Gadhavi chuckles. “I hope you realize I am on your side. If not, you would have been dead months ago.”
“Truly? I find that hard to believe. You have worked for the High Council far longer than I have been alive.”
“To be certain. But after many centuries of service, I grow weary of their ways. ’Tis time for a change.”
“So why follow me at all?”
“I needed to make sure someone far more dangerous than I would not be assigned to follow you. I have been feeding them false information from the start. I have even taken care of the spies your former master had sent after you. That is why you have been able to live such a comfortable life with your wife. ”
It all made sense now. The dread that Esme and I felt about Roderick was real. “I am indebted to you, sir. Why did not you reveal yourself sooner? If I had known I never would have exposed you.”
He walks toward the door. “I had already been compromised. The man will have surely seen you come here.” He opens the door and checks the hall both ways. “You should leave by the back door.”
“How can I repay you, Mr. Gadhavi?”
“Do your best not to get caught, Jin. And genie willing, we will meet again.”
I enter the parlor eager to tell Esme we must depart at once, but I see she is not alone. She has a morning visitor. A pretty woman with sandy-blonde hair wearing a very expensive purple brocade dress sits in the parlor chair across from my wife. The blonde is admiring Darcy preening himself in the ornamental gold cage next to her.
Esme smiles and beckons me to join her. I hesitate, not wanting to sit without being introduced. My wife still does not know all the graces demanded of a proper Victorian lady.
I give a slight bow and extend my hand. “I am Esme’s husband, Mr. Sansby, a pleasure to meet you.”
The blonde sits waiting for Esme’s introduction. Esme stares at me then quickly remembers her role. “This is Lady Gamby, my new friend.”
I shake her hand and sit next to Esme. “You are the one who gave my wife the beautiful enamel rose bracelet for her birthday.”
She beams. “Indeed, I am. I knew it was the perfect gift for one who loves roses.”
Esme pours me a cup of tea. “Lady Gamby was just telling me all the places we should visit while we are in Greece.”
“How very thoughtful.” I take a sip of the tea. “It is our first time abroad and your advice is much appreciated.”
Esme hands me a map and points to a small U-shaped island. “Lady Gamby says Santorini was her favorite place in all of Greece. She loved the way the white stucco houses cling to the hillsides. And says some of them wear bright blue domes like hats.”
Lady Gamby nods. “Oh, yes, I highly recommend you stay there for a few nights.” She flashes Esme a knowing smile. “It is the most beautiful and romantic place I have ever been.”
I wonder if she was one of the women encouraging Esme to conceive. “That is a very strong recommendation, to be sure. Then we must stay on Santorini.”
“Of course you must see all the compensatory sights, especially the Acropolis and the Parthenon.”
Esme gives her new friend a smile. “Thank you so much for the map and all your advice. It makes me even more excited to go on the trip.”
I am certain Esme must feel guilty listening to all the recommendations knowing we will only be in Greece for one day before we travel to America.
Darcy breaks into song while Lady Gamby glances at her pocket watch pinned to her bodice. “Oh dear, I have overstayed my welcome. Your wife mentioned you must finish packing this evening.”
Esme and I escort Lady Gamby to the door. Esme breaks protocol, and instead of calling for the butler, she fetches Lady Gamby’s stunning blue silk coat from the armoire herself. “Thank you again. I promise to visit Santorini. It sounds amazing.”
Lady Gamby’s carriage arrives and we walk her down the stairs. The footman opens the door and I help her inside. “Nice meeting you.”
“You as well, Mr. Sansby. I hope you enjoy your second honeymoon.” A stiff breeze blows across the drive and Lady Gamby covers her legs with a blanket. “Safe travels.”
I watch as the carriage drives off. “Dearest, we must leave tonight. My news is not what I had hoped.”
Esme follows me upstairs to the bedroom. “When you didn’t return last night, I had a feeling the meeting with the inspector might have gone south, so I packed everything already.”
I squeeze her hand as she opens the bedroom door. “I am convinced you are a seer.”
She laughs. “If only. We wouldn't be in this mess if I were.” Esme opens her small valise. “So the famous Scotland Yard couldn’t catch the bad guy for once?”
“No, they found the man but the council gave him diplomatic papers so the inspector could not hold him for questioning.”
“Wow, they think of everything.”
“The council is quite resourceful, apparently. So I took it upon myself to confront the man.”
“No, you didn’t!” Esme takes a hold of my arm. “Are you okay?”
“I am well. I pleaded with the man to leave us be. He said he would because he believes in my cause.”
A puzzled look crosses her face. “Cause? What cause? When did you become a revolutionary?”
“Apparently, without my knowledge. It seems my breaking the High Councils rules has led to a small genie uprising. That is why the High Council has been following me, to see if I am recruiting more genies to my cause.”
Esme’s eyes grow large. “That’s crazy! Don't they know you were just following your heart?”
“No, the High Council takes any threat to their authority very seriously. That is why we must leave at once.”
Esme rings for Higgins. He charges up the stairs in less than a minute. “Jin and I have decided to this evening instead of in the morning. We want to begin our honeymoon early. We need some alone time.”
Higgins’s cheeks flush. “As you wish, madam. I will have the carriage brought round.”
I stifle a laugh. “You have given poor Higgins more information than he desired.”
“I knew it would get him out of the room fast.” She stuffs several handkerchiefs into her valise. “Do you think that leaving early will throw them off our track?”
“I certainly hope so.” To expedite matters, I take the large valises and start down the stairs. Esme follows behind me as I take the valises to the footman. We both stop cold on the edge of the last stair when we see three men standing next to Higgins. Darcy is screeching at the top of his lungs. My breathing grows heavy when I recognize the distinguished man standing in the middle of two bodyguards who make a human fortress. I drop the valises and extend my hand. “What a pleasant surprise, sir. How long has it been old friend?”
My former Headmaster, Mr. Tahan, emerges from between the two bodyguards, who are dressed in black and wearing turbans—the High Council elite command uniforms. “Too long, apparently. I thought I trained you well, but it appears I was mistaken.”
“Sir, please let me explain. There were mitigating circumstances as to why I broke the rules. I can assure you I am not the leader of a genie revolution.”
Mr. Tahan glares at Esme. “I am disappointed that a woman would destroy all of my hard work. It is as if you never attended the Genie Academy.”
Esme’s hands turn into fists. “Jin is free now. He doesn’t have to live his life according to your stupid genie rules.”
“Of that you are mistaken, young lady.” Mr. Tahan hand signals the guards. They move with military precision and lock my arms behind me. “It is in your best interest to come with me. Your time at playing human has come to an end.”
A Different Kind of Scotland
Jin
I sit in my marvelous study grateful that we made it home to Derbyshire safely. Yet, the feeling of doom hangs over me like a noose. How can I protect Esme when I have no notion of how to fight the High Council? They are so powerful no one in the world e
ven knows the organization exists. How foolish of me to believe they would ignore my many indiscretions. ’Twas a flight of folly to believe I was a small insignificant minnow in the genie pool. Even though there are hundreds of us worldwide, I am only one of a handful who has dared to break the rules that have been drilled into us since we were first born.
After trudging up the stairs to the bedroom, I sit next to Esme as she slumbers. I stroke her arm dangling slightly off the bed. She is more precious to me than my own life. I must do everything I can to protect her from the High Council’s wrath. Kissing her forehead, I know if the council continues to taunt me, I will be forced to flee without her. It is the only way I can assure her safety.
I pace the floor instead of doing my nightly exercises. The face of the man at the Duke’s tent haunts me. I know I have seen him before—but where? Could both Roderick and the High Council be following us? Rubbing my temples I try to conjure up our meeting. A vision floods my mind—a chalet in Switzerland. But just as soon as the memory hits my brain, it is gone. Not surprising since Esme is my twentieth human charge and hopefully my last.
Esme stirs in bed. “Jin what’s wrong? Why aren’t you exercising? I thought after seeing the Highland Game athletes you would be working out even harder.”
How she loves to make me laugh, but I cannot oblige her this time.
Esme bolts out of bed. “You didn’t laugh at my joke. Now you have me scared.”
I take her hands in mine. “I have seen the man at the tent before.”
She bites her lip. “Is he a spy for Roderick like we thought?”
“I am not certain. He might be from a much more distant past.”
She gives me a weak smile. “I keep forgetting you had lots of masters and mistress before me.”
I smile. “Tis true. But never a wife.”
Esme gives me a light punch in the arm. “Not funny.”
“Sorry, you are not amused.”
She leans back into the pillows. “Go on.”
“My brain holds quite a lot of information. It has stored up volumes of people and experiences from all my years of service. Maybe that is why I am so confused.”
“Do you think you could draw his face?”
“What good would that do?”
“Phyllis told me her husband’s brother works for Scotland Yard. Maybe he can help find out who the man is. We even know his last location.”
“Would that be wise, dearest? Roderick ruined my reputation in London by accusing me of stealing his money.”
“But that was over a year ago.”
She is right. That was a long time ago. And with Roderick returning to London in disgrace, I doubt anyone would remember. “’Tis true. Still, there is some risk involved, surely.”
Esme strokes my face. “It isn't fair for you to carry the burden alone. Let’s try to see if we can get some help. If Roderick or the High Council tries to make a move, wouldn't it be better if the police were involved?”
I stare into her beautiful face. “I am supposed to be the older and wiser one. Once again you have proven me wrong.”
’Tis strange to enter the Manners’ home and not be invited to dinner. Instead of entering the lovely teal-green dining room, the butler leads me into the wainscoted study. “Mr. Manner will be here in a moment. Is there anything you desire? A cup of tea, perhaps?”
“No, thank you.” I take a seat in one of the leather club chairs facing the large marble fireplace. Staring into the flames, I wonder if coming here was the right decision. I pull the sketch out of my pocket. It is not a very good likeness, but I think I captured his large eyes and high cheekbones well. Esme begged me to show her the sketch, but I told her I was embarrassed at my lack of artistic ability. Truth be told, even though my rendering is sorely lacking, the face is quite sinister. I did not want to alarm her.
Charles and his brother enter the room and I rise to greet them. I am struck by how different they are. Charles is of medium build, balding, and wears spectacles. His brother is slightly taller than I, and quite dashing in his tweed suit and stiff white collared shirt. Esme would say he looked more like my brother than Charles’s.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sansby. Charles has told me of your concerns.” The brother holds out his hand. “As you are well acquainted with my brother, please address me as Hugh.”
“Thank you. I am much obliged to you for coming here instead of going home to your family.”
Charles motions to the chairs and we all sit down. Hugh takes off his hat and warms his hands by the fire. “’Tis no trouble. I am always at the disposal of my brother’s friends. How can I help you?”
On any other occasion I would be flattered that a neighbor would consider me a friend, but the circumstances make it hard for me to rejoice in the news. “This is the man I think is following me.” I hold out the drawing. “I did my best to capture the man’s likeness.”
Like the practiced detective that he is, Hugh takes out a monocle and examines my sketch. “’Tis very much like the description my colleagues in Scotland gave my office.”
I am impressed. He made inquiries just based on the little information I gave his brother. “So you have spoken with my friend in Scotland?”
“Indeed. Lord McKenzie filed a complaint about the fellow as well as Duke Launders. It appears the man was caught trespassing on both of their estates several times.”
That is odd. If the man were a spy for Roderick or the High Council why would he be lurking around Scotland instead of following me? “Have the police found out anything about him?”
“No, but we are making inquiries. As he is a foreigner it may take some time to establish who he is and why he is here.” He holds up my sketch. “This will aid us to be sure. The descriptions we have gathered so far have been vague.”
Why do I not feel relieved? “I am no artist, but I am glad you think the sketch might be helpful.”
“Can you tell me, why you think the man is following you?”
The question I had been dreading. Conjuring up the soap operas I used to watch with Esme’s grandmother, I bow my head and say, “I believe he might be working for a former business partner. We had a misunderstanding about some funds that were owed when we dissolved the partnership. I assure you I paid him in full.”
“So you believe your former business partner is up to no good?”
“Yes, indeed, I do. I did not discover until I partnered with him that he has a reputation for using various unscrupulous means to procure funds”
“Do you suppose he is planning to blackmail you?”
“Sir, I believe he is capable of far worse.”
My meeting with Hugh convinces me the only solution to our problem is for Esme and me to flee England. It could take months for Scotland Yard to find the man and learn his identity. And surely he left Scotland already. Plus Hugh will ask me who my former business partner is and I will have to give him a name. No, the only way to guarantee both our safety is to journey far away. Not to the America of Esme’s time, yet hopefully the States will still be familiar to her. We can live a simpler life. My vanity and my wish to give Esme her Jane Austen life in Derbyshire put us at risk. I will not make that mistake again.
While traveling to the nearby village to the Star Line’s ticket office, I fix on our date of departure. Five days should give us enough time to put the house in order. We will tell our staff and friends we are traveling to Greece for a second honeymoon, and to conceive a child. That should make the gossips happy. But once we arrive in Greece I plan on buying tickets to America. It will extend our journey by over a week, but it is necessary because we will surely be followed. I feel the sense of instant relief when the agent hands me the tickets.
I command the carriage driver to push the horses to travel as fast as he can. My palms are sweating from the anticipation of telling Esme about the plan. We arrive at Dorset Cottage in record time. I burst through the door and run past a very shocked Higgins. Racing up the stairs, I th
row open the bedroom door expecting to find Esme napping but she is not there. A commotion out in the garden causes the hairs on the back of my neck to rise. Has something happened to my Esme?
Racing back down the stairs, I run out the door and into the garden and plow right into her. Her basket of roses tumbles to the ground. “What the heck is going on, Jin?”
My paranoia has gotten the better of me. Relieved, I help my poor disheveled wife to her feet. “Dearest, please except my sincerest apologies. I panicked when I returned and you were not in the house.”
She brushes a few rose petals off her dress. “I was going to surprise you with a fresh bouquet of roses. I know how much you love the smell.”
“How thoughtful of you, dearest. I am an absolute cad.” I bend down gather up the wayward flowers. “I was excited to tell you my big news.”
“It went well with Mr. Manner? He is going to help us?” Her eyes grow wide with hope.
“Yes, but he admitted it could take quite some time. With that in mind, I purchased tickets to Greece. We are going on a second honeymoon instead.”
“Greece? I thought we talked about heading to America? I would love to go home. Even if it is an America over a hundred years before I was born.”
I take her arm and lead her back toward the house. “We will, but we need to travel to Greece first to throw the spies off our tracks.”
“Perfect. You are one smart genie.”
I flash her a smile. “I do try.”
Higgins greets us at the door. “Is everything all right, sir?”
“Yes, Higgins, all is well. I was just a trifle too excited to share my surprise with my dear wife. We are traveling to Greece for a second honeymoon posthaste!”
“Splendid, sir. I will alert the rest of the staff.” He hands Esme an envelope. “This came for you, milady.”
She gives him the basket of roses and reads the card. Her hand drops to her side once she finishes reading. “The Duchess has invited me to tea next week. I’ll have to tell her I can’t go.”
Jin In Time Boxed Set 1-3: A Young Adult Time Travel Romance (The Time is Forever Series) Page 24
