Time's Arrow

by Clare Revell

  Sebastian looked at her. “I beg your pardon.”

  “I said you can’t go.”

  He stood up, frustration surging through him. Why would she not explain herself better? “You forget yourself, Madam. It is not your place to tell me what to do.”

  Jonni got up and grabbed his arm. “Please, Lord Tyler. You can’t go.”

  Sebastian shook her off. “You are not my wife. You are a paid employee, my daughter’s governess and nothing more. You will remember your place.”

  Her eyes blazed fire at him, almost scorching him with their heat. “I know my place, so let me tell you I am speaking as your daughter’s governess. You want to make her an orphan? Then, by all means, take the train. However, if you care one iota about her then you’ll stay home, or find another way to get there.” She spun on her heel and started out of the room.

  Alexis looked up. “Miss Peterson, wait. What do you mean he could die?”

  Jonni paused at the door. “Exactly that. He goes tomorrow and he’ll die with the others.”

  “Practice your playing, Alexis.” Sebastian followed Jonni from the room, his voice echoing down the hallway. “Miss Peterson.”

  Jonni stopped and rolled her eyes. “What now?”

  Sebastian moved over to her, putting an arm across her, pinning her against the wall. “I have not finished.”

  Jonni slid out from under his arm and whirled to face him. “You want to lecture me again on how I am not your wife and I am just here to do a job? Well fine, do it. What I don’t appreciate, Lord Tyler, is it being done in front of Alexis, or your mother.”

  Sebastian frowned. “I should not have done so, but you overstepped the mark.”

  “I am trying to save your life here, but you just don’t want to listen.”

  He took her arm and led her to the side of the hallway. He lowered his voice. “This is a simple train journey. No one will get hurt or killed.”

  “You are wrong. If you get on that train, you’ll die. You will leave that little girl without anyone. Is that what you want?”

  “I have to go to London. End of conversation.”

  “It’s your funeral. Its Alexis I feel sorry for. She will have no one.”

  Sebastian let her go, shaking his head. Why was she so insistent on something going wrong? No one knew the future—or did she? What if she was right? He went back into the parlor and sat down, watching as Alexis ran from the room, ignoring him.

  Miss Peterson was right about one thing however. He was all Alexis had left in the world. And he loved his daughter as much as he loved the woman charged with teaching her.

  ****

  Jonni went up to her room, forcing down her feelings. He was so stubborn. Why wouldn’t he listen to her? She knew what was coming and she’d hoped she’d be able to stop him, but she couldn’t. History was charging at her like a tsunami and she was powerless to change it. Jonni sat at her desk under the window and pulled across her journal.

  Lord Tyler is determined to go. I don’t know much about this period of history, but the Headley Cross train crash is one I do know—the first fatal British train wreck. If he goes, he will die or get injured, chances are on the former, but he won’t listen to me. After all, why should he? He made his feelings perfectly clear on the subject. He will seek my opinions on some things, but not others, and definitely nothing that I think is important and he doesn’t. I don’t see how I can prevent him going, other than standing in front of the carriage in the morning. Even then, he is just as likely to run me down again, as to take note of my actions.

  Jonni looked up at the strangled sob from the doorway and held out a hand. “Alexis, come here.”

  The small child ran to her and Jonni gathered her into her arms as she sobbed. “It’s all right, I’ve got you.”

  Alexis looked at her, her voice quavering. “Is what you said true? Is he going to die?”

  Jonni took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to lie to the child. “If he goes to London in the morning, then yes, there is a chance he will. Many people will die, and be injured tomorrow.”

  “And how do you know this?” Sebastian demanded from the doorway. “What proof do you have?”

  “I have no proof except what I read before I got here. Your ‘simple train journey’ turns into a disaster. The train will crash. People get injured and die. If you go, you will be one of them. But it’s your choice.”

  He looked at her, and then at Alexis. “It is bedtime, Alexis,” he said shortly. He watched her leave the room and then looked at Jonni. “I’ll thank you not to scare the child with your fanciful tales, Miss Peterson. Overstep the mark again and you will find yourself on the streets. Goodnight.”

  She watched him go and dropped to her knees, handing the situation to the Lord. She had tried and she could do no more. Perhaps He could.

  ****

  Jonni came down to breakfast the following morning to find Countess Maud siting at the table alone. She sat down and nodded to her. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning. How are you?”

  “I’m fine. Is Alexis not joining us this morning? She is not unwell, I trust?” Jonni nodded as the servant put a cup of tea next to her and a plate of bread in front of her. “Thank you.”

  “She insisted on going out with her father early this morning. They should be back before nightfall.”

  Jonni’s face grew cold and pale. “But he was going to London. She went with him? After all I said last night, he is still going and is taking the child with him? Is he an idiot?”

  “I am not sure where they were going. And I will thank you not to use that tone of voice with me, or to refer to your employer in such terms.”

  Jonni jumped to her feet. Maybe she could catch them.

  “There is no point in going after them, Miss Peterson. They left over half an hour ago.”

  “Noooo. I tried to warn him, but he wouldn’t listen. Please send John or someone after them. You have to stop them. If they go to London by train they will die, or at the very least be injured. Oh, why wouldn’t he just listen to me?”

  Countess Maud softened her tone. “You care a great deal about my son, don’t you?”

  Jonni took a deep breath. “Yes I do, but he doesn’t give two hoots for anyone but himself. I know you think I am crazy, but I’m not. Something terrible will happen today and no one believes me. I know that one of the servants is spying on me. My journal is being moved, my things touched, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you are behind this. I don’t blame you. I can understand it. I am in a position of trust with your granddaughter, and you want to make sure she is going to be safe in my care. Well, she is. But she will most definitely not be safe, if her father takes her on the train.”

  There was a cough from the doorway. Jonni looked around to see Sebastian standing there, glowering over at the two of them.

  “Is this true, Mother?”

  “Is what true, my son?”

  “Have you been spying on Miss Peterson? Reading her journal? Moving her things?”

  “To protect you and Alexis, that’s all. I can see how fond you are of her and yet we know almost nothing about her.”

  “Enough, Madam.” Sebastian looked at Jonni. “Alexis and I were wondering if you would join us and Louisa this morning. We are going Christmas shopping.”

  Jonni nodded, her heart jumping at the prospect of going with them. “I’d like that very much. Let me go and change.” She moved over to him. “You are not going to London?”

  He shook his head and led her into the hallway. His gaze held hers and his fingers slowly pushed her hair behind her ears. Her skin burned as his fingertips brushed against it. “No. I believe you. If you say it is unsafe, then I will spend the day here instead.”

  ****

  Jonni sat in the carriage listening to Alexis chattering to Louisa about weddings. She was glad Sebastian wasn’t going to London, but the sense of foreboding lingered.

  The accident would happen, of that there
was no doubt. The carriage clattered onthe bridge over the railway line.

  Alexis knelt on the seat. “There’s a train coming. Can we watch?”

  Sebastian knocked on the carriage roof and it stopped mid-way over the bridge.

  Jonni looked down at the track. Something wasn’t right. It looked as if part of the track were missing. Before she could say anything, the train roared towards them. It tilted as it hit the missing track, the engine coming off the line. The goods wagons slammed into the carriages before flying into the air.

  She screamed, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. The screams of the others mixed with hers.

  Sebastian jumped out of the carriage. “Tarrant, take the women home and bring all the men back with you. And call the doctor.”

  “Papa?”

  “Alexis stay with Miss Peterson. I have to go and help.” He shot Jonni a heartfelt glance, and then headed towards the path that led to the track.

  The carriage lurched as Tarrant began turning it around.

  Tears streamed down Jonni’s face as she tried to comfort Alexis.

  “How did you know?” Louisa asked. “He would have been on it, he would have been killed.”

  “I just knew,” Jonni said quietly. “Just pray for those injured and dying down there that help comes fast.”

  The day dragged. No one wanted to finish decorating the house for Christmas or complete the wedding preparations. All anyone could think of was the accident. Jonni hoped Sebastian was all right. She knew some of the rescuers would also die and prayed he wouldn’t be one of them.

  ****

  It was almost ten p.m. before Sebastian returned. He sat down by the fire, physically and mentally exhausted, with the horrors he’d witnessed.

  Countess Maud poured a large brandy, and pressed the glass into his hand.

  Sebastian took a long drink. “Thank you. It was awful. They’re holding the inquests at the Shepherd’s House Inn. They’ve adjourned until after Christmas, as it will take a while to gather all the evidence. The accident was caused by the sides of the cutting slipping because of all the rain we’ve had. Eight dead, and sixteen badly injured.”

  Countess Maud nodded. “At least you were not one of them.”

  “It appears I owe Miss Peterson my life.” He glanced at the others. “I’m tired. I’ll see you in the morning.” He pushed upright. “Miss Peterson, walk with me.”

  Jonni nodded and followed him from the room. “You don’t owe me anything.”

  He didn’t speak until they were outside her room. “If it weren’t for you I would have been on that train and Alexis would be an orphan. My life changed for the better the day you landed under the wheels of my carriage and for that I am grateful. Goodnight, Miss Peter—Jonni. May I call you Jonni?”

  Jonni nodded. “Of course.”

  “When we are alone, I would very much like it, if you would call me Sebastian.”

  Jonni smiled at him. “I’d like that, too, Sebastian.”

  He smiled. “I like the sound of that. Will you have lunch with me tomorrow? Just the two of us—there is something I wish to discuss.”

  “Of course.”

  He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers, before she entered her room and closed the door. His heart pounded. Give me the courage to ask her, Lord. I know she is the woman for me…I just hope I can convince her of that.

  Going back downstairs, Sebastian cornered his mother. “Mother, I need a word about Miss Peterson. I have grown quite fond of her and wish to pursue a relationship with her.” For once Sebastian wasn’t bothered as to whether his mother approved or not. He loved Jonni and would not hide it any longer.

  “She is beneath you, Sebastian. She is a servant. We still do not know anything about her, other than her fanciful stories.”

  Sebastian looked at his mother. “That’s as may be. It doesn’t matter who she is, or what class she is, she was right about today. She saved my life.”

  “So you feel indebted to her. That does not mean you have to marry her.”

  “I am satisfied that there is nothing sinister about her and that is the end of it. I want to make it clear to you that you are not to interfere with Jonni’s things anymore.”

  “Jonni, is it, now?”

  Sebastian looked at her. “I love her and if things work out as I hope, then perhaps she will agree to be my wife.”

  “What about Elizabeth Stott?”

  “As I have said many times, I will choose my own wife and it will not be Elizabeth. There is only one woman I want and if she will have me, then God willing, she is the one I will take.”

  12

  Jonni listened to Alexis read, trying to hide her growing feelings of love towards Sebastian. Just the thought of his name was enough to send her stomach fluttering and her heart pounding. Never mind the sound of his voice, or the tread of his footsteps in the hallway, or his overwhelming presence, or the way her full name rolled off his tongue.

  Yes, she admitted it. She loved him. She could still feel the imprint of his lips on her hand and the relief she felt when he returned unharmed from the crash site.

  She wanted nothing more than to be his wife, but that wasn’t going to happen. She would have to content herself with the snippets of attention he gave her. What could he possibly wish to discuss that necessitated time alone with him?

  Jonni glanced up as the door opened, and got to her feet. “Good morning, Lord Tyler.”

  Sebastian smiled. “Good morning, Miss Peterson. Alexis, Grandmamma and Aunt Louisa have need of you for the rest of the day—preparing for Christmas and the wedding.”

  Alexis looked at him and then at Jonni. “Is that all right?”

  “Of course.”

  Alexis grinned happily and ran out of the room.

  Sebastian smiled at Jonni. “Shall we go?”

  Jonni nodded and followed him. Her heart was racing at the thought of being alone with him, something that, aside from the odd minute or two, had not happened.

  He handed her a thick cloak and hat. “I thought we could ride. I assume you do ride?”

  “No, I don’t. The only time I have been on a horse was with you.”

  He smiled. “Then I shall teach you. Unless you wish to leave that for another time, and share my horse?”

  Jonni smiled. “That works.” She walked with Sebastian to the stables. Did this count as a date? Was she reading too much into this?

  Sebastian lifted her onto his horse, the muscles in his arms rippling under his sleeves. He swung up behind her, pulling her back against him. She could feel his heart pounding, his warm breath on her neck and the firm security of his arms around her. She took the basket from John, and they set off across the courtyard. “What did you want to talk about?”

  “When we get there.”

  ****

  Sebastian spread the blanket on the ground under the tall oak tree and set the basket on it. Then he moved over to Jonni. He couldn’t believe how nervous he felt. He was so aware of her presence, and the affect it was having on him. “I know how much you like reading, and I have this book of sonnets by William Shakespeare. I was wondering if perhaps we could read it together.”

  “I’d love to.”

  Sebastian smiled and took her hand, leading her to the blanket. Her fingers were soft in his, his skin burning from her touch. He sat and pulled Jonni down beside him. He pulled the book from the basket and looked at it. He was so aware of her there, it was all he could do not to take her in his arms and kiss her.

  “Reading has shown me that there is more to this world than I currently understand, and I should take nothing for granted.”

  “I know how that goes. Some days it’s just my faith in God that keeps me going.”

  Sebastian opened the book to the marked page, starting to read sonnet eighteen. His voice trembled at first, then grew stronger, the words of the poet becoming his own. “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate...”

>   When he had finished, Jonni smiled at him. “That was lovely. You made it come alive.”

  “I have always loved Shakespeare, but reading to you makes it different.”

  “Did you never read to your wife?”

  Sebastian shook his head. “She wasn’t much of a conversationalist. She hated books, hated most things actually, myself included. It wasn’t a love match. She wanted my title; I wanted companionship and an heir.” He smiled wryly. “I got neither.”

  “That’s a shame. You see it’s much better the way we do things. You find someone you like and you go out together, court them. Then when like turns to love, you get married.”

  Sebastian looked at her, handing her a glass. “Now you, I do like. You’re funny, witty, charming, an excellent conversationalist and share my passion for books.”

  Jonni sipped from the glass, her cheeks reddening in a most delightful way. “And you are—”

  “The most arrogant and annoying man you have ever met. A stuck-up commoner with delusions of grandeur, I believe were your exact words.”

  “Aside from that. You are handsome and charming and if I were looking for love then—I’m sorry.” She set the glass down, scrambling to her feet. “I forget my place. I am your daughter’s governess, nothing more.”

  Sebastian got up and took hold of her hand. “Jonni, I should not have said that. You are much more than just a governess. I may not have known you long, but I have grown quite fond of you.” He smiled, raising her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Come here.”

  He pulled a knife from his pocket and ran his fingers over the trunk before raising the knife and began carving.

  Jonni looked at him. “What are you doing?”

  He didn’t answer as he concentrated on each cut. He couldn’t mess this up as it would last for years. A permanent way of honoring the woman he had fallen for. He finished and looked at her. “What do you think?”

  Jonni looked at him. “Can you do that?”

  “It’s my tree, so I do not see why not.”