"You amaze me, Arabella. You are fearless to speak so and what you said to Garrett—well I thought I would faint away in shock.” She giggled timidly as if maybe being horrified in such a way was a guilty pleasure. “Papa thinks it's ridiculous for women to want the same rights as men."
"Women will get those rights, Amy Louisa.” Arabella knew Amy Louisa was having a hard time working her out. That was okay. A lot of people in 2008 could not work Arabella out. “Why aren't you and Adam Wade engaged or married?” She had to get back on track to the reason she was in 1888.
"Arabella!” Amy Louisa gasped in a whisper, “Mr. Wade and I are friends.” The primness of her voice did not hide the desire in her eyes. “Why would you say such a scandalous thing?"
"Oh please, Amy Louisa, I saw the way you look at each other. You love him and he loves you.” And I have to get you both together lickety-split so I can go home.
Amy Louisa's eyes lit up at her words. She blushed and trembled slightly.
"Papa doesn't approve of Ada ... Mr. Wade."
"What does that have to do with anything?” Arabella had a feeling that unless she stirred the waters nothing was ever going to happen with these two people. And stir those waters she would.
"You are quite scandalous, Arabella!” Amy Louisa looked her with awe and envy. “The things you say are what I feel but I am far too timid to say them. I do so admire you."
"Well speaking your mind can get you into a lot of trouble so admire me at your peril."
"I am not sure why my father does not seem to like Adam."
And what would it matter, Arabella nearly asked but she managed to rein in her tongue. She had to keep reminding herself what century she was in. She did not want to scare Amy Louisa. Holy crap this is going to be more difficult than I thought.
"He is a schoolteacher."
Arabella raised an eyebrow as she awaited more information on the reason for his dislike of the amiable Adam Wade.
"And?” She prompted. There had to be more. Axe murderer, social deviant, politician? Surely being a schoolteacher would be a solid profession in 1888?
"Papa wants me to marry a man of means."
"Like who?” Arabella asked, wondering if there was a complication that was going to make her job harder. Getting star-crossed lovers together she could handle. She did not need problems and opposition. She had to find out whomever her father wanted for a son-in-law and plan from there. Who knew 1888 would be so complicated with sex and Garrett and domineering fathers?
"Papa likes Mr. Frank Black. He is a recent addition to Glendenholme. He has moved into a big property outside of town.” The frown on Amy Louisa's face indicated she was clearly not happy with her father's choice of prospective husbands. “Papa thinks Adam will never amount to much as a schoolteacher."
"Well, that's ridiculous.” Arabella mulled over what Amy Louisa had told her. Frank Black. New in town. Clearly this was the other traveler that the sisters mentioned. And she could not recall seeing his name on the newspaper cutting. Okay, she would deal with this Frank Black. Whatever his reason for coming to 1888 it was not going to be stuffing up Arabella's plans of getting the two lovers together and her return to the twenty-first century. “Why don't you just elope if you love each other?” Amy Louisa's goggle-eyed expression was enough to make Arabella realize the timid Amy Louisa was shocked down to her buttoned boots. She heard Angelene King stifle a laugh as she glided up to them.
Angelene shook her head in mock reproach at Arabella's words. She smiled at both the ladies.
"Amy Louisa, we would love to hear you sing.” Angelene gently pushed the stunned younger woman over to the piano. She came back and stood beside Arabella. “It's hard to get used to being in 1888, isn't it?"
"I don't want to get used to it,” Arabella told Angelene who was dressed in pale apricot silk and looking every inch the 1880's matron. “I would never fit in anyway."
Angelene looked at her thoughtfully. “Tell me, did you fit in 2008?” she asked knowingly. “I never fitted in either. I was too loud, too pushy and wanted everything I could not have."
"That sounds like someone I know."
"So, Arabella Smith, do you sing or recite poetry?” There was mischief in her eyes as Angelene asked the question.
"Hell no!” Arabella scoffed then corrected herself with a cheeky grin. “I mean goodness no, Angelene. I can't hold a tune and I only remember limericks that would set this place on its ear.” The two women laughed conspiratorially.
"You will find the reason you are here, Arabella."
"I already know the reason. I have to get Amy Louisa married to Adam Wade,” Arabella told her confidently. “And I have worked out who the second traveler is. It's Frank Black. Apparently he is new to town.” Angelene just smiled, neither denying nor confirming Arabella's words which was annoying as she could have used some help on this mission of hers. “Papa Robillard wants Amy Louisa to marry this Mr. Black. That can't happen. I have a horrible feeling that his reason for being here and my reason are going to clash and I can't allow that to happen.” Arabella was defiantly certain about this. She wished Mr. Black no ill but she could not let him interference in her plans to go home.
"Maybe there's another reason, one you are choosing to ignore,” Angelene suggested softly.
"I only want one reason and I am only going for the obvious.” Sure the other reason was blatantly obvious but she did not want it to be Garrett as she could not live in 1888 so getting attached to him would serve no purpose.
"No you are going for the second most obvious.” Angelene looked over at Garrett Robillard. “You clearly have an admirer."
Arabella followed her eyes. She knew where they would land. Garrett. She knew he had been watching her for the last ten minutes but she had ignored him. Falling in love with Garrett was not part of her plan. It would only lead to heartache for them both as she could not stay. She turned her gaze dismissively away.
"He is the 1888 version of a player. He is clearly looking for amusement with some woman dumb enough to fall for his obvious flattery. And just because I had excellent sex with him does not mean I am going to fall in love with him and marry him."
"I think you have already fallen for him."
"That's not the point. I will get over Garrett."
"Will you? Do you have sex with just anyone, Arabella?"
"No but that does not mean I am in 1888 for Garrett Robillard."
"Maybe not,” murmured Angelene in a tone that suggested she did not believe a word she was hearing. “Or maybe you are just being stubborn. You are a very attractive woman Arabella, naturally Garrett would be interested in you."
Arabella had not told anyone about Garrett and her dreams as she knew they would make more out of it than there was.
"This I don't get. I was not attractive in 2008 but I am in 1888. I feel like my corset is going to squeeze me to death, all the flesh is poking out in most alarming ways and yet I'm considered attractive. It does not compute, Angelene."
"You are a tonic, Arabella. I must say despite everything you have been faced with you are taking this in your stride. I am not sure I handled it so well. I was scared to death until I met Stuart."
Arabella blew out a long breath in frustration.
"I'll be honest, Angie, part of me wants to scream and hide and pray it's all a bad dream. And yet there is a perverse part of me that thinks, what the hell? Not many people get this chance in life so why not go with it?"
"I bet there is a small part of you that still wants to believe this is a dream. I know I did for the longest time."
"When did it hit you that it was very real?” Ninety-five percent of her believed. The other five percent hung on stubbornly to the theory it was a dream.
"When I first kissed Stuart, it was like a lightning bolt of pure fresh happiness.” Angelene smiled as if she was remembering the moment. “I know it sounds corny but that did it for me."
"No it doesn't.” Arabella understood that fe
eling only too well. Garrett's kisses were heart poundingly real to her. “What about your family? Do you think they wonder where you are?” Was Angelene like one of those missing people shown on television that just walked off one day never to return?
"My family died when I was young. I grew up in foster homes."
"I have no family left now either. My mother died a couple of years ago.” Arabella looked at Angelene thoughtfully. “Do you think that's why we got sent back in time, because no one would miss us?"
"Maybe. Who knows? I just believe some things are meant to be."
Chapter Six
Arabella put her hand to her stomach and tried to suppress the unladylike gurgle that rumbled out. Did ladies in the 1800's belch? As hungry as she was she could not contemplate food with the ghastly corset cutting into her. However Arabella did contemplate the possibility of introducing the corset diet when she got back to 2008. It was no sillier than any other diets women put themselves through and there was no way you could eat with ease while wearing a corset.
Too uncomfortable to sit, Arabella wandered around Angelene's home. It was furnished with elegant solid oak furniture and plush upholstery. She did not know what Stuart did but the man obviously had money. While the house was quite beautiful it was also cluttered with Victorian dust catchers on every surface. As an avid collector of junk, Arabella knew that some of the items she picked up and checked the undersides of would be worth a fortune in 2008. Maybe she would collect a bunch of them before she was beamed back into her time and sell them off and never work again.
Arabella looked up and caught Garrett's eyes upon her. She gave into the childish urge and stuck her tongue out at him. Garrett just licked his lips and looked at her in such a way that made her shiver. Some men were just like that. Hot and sensual and made to give you goose bumps. But she did not need heat or skin irritations. She needed what was familiar and having a dalliance with Garrett Robillard would get her nothing but a broken heart.
"Miss Smith?” Adam Wade approached her and smiled politely.
Oh I just have to get him and Amy Louisa together, they are perfect.
"So Mr. Wade, I can see you are in love with Amy Louisa.” Arabella Smith—Queen of calling a spade a shovel.
"You are quite forthright, Miss Smith.” Adam Wade looked shocked at her bold words.
"But I am right aren't I?” Arabella could see out of the corner of her eye that Garrett was shaking his head in mock reproach. Let him be amused . “So what is the problem?"
"I ... ah, well her father does not like me.” Adam Wade spread his hands in resignation as if this fact alone made it impossible to have the woman he loved. “I am a schoolteacher and he thinks there is no future in this profession."
Clearly Papa Robillard did not have a clue. Education was the future.
"Do you care what he thinks?” Arabella almost laughed at the amazed look on his face. “I mean if you love her does it matter?” Could a woman in 1888 suggest a man grow some balls? Probably not.
"No, but I want her happiness and Amy Louisa won't be happy if her father will not give his blessing."
"I see,” murmured Arabella softly as she looked around her. Where was Mr. Robillard senior lurking? “Someone has to clear up this issue bloody fast so I can go home."
"What?"
"Nothing.” No point scaring the schoolteacher with her plans.
"You won't say anything will you, Miss Smith?” A sudden look of unease crossed his face.
Arabella tapped his arm gently and smiled.
"Trust me. I will be the sole of discretion.” Arabella left the confused Adam Wade, ignored Garrett and walked up to where Maud was talking to Mr. Robillard senior.
"Mr. Robillard, your daughter Amy Louisa is lovely.” Arabella began sizing up the man before her. She could see how Garrett and he were related. Both tall and powerfully built with the same grey eyes. “I am sure the beaux must be swarming around her. Or is she engaged?"
"Well yes, I am proud of my daughter and no, she is not engaged.” He looked at her with a mixture of surprise and irritation as if unaccustomed to dealing with strangers in such a way.
You have no idea how odd and desperate I am. Your son alone makes me more desperate by the second.
"I think Mr. Wade is a charming man and they seem to get on well.” So just let them bloody get married so I can go home.
"Mr. Wade is not suitable.” William Robillard's voice was gruff and to the point.
"Why?"
"Arabella...” murmured Maud as she put her hand on Arabella's arm as if to restrain her from pushing her luck.
"It's none of your business, Miss Smith."
"Don't you want your daughter to be happy?” Thus allowing me to go home?
"Of course, Miss Smith, but...” The man looked flustered and angry as if having to explain himself was not something he was accustomed to doing.
"So didn't you marry for love?"
"No I did not.” Mr. Robillard looked at Maud with a look of surprise and regret. “If you will excuse me, ladies?"
"We're in 1888, dear. Try to be a little less pushy if you can.” Maud shook her head fondly at Arabella and left to follow William Robillard.
"Okay so what's going on there I wonder?” Arabella mused to herself quietly as she watched the intense conversation between Maud and William Robillard.
"My goodness, Arabella, you are a one.” Aggie smiled with guilty glee as she came to stand beside Arabella.
"What's the story with Maud and Mr. R?” Arabella liked the giddy Aggie and knew she would divulge all.
"Maud and Wild Bill used to be quite close once.” She looked at Arabella significantly.
"'Wild Bill'? Get the hell out of here, Aggie!” Arabella exclaimed in surprise. There was nothing remotely wild about the stuffy man she had just been speaking to. She saw the puzzled look on the other woman's face. “I didn't mean you should leave. I meant ‘oh really?’”
"Oh yes, he would have married Maud if his father would have allowed it."
"What?” What was all this stuff about needing other people to “allow” someone to live their life the way they wanted? Yet another reason she could not live in 1888. Arabella could not and would not play by these male dominated rules.
"Our father was a man of limited means. William Robillard's father had Cecily Banks, the daughter of the largest property owner in the district, picked out for his son. Maud could not compete with that."
"So he meekly married her?"
"Yes, they were married for twenty years until Cecily died giving birth to Amy Louisa. She should never have had a child so late in life. It was quite sad."
Yes it was. But the question begged, was Garrett that big of a wuss to marry whom is father told him to? Not that it was any business of Arabella's, it would just be interesting to know. Yeah right.
"I don't believe Garrett is anything like his father,” Aggie indicated helpfully.
Arabella looked at the older woman quizzically.
"Are you psychic, Aggie?"
"I see the way you two look at each other.” Aggie entwined her arm with Arabella's companionably. “I can see you love him."
Arabella scoffed at her words even thought she knew in her heart they were true. Stupid heart.
"I barely even know Garrett Robillard.” Seeing him in her dreams and having sex with him three times did not constitute love. Did it? “I can't love him. Anyway it would not work. We belong in two different worlds. I need to be in 2008."
"Why?” Aggie looked at her assessingly. “What is the main reason you want to leave 1888?"
"Well duh, I don't belong."
"Or is it that you find you belong with someone and it frightens you?"
That would be it. Along with the no computers, tampons, microwaves, etc.
"I do not belong with Garrett."
"Did I mention Garrett?"
Arabella looked at Aggie with new eyes. Maybe she was giggly on the outside but she was an astute
lady.
"Maybe you were not brought back to help Amy Louisa."
"Who else then?"
"I think you know the answer but are too stubborn to admit it. I never found true love, Arabella.” There was a sudden sadness in Aggie's eyes that disappeared as quickly as it appeared. “Maud did and she lost it. Do not lose Garrett because you are overwhelmed by what you feel."
"I don't want to make promises I can't keep, Aggie.” Allowing herself to fall in love was scary enough. Hurting someone because she could not live a certain lifestyle was not worth the pain. “I am a woman of the twenty-first century. I really don't know whether I can commit to the 1800's."
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