Aunt Nellie met her eyes. Kaitlyn once again wondered what the woman could see in her.
“The magic only really comes alive on the full moons. It’s often times unpredictable on whether things come or go. Since you’re here, I’ll be able to play with some of the strands of time and push the magic into it to send you back, so you shouldn’t worry about the magic grabbing you again. As for places you should stay away from, I would say use your common sense. Don’t go into the woods alone. Not that there are any horrible things out there, you just shouldn’t go alone. And if you do go in there, stick to the paths and trails already established. And for propriety’s sake, you should always have a chaperone. It’s how things are done and I expect you all to follow the etiquette of the day.”
Kaitlyn nodded.
“The kitchens aren’t really for guests to just wander through, but if you become hungry outside of regular meal times, just let your personal assistants know and they can get something for you. The gardens and fields are open for your enjoyment. If you’d like to ride my horses, you’re welcome to them as long as you check with my stable master and get his approval first.”
Nellie went over a few more simple rules. Kaitlyn knew things would be mostly relaxed and fun here. She had a whole month to enjoy herself and see the past from a closer view. She couldn’t wait to get started.
***
Cyrus stared at the baronet across the table and to the right of him as he kept Kaitlyn engaged in conversation throughout the whole meal. Nellie stationed him next to one of the young daughters of a neighboring family. Miss Forrester was obviously too young for him, but she was doing her best to flirt with him.
She was kind and had wonderful manners. Nothing she did was inappropriate, but her compliments to him and her deference to his views and opinions was a little unnerving. No one seemed to care how much she flirted with him. He had nothing to say that wouldn’t take a lot of thought behind it to keep him from giving away too much information.
He once again adopted the aloof personality that had helped him last night at the ball and tried to listen to the conversations at the table. Miss Forrester finally seemed to tire of carrying on all the conversation between them and began speaking to Kaitlyn across from her. When Kaitlyn answered, Cyrus perked up. Her words weren’t profound, and she wasn’t speaking of anything that should draw his attention. It was just her.
And she was still something he couldn’t resist. He loved how she was fun and lively. How she was able to blend into this crazy situation without freaking out like he wanted to do. Cora had seemed to accept it all easily. She’d latched on to another girl who’d been visiting Twickenham for the ball and had accepted an invitation to go visit at her home.
Cyrus looked back down the table and saw Reese and Jem sitting together. Reese still had a bit of a look of panic in her eyes and Jem seemed to be keeping her calm. At least Jem was fortunate enough to have some time with her. Though this meal wasn’t nearly as fancy as the one they’d enjoyed before the ball on the day of their arrival, it still had more courses than he wanted to eat. Instead of being able to eat what he wanted and then excuse himself from the table to go do something interesting, he had to stay there and follow the conversations of everyone around him.
Aunt Nellie studied him for a moment. When he looked directly at her, she just smiled and turned her attention to the person next to her, asking a question and ignoring Cyrus completely. Her scrutiny almost seemed like she knew more than she let on. That everything that happened in her house was on her radar.
Kaitlyn seemed to ease into the conversation with little issues. Cyrus heard Jem whispering to Reese to calm down as she got more passionate and heated about something she thought was unjust here. Kaitlyn, whether she just didn’t care or didn’t hear Reese, kept up a lively conversation, making all the men in her hearing turn their attention to her.
He didn’t know how she did it. She had them all laughing off and on with the witty things she said, yet none of it was off or seemed unusual for the time. She didn’t talk politics, she didn’t talk about the queen or any of their previous rulers, and she didn’t talk about how things were in America, yet she kept them all enraptured with her lively conversation and her continuous questions of the men around her.
Finally the dessert had been consumed and the women left the table.
Cyrus wished he could be excused to follow the women when they departed, but when all the men stayed in the room after the ladies left, he knew he was trapped in there unless he wanted to be the uncouth American and leave as well. Since Jem stayed, he figured he’d need to remain as well.
He hoped he might have a few minutes to talk to Jem and find out how things were going with him. Instead, Jem got caught up in a conversation with one of the other men at the table. He seemed to be asking him questions about random things, but as Cyrus watched him, he could tell Jem was listening to the way the man spoke, internalizing it. As Cyrus focused on the conversation between the other two, he heard some men speaking at the head of the table.
“I do believe I might have an opportunity to discuss an arrangement with her uncle.” A man with an extra fancy, tied cravat spoke to a man in a blue coat next to him.
“When does she come of age?” the other man asked.
“She is currently nineteen. Old enough to marry, of course.”
Cyrus glanced at the two. Neither of them were his age, but seemed to be at least five or ten years older. At least they weren’t old enough to be the girl’s father. Whoever they were talking about, the thought of some poor girl being set up with one of them made him a little sick to his stomach.
“I wonder how many men here will be after these American heiresses Aunt Nellie has invited,” the man with the dark blue waist coat said. Cyrus had a moment of worry about Kaitlyn and Reese. At twenty-seven, Cora was considered too old by many of their standards and for a moment, he envied her. At least she would be able to just enjoy her time in the past without fighting off the stupid advances of these men who only wanted a woman for their money.
“I can already see one who’s interested.” The two of them looked over toward the table where some drinks were placed. Cyrus turned to see Jack standing by another man, having a private conversation. “And if her fortune is as large as Aunt Nellie hints it to be, he could hardly find anyone better to help him revitalize his title and lands.”
Cyrus knew Jack had eyes for Kaitlyn. Every time he thought about it, it irritated him. If he was only after her for her money, that was even worse. Kaitlyn needed to know.
For a brief moment, he was tempted to tell the men here that the girls didn’t have any money, and that Aunt Nellie had made it all up. He knew that would be a horrible thing to do. Aunt Nellie didn’t deserve to have him rat her out, and the girls were here to have fun. If they were considered poor and penniless, they wouldn’t be allowed to socialize with all these fancy folks.
Of course, the society of these high-ranking people of society wasn’t all that wonderful.
“What about you?” the guy in the blue jacket asked the other man. “If Miss Forrester’s uncle won’t give you permission to court her, would you consider one of these heiresses Aunt Nellie likes to invite?”
The guy shook his head. “No, they are all a little peculiar in my opinion. More sure of themselves, a little too demanding. I don’t think I’d want to deal with a bossy wife. I’d like my wife to be more docile.”
“I hear you on that, but sometimes, it seems like it might be a little fun to have a woman with a little fire on occasion. Only under the right circumstances. I wouldn’t want to have to constantly worry about her making a fool of me, no matter how much money she had. It seems like the Americans are a little more troublesome than their funds might warrant.”
The other guy nodded. “Yes, but remember Edwards? Didn’t he end up falling for one of the women a few years back who came to visit Aunt Nellie from the Americas? Whatever happened to him?”
“He
’s doing extremely well, from what I understand.”
“Well, perhaps her large dowry was highly beneficial.”
The conversation mercifully changed to talk of politics and fashion. He happily tuned it out as he imagined what he might find the women doing. He had no idea if they were in there gossiping about the men, or if they were working on doing something like needlework, or if they were reading. He was sure none of them would have wanted to be in here listening to the men talk about them like mere property. Of course, he wouldn’t doubt some of the mothers were talking about how to get their daughters noticed by the men with lots of money.
Cyrus was relieved when they were finally allowed to join the women and happy to see that some card games had been set up. Some of the men decided to stay in the corners talking amongst themselves. He happily left them to join the ladies at the tables and participate in the game.
He hadn’t played most of them even when they’d been at Aunt Nellie’s house during their first visit, but he was happy enough to pick up the rules of the game. He lost more than he won, realizing that the women really liked being able to best a man on occasion. He felt pleased when he could allow a woman to feel happy, even if it was at a simple game.
Kaitlyn and Reese whispered a few things as they passed each other between some games, but neither of them sat at the same table throughout the evening. Reese had a cute new friend named Ellen who had latched onto her, and he could see that Reese was on a mission to help her. And while watching Jem, Cyrus wasn’t sure how beneficial that help might be. Or how well received in this day and age, though Ellen seemed smitten with Reese.
While Cyrus was busy watching Reese and Ellen talking with Jem, he missed the moment Sir Jack Hughes Von Maughanhoe had maneuvered his way to Kaitlyn’s table to play the game with her.
Once again, Cyrus felt more jealousy than he had any right to feel, but he didn’t like the guy taking all of Kaitlyn’s attention. Jack was most likely only interested in the money Kaitlyn could provide.
Chapter Twelve
On Saturday morning, Kaitlyn touched the horse on the bridge of the nose, rubbing softly and staring into the huge eyes. “You’re a beauty, aren’t you?” She laughed when the horse nodded and whinnied. “And no false pride from you either. What a perfect little lady you are.”
It was such a relief to not be sitting in the parlor with the other women. In the movies, it had been so funny and entertaining to watch the wit and conversations coming from the women as they sat around working on their needlepoint or doing drawings or whatever was an acceptable way for women to pass their time. In real life, it was mind-numbingly boring. After a few days of wasting her time in the house with the women, Kaitlyn was about ready to go crazy. No wonder women spent so much time in pursuit of the men. They needed something that would break up the monotony of all that boring stuff.
She had never managed to sneak away into the stables to go riding with Reese and Jem. They were much earlier risers and she wanted to give them some time alone, but she was dying to get on a horse.
At home she had always been allowed to go riding on her own, but here, she wasn’t considered an independent adult. She was a woman of marriageable age and therefore a temptation to all men in the vicinity and must be protected or prevented from causing a man to fall victim to his base desires. And heaven forbid she would show a little bit of leg, or have a leg covered in pants of any kind.
When Jack and Cyrus entered the stable at the same time, puffed up like a couple of peacocks, she nearly rolled her eyes. Cyrus rode enough she was sure he’d do fine out here, but she doubted he was as excited at the option of riding as she was. Especially with Sir Hughes coming as well.
With the sound of movement from behind her, Kaitlyn turned to see a groom carrying a saddle. She took one look at it and shook her head.
“Oh no, I’m sorry, but I won’t be using a side saddle.”
The boy looked almost scandalized.
“But, miss, you can’t possibly…”
Sir Hughes cleared his throat. The boy stopped and turned red. “No offense, miss.” He shifted the saddle in his arms as if not sure what to do.
Kaitlyn smiled at him. “It might sound a little odd, but back home, I became accustomed to riding with a regular saddle. I’m afraid there would be more danger of me injuring myself if I were to try using one of these.”
“Miss Taylor,” Jack said. “Are you certain riding astride would be safe given the skirts you are wearing?”
Kaitlyn nodded. “After Reese rode the other day, she requested the servants work on making split skirts. Something used at home to give us more freedom in riding.”
Cyrus studied her skirt and she pulled on the side a little. She caught the light in his eyes the moment he realized what she was wearing. He nodded as if he approved. “Miss Taylor,” Cyrus said, almost mockingly. “I think your adjustments on your riding skirts are an excellent invention.”
“You mean this isn’t common in the Americas?” Jack asked.
Kaitlyn waved her hand. “Oh, this was not my invention. I’ve seen it before. It will keep me appropriately covered, but allow me the free movement I need. I don’t know why more women haven’t been seriously injured while riding if they are trapped in so many skirts. This is so much more practical.”
Jack turned to the young groom. “I dare say you’ll be able to find another saddle that will accommodate Miss Taylor.”
The boy nodded and moved away, but not before Kaitlyn registered he was only going after being told to do so by a man. As she rolled her eyes, she caught Cyrus smiling at her.
“What?” she whispered as he stepped closer.
“Nothing,” Cyrus said, still with a knowing smile.
Once the animal was properly saddled for their ride, she allowed Jack to help her up, though she didn’t really need the help. Or at least she wouldn’t have needed the help if she weren’t wearing pounds and pounds of extra fabric. Sometimes, the dresses of the day seemed incredibly ridiculously, but in a separate part of her heart, she really did love wearing them. Dressed up all fun and fancy had something special and almost magical to it.
Every once in a while when she walked by a mirror or felt the swoosh of her skirt, she had a rush of excitement fill her stomach which sent a million butterflies to flight into her heart. She smiled at the magic and joy of the moment. At this particular moment, while she tried to adjust the legs of the split skirt so that her ankles wouldn’t be exposed and open her up to ridicule or scandalous talk amongst the stable boys, she felt anything but joy and magic.
If she were a fairy godmother kind of woman like she thought Aunt Nellie was, then she would have put a spell on all the men and women of the time and made them think a little more progressively.
But then someone would probably find her and burn her at the stake as a witch.
***
Cyrus glared at the backs of Kaitlyn and Jack as they rode side by side up ahead of him through a denser area of the trail that wouldn’t allow for three horses to ride abreast. He couldn’t understand why Jack had to be along for the ride. When Jem and Reese suggested they should go riding, he pounced on the idea. It was the perfect excuse to go with Kaitlyn and have a few minutes to talk about how things were so strange and different here in the past. They could have been chaperoned by one of Nellie’s faerie staff who wouldn’t be confused when they talked of the future.
But Nellie seemed to have some kind of ulterior motive. He’d heard one of the servants mention Nellie was fond of finding love matches. And the way she watched all the different men and women who were guests of her house, he was almost sure she had plans for some of them. Before they had left the breakfast table, he’d heard Nellie talking with Jack. Her tone seemed teasing, but she had said it would please her to see him find a wife to become the lady of his estate and make him settle down.
Jack had chuckled. “I am avoiding the marriage market in town by coming here. I don’t need help finding a bride.�
�� When Aunt Nellie looked away, Cyrus caught Jack looking at Kaitlyn a second time. Cyrus’s stomach dropped at the thought. He would do his best to protect her from anything of the sort.
As he saw Kaitlyn and Jack in easy conversation on the horses ahead of him, he almost wished they had a few more riders with them to go interrupt their discussion. If he joined them, he’d get another eye roll from Kaitlyn for interfering with her magical experience of living in the past and being the object of a baronet’s attention.
Would she really consider settling down and staying in the past with Jack? He doubted it, not if her annoyance at the stable boy’s actions was any indicator, but it was hard to know for sure. He would have to talk to Jem about it. See what he thought of his sister being courted by a baronet.
Chapter Thirteen
“Can you believe we’ve been here a week, Jem?” Kaitlyn asked her brother as the two of them walked in the small flower garden to the side of one wing of Aunt Nellie’s spacious home.
“I know. It’s gone by so fast. I think I might be able to handle it another few weeks.”
“Are you having a good time?” She looked at her brother, studying him to see if he would admit to enjoying his time with Reese. She’d noticed they spent a lot of time together, so much that she wondered if he would do something about his feelings for her friend. If they kept up this same pace for the next three weeks, they’d be a serious couple before they ever returned home.
“Yes, though it feels so odd to not be doing the same kind of work I’d always done. I almost feel restless. Like I should be doing something more. They had a lot of time for fun and leisure here, but I don’t feel complete really.”
Kaitlyn nodded. “I hear ya. I’ve been busy all day, but so much of it is just talking to other women or being told I should have learned how to draw or stitch or play an instrument. I’m so unaccomplished. I’m not really worth anything in their eyes.”
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