“I’m used to it.” She hoped she didn’t traumatize the young maid by practically yanking her hands away, but if she had touched her bare hands, it would have been an even bigger disaster. “Um, Melinda, thank you so much. Would you mind giving me some privacy?”
“Of course, miss.” The maid stepped back, gave her a small curtsy and then hurried out the room.
Elise sighed and turned back to the mirror. She really didn’t look half bad. A wave of mortification swept through her again thinking about what she and Julianna were wearing as they paraded down the street. The people around here must have thought we escaped from the insane asylum. The dress she wore now—a dark blue silky gown—was much more subdued than her previous outfit, but just as lovely.
You can do this, she told herself. All she had to do was smile and look pretty. That was what most women in this era did, right? She had to remind herself this wasn’t a Regency romance novel. This was real life. The best thing she could do was blend in and not get caught. Cross and Julianna would do the heavy lifting, all she had to do was not give them away. She’d already done that today, and hopefully she didn’t ruin their chances of getting the dagger.
Smile and look pretty.
And definitely don’t gawk at Reed Townsend.
I can totally do that.
Tucking back a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she walked out of the room. Much to her surprise, her companions were already walking down the hallway. Julianna looked absolutely gorgeous in her champagne evening gown, tucked into the right places to show off curves she usually hid in her pantsuits. Jane must have been an even better hairstylist, because she somehow managed to pile and tame Julianna’s hair into a mass of curls and braids that made her seem feminine and alluring. Cross, on the other hand, looked incredibly handsome in his claret jacket, waistcoat, dark trousers, and boots.
“Don’t you both look stunning,” she commented as they met in the middle of the hall.
“I had to go find my own clothes,” Cross said. “Since no one here was as tall as me. I hope this is okay.”
“You look hot,” Julianna commented. “Trust me.”
Although Cross’s cheeks colored again, he ignored the comment. “We should head downstairs.”
They went downstairs on Cross’s arm, and the footman showed them the way to the library. When she saw the occupants—Eleanor and an older man—she told herself she was relieved that Reed wasn’t here.
Eleanor greeted them enthusiastically as they entered and introduced her husband, Jeremy Griffiths, Earl of Winford and Beta of the London clan, to each of them.
“Miss Henney,” Winford began. “My dear Eleanor has not stopped talking about your brave deed and how you put your own life on the line to save our dear William. It is a debt we can never repay you.”
“It was nothing, my lord.” Elise lowered her lashes.
“Oh no, Miss Henney, for a parent, it was everything.”
Being the perfect hostess, Eleanor must have sensed the lull in the room. “Holden,” she called to the butler. “Why don’t you serve some refreshments and—oh, good. You’re here.”
Elise didn’t have to turn around to know who had just entered the room. Her wolf stood at attention, its ears perking up. She moved stiffly to face the newcomer.
Reed stood at the threshold, dressed in all black, save for the snowy white shirt. While on most people, black had a slimming, sobering effect, it seemed to do the opposite on him—it made his powerful shoulders seem broader, and the trousers molded to his legs showed off the muscles as he walked toward them. His hair, which had the tendency to curl at his nape, was brushed back perfectly to show off his tanned, handsome face. And those ebony eyes—though they only glanced at her briefly before greeting his brother-in-law and sister—seemed to bore into her. She tore her eyes away, suddenly finding the wallpaper interesting.
“Nice to see you finally socializing, Hunter,” Winford said as he gave Reed a pat on the back.
“You make it sound like I’m some monk locked up in an abbey, Winford.”
Reed’s low baritone held a tinge of mockery in it, and while Elise usually thought arrogant men were a turn off, something about the quality of his voice sent shivers through her.
Winford didn’t seem to mind as he continued good-naturedly. “In any case, I’m glad to finally see you outside our meetings. And of course, thankful for our guests from across the pond.”
“Indeed.” Reed’s dark gaze narrowed. “Speaking of which, I’ve searched what correspondences and records I have from my father’s office. There was no mention of America or New York. Tell me. Who is your Alpha again? What’s his name?”
“George,” Julianna offered.
“Michael,” Cross blurted out at the same time.
“George Michael?” Reed frowned. “What a strange name.”
“It actually sounds like a very English name to me,” Julianna said wryly.
“Excuse me?” Reed’s dark brow rose to his hairline. “I’ve never heard of an Englishman with that name.”
“You’ll have to take it on faith,” Julianna quipped then added, “Your Grace.”
Elise began choking on her drink which was a good distraction. Julianna patted her back and handed her a handkerchief while flashing her a tiny smirk.
Cross gave her a reproachful look before turning to Reed. “Are you looking forward to your ascension ceremony, Your Grace?”
Reed shrugged. “I suppose.”
“Reed has been acting as Alpha for the last six months,” Winford explained. “It’s more of a formality at this point.”
“Are you having the ceremony here?” Julianna piped in.
“Yes, but it will be a small affair,” Reed answered. “I only want my grandmother, Eleanor, Jeremy, and William there.”
“Family only,” Eleanor said. “No need for fuss.”
Elise could see where Cross was trying to push the conversation, so she joined in. “I was recently a witness to another ascension ceremony in San Francisco,” she lied. “The future Alpha used a ceremonial sword to seal the vow.” She turned to Reed, though she was afraid to look him in the eye, so she focused on the spot just above his head. “Will you be using something similar, Your Grace?”
“I actually haven’t thought about it,” he answered.
“You could use Mother’s dagger,” Eleanor said. “It’s a beautiful piece. She gave it to me a few years ago, and I’ve kept it with me in my jewelry case.”
“She meant for you to have it.” Reed’s voice took on a surprisingly gentle tone. “I suppose I could use whatever heirloom Father used. I imagine it’s gathering dust somewhere in Huntington Park.”
“Oh!” Eleanor suddenly exclaimed. “Speaking of Huntington Park, I never got to tell you about my plan with Bridget. As I said, as she is arriving in England tomorrow, I’ve actually set it up for her to go to Huntington Park.” She quickly explained to their guests who Bridget was. “Poor girl’s never been outside Scotland or even Caelkirk. I thought it would be a soft landing, plus it will be a chance to get to know her. I’ve already sent a note to Grandmama about Elise and Julianna, and she’s agreed to meet them there. Now that we have three ladies to launch into society, it would be best if we had a few days to get them ready.”
Reed’s face turned inscrutable, but before he could say anything, Holden entered the room announcing that dinner was to be served.
Though the meal was formal, Elise was glad that it went off without a hitch. For one thing, Eleanor was a good hostess and gave them directions on who was to be seated where. Jeremy was seated at the head of the table with Eleanor at the other end. Reed sat on her right and Cross on her left. Julianna sat next to Cross while Elise found herself being directed to sit right next to Reed. At least I won’t have to worry about staring into his eyes, she thought as she sat down on the plush chair.
The rest of the meal proceeded normally, and although the atmosphere was light, she couldn’t help but feel
awkward. Though she was sitting next to Reed, he didn’t engage her in any conversation. She tried not to take it personally since he didn’t seem to like to talk, period. If Jeremy or Eleanor asked him a question, he answered in monosyllables.
Of course, based on his attitude the entire time they were here, it could be that he thought them beneath them. He had that haughty, bored air about him that made it seem like he’d rather be elsewhere.
“So, to continue our conversation from earlier,” Eleanor began. “We shall leave for Huntington Park in the morning. We should be there by luncheon, and Bridget should arrive at the same time. We shall stay for a few days, while Grandmama and I decide which balls and social events we can attend. I do hope you don’t mind another day of travel?”
“Not at all, my lady,” Cross said. “We look forward to it.”
“Will you be joining us, Hunter?” Jeremy asked.
Reed shook his head. “I’m far too busy. Besides, I have an important meeting with a prospective partner in a few days.”
She glanced at Julianna and Cross, their eyes briefly meeting. They were probably thinking the same thing: Without him around, it would be easier to search the premises.
Dessert was served, and once the plates were cleared away, Eleanor stood up and declared they should have a nightcap in the library. As they all got up, Julianna stumbled back.
“Ooohhh!” She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. “Oh my …”
“Are you all right, Miss Anderson?” Jeremy looked at her with concern on his face.
“Yes, Lord Winford.” She made an exaggerated sigh. “I’m afraid our … trials for today have made me lightheaded and …” She staggered back, and Elise managed to catch her before she bumped into the poor footman who was holding the back of her chair.
“You poor dear,” Eleanor said. “Well, why don’t you go upstairs and get some rest?”
“Thank you, my lady.” Julianna turned to Elise. “I’m feeling so weak, would you mind helping me up the stairs?”
“Of course.”
They excused themselves as they left the dining room, Elise holding on to Julianna’s elbow to support her. As soon as they were at the foot of the staircase, she shrugged off Elise’s hand. “Finally, I thought that dinner would never end.”
Elise raised a brow. “What’s going on?”
“I hoped I wasn’t too obvious.” She scratched at her head and muttered a curse. “Why the hell do I need so much damned hair? Anyway, I figured this would be our only chance to check Eleanor’s room for her mother’s dagger.”
“What?” She couldn’t believe Julianna had been faking it. “You want us to search her room?”
“Well, I’m going to sneak into her room. You just have to stand watch outside and make sure no one comes in while I’m searching.”
“You can’t mean …” Her heart pounded in her chest. “Why not let Cross do it?”
“Because he can’t go in there without having seen the room first, and if he gets caught in Eleanor’s room, who knows what Lord Winford would do? Besides, this is our last chance.”
She had to admit that Julianna had a point. Julianna could simply claim she had been lost, not trying to seduce the earl’s young countess. “All right, tell me what to do.”
They climbed up the stairs and turned left into the family wing of the house. “I snuck around before dinner to scope out the floor and that”—she pointed to the second to last door—“is her room. I’ll go in, and you stay out here. If any of the servants come, just tell them to go away.”
“Go away?”
“Yeah. Just scare them off.” She glanced around, then picked up the skirts of her dress. “All right, wish me luck.”
Elise watched as Julianna snuck off and disappeared into the room. Oh God. Maybe they shouldn’t have taken such a risk. It was one thing if a servant was around. But what if Eleanor or Jeremy came upstairs? It wasn’t like she could just tell them to leave. What if—
“What are you doing here?”
There was no mistaking who said those words. Even her wolf knew who it was, and it let out a pathetic whine. Her heartbeat stopped for a split second, then began to race. Slowly, she pivoted and found herself staring up into the ebony darkness of Reed Townsend’s eyes. “Y-Your Grace?”
His stare was menacing. “I said, what are you doing here?”
God, she wanted to run away. But Julianna—and their only way home—was depending on her. “I brought Julianna back to her room and I was going to go back downstairs but I got … lost.”
His mouth thinned into a grim line. “Really? Perhaps I should escort you back downstairs.” He made a grab for her arm. She was too fast however, with her Lycan reflexes and her natural aversion to touch, and evaded his grasp. He didn’t seem to like that, and he took a step forward to crowd her personal space.
He was taller than her, but here in the dim hallway illuminated only by candles, he seemed even more imposing. Shadows cut his face into sharp lines, but for some reason, he looked even more handsome and attractive. As if to prove a point, a sudden heat surged straight to her stomach.
“What are you really doing here, skulking about like some thief? Are you hoping to find some jewels or silver you can hock for some coins?”
The heat of sexual attraction suddenly turned into anger. Okay, technically, they were going to steal something, but once they used the dagger to get back home, it would be left behind. But that wasn’t the point.
Maybe it was the homesickness, the fear of never getting back to her time, or just generally feeling helpless in this strange place, but something in her snapped.
“How. Dare. You.” She took a step forward and looked him straight in the eyes. “I don’t know what I’ve done to you personally, Your Grace, but I don’t think I deserved to be treated with such contempt and dislike. You’ve been nothing but a jerk this whole time, from the moment we arrived through to dinner tonight.” A spark of electricity crackled at her fingertips, but she didn’t care.
“Miss Henney—”
“I’m not done!” She held up a hand. “Furthermore, I get that perhaps you’re unconvinced of our motives, but I assure you we do not mean to harm you or anyone under your protection. Believe me, if you were our enemies, we wouldn’t attack you from behind like cowards!” Her tirade made her run out of breath, like she had run a mile in ten seconds, so she heaved great big gulps of air into her lungs, trying to get oxygen into them again.
Reed’s face was stony, but the power from him practically vibrated. She resisted the urge to shrink back. He reached for her again, and this time, she let him touch her. His hands wrapped around her upper arms, and despite the cover of his gloves and hers, the heat from his palms branded her. He stepped forward, and she staggered backwards until she found herself trapped against the wall.
“Elise.” Her name on his lips was a raw, low growl that made her shiver.
As he was lowering his head, horror shot through her. No! If he touched her bare mouth with his—
A loud cough made him let go of her and step back. He turned around. “Mr. Jonasson.”
She peered around his large frame and saw Cross at the top of the stairs staring at them. She let out a breath of relief and stepped around Reed. “Cross,” she began. “What are you doing here?”
“I was going to bed,” he explained. “The earl and countess stayed downstairs to give the servants some last-minute instructions as Lady Winford wanted to leave first thing tomorrow.” His blue-green gaze narrowed at Reed. “Your Grace? I thought you said you wanted to say goodnight to your nephew.”
“Yes, of course.” He gave them a curt nod. “Mr. Jonasson. Miss Henney.” Pivoting on his heel, he walked away from them and then entered the first door on the left.
“Cross,” she urgently whispered as she closed the distance behind them. “Julianna—she’s in the countess’s bedroom. That door.”
He didn’t waste any time and instead dashed toward the direct
ion she pointed him. As soon as he entered, her heart stopped banging into her chest like a wrecking ball. Cross could whisk Julianna away with no one the wiser.
She turned on her heel and sprinted down the hallway. It was only when she was in the safety of her own room that she allowed her body to relax.
What the hell was she thinking? Talking to Reed that way? Sure, he couldn’t send her to jail, but he could probably insist that they leave his territory. And then they would never get close to the dagger.
She desperately wanted to get away from him. But at the same time, that small touch—not even bare skin—was branded into her brain. Her wolf seemed to relish his touch, rolling around like some dog in heat.
Now’s not the time to be attracted to anyone! Especially not that ass! She was scolding her wolf, but really, she was telling that to herself too. Perhaps Julianna would find the dagger tonight and that would be that.
“I just dropped Julianna off at her room.”
She nearly jumped out of her skin as Cross materialized in front of her. Would she ever get used to it? Probably never. “Did you find it?”
He shook his head. “It’s not the same dagger. Julianna confirmed it as she had seen the artifact during Adrianna’s ceremony.”
Damn.
He cocked his head at her. “Are you all right? Did Reed suspect anything?”
She swallowed. “I’m fine.” She quickly explained to him what Julianna had planned.
“She and I came to an agreement. No more going rogue missions,” he said wryly. “But at least we eliminated the mother’s dagger. So, it’s definitely the one at Huntington Park.”
“I guess we’re not going home tonight.”
His smile was sad. “No, not tonight.” He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Don’t worry, Elise, we’ll find it. We’re much closer now than we were yesterday.”
She was glad he was feeling positive. Someone had to be in this situation. “You’re right.” She squeezed his hand back.
“Only one hundred and eighty rooms to search.”
A Witch in Time Page 9
