"What is your name, dear?"
"Arabella Smith...” she trailed off. At least her name was the one thing she was certain of at this point. The time traveler statement was hard to digest. But at that particular moment it seemed ludicrously the most logical if somewhat bizarre explanation. Arabella shook her head at that logic. Either she had lost all concept of what reality was or she had actually gone back over one hundred and twenty years in the past.
"Is this really 1888?” Arabella watched as the two women nodded their heads. “And you've had other people drop in on you like this?” And this is considered normal for you? But then what was normal anyway? She, it appeared, had gone back in time. How normal was that?
"That's right, time travelers just like you,” Aggie told her eagerly. “You know we enjoy these moments so much. It makes us her feel like we have a special purpose in life in greeting and helping all you nice people."
She sounded so genuine that Arabella laughed out loud suddenly. It was all so absurd but what other explanation was there?
"I'm a time traveler?” She said it out loud to make sure she was hearing herself and them correctly. The decisive, eager nods of their heads indicated she was.
"Arabella, there is some reason you've been brought back to this time,” Maud advised her.
"Really?” If Arabella had to pick a time to travel back to it would have been somewhere more exotic than Australia in 1888. She loved her country but she had never been to Morocco. Maybe Casablanca circa 1940's would have been more her speed.
"I wonder what the reason could be?” Maud viewed Arabella speculatively. “You know the concept of time traveling initially shocked sister and me. But as we read up on what many of the most progressive scientific thinkers of the day have to say we came to be aware that there were many happenings in the universe that cannot be explained."
Aggie nodded her head in agreement. “Sometimes we think it is better to just go along for the adventure especially if it means helping people."
Arabella just nodded and smiled vaguely as she wondered if they weren't as nice as they were, would she be taking this so calmly?
"What do you remember before you woke up on the floor?"
Arabella bit her lip and thought. She remembered the book, the woman who needed her help. Then the man. Her eyes widened as she remembered him, with his ash blond hair, storm grey eyes and the biggest cock she had ever seen. How could she have ever forgotten that?
"Bloody hell.” That cock had been inside her. She could still feel the imprint of it. She started to feel wet between the legs just remembering. She had the strangest feeling that he had something to do with this, but what?
"What is it?” The sisters looked at her with interest.
Arabella was fairly certain a genteel, well brought up lady in 1888 had not gone around discussing the size of a man's cock or the hot feel of it grinding away inside as it brought her to a screaming orgasm. Probably best not to say anything especially as she wasn't really certain if what she had felt was real or not. She had no man in her life, amazing cock or not, so why was she thinking this particular one belonged to her? For god sake he was only a dream after all. Or was he?
"I've been brought back to 1888 for a reason?” Concentrate on finding out why and forget the cock. What in hell could that reason be? Arabella thought back to reading Amy Louisa's book. She had a feeling the volume was the key to all this. Hadn't the man with the cock said not to let go of the novel? Forget the man, dummy! Arabella pushed visions of him aside and wondered suddenly if she had not bought that particular book would she still have been sent back in time? Would someone else be standing here wondering what the hell she had walked into? She pinched her arm through the flannelette of her pajama top. She felt her fingers nip into her skin. Nope, definitely awake.
"Okay, so I'm awake.” This had to be real or the dream was so vivid it was painful. “Maybe if I look at the book I'll know why I'm here?” Arabella muttered. The Border Shepherdess was the common link. She had an overwhelming urge to touch it almost as if it would convince her she was not going nuts.
"Open it and see if you feel anything.” Maud pushed it towards her.
Arabella touched the cover expecting some strange zap of feeling to overcome her but there was nothing. It was just a book. Or was it? She had a feeling that without this particular tome she would not be sitting in her pajamas in 1888 feeling like she had been shagged by the world's biggest cock. And while that was a feeling most women would enjoy, it was just a tad confusing when you were sitting in what appeared to be the nineteenth century.
"It's hard to get used to but you will in time. The others did."
Arabella was fairly sure she was not talking about the shagging.
"Who are these others and where are they?” And why am I sitting calmly in my pajamas in your kitchen being told I'm in 1888 and not totally freaking out as anyone in their right mind would? Because you know it's true. It's as true as you can smell the cake baking and see these strangely dressed women before you . She saw the two women smile at her sympathetically.
"They're living here in our community."
Their community? And where exactly was that, wondered Arabella? Had she landed in another country? She thought not as their accents had the distinctive drawl common to Australians. But what did Arabella know at this point?
"Are we in Australia?"
The women smiled.
"Yes. In a small South East Queensland town outside Toowoomba called Glendenholme."
"Never heard of it,” mumbled Arabella as she tried to picture the map of Queensland in her mind. She lived in the state capital of Brisbane. Toowoomba was located about two hours west in the region known as the Darling Downs. But the town of Glendenholme was completely unknown to her.
Maud dragged up a wooden chair and sat down beside Arabella.
"One of the others said the same thing. It appears our small town does not last in your century.” She looked at her sister as Aggie sat down at the table. “That's sad."
And it was. Arabella wondered how many other small communities ceased to exist in the future. What of the families in those communities? The friends and neighbors? She saw the two sisters exchange similar sad looks.
"Okay, so I'm in a place I've never heard of, in a time I am not supposed to be in,” Arabella mused, trying to make sense out of any of it. Why her? Of all the people on the planet for the universe to chuck back in time, it had decided on Arabella Smith—unemployed, temperamental and naturally suspicious.
"Oh but you are supposed to be here if you've come to us. There would be a reason,” insisted Aggie as if certain that must be so. “It happened with our first traveler. That person found their reason. Our second traveler is on their path and you have to be on yours to find your destiny."
Right. Paths? Destiny? Sure. Arabella had read that laudanum had been a popular drug in the 1800's. She wondered whether Aggie had been having a few swigs of it on the sly.
"What reason would I have to come back to 1888? And why do you ladies find yourselves in the position of entertaining time travelers?” Even as Arabella said the words she wondered at her own sanity as this was actually beginning to sound plausible to her. The spiritual and idealistic part of her knew that many things in life were unexplainable but that did not mean they were not possible. So why not time travel? Sure, whatever, responded the cynical, jaded bitch within that she relied on to get her through life.
"We don't know. The reason is for you to work out, Arabella. You seem intelligent and that will help you.” Maud nodded her head as if pleased at how fast their latest traveler was accepting the situation she had found herself in. “Somehow this house invites people to drop in and we find ourselves in the position of helping them."
Arabella listened as Maud Rainey went on to explain that on the death of their father last year they had moved to a smaller house so they could cope better on the small income bequeathed to them. To the sisters the house seemed to act
as some sort of conductor of time. They had often wondered if the previous tenants, long since gone, had experienced the same phenomenon.
"So the others have an obvious reason for being in 1888?” Arabella was unable to imagine what hers was. In 2008 she was concerned with finding a job. Was the cosmos going to give her a job in 1888? And would the wage be enough to cover her mortgage and bills? “And what was that?” And can I copy their reason and get back to 2008 ? Arabella wasn't averse to looking for a shortcut out of her Alice in Wonderland fantasy. The sisters were nice but clearly the whole situation was abnormal.
"I believe it's different for everyone, Arabella. It's all about the unexpectedness of life. You never know what is around the corner until it happens."
A-frigging-men to that.
"This is crazy.” Books, mystery women and men with large cocks. It was like she had walked into bizarro world. She reached out for the book that lay on the table as if waiting for her.
"To you it's crazy. For us it's exciting.” Aggie looked at Arabella eagerly. “I am interested to know what you will make of 1888. Everyone's experience has been so different."
Arabella nodded her head slowly, taking in all that was being said and trying to understand it all.
"So do you ladies live here by yourselves?"
"Yes. We never married.” Maud's voice was soft and wistful as she and her sister exchanged a soulful look. “People make choices in their lives."
"We don't regret ours. Some things were meant to be.” Aggie nodded in agreement.
Arabella had a feeling there was more to their story than they were letting on. But that was okay. Everyone was entitled to their own space and thoughts. Arabella herself was a private person. There were parts of her life she chose not to share. She respected the sisters’ privacy as she understood the need for it. Arabella shook her head with amazement. 2008 woman bonds with 1888 woman. Some things did not change even in one hundred and twenty years.
"I'm not married either."
"Of course you're single.” Aggie spoke as if it was obvious. “What I mean is, for some reason the last two travelers were single as well. The first one married and settled here."
"Uh-huh...” Arabella's head snapped up at this. Three travelers all single. One got married. Coincidence or just really bad timing? Whatever it was Arabella wasn't sticking around long enough to analyze it. There had to be another reason she was sent to 1888. She had to find it quickly, tap her heels together or do whatever she needed to do and go home. I can't live in 1888! There were no mod cons, computers, flushing toilets, tampons. Too much for the twenty-first century woman to contemplate. It would be like camping. And Arabella loathed camping. Dorothy said it all when she said there's no place like home —smart woman but for the gingham frock.
The sisters smiled to each other conspiratorially.
"Who knows why fate sent you?"
Arabella thought back to the book. She reached over and grabbed it.
"What date is it?"
"July 22nd, 1888."
Arabella gasped. It was all too freaky. The date signed in the book was July 23rd 1888. The date she left was July 23rd 2008. Shades of the Twilight Zone.
"Do you know an Amy Louisa Robillard?” Even as she asked the question Arabella knew they did. Clearly her fate was to meet Amy Louisa. But for what reason? Was this the mystery woman she had to help? She opened to the page where Amy Louisa had signed her name. The book still looked old to her even though it would have been new in 1888. That had not changed.
"Yes she is a dear little thing,” responded Maud as she looked at the open book Arabella slid towards her. She gasped in surprise. “This is hers?” The two sisters looked at the neat writing in astonishment. Their eyes grew round with surprise and excitement as they read the newspaper cutting that Arabella handed them. “Amazing! You are obviously linked to Amy Louisa somehow."
Although a small part of her still did not fully believe she was in 1888, Arabella decided it was better to forge on and find out what was in store for her than to refuse to cooperate with whoever was playing this cosmic game with her. Arabella believed in tackling life head on and to hell with the consequences.
"Are you ladies going to the church social gathering tomorrow?” For some reason Arabella knew Amy Louisa had written the date in her book the same day as the social gathering and that gathering was important to her. Why, she wasn't sure. It just seemed to fit somehow. And while she was in 1888 she might as well find out. It might indicate the reason why she had been thrown back in time like the proverbial fish out of water.
"Well, we weren't,” Maud murmured thoughtfully, the clipping still in her hand. Her eyes were bright with thought. “They're normally so boring. However after this we will be going.” She scanned the list of names on the clipping. “Look, sister, we're not even listed on the attendees."
"Won't this be fun!” exclaimed Aggie with glee as if she was looking forward to an adventure. “We already know who will be there, who will sing what and who will win the competitions. All we need to do now is to get this young woman fitted out for 1888.” She looked at Arabella calculatingly as if sizing her up for something.
What would it hurt to attend the church gathering? It would be interesting to meet Amy Louisa. After all it appeared she was the reason Arabella found herself in 1888—she was ninety-five percent certain of that. Besides she sensed the Rainey sisters would be terribly disappointed if she dug in her heels and refused to participate in this nineteenth century adventure.
"Well as this is my first time in 1888, I would like to have a look around your town.” Even as she said the words Arabella was thinking how bizarre to her they sounded.
"Excellent!” The sisters chortled as they pulled Arabella to her feet and led her to find her destiny.
Chapter Three
The Rainey sisters lived on the outskirts of Glendenholme—population sixty-two. They had lived in this small town all their lives and they were content. They smiled as they watched Arabella's head whip around at everything she saw as they walked, baskets in hand, down to the general store. Arabella was completely aware of people watching their progress. It was a town where everyone no doubt knew everyone. She bet it was not often someone new came to their small hamlet. Arabella naturally was going to find herself to be a source of interest. No doubt all the sisters’ travelers were.
"Absolutely frigging fascinating!” Arabella felt like she had stepped onto a movie set. There were horses and carriages and people dressed as the nineteenth century decreed. She tried to act nonchalant to fit in but she suspected her mouth gaping open at the things she saw gave away the fact that she did not belong. If that didn't do it then it was the bloody corset cutting into her flesh that the sisters had squeezed her into that made nonchalance difficult. An hour ago she'd had a battle royal over what she would wear.
"I'm not squashing myself into a corset."
"You have no choice, dear. You have to fit into 1888 and women wear corsets.” Maud held the whalebone-stiffened instrument of torture before her. “And these are borrowed clothes for you so they are going to be a little tight so the more we can squeeze you in the better."
Arabella had looked at the evil looking boob crusher. Straps and laces to make her flesh submit to convention were on the waist, hips and chest.
"Why can't I wear a bra?” She noticed the confused expressions of the two sisters and realized that the concept of a bra must be as unfamiliar to them as a corset was to her so she explained what a bra was. They seemed impressed with the idea but it did not stop them from advancing with the corset.
"We heard one of our travelers talk about something similar to this bra you mentioned but we thought it was just scandalous gossip.” Aggie's mischievous look indicated that she was not averse to hearing gossip be it scandalous or otherwise and that new things fascinated her.
Arabella smiled. She suspected people who entertained time travelers were interested in many new ideas—the more scandalous the
better.
"Arabella dear, a corset can be uncomfortable but it enhances your figure,” advised Maud. She eyed Arabella critically. “You are so lucky to have the figure you do.” She and her sister had no real fullness to their lean bodies.
"Lucky? I'm fat!” Arabella responded in amazement. She was all hips and breasts and thighs. Too much padding in her mind. Her life was a continuous battle of the bulge. And yes a corset would hold all that flesh in but at what cost? Squashed breasts, pinched waist and chafed skin. No way.
"Goodness no!” Aggie exclaimed with amazement at her statement. “You have the perfect hourglass figure women want."
"Great. I'm not fat in this century. I guess that's a plus,” mused Arabella as the two Rainey sisters helped her into the clothes they had. The corset was as ghastly as Arabella imagined it would be. It reminded her of Mammy pulling the ties on Scarlett O'Hara's corset tight to make her waist tiny. In this case however, Arabella's waist would never be small. Genetically it was impossible. So after donning a thin lawn chemise, a corset, bloomers, a bustle for god sake and thigh high stockings with garters, sensible button-up shoes and a floor length navy serge skirt, a pretty, white button-up blouse and a matching navy short button-up jacket she was set for a trip to the general store. Completely different to throwing on a clean shirt over her jeans and slipping into flip flops. Arabella was quite amazed at her reflection in the mirror after the sisters pulled her long chestnut hair up into a neat French twist. She looked completely different. Every inch of her was covered. She looked ... well, from another world.
Lust in Time Page 3