Will awarded her with another winning smile. “The feeling is one hundred percent mutual, Lucy.” She offered him back the bottle, but he declined. “Well then, show me what we’re eating.”
Lucy pulled out two different kinds of cheeses. They’d been precut. Fresh baked bread that was still warm. Apples and grapes.” She handed Will an apple and he immediately took a bite.
“Mmmmmm, that’s good.” He took another one.
Lucy tried hers and had to agree. It was the perfect combination of sweetness and tartness. She gave Will a hunk of bread and some cheese.
While they ate, two ducks landed and settled on the water. Will and Lucy listened to their quacking.
“What do you think they’re saying?” Will asked.
“I have no idea. They’re ducks.”
Will stuck his hand in the water and flicked it at her. “That’s why you make it up.”
“She wiped her face with a napkin the cook had been kind enough to pack.”
“Very well.” She finished chewing her bread and swallowed. “How about, ‘Brrrr, this water is rather cold on my bum’?’”
Will laughed. “Not bad.”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “Really, Mr. Godwin. You think you can do so much better?”
In response, he snorted.
“Then you try.” Lucy chewed on a piece of cheese.
He tilted his head, as though listening. “Okay, see the one that keeps dunking his head under the water?”
She nodded.
“Let’s call him Gus.”
“Gus?”
“Yes, Gus. And he’s saying, ‘There are hundreds of fish down here. They are swimming in small schools. One of them is huge. I hope he isn’t hungry. I don’t want to be some big, dumb fish’s dinner.’ The other one is Nell and she’s kind of uppity, likes to speak with a strong English accent. She’s saying, ‘Oh, pleeeeease, Gus. Fish do not eat ducks. We are far too fluffy and gorgeous. Besides their teeth are too small to do any damage.’ And Gus is like, ‘Well, Nell there’s a first time for everything. Remember Uncle Rob. He went swimming in the Flaming Gorge and never returned. I bet a fish ate him.’”
The ducks took to the air and flew away.
“‘Fine, Gus. We will go find another pond, one with smaller fish and warmer water,’” Will continued, in his uppity English accent.
Lucy giggled.
“‘Yeah, there’s a huge body of water this way. I’ll take you.’” Will stood and tried to bow, causing the boat to rock. “And that’s how it’s done.”
“Very good. I do believe those two ducks were Gus and Nell.”
He glanced up at the sky. “Looks like rain. Should we head in?”
The clouds were rolling in fast. “Definitely.” She packed up the basket while Will rowed.
They didn’t get very far before the rain started. Big droplets burst from the sky and drenched them within seconds. The lake began to roil and gurgle like a boiling pot. Water splashed inside the boat.
“What’s happening?” Lucy shouted.
“I’m not sure. Hang on. Stay in the center of the boat.”
She scooted over, doing what he said, but the waves got bigger and bigger. Will lost one of his oars. A large wave came at them, slamming into the boat, capsizing it. Before Lucy realized what was happening, she was in the water. Her riding habit had many layers and now soaked in water, they dragged her down. Frantically she clawed toward the surface. She hadn’t been prepared when the boat capsized so her lungs were already in desperate need of air. She looked for the way up, but under the murky water couldn’t tell which way to go.
Will, her heart cried.
Finally she broke free of the watery depths and took a deep breath. If possible, it was raining even harder. Immediately, a swell of water pushed her back under the water. She surfaced in time to be pushed down once again. She was tiring rather rapidly under the extra weight of her clothes and realized she wouldn’t be able to keep fighting the waves much longer.
When she came to the surface again, she took a deep breath, ready to be pummeled again, but the waves were gone. The rain was gone. And the clouds moved on as swiftly as they’d come. “Will!” She turned in the water, looking for him or the boat. She saw the boat floating back near the middle of the pond, but no Will. She called him again, heading toward the pier, hoping he’d made it to shore.
She’d gone only a few feet when something tugged on her leg, pulling her back underwater. She tried to see what it was, but the pond was too muddy. She used her other foot to kick at it, but it wouldn’t let go. And she was getting deeper by the second. It was a pond though. How deep could it be? she thought, even as spots began to appear before her eyes. She knew that meant she would pass out soon and that would be it. How sad that she would die, not by the gods, or because she and Will broke the rules of the time travelling amulet, but by drowning. The commonality of her fate angered her, and she kicked at the thing that held her.
A blast of light shot through the water. Something below her shrieked and whatever had her, let go. She looked up, searching for the source of her rescue. Lucy kicked her feet until she broke the surface of the water. She coughed and gasped, looking for Will. She still couldn’t find him. “Will,” she shouted. “Answer me.” She used the last of her strength to reach the edge of the pond and climb out. The outline of a person lay in the grass to the left. “Will,” she sobbed, crawling her way over to him. His eyes were closed. “Come on, my love.” She knelt beside him and patted his cheek. “Wake up.” A thought came to her that she should roll him onto his side, so she did. “Please don’t leave me. I can’t have you dying.”
He coughed, sending water sputtering out.
“That’s it.” She massaged his back until he finished. “You’re going to be just fine.” She hugged him, not caring that they were both cold and soaking wet. At least the sun was out again. The rays warmed her slightly.
Will took a deep breath, before sitting up. “Lucy, don’t ever do that to me again.” He pulled her into a hug, causing them both to fall backward.
“I’m sorry, Will. But I swear I didn’t send those waves to get you. Maybe it was the big fish.”
He chuckled, hugging her closer to him. “You’re probably right. He didn’t like that I revealed his secret.”
“Exactly. In the future, you’d do well not to speak ill of the fishes.”
They held each other for a long while, until Lucy started to shiver.
“What is it about you and me and the water?” Will helped Lucy stand. “You look like a drowned mouse. Help me take your overcoat off and we’ll wrap you in the blanket strapped to your horse’s saddle. It should still be relatively dry.”
She tried to undo the buttons, but her fingers were numb from cold.
“I’ve got it.” He grabbed hold of the collar and ripped it open, revealing the shirt still tucked into her skirt.
Lucy felt her eyes get huge. “Sir!” She felt her face try to blush, but she was still too cold.
“Don’t ‘sir’ me. Let’s get you warm. Your lips are turning blue.” He took her hand, but when he stepped down on, he growled, grabbing hold of his thigh.
Lucy saw that something dark oozed from his left leg onto his pants. Upon closer inspection she realized it was blood. “You’ve been cut. That’s a lot of blood.” Her strength renewed, her mind immediately sprung into action. She picked up her wet outer coat, tore at the inner lining until she had a long enough piece. Then picked up a stick. “I’m going to tie this around the wound. You’re losing too much blood and I don’t want you to pass out.”
“It’s fine. Really. Let’s just get you back.”
“As you say, Mr. Godwin. Now hold still.” She wrapped the lining around his upper thigh and then used the stick to tighten it until the blood had slowed to a trickle. “Lean on me and we’ll get to the horses.” His face was so pale; he looked like he was dying.
“You’re suddenly so bossy,” he said, but there was none
of his fire behind the words.
Getting Will on the horse proved almost impossible. But they finally managed. She took the reins and rode as quickly as possible back to the estate. Before they reached the stables, Sebastian, Harriet, and Dashel met them.
“What happened, Miss? Are you hurt?” Harriet wrung her hands together with worry.
“No, I’m fine, but Will is hurt. He’s got a terrible gash on his leg.” The two men helped him down.
“Harriet, help Lucy out of those wet clothes and into something dry immediately,” Sebastian barked. “Alder, fetch my things and take them up to Mr. Godwin’s room.”
“Right away.”
Lucy realized as Harriet helped her inside that Alder was Sebastian’s man. “But Will—I need to stay with him.”
“Hush, Miss. It won’t do Will any good if you catch your death, now would it?” said Harriet, ushering Lucy upstairs.
“I guess not.”
“I’ll be okay, Luce,” Will called after her.
“You had better be.” She practically ran up the stairs. The sooner she was dry and warm, the sooner she could be by Will’s side.
SEVENTEEN
A PROPOSAL
LUCY RUSHED Harriet, and felt badly for snapping at her more than once. It seemed to take longer than usual to get clean, dry, and dressed. Harriet tried to do her hair, but Lucy lost all patience.
“Leave it,” she said, bustling to the connecting door and knocking.
“Come in.” Alder opened the door.
Lucy barely acknowledged him as she walked by and headed straight for Will. He was sitting up, clean, in fresh clothes, and the color had returned to his complexion. She’d expected to see him on his deathbed, but he appeared to be doing very well indeed.
“You look better,” she said. “How’s your leg?”
“Good. Great, actually. I feel better than I have in years.” He held out his hand and she took it, sitting on the bed beside him. “Glad to see your lips are no longer blue.”
“Does it hurt too badly?”
“Not at all.”
“Really? You aren’t just trying to be brave for me?”
He threw back a part of the covers so that she could see his leg. She would’ve been completely embarrassed, except that she was in shock. The wound had completely healed, leaving behind only pucker of pink skin. At first she guessed the cut hadn’t been as bad as she thought, but then she remembered Sebastian. She turned to face their host.
“You did magic on him?” She wasn’t sure whether to be thrilled or terrified by the idea.
“Something like that,” he said, giving her a genial smile.
“It wasn’t anything too magical. He had me drink a small glass of something and within minutes my leg was healed.”
Lucy heard Harriet gasp.
“What is it?” Lucy turned to her friend.
She looked pale. “It’s nothing, Miss. I’m just surprised.”
Lucy focused on Will. “I’m just glad you’re better. I was so worried.”
Will kissed her forehead. “No need to worry.” He cleared his throat and sat up taller in bed. “But there is something I want to ask you.”
“Oh? What is it, Will?”
His gaze went over her head to Sebastian and Dashel. “I’ve talked to Dashel, and Sebastian has agreed to help as well.”
“With what?” She was confused. Why would Will need to talk to Dashel?
Will pulled a ring from under the covers and held it up. “Lucy Channing. Would you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?’
“You’re serious?” Lucy was shocked.
“I’m as serious as the crazy rainstorm that capsized the boat.” He leaned in so that their foreheads were touching. “Marry me.”
“Marriage? Will, I would be honored to become your wife, but it can’t be done.” She spoke the words softly, wishing they weren’t true.
“Of course it can. Anything is possible for the right price.” He leaned back, but kept hold of her hands. “It’s true in my time and this time. Right, Sebastian?”
“You are quite right, William.”
Lucy recognized that they were now on a first name basis. Whatever they’d talked about had changed their relationship, all formalities gone.
“Don’t think, just say yes, because for me, you’re it. There isn’t another person in all the world I’ll ever love the way I love you.”
Tears welled up and blurred her vision. “Yes. Of course I want to say yes. But there are very strict protocols in this time. Not to mention my family.”
“You needn’t worry about any of that,” Sebastian said. “Between us, there isn’t an issue we can’t conquer.”
Will pulled Lucy against his shoulder. “See?”
She buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, desperate to believe him. “But how?”
“I’ve already spoken to Clergyman Jeff—”
Lucy lifted her head. “That’s what the two of you were talking about for so long?”
He winked, wiping her eyes. “Yep.”
“And he agreed?” She was stunned. “But the law?” She spoke directly to the duke. It was obvious the man was used to getting what he wanted. “How will you get around the requirements, including my parents consent, along with the reading of the Banns thrice before the ceremony. Those are not obstacles to be overcome so easily, milord, especially since my parents will never agree. I am already betrothed to Mr. Rothchild.” Besides all that, their marriage might only last two more days, and then Will might be gone for good.
Perhaps it didn’t matter whether the marriage was legal or not. In her heart she’d never be able to love another. She glanced down at her hands, embarrassed by their predicament. If she married Will, she would have the happiest two days of her life, but once he was gone she would become an outsider. “Dash, what are your feelings on the matter?”
He cleared his throat, coming forward. “You are my dearest friend. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s you.” He glanced at William. “The man seems honorable so I am in agreement. It’s a good match, Luce.” He smiled, though she saw a twinge of sadness in his eyes. The situation would be difficult for him as well. “But Miss Channing has several valid points. The biggest obstacle will be her parents as well as mine. They have already approved our match. It has already been officially announced and they won’t take kindly to Lucy’s marriage to another man.”
Lucy made a sound of agreement.
Dashel continued, “Moreover, I adore Lucy and I know the feeling is mutual. Our match would be well accepted by the ton and I believe the two of us together would be quite a favorite.”
Will squeezed her hand and she heard a rumble in his throat. The idea of Lucy marrying anyone but him was obviously off-putting.
“But none of that matters. Lucy loves Will and I can see clearly that he loves her as well. Given the circumstances, I think their marriage is proper.” He glanced at Harriet. Lucy was surprised, especially when she noticed that her lady’s maid was blushing. “Whatever happens in two days, I know that between us we can keep the tongues from wagging, or at least minimize the gossip.”
“Dash, that’s all very kind, but I can’t let you do that.”
He raised a hand. “Miss Channing, it’s done.” He smiled happily. “You have my full support.”
She nodded. “I appreciate that, I truly do, but I’m worried about my brother and sister. Not marrying Dashel will guarantee they become destitute. They will hate me all the more once this is over.” Without Dashel’s twenty thousand pounds a year, her entire family would have a much harder life.
“Not to worry, Lucy. Dashel, William, and I have devised a plan to guarantee your family receives a yearly stipend of fifty thousand pounds in your honor.” Sebastian’s voice was completely steady as he spoke.
Lucy placed a hand over her mouth. That was a king’s ransom. It would make them richer than most of the continent, at least until her father spent it all at the tabl
es. “I could never allow such generosity,” Lucy said.
Sebastian smiled, his sinister face lighting up. “My dear, I have been around a very long time, and in all my years I’ve only ever seen this kind of love twice. What the two of you have is rare. I would be greatly amiss if I did not make your time together the happiest it can be.”
“Agreed,” Dashel said.
“See, Lucy. We can do this.” Will hugged her to his side in reassurance.
Lucy felt her worries lighten slightly. “But what of the documentation?”
“Please have a little faith,” Sebastian scoffed. “Did you not witness my ability to lock away not one but two gods?” He didn’t wait for a response. “Procuring the necessary documentation for a marriage will be easy,” he smiled genially. “Besides, the king owes me a favor. If I ask it of him, this marriage will be completely legal.”
Lucy couldn’t believe it. Everything abruptly seemed to be falling into place.
“When?” Lucy couldn’t keep the hope from her voice.
“As soon as we’re all ready,” Will said. He placed the ring encircled with lavender gems on her finger.
“Miss Lucy, you donna have to do anything you don’t want to,” Harriet said. She’d been so quiet, Lucy nearly forgot she was there.
“Right. You don’t have to.” Will kissed her cheek. “I’m asking, not ordering. Lucy Channing, will you marry me?”
At his question, her heart shouted a resounding, yes! For some reason Lucy’s thoughts went to her mother. What had her wedding been like? Her parents weren’t the happiest couple. What had her mother been feeling on the day she married? Had she been happy? Nervous? There were things that happened after the wedding that Lucy felt sure she wasn’t prepared for too. Aside from that there was the bond, the promise to be with that person until death. Her and Will’s case was unusual, but in a sense it would be death as well. Two days as Will’s wife. It would be her most cherished memory, of that she was certain. “Yes,” she said, blinking back tears.
Past the Ages: Book Two Page 9
