A long table had been set up in which myself and the Count sat in the middle alongside my family and his companions. Jack - much to my relief - sat opposite me and sent reassuring smiles towards me every now and then.
Once my aunt stood up to make a speech I realised this was the moment Jack had mentioned to me. She was incredibly drunk and no matter how much my father tried to pull her down she continued crying hysterically on how she remembered her own wedding. She then stuck her hand in the mashed potato and wiped it on the ladies pretty dress next to her.
We all seemed to sink into our chairs for the rest of the meal until the music started to pick up and people began dancing joyfully, bouncing up and down happily.
I was high off the feeling of being drunk and when I caught a glimpse of Abigail tucked away with the other servants I strode towards her and pulled her into the ring of dancers. This far into the night people were having too much fun to notice and those who did look at her disapprovingly I shot down with glares.
“I’m going to miss you.” She smiled, hugging me midway through the dance before she backed away quickly, as though realising she’d just hugged me out of nowhere.
“What?” I laughed, and then as it settled in I pursed my lips. Having different classes was such a weird thing now that I thought about it. “Another dance, please?”
Her face turned bright red likely as she reminisced the first dance she’d stumbled her way through. This was not the kind of music she was used to I realised with a coat of shame.
“I’m sorry,” I said slightly out of breath. “I’ll let you get back to whatever fun you want.”
Her face brightened as she curtsied quickly and slowly I began to feel myself smile as she melted through the crowd and began giggling with another group of servants.
I blinked, suddenly realising Marion had very little friends herself. Still - being the bride attracted plenty enough attention and soon I was back to twirling to upbeat music. Somehow my feet remembered how to dance to this 17th-century music and soon I was swung between people laughing hysterically.
Jack even stepped in at one point to dance alongside me, swinging me around and twirling me whilst the Count watched clapping his hands and laughing with friends, but there was still nervous energy surrounding him.
Honestly, at some point in the night, I had forgotten this was my wedding with the Count since he was ignoring me.
“If you keep drinking at that rate you’re never going to make it to your wedding night,” a girl in a group of young ladies commented to me and they all giggled.
“That’s kind of the point,” I replied, looking at her own rosy cheeks and fighting the urge to roll my eyes at them. Alcohol didn’t seem to have the same effects on Time Benders as it did on regular people. It’s probably why drinking in the future was a whole lot more fun than drinking this.
I began smiling at guests who were beginning to retire for the night. My father was in the centre of the garden laughing cheerfully. His worries were over now. His daughter was married into a rich family.
My new husband was waving his hands about, entertaining guests with Jack by his side laughing supportively. He glanced my way before suddenly directing his attention to the Count whose smile quickly slipped.
Jack whispered something reassuring in his ear I assumed which made me angry. His mission would also be to ensure the past runs smoothly. If we were supposed to consummate the marriage, he was going to make sure it would happen. There was no cheat code with Jack. The Count looked at Jack for a long, silent moment before taking a deep breath, swivelled to face me and began walking to me.
“Shall we retire for the night, husband?” I asked.
Please stab me. I hadn’t nearly had enough to drink just yet. The count didn’t say anything, just nodded stiffly and held out an arm to lead me into the house.
Before we turned past the door I turned my head, wide eyes searched for Jack before they finally settled on him, he nodded his head.
Asshole.
I tried my hardest to separate myself from the situation. The same technique as when I have to kill someone. You know... usual mundane things.
“I need to take care of something. Shall I send help for you to take off the dress?”
I shook my head wide-eyed. “I’ll be fine.”
He slipped out the room, closing the door behind me and for a moment I jumped to action, readying myself to grab the bedsheets and throw them off the balcony. But instead, I listened to the oh-so-wise words of Jack and tried to take off the dress.
I suddenly wished I had asked for help as I began to undo the corset and tried to wiggle my way out of the tight and itchy material. Once it dropped to the floor I lay it on the sofa, running my hands over the gold embroidery, watched as the tiny flowers gleamed at me. It was such a beautiful dress.
Fortunately, underwear in the 17th century felt like what a nun would wear and so I climbed on to the bed after I’d poured myself a drink and spread myself on the bed.
When he entered the room, he avoided eye contact. His hand brushed over the dress and he admired it.
I watched as he drank by the table - his back turned from me. I remembered the conversations I’d been having with Jack, the ones in which he told me what I did was wrong - that I could change. Please… kill me, someone.
Do the job Nova, you aren’t getting paid and usually, you kill them afterwards but just do it.
I stood abruptly before I had the chance to chicken out. This was just like pleasing your fans in the future. You had to please the ones in power. I pulled the nightgown over my head, dropping it to the floor and standing there bare with all the confidence I had in me. Honestly, and I hate to admit. But it felt normal. Sex was a powerful weapon used to gain power, and as much as I hate and despise it, it was one of my most valuable weapons as a female. But it shouldn’t be. Men were just so easy to manipulate in the past, and taking off your clothes was easier than killing people (unless you wore a corset).
It took a moment for him to realise I was behind him and when he did, he turned to me, not even looking down at my body as he spoke in the calmest voice. “There will be no need for that tonight.”
I - what? My cheeks burnt.
Jesus, I was embarrassed. I’d just been completely rejected by a not even that good-looking man. How awful must he find me?
I nodded my head shocked, picked up the nightgown and quickly pulled it back on feeling more embarrassed than I’d ever felt. That had not just happened.
1661 was turning out to be a huge awakening call. First Jack and now the Count? Did Marion have a third ear that I wasn’t aware of? Or a tail? What the hell was wrong with these people - how could they resist me?
I swallowed the lump in my throat when I felt the bed dip and he sighed next to my ear. He slivered in next to me and I held my breath, waiting for him to say something, to apologise and explain why we weren’t consummating the marriage. Except nothing happened. We lay in silence for a few minutes before he finally spoke. “Could you blow out the candle?”
I sat up numbly and blew out the candle shocked. Well, that was easier said than done.
When it was finally morning I rose and walked around the bed tiredly, then opened the door to the balcony and let out a shriek as my foot made contact with a knee and Jack turned his head towards me. My heart picked up as he squinted through bleary eyes and ruffled his dark hair.
“Morning.”
“What are you doing here?” I bent down.
“Watching out.”
“For what?” I snapped, he raised an eyebrow and yawned.
“Nothing apparently.”
My mouth dropped open. “You were watching me?” I hissed and he chuckled.
“No.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m not a pervert. I came up here at like three in the morning because I was worried he would have… you should go back to sleep.”
“What do you mean? What do
you think he would have done?”
Jack sighed. “He uh, he’s killed two of his wives before because they were persistent, they accused him of being gay.”
I nodded my head as it suddenly dawned on me. I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to notice before. Thank god - it was just because he was gay. “That does make sense.”
The blood drained from my face. Killed his wives?
“Woah, woah, hey, hey,” he murmured, taking hold of my shoulders as my face turned pale. “I’m not going to let that happen.”
I looked up at him, brown eyes reaching deep into me. “Even if its Fate’s will?”
He didn’t falter. “You have until you give birth to a stillborn at least. I don’t know what happens after that… but I… I can’t let my ride of this shithole die can I?”
I took a deep breath and blinked rapidly. “Great.”
He rolled his eyes and climbed to his feet, stretching his arms and yawning. He then wrapped two arms around me and pulled me into his chest.
He was hugging me - Jack - the person I was sent here to kill. We were hugging.
I probably needed it.
I clenched the back of his shirt. “Can we please leave?”
“Trust me Nova, I’d love to.”
CHAPTER 21
Time: 8th August 1661
Location: England, Montgomery Estate
Saying goodbye was surprisingly harder than I would have thought. This entire time I’d been trying to find a way out of this life - not caring to soak in the appearances of my friends and families faces.
Once upon a time (a really long time ago) I was Marion, my future hadn’t been written yet and my timeline was very short. I had no idea when I died I wouldn’t go to heaven like everybody had raised me to think. Instead, I would be reborn in the same flesh and skin with only experiences to shape my personality within that life.
The entire team of staff was lined up down the stairs and a sleek, grey carriage with gold trimmings waited patiently. Horses holding the Counts’ own servants and soldiers shuffled from foot to foot restlessly.
One by one I thanked each servant for raising me up until now. I was glad I’d grown to know their names otherwise I would have felt incredibly guilty by the tears some of them wiped away.
Harold clapped my hands and kissed either side of my cheek solemnly. “Thank you for being my guard dog. Great job,” I whispered sarcastically under my breath, he chuckled.
“Everyone needs a little freedom,” he replied.
Donald was a little more hesitant than Harold but still ended up wrapping his arms around me and squishing me into his belly. “I apologise for running away from you.” I smiled, gaining a laugh from both my father's men.
Cecilia and Abigail stood at the end of the line, posted either side of my father and aunt. First, Cecilia hugged me tightly and I was conscious that she’d placed something in the pocket of my red skirt but I didn’t risk showing any sign.
Abigail was by far the hardest to say goodbye to. She clung onto my shoulders shaking silently as she fought back tears. “Marion you better not forget us here. And don’t let all that money get to your head. Alright, Countess?”
I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath. “Please don’t ever call me that again.”
“You will always be a Montgomery,” my Aunt interjected from the side, speaking under her breath but my Father caught it. If he’d heard he didn’t show any sign of it though, just the rapid blinking of his eyes as he embraced me.
“Be careful.”
“I know Father.”
“I suspect you shall visit, and write to us?”
“Of course,” I replied, kissing his cheek and backing away. My Aunt quickly took me into her arms and breathed me in.
“You were the daughter I never had,” she whispered, her voice cracking slightly as she tilted the black hat back into place and poofed up the red feather. “Beautiful,” she murmured, kissing my cheek one last time.
I took a last look at the estate’s grey walls and somehow the early morning sun made it look a lot less grim of a place to be trapped in.
And here I was trading one prison for another. Oh the irony.
I was helped up into the carriage and sat opposite the Count who smiled brightly, clearly eager to leave this place behind.
Killed his wives? I’d clearly underestimated this man.
My aunt stood by the window, waving and dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Jack sat next to the Count whilst another man dressed in fine clothes sat next to me. This man was younger and had his nose turned up.
He seemed like a cheery character to make the journey go by fast (that was most definitely sarcasm).
Soon the carriage was on its way, circling the tree and flying out of the gates. I didn’t look back. I didn’t want to. I imagined Marion wouldn’t have as well. I had a feeling that I’d have jumped out of this carriage if we did.
I avoided Jack’s eye contact, for the most part, fearing the Count might see a look I couldn’t depict on my own face. I didn’t want to be killed - worse yet I didn’t want Jack to die.
From what memory I did have before cars were invented, I could remember that carriages were uncomfortable. We were travelling down the bumpy gravel Tobias had carried me along and I was already beginning to feel a little travel sick. I’d made it quite a way when I escaped it seemed, it was only a shame I had run into Ace’s doppelgänger.
I shifted my eyes from the window to Jack. His jaw was clenched and his dark hair was groomed back away from his face into a short ponytail. He continued to wear his hat and had strokes of dark hair artfully groomed on his top lip and chin and stylish sideburns. I wondered what he looked like in the future, whether he was younger or older. What was the use in thinking of the future or a future where I saw him? If we found a way back, this friendship or peace treaty or whatever we had here was to be dropped and he’d kill me.
He turned his head to face me, maintaining eye contact until we hit a bump on the road and I turned my head to look out the window.
“How long is the journey?”
“A day at the most,” the Count replied. The snotty man was looking at me in a way that made me uncomfortable, tapping his cane on the floor of the carriage as it made it way closer to my ankle. I swear to Jesus if he doesn’t-
Jack stretched his feet forward with a yawn, tapping the cane out the way so the man bent down to grab it.
“Oops.” Jack yawned, stretching his arms for the full effect. The snotty man beside him scowled, turning his nose up even more than I thought possible and moving closer to the door, which was hard considering the size of the carriage. The Count barely even noticed the encounter, just watched Jack thoughtfully. And Jack had no idea.
I was starting to realise the extent of how much I liked Jack when he leant across to look out my side of the window, practically crawling onto mine and the snotty man’s laps meanwhile crushing the man’s hand which had found its way to my knee.
“My bad, I thought I saw a deer.” He sat back in his seat and the snotty man’s hand reluctantly returned to his lap.
After an hour of no conversation, we all began to drift off either into sleep or our own thoughts. I didn’t blame Jack for falling asleep. He had after all been awake the whole night looking out for me. It was just incredibly unfortunate for me when the snotty man realised the other two were out of it, he finally looked my way whispering, “I simply cannot be the only one feeling… this passion between the two of us-”
“I need to take a whizz,” Jack exclaimed suddenly causing us all to jump. I immediately pushed myself into the furthest corner of the carriage.
“What is a whizz?” the snotty dude uttered.
Jack and I shared a look and smiled. “I need to piss,” Jack stated.
The Count sighed and watched Jack with a now blatant attraction. “Jack my boy you are like an absolute child.”
Jack laughed - forced laughter I noticed. His genuine laugh
was more relaxed and his eyes scrunched up and cheeks revealed dimples.
The carriage came to a halt and the doors were opened. I was offered a hand but I pushed past it, jumping down into the mud and walking as far away as possible.
I placed my hands on my knees taking deep breaths and jumped when I felt a hand rubbing my lower back.
“Are you feeling alright, wife?”
Ugh if you call me that again I will genuinely throw up.
“Travel sick.” I stood up straight and turned to face the Count who was now awkwardly standing behind me. No doubt he had realised how it must look that he had been ignoring me.
“Can a man not have some privacy?” A voice called from behind us. Jack stuck his head out from behind a tree and hell I wanted to hug him - kiss him or anything. He was a lifesaver from awkward moments like this.
The Count’s cheeks turned red as he continued to watch Jack. “Pardon us Jack we’ll-”
The Count turned to guide me behind a clearing but Jack stepped away with a broad smile. “No worries I’m all finished now. We can head back.”
The snotty man had decided to clamber onto a horse, opting to stay away from our group and by the look on his face, he expected Jack to follow his lead. “Don’t you think the newlyweds would be better off alone? You’ll get far more scenery riding.”
“Nonsense. Jack is no intrusion whatsoever,” the Count replied adamantly. The snotty man raised an eyebrow as if it had confirmed his suspicions.
I smiled to myself and leant my head against the carriage walls as it began moving once again. I watched the light through the trees and through the leaves and bushes I saw meadows of fresh green grass and sheep grazing.
I reached into my pocket where Cecilia had slipped in a letter, it was folded up and the edges were slightly ripped and brown with age.
Slowly and carefully I unfolded the paper, checking to see if the Count was watching but he was looking out the window bored.
It was a short letter with cursive writing and smudged ink that read: To my Daughter, who is by now reading this. I am sorry I couldn’t be there for your wedding day. I’ve dreamt of what you might have looked like dressed in white but I know I can’t be there for you. I can feel you have a destiny greater than what I can give you, and I can’t bear to see it happen to you. I’m sorry I love you. I do. I keep telling you I do. It’s for this reason that I have to let go. I have to leave before I ruin you. I can’t keep going. I can’t keep fighting.
NOVA: The Time Bender Series Book 1 Page 16