“Nobody does.”
Andrew threw his brother a glare. “Then what are you doing here?”
Although his brother tried to look calm and collected, a noticeable blush crept up Edward’s face. “If you must know, I’m meeting someone here.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Only a few minutes.”
Andrew took a step closer. “Have you inspected the rooms yet?”
“Of course not. There was hardly time.”
Andrew pointed to the fireplace. “Then why is there a fire burning?”
“Uh…uh…” Edward looked toward the hearth and the pots hanging above it. “I don’t know.”
Swearing under his breath, Andrew marched past his brother and moved to the closest room. The door was shut. He knocked softly and listened on the other side, but couldn’t hear anything. He strode to the other door and repeated the same kind of knock. Shuffling of feet was detected, so he placed his hand on the latch, raised the piece of wood, and opened the door.
The room was dark and he stood still to adjust his vision. But from within the room, a loud gasp rang out.
“Andrew!”
He’d never heard a sweeter sound in his life. Halle! Finally, he could see her scrambling off the bed and rushing toward him. He dropped the wood and took swift steps to meet her halfway. Just as she opened her arms for him, he wrapped her in his embrace and held her tight against his body.
Relief flooded through him and he sighed. Burying his face in her neck, he breathed in her scent…which unfortunately, wasn’t the lovely flowers he enjoyed smelling. In fact, she smelled too much like dust and mold—like this room.
“Andrew, I prayed you would come for me.” Her voice choked on a sob as she pushed her face into his chest.
He tightened his hold. “There was no way I could not come.” He kissed the side of her head.
“Pardon me…but what is going on?”
Inwardly, Andrew groaned. How could he have forgotten his slow-minded brother was here? Keeping Halle in his arms, he turned toward Edward. The shocked expression splashed across the man’s face was almost comical. Apparently Edward didn’t know she was here after all.
“I told you Miss Chapman had been kidnapped,” Andrew said, trying to keep his frustration at bay.
“But I didn’t believe you.”
“Which is quite apparent.” Andrew shook his head. “But now I insist you tell me how you know about this place and who you were coming to meet. Was it one of the men who kidnapped her?”
Another blush darkened Edward’s face. “I did not come here to meet a man,” he said almost too quiet.
Andrew almost laughed out loud, but refrained. “Are you telling me this is all coincidental?” He shook his head. “That’s hard to believe.”
“Well it must be. I highly doubt the woman I was planning to meet here would have known about Miss Chapman’s kidnapping.”
“Who was the woman, Edward?” Andrew asked with authority.
“I don’t have to answer that.” He huffed and folded his arms.
“Probably not, but if you don’t answer me, you shall answer to our father. It could have been Georgiana kidnapped instead of Miss Chapman,” Andrew growled. “These men took Miss Chapman for ransom…for us to pay them money to get her back.”
Edward shook his head. “I cannot believe that. Why would they think Miss Chapman was that important?”
“Andrew?” She looked up into his face. “Your brother is right. Although they asked for a ransom, I don’t believe they really expected to get one from taking me.”
Confusion grew thick in his mind. He brushed the dirt off her cheek and tried to give her a smile. “Then why did they take you and not Georgi?”
Sighing heavily, she straightened which pulled her body away from his. “Let’s talk on the way home. I don’t want to stay here another minute.”
He nodded. “Do you still have your cloak?”
“Yes, it’s on the bed.”
He hurried back in the room and found the garment then brought it back out to wrap Halle in it. He threw a glare at his brother. “Don’t think for one minute our conversation is over. Father will hear about Miss Chapman’s kidnapping one way or another, and because you were here…” He took a deep breath. “We’ll discuss this at home.”
“I’ll be home shortly. I’m still going to wait here to meet…um, my lady friend.”
Andrew figured he knew who the woman was, and he wanted to lash out at his brother for his stupidity. “Do whatever you want. Halle and I are returning home.”
He tugged Halle back into his arms and hurried outside to his horse. After lifting her up in the saddle, he mounted and sat behind her. Flipping the reins, he urged the animal forward as he adjusted Halle in front of him to make her more comfortable. She sat sideways with her legs draped together over the left-side of the horse, which made it easier to pull her closer to his lap. She cuddled against his chest and clutched to his overcoat.
“I wonder where the kidnappers are,” he wondered aloud.
“I don’t know, but from what I could hear, you’d just barely missed them.”
“I’ll find them. Mark my words.”
“Andrew, I must tell you, something.”
“What is it, my sweet?”
“I met someone… The kidnapper.” She took a deep breath. “One of the men is…my father.”
The news startled him, but he didn’t want to slow the animal down. He glanced at her and arched an eyebrow. “Your father? I thought he left you and your mother.”
“He did, but I’ve been corresponding with him through letters this past year. I don’t remember him from when I was a child.” She paused, searching his expression before continuing, “He was the main reason I’d gone to Buckland Manor…the bed and breakfast. My father had been working there, but a month ago he’d disappeared.” One of her hands loosened on his coat and she gently ran her palm up his chest. “Before I came here—to your time—I stumbled across something he had taken from the bed and breakfast’s museum.”
“What did he take?”
“It was one of your father’s journals.”
Shock vibrated through him and he stared at her with wide-eyes. “My father keeps a journal?”
“Several of them, but the one my father took was the last one he’d written in before his death.”
“What did it say?”
“He mentioned his family quite a bit. He loves you all so much and would do—and give—anything to make you happy. His journal didn’t mention anything about the ancient jewels, but he wrote a lot about your mother’s favorite tree.” She took another pause as she studied his face. “Andrew, I think your father knows about the tree—how it takes people through time.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I do. When Edward first found me and took me inside the house, your father was there. Edward mentioned I was by the tree.” She shook her head slowly. “You should have seen the way your father and brother gave me curious glances after that. Your brother might know about the tree, too…but I honestly believe your father knows.”
Andrew’s head pounded…the same way it always did when things were getting too complicated in his life. Yet, he mustn’t allow this complication to get the best of him. He had to figure it out. “What does this have to do with your father?”
“When I was at the bed and breakfast, I didn’t know what it had to do with anything. But now…” She shrugged. “Now I know. My father read the duke’s journal and realized there was something special about the tree. Because now my father is here in 1848.” She licked her lips and exhaled a sigh. “Earlier today I had a talk with my father in that room where he’d locked me up. He didn’t know that I knew he was my father. Anyway, my father hadn’t lived a very exemplary life. He was a criminal…a thief. He and Nigel—”
The familiar name had Andrew hitching a breath.
“Yes, Nigel,” she continued. “They are after t
he treasure. That’s why my father came here through the tree…to get what he has no right in taking—your family’s ancient jewels.”
He growled, gritting his teeth as he tightened his grip on the reins. But at least they knew who the men were in charge of gathering the mob. “Why would your father kidnap you—and leave you there for me to find?”
“I wish I knew, Andrew.”
“I shall tell my father what is going on.” He stared straight ahead at the path and urged the horse faster.
“Tell him…about what, exactly?” she asked warily.
“That the men are after the treasure. That they will kill for it. And if he doesn’t try to stop them, I will.” He clenched his jaw. “Even if it means killing those men myself!”
* * * *
Halle worried not only that Andrew would try to kill Nigel and her father…but that they wouldn’t be able to stop the attack no matter what they did. What if the Merrick family was supposed to die? What if there was no way to stop history from repeating itself?
Then again…why else had she traveled back in time? It couldn’t be to meet her father.
Or could it?
Was her father the reason she was here? Gads, she hoped not. She wanted Andrew to be the reason the time-travel gods had sent her back to this very location at this very time.
She and Andrew didn’t talk much after that, and she figured he was probably thinking about how to approach his father. Hopefully, Andrew would be able to make some sense with his parent, and they could count on the duke to help them.
Just as they reached the house, he kissed her head one last time, then stopped the horse and dismounted. He lifted her down slowly. Her stare stuck to his, and worry washed over his expression. Her heart sank. She wished she could take his confusion and worry away. She wished that this would all be over and they could live happily-ever-after.
But…was there such a thing? If she helped stop the attack and save his family, would she then be whisked back to her time? If that happened, there would never be a happy-ever-after, because she was madly in love with Andrew and wanted him in her life forever.
Her name was called, and she turned toward the house. Georgiana ran to her with open arms. Halle took the girl in her arms and hugged her as Georgi sobbed.
“Oh, I’m so happy you’re safe.” Georgi lifted her head and gazed into Halle’s eyes. “I can’t believe you gave yourself to them and saved me.”
Halle really should tell her the truth, but…maybe later. She smiled and patted the girl’s cheek. “We can thank Andrew for coming to my rescue.”
“I did what you told me to.” Georgi nodded, her ringlets bouncing around her face. “And Andrew hurried out of here as if fire was on his boots.”
“I’m so glad.” A chill ran through her and she shivered. “Let’s get inside. I think I need a nice warm fire to sit by.”
“Oh, yes!” Georgi hooked her arm through Halle’s and hurried them toward the house.
Halle glanced back at Andrew who had taken his horse to the stable but was now walking back. She prayed when he talked to his father that it went well. But what scared her was wondering if the subject of where she really came from would come up. And if it did…would she be able to convince him that she was from the future or would he think her insane and send her away from his family?
Once inside the house, Georgi began instructing servants on how to assist Halle. She was ushered upstairs to her room straightway and stripped from her clothes only to dress in warmer garments. As the maids fussed with her attire, another servant brought in some food for Halle. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she took a bite of the fresh homemade bread.
Another servant stirred the fire in the hearth and added more logs. Soon heat filled the room, and Halle didn’t feel as cold. Yet, her heart was. Images of her father flew through her head. She couldn’t see his face. The whole time she’d talked to him, he wore that ridiculous mask. Would she even be able to spot him if she saw him in a crowded room? She would definitely recognize his voice. But she really needed to find him. She needed to try to convince him that what he had planned with Nigel was wrong. And if needs be, she would confess to knowing that he was her father.
An hour later, the duchess came into her room. She walked to Halle and took hold of her hands.
“Miss Chapman, you gave us all such a fright. I’m so relieved you are safe now.”
“Thanks to Andrew.”
The older woman smiled and nodded. “He remembered his training from when he was in the military. I’m so proud of him.” She squeezed Halle’s hands. “He must think you are a very special woman. Georgi tells me he charged after you like a man going into battle.”
Heat crept up Halle’s face that had nothing to do with the temperature from the fire. “I’m glad he thought me important enough to save.”
The older woman released Halle’s hands. “How do you feel? Are you up to coming downstairs and talking with my husband? We are eager to hear about these men who kidnapped you.”
Halle took a deep breath, slowly releasing it. Had Andrew talked with his father yet? The only way she would know would be to go downstairs for their talk.
“Certainly, Your Grace. I feel up to it now.”
Andrew’s mother turned and patted Georgiana’s ringlets softly. “As for you…you’ve had quite an eventful afternoon. I would like you to go to your room and lie down. We don’t need you getting yourself sick over all of this, now do we?”
Georgi frowned. “No, we don’t.” She turned her eyes to Halle. “When I’m finished resting, let us do something this evening. I am in the mood to play a card game.”
Halle grinned. “That sounds like the perfect ending for our stressful day.”
Georgi hugged Halle again before quitting the room. Halle followed the duchess downstairs and into the sitting room. Both Andrew and his father were there. Andrew stood by the hearth staring into the fire, as the duke sat in his favorite chair.
When she walked in, Andrew swung his head and looked her way. She wanted to ask if he’d had the talk with his father, and tried to communicate with him through her eyes. She switched her attention between him and his father quickly before meeting Andrew’s stare again with a questioned look. Slowly, he shook his head and frowned.
Funny how he could read her so well and knew what she was thinking.
“Sit, Miss Chapman.” The duke motioned to the sofa. “I must say you look remarkably refreshed now.”
“Yes, I do feel much better.” She sat and Andrew’s mother sat beside her.
“Georgi was so distraught that she couldn’t give us very many details about what happened. She told us that you tried your best to protect her.”
“I did.” Halle nodded. “I was not about to let those two dimwits take Georgiana.” She glanced at Andrew and his eyes were warm with emotion as he watched her.
“Georgi told us,” the duke continued, “that you instructed her to return with the coach and let us know you’d been kidnapped and which way they went.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Actually,” Andrew said, “the driver was able to give me better directions. Georgi was so upset she couldn’t remember half of what happened.”
“Yes, I can imagine she would be.”
“So then,” the Duke of Harrington said as he leaned forward, “what exactly did happen?”
Taking a deep breath, she prayed for guidance on how to tell the story without letting them know it was her very own father who was the ring leader.
As she explained, she took her time and thought of her words before speaking them. She let them know that they weren’t after Georgi…but Halle.
“Pardon me?” the duke gasped. “Why would they want to take you and hold you for ransom?”
Halle shrugged. “They never told me, my lord. But I think they really didn’t mean to harm me at all—or Georgi. I think they allowed your daughter to return home because they knew how hysterical she’d be, which
would then fuel you and Andrew into action. And I think that’s why they didn’t have any qualms about leaving me there for when Andrew found me.”
“Father,” Andrew said as he moved away from the hearth. “They are making threats against our family. We must put a stop to them immediately.”
The duke glanced at his son, then moved his focus back to Halle. “Did they tell you what they were after?”
She nodded. “They said it was the family treasure. I heard them say they thought it should be their treasure, not the Merrick family’s.”
“Were these the men you saw at the party that one night—before you came here?”
“I don’t know, my lord. The men who kidnapped me wore masks. All I could see was the color of their hair. One had brown hair, and one was…um well, almost the color of mine.”
“I have already sent for the magistrate. I hope he will arrive shortly so you can give him a description of these men.”
“I will do all can to help, my lord,” she said.
“And between your experience, and Andrew’s description of the cottage, I pray the magistrate will be able to find these men soon.”
“One more thing, Father.” Andrew stepped up to his father’s chair and placed his hand on his father’s shoulder. “There was someone else at the cottage when I arrived.”
“Indeed? Why did you not tell me this before?”
Andrew switched his gaze from Halle, to his mother, then back to his father. “Because I’m not quite certain how it fits in with these men and the kidnapping, but…” He took a deep breath. “Edward was there. He was secretly meeting a lady friend.”
“Oh, dear,” the duchess gasped and covered her mouth. Her eyes grew round with interest…and yet disappointment.
“Do I dare ask who Edward’s lady friend was?” the duke asked.
Andrew met Halle’s gaze again. She wasn’t sure…but she had a sneaky suspicion what name Andrew would reveal, and she couldn’t wait much longer for him to say the woman’s name.
Chapter Nineteen
Andrew knew he shouldn’t have said anything, but he worried about was the safety of his family. If Edward wasn’t going to be a man and stand up to help the family, that was his own problem. But Andrew would not cower. He’d never cower.
Love Lost in Time (Victorian Time-Travel) Page 23
