10 Timeless Heroes; A Time Travel Romance Boxed Set

by P. L. Parker, Beth Trissel, L. L. Muir, Skhye Moncrief, Sky Purington, Nancy Lee Badger, Caroline Clemmons, Bess McBride, Donna Michaels

  The mattress had proven surprisingly soft and comfortable. She didn’t know what sort of material filled it, and she didn’t want to know. Her pillow felt like down and feathers, and her vegetarian soul cringed at the thought. Well-ironed, white linen sheets caressed her skin...all of her skin. Without a change of clothes, she’d slept naked. And she had dreamed of Robert...a dream within a dream. A heated blush spread throughout her body, and she pulled the quilt up to her chin. In the dream, Robert had discarded his true Victorian gentleman persona and...

  Ellie blocked the thought, heaved a sigh and turned onto her side. Green velvet curtains failed to keep tiny streams of light from spilling into the room. The maid, Sarah, had put her in a whimsically circular room with a four-poster bed and what some might have called antique Queen Anne furniture. Ellie had examined the room and its furnishings thoroughly before she hopped into the massive bed the previous night. The highly polished furniture shone brightly, without nicks and dings, and smelled of freshly cut wood. A cedar chest at the foot of the bed lent a wonderful scent to the room. The antique furniture was, in fact, new.

  With no idea of the time, Ellie reluctantly crawled out of bed and found her clothes. She gingerly pressed them to her nose and grimaced. Her clothes were ripe from traveling. She slid into the skirt and sweater, wishing she had something fresh to wear, though she drew the line at a corseted gown. Perhaps a nice loose gingham dress, such as she’d seen photos of pioneer women wearing.

  She opened the door and peeked out into the hallway. What time was it? She used her cell phone to tell time, but that was in her purse, somewhere on the train. The modern silver train. She slid out the door and surveyed the darkened hallway. Which way to go?

  Trying to retrace last night’s exhausted steps following Sarah to the room, Ellie turned to the left. She shuffled quietly along the oriental runner until she reached the grand staircase. Sounds from downstairs reached her ears—a feminine voice, perhaps Mrs. White, or a younger voice. Sarah?

  Running her hands lovingly along the gleaming wooden banister, Ellie crept down the stairs. Ornately framed portraits and landscapes decorated the rounded walls of the staircase. Her apprehension grew as she neared the first floor. What would she find in the light of day?

  She came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs and listened for the sounds of activity. The wonderful smell of cooked food made her mouth water, and she followed her nose. She crossed the hall and entered a formal dining room such as she’d seen only in photographs of Victorian homes. White lace curtains diffused and softened the bright light from outside. A long mahogany dining table sported a white linen and lace runner underneath a festive arrangement of flowers in the center. The room was empty.

  She moved through the room in the direction of the delicious smell and the sound of voices. To her right she saw another room, a circular room painted a soft buttercup yellow. A large round table presided in the center of the circle, and seated opposite the door was Robert, looking rested and refreshed, reading a newspaper. His wet hair gleamed in the sunlight flooding the room. When he looked up, her heart melted at the sight of his cheerful grin.

  “Ellie! You’re awake! Good morning. Here, come sit down with me. We’ll have breakfast together.” He jumped up and pulled out a chair next to his.

  Ellie hesitated.

  “What’s wrong?” He cocked his head to the side.

  “I...uh...haven’t had a shower, and my clothes are...um...travel stained.” She gulped. “Maybe I should just sit on the other side. You know...away.”

  Robert grinned, the charming cleft in his chin deepening.

  “Nonsense,” he murmured. “Come sit here. I cannot imagine that you would ever smell... That is...not be fresh as a daisy,” he finished triumphantly though his face took on a bronze tinge.

  Ellie chuckled. “Okay. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She slid into the chair next to his.

  “I apologize,” he said with a sigh as he returned to his seat. “I should have instructed Sarah to show you to the washroom in case you wanted to bathe this morning. Mrs. White will see to it after breakfast.” He eyed her speculatively. “You do need some clothes, though. As interesting as yours are, they will only bring uninvited attention. You will need to have something in the current fashion...from this time.”

  Ellie grinned and shook her head. “Robert, you are such a science fiction fan. What am I going to do with you?”

  “Well, I do not rightly know, Ellie. Whatever you like, I suppose. I am at your disposal.” He pressed his lips together in a failing effort to stifle a grin, and his green eyes danced.

  Sarah, a gangly young girl who appeared to be in her late teens, rushed into the room.

  “Oh, Miss Standish, I didn’t know you were awake. Mrs. White said I was supposed to show you the washroom as soon as you woke, but I didn’t know you were up and about.” Her panicked brown eyes flickered from Robert to Ellie and back.

  “No need to worry, Sarah. Miss Standish will bathe after breakfast. Could you please bring out some tea and breakfast for her?”

  Sarah bobbed. “Right away, sir. Right away.” She turned to leave.

  “Wait, Sarah!” Ellie called to her escaping back. “Please don’t bring anything with meat. I-I’m not sure what you have in there for breakfast, but anything without meat will be fine.”

  Sarah turned back with an open mouth and a wrinkled brow. “Without meat?” she asked incredulously.

  Ellie glanced at Robert for help, only to see him watching the exchange with amusement. He remained mute but gave her an encouraging nod.

  She turned back to Sarah.

  “Yes, you know, potatoes or eggs. I eat eggs...without the yolk, that is. Or toast! Toast would be just fine.”

  “I don’t know, Miss Standish. I’ll have to tell Cook. She’ll know what to do.” With a last nervous glance in Robert’s direction, Sarah fled the room.

  “Thank you very much for all the help, Robert.” Ellie quirked a wry eyebrow in his direction.

  “I thought you handled it yourself beautifully, Ellie. How could I have assisted you any better?” He raised his hands in a mock helpless gesture. She sniffed and crossed her arms.

  “Eggs without the yolk?” Robert asked. “What is this about?”

  “Cholesterol, you know?” Ellie said. “I’m watching my cholesterol. My dad had high cholesterol, and it can be a genetically inherited trait.”

  “Cholesterol? I take it this is derived from fat.”

  She nodded. “Well, I’m no nutritionist, but yes, most of it comes from fat.”

  “We will have to discuss your menu with Cook. That means no lard, I suppose?

  Ellie huffed and shook her head. “Animal fat.”

  “Cheese?” His smile was rapidly turning into a sly smirk.

  “You know I eat cheese. I would like to believe that the milk is humanely obtained.”

  Robert dropped his smile, and his expression turned grave for a moment.

  “I do not know if your visit to the turn of the century is going to make you happy, Ellie. There are many things here that are not necessarily humane or safe or healthy.”

  Ellie blushed. She was as happy as a clam...in his presence.

  “I’m quite content, Robert. Thank you.”

  He laid a warm hand over hers. “I hope you are, Ellie. I fervently hope that you are.”

  Ellie’s eyes flew to his, and she stilled at the intensity in them. She dropped her gaze and pulled her hand from his, afraid she might lose herself in the depths of his eyes and never come back up for air.

  “So, you were saying about clothes?” she said unsteadily.

  He leaned back and took a sip of tea. “For today, I think you should borrow some clothing. Would you prefer to borrow from Melinda or from my grandmother? You are all of similar size.” The laughter sprang back into his eyes.

  Ellie gave him a severe look, but she couldn’t repress a chuckle.

  “Melinda, please.”

/>   “I will ask her before I leave. I must go in to the office this morning. We will see about buying some clothing for you.”

  “I couldn’t, Robert. That’s too much trouble and expense. I’m just a stranger—and one who might be simply passing through, at that. Please don’t spend any money on me.”

  “You are no stranger to me, Ellie. I may have met you only yesterday, but I know you. I do not believe you are simply passing through.” Though he didn’t move, Ellie felt as if he whispered in her ear. A smile lingered on his face, but his eyes grew dark and solemn.

  At his words, Ellie turned startled eyes on him, but was distracted by Sarah’s return with another cup of tea and a plate of food which she placed in front of Ellie with a slight clatter.

  “Here, miss. This is everything Cook had ready for breakfast without meat.” She dashed out quickly.

  Ellie’s eyes widened at the sight of the extensive quantity of food heaped on the delicate china plate. A large mound of fried potatoes, two pancakes, four pieces of toast and an oversized, glazed, cinnamon roll all begged for attention.

  Ellie gasped. “I can’t possibly eat all this.”

  Robert gave a hearty laugh. “I see Mrs. Smith, our cook, is in rare form today.” He leaned forward to study her plate. “She never gives me that much.”

  “Well, here, have some,” Ellie murmured although she had already dug into the potatoes. “This is delicious. My compliments to Mrs. Smith,” she mumbled on a bite of toast.

  “I will be sure to pass those along to her.”

  Ellie noticed he stared at her mouth, and she lifted her napkin to her face.

  “Do I have crumbs on my face?”

  “No, I’m just watching you.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “I was just wondering how they eat in the twenty-first century, but I can see that nothing has changed.”

  Ellie colored, certain that she did indeed have crumbs on her face. She slowed her pace to an occasional nibble.

  “I wonder, Robert...” She hesitated. Such an awkward question.

  “Yes, Ellie?” Robert swallowed the last of his tea and checked his watch.

  “Who is Constance Green?” Ellie studiously examined the piece of toast in her hand. “Are you and she...?”

  “Are we what?” His half smile told her he was being deliberately obtuse.

  “You know. Are you...uh...dating?”

  “Dating?” His dark eyebrows flew up. “Do you mean are we courting?”

  Ellie couldn’t remember. Didn’t they use the word dating in 1901?

  She nodded, her toast suddenly one of the most fascinating objects in the room.

  “Yes, courting.”

  “Why do you ask, Ellie?”

  She gave him an exasperated look. The gleam in his eyes matched the dimples in his cheeks.

  “Just wondering, Robert. Just wondering.” Ellie shrugged with seeming indifference and raised knife and fork to attack a helpless pancake.

  “Constance is an old family friend. Her husband was a friend of mine from college.”

  “Oh. So she’s married.” Relief flooded through her, and she turned to him with a grin.

  He shook his head. “No, Constance is a widow. Her husband died several years ago.”

  Ellie’s spirits drooped again, and she leaned back into her chair and stared at the festive centerpiece of colorful Asiatic lilies. She gave him a speculative look from under her lashes.

  “Why aren’t you married, Robert?”

  Robert burst out laughing. Ellie blushed and glared at him. When he caught his breath, he murmured, “Ellie, that’s not the sort of question we usually ask in polite society.”

  “Well, in my world, we don’t really ask strangers such things either, but since I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, I thought I’d bypass the niceties.”

  He held up a hand. “Don’t remind me, madam. You are just passing through, I believe.”

  “That’s right, mister. Just passing through. So, why aren’t you married?”

  He regarded her with amusement for a moment before answering.

  “It’s hard to say, Ellie. I’ve never asked anyone to marry me. I suppose that would be a fine answer.”

  “Why not?” she drilled. She studied his face over her cup of tea.

  He gave her a harried look and ran a finger around the edge of his collar.

  “Well, it’s difficult to say. I-I have not found someone...suitable.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “Suitable?”

  “Em... Yes, suitable.”

  “Really?” She eyed him with skepticism.

  “Yes, really.”

  “And what does suitable mean?”

  His cheeks bronzed and he shook his head with a weak smile. “I am not quite certain, Ellie. The word sounded...suitable.”

  “So, you’re not waiting for someone suitable.”

  “No, most likely not.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?” What a stubborn man!

  He adjusted his tie and consulted his watch once again.

  “Why are you asking me this, Ellie?” His eyes begged for mercy, but Ellie could not relent.

  “I don’t know, Robert. I suppose because you won’t really say. Now, I’m curious, and I can’t seem to let it go.” She chuckled. “It’s awful of me, isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” he murmured. “It is. You are merciless.” His lips curved in a faint smile. With another check of his watch, he stood up and rested a hand on Ellie’s shoulder. She fought the urge to rub her face against his warmth like a kitten.

  “I must go. I will be back in a few hours. I hope to take you on a tour of the city this afternoon. Would that be acceptable to you? I will speak to Melinda before I leave about some...suitable clothing for you.”

  “Thank you. That sounds wonderful. The tour and the clothing.”

  “Good. We’ll make an afternoon of it. I look forward to it as well.”

  Her shoulder felt suddenly chilled when he lifted his hand. Watching him cross the room, Ellie admired his tall, lean form in the dark suit and the way his well-trimmed hair kissed the edge of his collar.

  He paused at the door and turned slowly, his cheeks still high with color. His gaze flickered beyond her to the window and then back to her face.

  “I suppose I have not married because I have never fallen in love before.” With a sheepish smile, he turned and left the room.

  Chapter Eight

  “What do you think about this?” Melinda held up a dark blue silk skirt. “It goes with this little bolero jacket.” She tossed them on the bed and dragged another outfit from the wardrobe. “Wait. I think this would suit you nicely!” She held up a rose-colored wool skirt and jacket and draped them against Ellie. “This is the one! Do you like it? Put it on. We shall see if it fits.”

  Ellie envied Melinda her youthful enthusiasm. Had she herself ever been that bubbly as a young woman? She thought back over her years of study, long hours in the library with her head stuck between the pages of a book while other girls fell in love and went on dates.

  “Come on, Ellie. If you are shy, I can turn my back.”

  “Thanks, Melinda, if you wouldn’t mind.”

  Melinda, not yet dressed for the day but decidedly attractive in a pale peach and white tea gown, drifted away to sit in a lovely blue brocade chair. She turned her head away.

  “Wait, what about a blouse? Don’t I need a blouse?” Ellie asked.

  Melinda jumped up. “How silly of me. I forgot. Of course you do.” She crossed over to her wardrobe and pulled out a white ruffled creation from a large selection of similar white blouses.

  “Here,” she said as she handed the white batiste blouse to Ellie and sped back to her chair to turn her head toward the wall once again.

  Ellie laid the clothing out on the bed and kept a wary eye on Melinda. She’d hated physical education classes for the very same reason—changing in front of other girls. Melinda kept her head firmly turned away.

  �
��I do not hear anything, Ellie. Are you changing? You cannot want me to get a crick in my neck, do you?”

  “I’m hurrying...if I can...figure out...how to get this...” Ellie pulled her bulky turtleneck sweater up and over her head and dropped her skirt. She rolled her eyes as she surveyed her undergarments. Why couldn’t she have been blessed with an overnight bag for her dream...or travel...just a small carryall with an extra pair of underwear, a clean, crisp bra, a toothbrush and some deodorant.

  Ellie stepped into the soft rose wool skirt and pulled it up, dismayed at the tight fit over her hips. She suspected she’d have to sit very carefully in order to prevent the seams from ripping. She grabbed the blouse and tussled with the small buttons and extra unidentified material. Ellie tried to remember photos she had seen of the fashions of the time. The extra fabric had to be some sort of bow or tie for the neckline. She slipped into the soft blouse and pushed her arms through the long sleeves which were narrow along the lower arms and wrists but puffed to gigantic proportions at the shoulders and upper arms.

  Ellie giggled. She couldn’t possibly wear this in public.

  “Are you dressed, Ellie?”

  She choked back a gurgle of laughter. “Not yet. One more minute.” Ellie reached for the hooks at the back of the skirt but couldn’t manage.

  “Can you come help me, Melinda? I can’t work these hooks.”

  Melinda turned and jumped up. She began to laugh, this time without hiding it behind her hand. As frustrated as Ellie was, she responded to the infectious tinkling sound with a grin.

  “Oh, Ellie, you look a fright. Let me see.” Melinda turned Ellie to face her and surveyed her critically. “Well, you must tie the bow of course. What is wrong with the skirt?” She reached for the waistband and tugged. It did not budge.

  “Oh, dear, Ellie. I am afraid it does not fit. Are you wearing a corset?” Melinda’s cheeks took on a pink tinge.

  Ellie’s eyebrows shot up. “A corset? Certainly not!”