held in such high regard.

  “We became friends at Eaton.

  “His parents met in Paris, where his father was studying and where his mother was visiting from England with her mother. Her parents did not approve of their marriage but they did not cut them off. The couple settled in Paris, aided by Hendrick’s father, who owned a newspaper. His father was German and a gentleman and his mother was the daughter of an English viscount.

  “Hendrick and his eldest brother were very young when the French revolution broke out. The boys and their parents barely escaped during the Terror and came to England, where Hendrick’s mother had inherited an estate in Lancashire that was not entailed.”

  “We continued our friendship at Cambridge and then on to our participation in Napoleon’s war, when I led a cavalry regiment and Hendrick was the doctor assigned to my regiment.

  “But yet he became a surgeon,” said Kate.

  “Yes. His eldest brother took over their mother’s estate when their father died. Hendrick was a lot younger then and it was his brother Edwin who was able to stabilize the family. Edwin was made for estate management.”

  “You said he was wounded during the war. Tell me about that.”

  “It happened during a scrimmage in which Hendrick was thrown from his horse. I threaded back through rushing horses and loaded him onto my horse, then rode back to join the regiment.

  “I could not remove him from the battlefield while the battle was going on, so I stopped his bleeding with a tight bandage while I continued to battle right and left with my sword with Hendrick strapped across my saddle. I was able to stay afloat until the battle ended and the enemy withdrew. That was probably the worst day of my life and looking back I am astounded that both Hendrick and I survived that awful bloody battle.

&nb
sp; “When the battle ended and both sides retreated, I rode into camp and had the doctor from another regiment see to Hendrick’s wounds. The doctor assured me that had I taken him a few minutes later Hendrick would have died.

  “Even so, Hendrick was at death’s door for several weeks, for he had entered into a fever. When he finally emerged triumphant from his illness he credited me for saving his life and was not shy about broadcasting it to anyone that would listen even though I asked him not to.”

  Lanquest smiled in remembrance and went on: “It was at this time that I realized how vulnerable a person is when unconscious, so, shortly after I returned to the Hall, I listed Hendrick with my solicitor as the only person to make medical decisions on my behalf should I become incapacitated, with a provision that he was to be allowed to move into my house and direct my staff. I feared Augusta and Cory’s decisions toward my health would be more to their advantage than mine.”

  “I’m very afraid for Hendrick, Miss Shallot, for our friendship is such that he would have answered my letters long ago.”

  “And his brother, did you try to locate him?”

  “His brother, Edwin, is in India with his wife.”

  “Perhaps Hendrick planned a journey and neglected to let you know,” Kate provided.

  “Perhaps,” said Lanquest. “I hope you are right.”

  CHAPTER 13

  That afternoon, while riding in the wooded area with Kate, Lanquest again brought up the subject of his friend.

  “I will have to leave again, Kate, for there are yet more problems in the north. If anything should happen to me, I want you to contact Hendrick. He will take over where I left off and help you. You must be aware that Cort and Augusta would evict you if I’m not around to prevent them.”

  “You are scaring me. What could possibly happen to you?”

  “The roads are not safe, Kate. Everyone knows that. And although I never travel by night, highwaymen are fond of striking day or night.”

  “Then perhaps you should not travel alone, on horseback.” Kate’s lower lip trembled. “Maybe you would be safer in a carriage, with outriders like I have noticed many people travel with.”

  “The presence of outriders does not guarantee safe travel. Unless, of course, you take half a dozen or more, like princes do.”

  “Would it be too expensive for you to take six outriders?”

  “Things will settle down once all the problems with the floods are resolved. Thankfully, floods are rare. There was only one other as severe as this one and it was when my father was to inherit the land from his father.”

  “I just wish you would be safe.”

  “I have made that journey many times without any problem. I’m just looking ahead in the extreme case that something should happen to me. I wish only for your wellbeing.

  “I will leave content in the knowledge that my friend Hendrick would help you in my stead, Kate.”

  A chill rippled through Kate at the thought that anything should happen to him. And although her first thought was of him, she could understand his concern for her and felt a fear at his words.

  She was like a babe in the woods in the past, unable to fend for herself in the simplest of ways. If it should happen that she needed to find work in order to survive, she needed a character reference to obtain the very few positions available to women, as governess or teacher.

  And where would she fit in an English household or in a school? Any parents would be afraid that she would transfer her American accent to their children even though she was certain of herself as a capable instructor. And she didn’t even have the advantage of appearing mature, for Michael had assured her she looked nineteen.

  And if the position of governess or teacher were denied to her, she would be reduced to seeking menial work in homes or inns. Even those humble positions might be difficult to obtain, for the war had forced women who had depended on their husbands before to seek positions in order to feed their families.

  She shuddered at a vision of herself trying to survive in a world that was cruel to those without means. She had been so lucky to have been found by Lanquest. How would she have fared if she had landed somewhere else?

  She had read extensively about the era and was well aware that men and women and even children ended up in the dreaded workhouse when they had no means of survival.

  “Amy has a sister in the Midlands,” Lanquest cut across her thoughts, “so that would be one choice for her, although her sister is the opposite in character and judges Amy severely for her open heart.

  “Also, Teddy is very attached to her and would see to her welfare.”

  “Augusta spent a year in bed with a strange malady when Teddy was six years old and that whole year Amy took care of him as though he was her own son. He became very fond of Amy, to the point where a cot was moved to her bedroom for he would not sleep in his bedroom.

  “Even so, that would be one choice available to her and she does have an independent income, so she could live alone with a couple of servants if she decided against living with her sister.

  “Although I would love to arrange for a cottage for you, Kate, such an action would not remain a secret for long. The ton would be ruthless if they should get a hold of it. It would be difficult to restore your reputation after that.

  “Even so, you must consider Amy to be the only friend you have left in the past. Meanwhile you must be prepared should anything happen to me by being aware of the few choices you would have.”

  “But have you not made this journey many times? Why should it be now that something could happen to you?”

  Lanquest smiled. They had stopped in the meadow. He leaned over and took her left hand in both his own.

  “I worry about you, Kate, and must plan for the worst when you are not right before me and I can protect you.

  “I wish I did not have to leave the estate so often. I made the journey north countless times before I met you. But now that I hold you so dear to my heart, I worry that something may happen to me and I would not be here to help you.”

  Kate’s hand came to life when Lanquest took it into his own and she hardly heard his words as rushes of tingles sped through her arm and straight into her heart.

  There was a pressure in her heart at the thought that her days with him were rapidly coming to a close.

  She realized her heart was falling in love with him even as her mind still held off, for there was no place in his world for her. Not only did she not fit in with the people he dealt with day in day out, but she would never be able to accept the treatment of women in his time, as unable as children to decide anything for themselves.

  Lady Bunright might yell and rant all she would, but the important decisions of her life had been and always would be made by the men in her life. She was doing a fine job of making of her daughters tame and lifeless mannequins.

  “I promise to contact your friend, Dr. Hendrick, Michael, if you will give me his address. I hope that will ease your mind.”

  He got down from his horse as did Kate.

  “Direction, Kate,” Lanquest corrected with a smile, “I will write it down for you when we return to the house.”

  “We’re close to the place where I first saw you,” he added, gazing at the distance as he took a stringed bag that was attached to the pommel of Blue. He placed it in Kate’s hands

  “What is this?” Kate asked with concern. “Surely you are not giving me money, Michael?”

  “Yes, I am. I take the place of a guardian while you are in the past. The past is as foreign to you as though you had traveled to Mars. Please allow me this peace of mind and accept the funds. As I said, I cannot provide for you in my will, for solicitors’ offices in the Inns of Court are connected like rabbit warrens and it would soon be known, no matter that I would ask my solicitor, Mr. Casterling, to be discreet.

  “Hendrick has not answered my letter so he might not answer yours, as well. In such an event, you would have to travel in search of him. As I told
you, there is a proviso in my will that in case I should be incapacitated to make decisions, Hendrick will make any decisions necessary for my welfare.”

  “Very well, Michael. Thank you for your help and concern. You are so sweet and you’re right, if I were left without you—God help us that I never will—I will need funds to travel to where Doctor Hendrick lives, in London.”

  She did not say what was in her heart, that if something happened to him, it would not be concern for her safety, but anguish that she would never see him again. She was not doing a good job of suppressing her growing love for him, for the sweetness with which he had come to her aid and continued to plan for her safety made it difficult. Her eyes filled with tears.

  And she did not express the concern for Hendrick what she feared: that when a man acts out of character it can mean that something has happened to him. For Michael’s sake, she hoped with all her heart that this was not so and that his friend was safe.

  “I also have something else to give you, Kate,” he said. When Kate turned to look at him, a puzzled look in her eyes, he went on. “Please hear me out before you protest. Agreed?”

  “All right,” Kate said, eager to hear what it was all about.

  He took a slim leather pouch from the inside pocket of his coat.

  “I gave my mother this necklace before she died, so it does not belong to the estate jewels that are listed in the will as the heirlooms of the future countess, whoever she may be. This is an extremely valuable diamond necklace and the good thing about it is that no one knows about it.

  “Before she died, Mama gave the necklace back to me and told me to give it to the woman I fell in love with. I put it away in my safe and forgot it until now.

  “I want you to have this necklace, Kate. I would feel a lot better if you would accept it. You told me when we first met that only a ring you wore had survived the journey into the past, so I’m hopeful these diamonds would survive, even if your attire didn’t.