“You must allow events for Clarisse to unfold as the magic guides them.”
“Look,” Jem said, “I came on this trip with the express purpose of becoming reacquainted with her.”
“Good.” Suddenly Nellie’s expression lightened, and the familiar twinkle returned to her eyes. “Then you may court her, but you will do so as a gentleman of this time.”
Court Reese. He smiled, liking the sound of that.
“I will do as you ask.” He glanced at the two men who were still looking through the book. “I’m tired, and I believe I shall retire.” Jem bowed and turned to leave.
“You must not fight against the magic, young Jem.” Nellie’s voice, though soft, sounded loud and clear as though she had spoken right into his mind.
Could their faerie hostess read thoughts? He gave a little shudder as he closed the library door behind him. The idea that all these fae servants might be telepathic sent a chill up his spine.
Chapter 9
THAT NIGHT REESE HAD NOTHING but happy dreams of being with Jem. She rose early the next morning and paid particular attention to her clothing. The next couple of days would be busy. Cora, who earlier in the week had been invited to stay at another estate, was due back later in the day.
Then there were preparations for Nellie’s annual picnic. The house already bustled with servants getting things ready, and the smell of delicious things came from the kitchen.
When she arrived in the breakfast room, Jem was already seated at the table, though he hadn’t begun eating yet. He rose and greeted her with a bow.
“Good morning, cousin,” he said with a quiet, almost aloof air. “I hope you slept well.”
“I did. Thank you,” Reese said with matching reserve. Her high from the night before blew from her like the air from a balloon. Had he changed his mind? Again? She glanced at the footman standing in the corner just like he did every morning. Maybe she was jumping to conclusions. Jem could hardly talk about private things with an audience.
She picked up a plate and dished some scrambled eggs onto it, trying not to think about Jem’s stiff form at the table. Last night, he had acted like he had something to say to her. Maybe like why he hadn’t contacted her before. No, she wouldn’t think about that. The last week had made it seem like those two years hadn’t happened. He had accused her before of painting all guys with her father’s brush. She needed to give Jem a chance to prove he wasn’t like that.
Her mother’s voice echoed in Reese’s mind. But he made no effort to see you for two years.
By the time she sat at the table with her food, he had picked up a newspaper. She decided to continue playing it low-key, hoping when they were alone, he would explain. And put her fears to rest.
“Anything interesting?” She spread a napkin over her riding habit.
“The actual news is pretty dry stuff,” Jem said, “but the ads are fairly entertaining. Here’s one for Cremorne Gardens.” He affected an exaggerated announcer voice. “Unprecedented attractions—in consequence of the extraordinary sensation created by the perilous and daring ascent of Madame Antonia up a single rope one hundred feet high in conjunction with the Antipodean Tableau by the Deulin Family, this wonderful and attractive performance will be reported every evening.”
“They also have someone called Waterloo Pete.” Jem wiggled his brows at her, making her smile. “If that doesn’t do it for you, the Brown brothers have a new patent for a suspensory chair—whatever that is—approved by the Queen and Prince Albert, no less, and used by the King of Naples, the Duke of Wellington— hmm . . . it’s for invalids. Wow. The Wellington that we read about in our history books is still alive right now.”
“I can’t get my head around the idea that we’re in their time.”
“I know.” Jem put down the paper and let the footman take away his plate. “This life of leisure is killing me. I spent the last two years so busy I used to joke that I’d meet myself coming around a corner. If this wandering around looking for entertainment is all these rich people do, I don’t know how their brains didn’t shrivel up and die.”
“I know, right?” She wiped her mouth with her napkin and set it on the table. “But to be fair, it must take a lot of work to run a large estate and supervise the staff.”
“Granted. Nellie’s current guests seem more like a tame group of college students on spring break. I must be getting old.” He chuckled and stood. “I’m looking forward to the picnic tomorrow.”
“Me too. It sounds like everyone who could wrangle an invitation will be there.” Reese stood, and Jem pulled out her chair. “Are we ready?” Reese’s pulse quickened at finally being able to talk with him, maybe kiss him again. Her doubts and hopes did battle, and it was turning her stomach into a twisted knot.
Jem held out his arm, and she took it. As they had done almost every day for nearly a week, they left the breakfast room together. Her maid Lulu waited near the entry, also dressed for riding, though in a simpler gown.
“What’s this?” Reese asked softly.
“We aren’t to be left alone together anymore,” he whispered.
She stopped, and he did too. “Walter isn’t chaperone enough?”
He shrugged, let out a deep breath, and nodded toward the maid. Reese let him lead her out the door. He didn’t say anything as they walked to the stables.
Perfect. For the first time since his long silence, she was willing to hear him out, and Nellie wasn’t going to let it happen. That explained his more reserved behavior at breakfast. Reese was both frustrated and relieved.
As Jem helped her mount, she wondered how many unmarried men and women the faerie woman had entertained in her home over the years. Not counting time travelers, it must be a lot. She had probably seen it all.
With both Walter and Lulu not far behind them, their riding talk was as vapid as the breakfast conversation had been. Reese’s frustration grew, making her antsy. Like Jem had said, she wanted to do something besides pass time. When they were younger, she, Kaitlyn, and Jem had raced each other while riding. Reese wanted to now, but did she dare in a long skirt? She shifted in the saddle. Honey flicked her ears, seeming to pick up on Reese’s mood.
“Hey, Jem,” she said with a grin before sending her horse off in a gallop.
“Miss!” Lulu cried.
“Woohoo!” Jem cried, the sound of his horse’s hooves fast on her heels.
They had taken this path several times now, so she urged the palomino on. Reese hadn’t jumped a horse in more than a year, but she took a chance on a little fence, squealing with delight as Honey easily cleared it. Behind them, Jem gave a familiar whoop like he used to do when they raced as kids.
Laughing, Reese slowed the horse to a trot and waited for Jem to catch up.
“Thank you for that,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to do something like that for two days, but I didn’t want to risk you with those skirts, split or not.”
“That felt good,” she said. “I have so much energy some mornings that I think I’ll explode.”
“Miss Clarisse, you must never do that again,” Lulu chided as she and Walter finally caught up with them.
“Leave her be,” Walter said. “She and Mr. Jem both have good seats. I could have told you that, after riding with them for five days.”
“Thank you,” Reese said. “Does Aunt Nellie have any practice jumps we could use?”
“She does, but with the picnic tomorrow, it will be a few days before anyone would be free to set them up for you,” the groom said.
“Oh, all right,” Reese said, “but that was fun. I wonder if we could get Kaitlyn to come riding with us. She used to love jumping.”
“That group doesn’t seem much into physical stuff,” Jem said.
“Good point,” she said. “Well, I’m pretty windblown now, so I guess I’ll have to get cleaned up before lunch.”
Jem led them through more idle conversation as they rode. The reward came once she was ready to dismount. He had got
ten off his horse quickly and was at Honey’s side in a flash to help her down. Reese recognized it for what it was—a chance to touch. He took a very long time to lift her from the horse, holding her in the air for a few seconds before slowly lowering her to the ground, their bodies so close they almost touched.
Their eyes met, his intense gaze warming Reese right to her core. He smelled so good. Her blood pulsed hard in her ears. If he whispered anything to her, she couldn’t hear it.
Before Lulu could complain, Jem stepped back and offered Reese his arm. After he slid her arm around his elbow, he put his hand over hers and laced their fingers. It felt so dangerous it was thrilling. The need for coy fan language finally made sense.
***
Jem went along with the flurry of activities that accompanied Cora’s return and the preparations for Nellie’s picnic. Their hostess kept everyone busy, giving her male house guests the job to come up with a variety of outdoor games. She gave the Americans a stern reminder that the games must be appropriate for ladies.
The tension between him and Reese intrigued him. He wanted to talk privately with her, but Nellie’s watchdogs made sure that couldn’t happen. Sometimes he’d catch a look from Reese that made it clear she wanted the same thing. She had been a powerful draw for him for a long time anyway, but not being allowed to talk with her alone and having to sneak in a clandestine touch when he could was kind of hot.
He had even considered sneaking into Reese’s room for a chance to talk to her, until he remembered her ever-present maid. He wondered if Nellie realized the effect her rules were having on him.
“Mr. Jem,” Nellie said, interrupting his thoughts after dinner, “will you please call the ladies inside? I have the flowers assembled.”
He didn’t have a chance to ask her what that was about before she hurried off. When he opened the front door, he was surprised to find Lady Ellen climbing the stairs with a basket, followed by her maid and a groom, both laden with boxes.
“Lady Ellen.” Jem bowed and hurried down the stairs to take the basket from her. “What an unexpected pleasure.”
“Good evening, Mr. Taylor.” She dipped a curtsy and began climbing the stairs, a pretty flush to her cheeks.
“I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow.” He shifted the basket to his right hip.
“Did Aunt Nellie not tell you that I help every year with her flower arrangements for the picnic?” Ellen took the arm he offered. “For the last three years, she has invited me to stay the night, and we make a party of it.”
The footman opened the door for them.
“So, you’re staying the night?” Jem asked.
“Yes. Miss Clarisse has offered to share her room with me. I believe she called it a ‘sleep-over’.”
“That should liven things up.” It was a good thing he had already given up on trying to sneak past Reese’s maid. What would have happened tonight if he’d gotten in the room and found Ellen there?
“Lively only if you enjoy arranging flowers. I believe the gentlemen will be engaged in other activities.” She pulled off her gloves. “Jason and Sarah, you know where to take the boxes.”
“I guess I’ll see you around then.” Jem handed her basket to the footman and bowed to Ellen.
“Thank you.” She looked like she wanted to say something more but seemed to chicken out at the last minute, her cheeks going red. With a sweep of her full skirts, she turned and hurried away.
Jem watched her, fascinated with how smoothly she moved, almost like she was flowing over the ground. He was used to his sister’s enthusiastic prancing and Reese’s purposeful strides. Did women of this time learn to walk like that in finishing school or something? Or was her grace uniquely Ellen’s?
“Do you have any idea what’s going on tonight?” Cyrus asked, coming down the stairs to the entryway.
“Not really. I’ll bet William knows.” Jem nodded toward the man who was coming from the drawing room with a piece of paper in his hand.
“Pardon?” Nellie’s nephew said. “Did I hear my name?”
“I’ll be right back,” Jem said, remembering his own assignment. “I have to let the ladies know Nellie needs them.” He jogged out the door and down the stairs to where Nellie’s female guests had gathered in a gazebo.
“Hey, Jem,” Kaitlyn called. “Come to help decorate?”
“Nellie needs everyone inside,” he said. “She told me to send you all in.”
“But we aren’t finished here,” his sister said.
“Hey, I just work here. Tell Nellie.”
“Well, I will.” Kaitlyn and the others stopped what they were doing and headed toward the house as a group.
When Jem saw that Reese was holding back, he went over to look at what they had been doing. A pile of large bows made of ribbon sat on a wooden table.
“We’re not real fast at this,” Reese said, straightening a couple of them. “I think we took longer than Nellie expected.”
Jem went to stand beside her, aware of the maids who had come over to gather the finished bows. Her fingers brushed his where they hung at their sides, and he linked his pinky finger with hers. Lulu’s familiar cough came from behind them.
“Aunt Nellie requires your assistance as well, miss,” the maid said.
“Lady Ellen is here.” Jem offered Reese his arm and, as they had when walking back from the ride, he laced his fingers with hers. “She sounds excited about having a sleepover.”
“I really like her,” Reese said. “Nellie says she’s gifted at arranging flowers. I hope she’s a miracle worker because that’s something I’m no good at. I can copy something well enough, if I have a sample. I just go brain dead if I have to come up with the design myself.”
“You have other strengths.” He ran his thumb over the top of her hand and tried not to smile when she shivered. “I’m not sure what she has planned for us, but it should be interesting.”
With Lulu following close behind them, he made meaningless conversation as he escorted her back to the house. She dropped his arm once they were inside.
“Hurry,” Kaitlyn called from the library. “Lady Ellen’s ready to begin.”
“Thanks,” Reese whispered and followed his sister.
His heart light, Jem went to find the rest of the guys.
Chapter 10
“WELL,” REESE SAID, “I NEVER dreamed that anyone would ever be able to teach me how to arrange flowers. You’re really good at this.”
Ellen blushed as she often did when someone paid her a compliment. She had such a gentle personality and was so kindhearted. Reese hoped that her dreams of one day being a political wife would not set her up to being hurt by callous people and cause her to lose that sweetness of spirit.
“You put me to the blush,” the girl said, not looking up. She picked up one of the vases and took it over to the table with the others. The rest of the girls had finished with their flowers and gone up to bed. “I do thank you for allowing me to share your room, Miss Clarisse.”
“Just Clarisse.” Reese didn’t think she’d get her to call her by her nickname.
“If you wish me to,” Ellen said. “And you may call me Ellen when we are private—if you remember. I have seen how you struggle to be formal. It does not seem natural to you.”
“It’s not,” Reese admitted. “I do know how to behave, but back home our formal is not nearly as formal as your formal.”
Ellen laughed and tucked her arm through Reese’s. “I suppose we should retire. It will be an early morning.”
“It’s always an early morning for me,” Reese said. “I like to exercise first thing, and then Jem enjoys a morning ride together right after breakfast.”
“Is not your morning ride exercise enough?” Ellen asked.
“Not for me.”
Both their maids were waiting for them when they reached the bedroom and assisted them out of their dresses. Reese was actually getting used to it, and she wasn’t sure she liked that. She had no idea
how she would get out of some of the dresses by herself, but she resented the need to rely on someone else like this. It made her feel helpless, and she hated feeling that way.
“Which side do you wish to sleep on?” Reese was glad that Nellie had provided her with a room with a large bed.
“It is your bed.”
“I usually sleep in the middle, so that won’t work,” Reese said. “Since I don’t have an alarm clock here, it doesn’t really matter to me.”
Ellen frowned as she climbed onto one side of the bed. “I believe I may have heard of such a thing. Does it make a terrible racket to rouse you?”
“Pretty much.” Reese hopped into the other side.
“I believe it would be most distressing to be wakened in that manner.” Ellen adjusted her nightcap. “I do not understand why a person would wish to use such a device rather than have her maid wake her.”
“They were made for the working classes who can’t afford to have servants do it for them.” Reese adjusted her pillow and curled up on her edge of the bed. She hoped Ellen wasn’t a restless sleeper.
“You do not wear a nightcap?” Ellen asked.
“I hate hats.” Reese glanced over her shoulder at the girl. “I can barely stand to wear a hat during the day. I would go crazy if I had to wear one at night too.”
“But what if something happened and you were required to run from your room in the middle of the night?”
“Then the last thing anybody would be worrying about would be me without a nightcap. Might be different if I ran outside naked.”
Ellen giggled. “Yes, that would cause quite a stir.”
“Yeah,” Reese said. “Even where I come from.”
“Do you recall my invitation to visit at my home for a few days?” Ellen asked.
“Yes.” Reese yawned.
“I would like to suggest that you return with me tomorrow, after the picnic. Unless you have other plans.”
Reese hesitated. If she was gone for a few days, she’d never have a chance to steal some time alone with Jem. She was hoping he would confirm there could be something lasting between them, something she could trust in. The anticipation was driving her nuts.
Against the Magic Page 10
