Time Travel Romance Collection

by Grace Brannigan

He pushed the pistol back into his waistband, leaning forward, crossing his wrists in front of the saddle, dark brown raised, eyes wary.

  Immense joy gripped Elise. It was Darien! She knew it. Gone was the boy. In his place was the man he had become. His size was immense atop the horse, his face molded by years and experience. She knew instantly it was him. How could she not . . . he'd been in her dreams forever and a day.

  He nudged his horse closer and then she saw his instant recognition, and for the span of seconds she understood the joy, wonder and hope that widened his eyes, for surely that same hope was in her heart -- then it all changed. His face closed and hardened, green eyes narrowed to slits and his mouth thinned to a white, angry line.

  "Elise! So you have finally come home." His voice cold, his glance at her ripped blouse and dirty jeans, seemed disparaging to Elise.

  Disbelieving, she raised her hands entreatingly, nudging her mount closer, a smile trembling on her lips.

  "Darien -- at last -- it has been so long..." His grim expression forbade her to come any closer.

  She searched his face for the smallest evidence of feeling or remembered love, but his face was closed, his eyes now stony and dark.

  She felt the crushing weight of his disdain. It drained her. The beliefs and hopes that had sustained her for over twenty years were suddenly ripped away, torn from her heart as if they had meant nothing to each other. It was plain for her to see that Darien hated her.

  #

  Rufus LaTour, mounted on the horse next to his brother, threw Darien a startled look, then his glance came back to the woman.

  Despite her grimy, bedraggled condition, his sharp eyes missed nothing of her beauty, the heart shape of her face. He shifted uncomfortably, bothered by the vacant look in her eyes. She'd looked enthralled, overjoyed to see his brother, had called him by name, but the contempt in Darien's manner had seemed to cut all life from her.

  With a creak of leather, Rufus dismounted and walked toward the woman, expecting her to bolt at any moment. She seemed oblivious to him. That surprised Rufus. Women at times cowered from him, the beastliness of his scars combined with his large size turning them away. This woman, small in comparison to many women he had known, showed no fear.

  He stood beside her and her mount, noting the glisten of tears hanging in chocolate brown eyes. Head proudly tilted, she stared ahead at the road.

  Rufus tightened his jaw, casting his brother a look of reproach. He had known Darien fifteen years and had never seen him act in such a manner toward a woman. Right now he could not decipher the conflicted emotions chasing across his brother's face.

  Rufus strode over to his brother and finally Darien met the challenge in his gaze.

  "You hover over her protectively," Darien said. "It is not necessary."

  Using sign language, Rufus signed swiftly. You are wrong. You look but you do not see.

  "She does not need assistance." Impatiently, Darien added, "Let us go on our way."

  Rufus signed again. The woman needs our protection.

  "Leave her." Darien's long fingers twitched at the reins, unnerving his horse.

  You jest, I am sure. Rufus thought the woman must have cut his brother deeply for Darien to be so buried in anger and pain.

  Rufus motioned for the woman to follow them.

  "You cannot think to bring her with us!" Dark color mounted Darien's high cheekbones. "We have business to attend to today."

  Rufus pulled a wool cloak from his horse's pack and covered the shivering woman.

  Darien wheeled his horse and set the animal immediately into a canter.

  Rufus remounted. He stared after his brother's ramrod straight back as he disappeared down the road. He again motioned for the woman to follow him. Instead, she nudged her horse around him, breaking into a trot and then an easy canter, her fingers gripping the cloak. She looked exhausted and confused. His brother acted so cold, as if she had done something terrible.

  Rufus kept an eye on her, amazed she managed to ride the remainder of the way to the village. They rode over the small stone bridge and Mandine's cottage lay on the edge of the village, a small apple orchard alongside with the forest on the other side.

  Rufus hurried to help her dismount. She sagged a moment, then straightened away from him, holding onto the saddle. He grabbed the cloak as it slid from her shoulders.

  She turned, and her eyes met his. "You look like him." He saw her gaze move to the scar that ran from the opening of his shirt, around his neck and toward the back of his head.

  "Elise." The healer Mandine appeared behind them.

  The woman turned from him, her breath audibly catching.

  "Mandine!" She put out her hand.

  Rufus caught her as she fell.

  #

  Fathomless black eyes were inches from her own when Elise awoke.

  She blinked and sat up quickly, the coarse blanket covering her falling to her waist. As she pulled herself upright, a cloth doused in herbs and medicines dropped from her forehead to the lumpy pillow.

  "She wakes." It was almost a hiss. Mandine stroked the worry beads which hung at her waist.

  "Mandine," Elise rasped, then cleared her throat. "It was you! I thought it was a --"

  "A dream, perhaps? One from long ago. Yes, Elise, it must seem so." The old woman smiled, the corners of her toothless mouth just barely lifting. "Those buffoons never saw me." She sat down in a chair beside the bed, the beads clacking rapidly between her fingers. "Many only see that which they can touch. I could have done quite a bit of damage -- if matters had not been so pressing."

  Elise slumped back, memory returning with devastating swiftness.

  "Darien," she whispered, a raw ache inside.

  "The time was right."

  "The time? I know nothing of time."

  "How do you think they found you before it was too late? You were not meant for the likes of that scurrilous bunch. It was my doing. It was time for him to find you."

  "You say 'they,' but there was only one, a masked rider who helped me find my way here."

  "One, two, it does not matter," Mandine said.

  Elise knew Mandine of old, knew of the power she could conjure. "I only saw the one. The kidnappers attacked him." Elise waved her hand. "It doesn't matter. On the road here I saw Darien. All this time, I kept my sanity by clinging to the memory of the boy I loved, only to return to find he can't bear to even look at me." She clenched her fists. "He wanted to leave me out there."

  "He would not have done so."

  "You didn't see his face."

  "No longer the trusting boy, but a man," Mandine stated. "Many years have passed between then and now."

  "Do you think I don't know that? If you could have seen his eyes when he looked at me with -- with loathing. His eyes and heart are closed to me. Our love no longer exists for him. How could I have been so ridiculously trusting to think everything would be fine?" Elise stared at the ceiling above her.

  "You must open his eyes . . . make him see once more."

  Elise looked at the old woman somberly, remembering the Darien she had known. She shook her head slowly, her mouth turned down.

  "Where do I begin? He's not the same."

  "Are you?"

  Elise looked at her in surprise, seeing the black tunic draped so shapelessly across Mandine's thin body, the raven black hair and equally black eyes. She had always trusted Mandine, had known the woman had her best interests at heart -- until that last night.

  "No," Elise admitted slowly, "I'm not the same. I had to grow up fast. There was no one for me to depend on but myself."

  "As did Darien. Your destinies run on similar paths." Mandine closed her eyes until they were slits. "And the child?"

  Elise started, then turned away, her fingers clutching the gold heart that hung from her neck. She relaxed her grip.

  "I wondered if you knew."

  "Of course I knew. The child was the reason I sent you away. By leaving, you protected the chil
d and Darien."

  "What do you mean?" Elise demanded. Agitated, she watched Mandine rock back and forth. Impatiently, Elise swung her legs over the side of the bed, little more than a narrow pallet. "For once, Mandine, speak plainly. I have spent twenty-four years without him. He knows nothing of his daughter and she has only my memories of her father."

  There was a slight movement outside the door and then a knock.

  Mandine moved slowly to the door, her body bent forward. Elise could see the difference in Mandine in the years she had been gone. She had always appeared old to Elise, but now for the first time Elise noticed how she moved with difficultly as she opened the door.

  Rufus filled the cottage doorway, a giant of a man. Pistols with fancy engraved butts were tucked into a thick belt at either side of his waist, and a bright gold earring hung from one ear.

  His hair, dark gold, hung well below his shoulders. Beside the scar on his neck, smaller scars marred his face, but she admitted silently that she had seen worse. He was still a handsome man. "You look like a pirate."

  He quirked a brow and she could easily see the charm in his smile. He used sign language to say, Some would say that is true.

  Thank you, she signed back. He looked surprised. "For escorting me to the village and for your help," she said aloud.

  You sign?

  Elise nodded. "My skills are very basic. I learned to a -- a long time ago. You sign very well."

  He nodded. After an unfortunate accident, I needed to learn.

  Hesitantly, Elise said, "I don't know your name."

  "'Tis Rufus he goes by." Mandine. "He is Darien's brother."

  He lifted a brow.

  "His brother," Elise said, shocked. "I am Elise Lancaster." She watched his expression, but if he knew the name he gave no sign. "I didn't know Darien had a brother," she blurted. "Where is he?"

  Rufus tightened his jaw. His brother was being pig-headed. He shook his head and turned to leave.

  "Thank you, Rufus," Elise called softly.

  Mandine rocked in the corner, puffing slowly on a pipe, watching the doorway as a shadow from outside moved away.

  Rufus exited the cottage. The door swung softly behind him.

  #

  Rufus walked six paces, stopped and quickly spun, a pistol in his hand.

  "Such speed," Darien mocked, leaning against a gnarled apple tree.

  Mouth quirked, Rufus tucked the pistol back in his belt, sizing the other man up. "There is no need for you to lurk," he said barely above a whisper. "You must know this woman would welcome you with open arms?"

  Darien turned on his heel. "It is not safe for you to speak aloud."

  Rufus peered into the woods to his right, then strode after his brother. He grabbed Darien's arm from behind.

  Why come and not go in? he signed.

  Darien jerked his head toward the cottage where Mandine stood in the doorway. Unflinchingly, he met her dark stare, then with a muttered curse he turned away.

  "Damned witch. She's the cause of it." Darien walked down the road. "You want to know why I feel nothing but contempt for Elise Lancaster? It was a time before you and I met."

  Although he'd started the conversation, Darien now hesitated, a grimace of pain flitting across his face. With an immense effort he shook himself free of memories which tried to entrap him. "That treacherous, deceitful woman, who looks so innocent, is the reason I was banished from my home long ago. It is because of her that I was branded a thief and forced to sea."

  Rufus signed. Rogier Lancaster?

  "Yes."

  The brothers walked away from the cottage, down the road toward their home. It was early, and they saw no one about, but Rufus knew each time he spoke aloud might be a risk. He touched the scar that ran down across his throat. He tapped Darien on the shoulder. One day I shall thank her for helping me find a brother I never knew existed.

  They stared at each. Rufus felt the tightly controlled anger emanating from his brother, the glitter of his eyes which said he needed the barest excuse to start a brawl. Rufus awaited the next move. It would not be the first time they had gone head to head.

  "Be warned," Darien murmured softly, "where this woman is concerned, it is better you keep your distance. She stirs trouble like a witch, just as the one called Mandine."

  Rufus smirked. Elise signed back to me. She cared enough to learn at some time.

  After a moment Darien shook his head. "A trick."

  Rufus persisted. That woman Mandine has healing powers. She has helped many in the town. You are wary of her also.

  Darien ignored the speculative gleam in his brother's eye.

  Answer this, Rufus signed. Why did you ride into that clearing? Those outlaws could have cut us down. After, you ride home without a word.

  Darien turned away, unwilling to admit aloud the sweet, coaxing voice he'd heard luring him to the clearing. He shook himself. He wanted no part of the emotions which now caught him off guard. His heart had leapt with joy at seeing Elise again after all these years, but what did a heart know? "Leave it."

  They left the road, entered their front yard, and walked the short stone path. Darien pushed open the ornate front door and they entered the cool embrace of the tiled entryway. Once inside, Rufus hit his brother hard on the shoulder.

  Darien turned with a snarl. "Ruf!"

  "Are you angry because she is treacherous -- or because you still feeling something for her?" Rufus asked aloud.

  "Stifle for once your penchant for solving mysteries," Darien said with a touch of exasperation. "There is no mystery, just murky old history."

  "History can be quite fascinating," Rufus said.

  Darien left the entryway and moved to the stairs which led to the second floor. "We have guests arriving in two days, in case you have forgotten."

  "I do not forget anything," Rufus said. "But I have to wonder how your fiancée will react to your feelings about Elise."

  "Of Elise, I will talk no more."

  "For now," Rufus agreed. "But for the sake of our mission, you know we must talk again, no matter how much it bothers you, Darien."

  #

  Pacing, Elise watched Mandine reenter the cottage and close the door.

  The old woman fixed her with that glassy stare, but Elise was not to be put off.

  "Twenty-four years is a long time to be patient." She narrowed her eyes. "Don't you think?"

  "I know you have developed foreign speaking habits." The old woman cackled.

  "Mandine." Elise knew desperation was apparent in her voice. "You of all people know what happened. Haven't I been tormented enough? My God, I was ripped from my life, the man I loved, and dropped in the God forsaken twentieth century! You sent me away that night --"

  "And you survived . . . flourished, and your child is alive. She is well?"

  "Yes, but --"

  "I can tell you this," Mandine said, her voice a sibilant whisper, "had you not been taken from this time on that very night -- you, Darien, and the child would have died. I saw it as clear as the day. I saw the blood run across the ground."

  Elise jerked back. "How?"

  "You have the knowledge."

  "My father." She didn't need Mandine's nod to know the truth. Elise closed her eyes, nausea churning her stomach. She gripped a chair back to steady herself. The fragrance of lily of the valley wafted across her nostrils, enabling her to take a fortifying breath.

  Opening her eyes, she stared at Mandine, then gently pushed the woman's hand with the plant away.

  "Tell me," she said, her voice thick with pain.

  "The night you and Darien became lovers, your father had you followed." The old woman did not flinch as Elise's nails bit into the wasted flesh of her arm. Her voice continued in a monotone. "When it was reported back you lay with the bastard son of a tavern owner he became enraged. Rogier came that night with murder in his heart."

  "My God! My own flesh and blood." Tormented, Elise stared bleakly at Mandine.

  "I
knew of his plan. I created a diversion and was able to arrive before Rogier."

  "You lured me outside," Elise murmured, remembering.

  "Whatever you wish to call it." Mandine shrugged in unconcern. "If that one had found you together, as surely he would have, you would have both died."

  "He came himself?"

  "Yes. He came prepared to take sport in killing." The corners of her mouth lifted briefly, then Mandine drew the spray of lily of the valley across the candle she held, letting the flame singe the tender flower. It curled and then blackened. She tossed it aside, her black eyes holding Elise's. "Rogier Lancaster was a beast enraged when he found Darien alone. You had vanished."

  "He's always hated Darien." Elise stared incredulously at Mandine. "All this time I have been banished from my own life -- all because my father felt Darien wasn't good enough to marry his daughter?"

  Mandine shook her head. "That one -- the wants and desires of a man can turn black and blacker over time. At this moment, Darien possesses knowledge which holds your father in abeyance -- secrets which your father would have kept silent at any cost."

  Elise looked quickly at Mandine. "That doesn't explain why Darien looks at me as if I'm beneath his contempt. He hates me. Didn't you talk to him -- tell him what happened?"

  "I don't know his heart." Mandine shrugged, but her face was troubled. "He turns from me, as if he knows I seek the truth of his feelings. He has not spoken to me since that night. There was no opportunity. Your father took him away."

  "But you saved us, saved our child. Surely --"

  "It matters not. All Darien knows is that I was there that night, and you vanished. He blames me for helping you escape."

  "Escape? You make it sound like I ran away."

  "As far as Darien is aware, you ran off."

  "Why should he think such a thing? We'd just made love, I worshipped him, loved him above my family and all else --"

  "Perhaps Darien thought you ran home when your father came to the Spruce Woods that night. I do not know. In the time that has passed, his mind has been closed to me.

  "The following day, Darien was denounced throughout the town as a thief. Several pieces of your jewelry were found in his lodgings. It was claimed by your father that he'd stolen them from you and planned to sell them to line his own pockets. Of course, we both know Rogier never allowed you the luxury of jewelry."