by Bess McBride
“Ah! That would be me,” he said with a smile. “As with the other lady who traveled, she tells us that she and her now husband also wished on a full moon for love, and their wishes were granted in the finding of each other.”
“Gosh, you guys are way too romantic for me,” Annie said with a grimace as another tear slipped down her face. “Stop!”
“I love you, Cousin,” Phoebe said.
“I love you too, Minnie Mouse,” Annie said. She extricated her hand from Phoebe’s and rose as if to stretch her legs. She crossed over to the window to look out, and Phoebe and Reggie joined her there.
“How do you know if it’s a full moon?” Annie asked.
“We don’t,” Phoebe said. “It seems to have been full for the last few nights.”
Annie turned to Phoebe and Reggie. “You’d better go back tonight. If the moon doesn’t stay full, you might not get back for a month...not that it would be a bad thing.”
Phoebe nodded. “I agree...on both counts.”
Reggie smiled. “Phoebe returned to say ease your worries about her disappearance.”
“I know,” Annie said. “Thank you.”
“Well, I need to print out some stuff on the computer and grab a few things before we try to leave again,” Phoebe said. “I can’t stand leaving you here like this. It feels like forever.”
Annie shook her head. “Johan is waiting for me. And maybe it’s not forever.”
Phoebe hugged her. “Maybe not.” She turned and headed into the bedroom to grab a small cloth bag. Annie followed her into the room and sat down on the bed to watch. Phoebe threw a couple of I.C. Moon’s books into her bag, especially those with cover models who resembled Reggie.
Annie picked one up. “Man, he really does look like the cover on this book.”
Phoebe grinned. “I imagine he probably is. The author is a new friend of mine.”
Annie chuckled. “Leave me what you don’t take. Maybe I’ll take a few to Hawaii with me and see what you think is so all-fired great about these romance novels.”
“Maybe you’ll fall in love like I did,” Phoebe said with a chuckle.
“Oh, Johan would like that,” Annie murmured in a sarcastic tone. “Are any of them set in Switzerland?”
“Nope, all England.”
“Early 1800s England, huh?”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Phoebe ran to her computer on the desk in the room and turned it on. “I’m going to need a few bits of information,” she said. “Did I tell you that Reggie bought a little castle for me? It’s a house, but it looks a little bit like a castle.”
“Awwww,” Annie said. “Really? So, he’s got money to go with his title?”
“Yes,” Phoebe said. She searched for a few items on the computer and then printed them to the printer next to the computer. She folded the papers and stuffed them into her bag before returning to the computer again.
“An e-mail to work, telling them I have to resign unexpectedly. I really hate doing this!”
“You loved that job,” Annie said.
“I know, but it’s not really all lost to me. I’ll still be editing, just by hand though.” Phoebe caught Annie’s confused look and shook her head. “Long story.”
She knelt down by the bed and retrieved a container of photographs from under the bed, rummaging through them hurriedly.
“Let’s see, a couple pics of Mom and Dad, Gramma and Grandpa, and here’s one of you! I’ll take that,” Phoebe said brandishing the picture.
Annie peered over her shoulder. “Oh, not that one! My high school prom?”
“You were beautiful,” Phoebe said. “That red dress...stunning. You looked like a princess.”
“Pshaw,” Annie muttered. “I’ll keep the rest of your stuff. It’ll be here if you manage to get back.”
Phoebe lowered herself to the bed next to Annie and took her hand.
“I think I have everything I can carry...if I can carry anything. I don’t know what else I’d take. I mean, I’d take everything I could to make life more comfortable there, but I’m kind of worried about getting back. Reggie’s brother is in a bind. We didn’t tell anyone we were leaving, exactly. Reggie just bought a new house, and I’m supposed to be getting married in a few weeks.”
“Already?” Annie said. “I’m sorry I’ll miss it. Send pictures,” she said with a short laugh.
Phoebe chewed her lip. “Tell you what! I’m sure Reggie and I will travel to the States...sometime in our lives. I’ll open up a safety deposit box at a bank, and authorize you to access it. I’ll put stuff in it. I’m not sure what. That way, you’ll know I’m okay, and you’ll know I’ve been thinking about you.”
“Let’s see what bank was open then and is still open today.” She peered at the computer screen again.
“No need,” Annie said. “My bank, Bonner and Little, International, has been in existence since forever. In fact, they have a London office. Just get a box there, and I’ll check it out next time I’m in London.”
“Good! That makes me feel connected to you in some way,” Phoebe said. “Too bad you can’t send me a care package.” She attempted to smile, but her face crumpled. “Oh, Annie, I’m going to miss you so much!” She caught her cousin up in a fierce embrace.
“I know, Mouse, I know,” Annie whispered. “I’m going to miss you, too. We may not see each other all that often, but we’ve always at least been in the same century.”
Phoebe gave her a watery smile. “It’s getting late. We’d better go.”
“I’ll come watch,” Annie said. “Hopefully, that won’t hex you.”
Phoebe rose and shouldered the bag.
“Please tell me you have at least one pair of decent jeans with you,” Annie said as she wrapped her arm around Phoebe’s waist.
Phoebe nodded. “I do, the ones I traveled in to get there.”
“Thank goodness!”
They returned to the living room where Reggie stood near the window with his back to it. Phoebe looked at him questioningly.
“I did not wish to look at the moon lest I inadvertently make a wish,” he said with a wry smile.
“Good plan,” Phoebe said. She picked up her bonnet, set it on her head and tied the ribbons.
“Is it time?” he asked.
Phoebe nodded. “Before we lose the moon.”
Reggie executed a deep bow in Annie’s direction. “Farewell, Annie. Until we meet again.”
Annie nodded, her lips pressed together. Phoebe could see she was trying to hold back tears.
With what felt like superhuman effort, Phoebe turned her back on her cousin and took Reggie’s hand. She looked up at him and nodded, and they turned in unison to stare at the moon—shining brightly above them in the cloudless sky.
“I wish I was back in 1827 England with my own Georgian man, Reggie.”
“I wish I was back in 1827 England with my destiny, my own dear love, Phoebe,” Reggie said.
They smiled at each other.
Chapter Nineteen
Phoebe awoke to the sound of Reggie’s voice.
“Phoebe? Phoebe, dearest, awaken.” He cradled her in his lap, stroking her cheek.
She opened her eyes to darkness, lightened only by the bright moon overhead. The same moonlight reflected against the bay windows of the house.
“Are we back?” She felt her bonnet on her lap. Reggie must have removed it. Her bag lay by her side.
“Yes, dear, it would appear we are. Exactly where we left.”
A sharp pain seared through her chest at the thought of Annie, and yet she couldn’t deny the joy she felt at their successful to return. A tear spilled down her face, and she wiped at it.
“I know, my love,” Reggie murmured. “I know.”
She swallowed her pain and reached up to kiss him. “I’m so glad we’re still together.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “As am I,” he said softly.
“Look at how the moon glows on the windows of the house,”
Phoebe said. “Isn’t it gorgeous? Let’s call it Moonglow Castle. What do you think?”
Reggie leaned his head back against the stone balustrade and studied the house.
“I shall enjoy calling it Moonglow Castle.”
“Very new agey yet medieval,” Phoebe said with a sigh.
“New agey?”
“I’ll explain another time, dear.” She rose to her feet and grabbed her bag. “As happy as I would be to sit here in your lap all night, it’s kind of chilly. We could see if the door is unlocked and spend the night inside.” She grinned mischievously. “Since we’re going to be married and all.”
Reggie stood up beside her. “No, madam, that will not do. We must still observe the conventions of 1827.” He kissed the top of her head. “That is to say, as many as we can still salvage. We have ignored so many of them to this point that it seems foolish to insist on the few remaining rules for behavior that we have not violated, but indulge me in this one last attempt to salvage your reputation.” Reggie laughed, but Phoebe knew he was serious.
“My reputation,” she sighed. “Do you think that’s salvageable?”
“When you are the Countess of Hamilton, no one will dare question you.” He drew himself up with that haughty posture that she loved.
“Oh, Reggie! You’re so cute when you get all aristocratic. Really!” She grabbed his lapels and pulled his face to hers.
“Minx!” he said with a laugh when she let him up for air. “Come! We must find a way back to Ashton House.” Despite his words, he tried the handle on the door leading into the house, but it was locked.
“Too bad,” Phoebe teased.
“A pity,” he said with a broad grin. “I might almost have been coaxed into staying.”
Phoebe laughed, and Reggie took her hand. Together, they set off down the long lane to head to the village. The moon still shone brightly, lighting the way.
“Don’t make any wishes,” Phoebe warned.
“I have everything I wish for at my side, Phoebe. There is nothing else I need.”
“Me, too,” Phoebe said. “I don’t think I could be happier.”
****
Two weeks later, Phoebe knew she was mistaken. She could be happier, and she was—on her wedding day. As she and Reggie drove away from the church in a carriage festooned with ribbons and flowers, she held his hand and relished in that happiness.
The past few weeks had flown by. They had made it to the village on the night of their return, and Reggie awakened the innkeeper who rustled up a carriage and driver at the inn willing to transport them to the Sinclairs’ house. They had arrived almost at midnight, awakening Mattie and William, and telling them of their successful trip between the two times. Samuel had thankfully slept through the commotion of their arrival, and so they didn’t have to tell him about the time traveling...yet. Phoebe suspected he would find out someday. After all, even Lady Hamilton knew. Samuel and his father were the last to know.
The following morning, Reggie had the banns posted when he and William had gone out to arrange the ceremony at the church. Phoebe had driven into town with Mattie to visit Sarah Tollerton and collect the two dresses that were ready. She had commissioned a wedding dress, and Sarah had been grateful and awed by the commission, much to Phoebe’s discomfort.
“Oh, gosh, Sarah! It’s just a dress. Something simple, but elegant. Satin though. I do like shiny!” Phoebe had said. Both she and Mattie regarded Sarah with bright smiles in the secret knowledge that she was going to be their sister-in-law one day. Phoebe had shared what few details she knew of the future with Mattie.
Lady Hamilton had come by that afternoon ostensibly to visit Mia, but she asked to speak to Phoebe and Mattie in private before seeing her granddaughter.
“Uh oh,” Phoebe said. “I think it’s time for the talk. You know, the ‘are you a time traveler talk.’”
“Oh, boy,” Mattie said. “I really never get used to being alone with her...without William around. I wish he and Reggie would get back. I was hoping she wouldn’t be back so soon, but I should have known she couldn’t wait to find out about you.”
Phoebe straightened her hair in the mirror of her room and turned to grab Mattie’s hand before they went downstairs.
“We’ll be fine. She’s just one woman.”
“Hmmm...” Mattie muttered. They hurried down the stairs and entered the drawing room where Lady Hamilton awaited them.
“Hello, Lady Hamilton. Would you like some tea?” Mattie asked.
“Yes, that would be nice, thank you.”
Mattie turned and nodded to John to bring tea.
She sat down on the sofa opposite Lady Hamilton, and Phoebe sat next to her, waiting expectantly. Lady Hamilton smiled pleasantly and appeared to be waiting as well. A brief uncomfortable silence ensued.
“So, Lady Hamilton, how is Lord Hamilton? Is he better?” Mattie asked.
“He is, thank you,” she said. “He insists on eating foods that disagree with him, and when he is upset, his stomach pains him.”
Phoebe’s instinct was to say she was sorry to have been part of his upset, but she bit her tongue...and waited. She didn’t have long to wait though.
“Miss Warner. We have not had a chance to become acquainted,” Lady Hamilton said. “And yet you are already betrothed to my stepson. Such haste,” she murmured.
“Yes,” Phoebe said succinctly and without explanation. Lady Hamilton had said the same thing the day before. Phoebe suspected she should try to establish some kind of relationship with the woman, but she was irritated by the implied criticism.
Lady Hamilton quirked an eyebrow and waited, but Phoebe masked her face and stared back. Two faint pink spots appeared on Lady Hamilton’s cheeks, and she turned to Mattie.
“Mattie, may I ask if your cousin is from the America that you know?”
Just then John returned with the tea, and they were silenced for the moment until he left. Mattie poured tea.
“Phoebe?” she said. “Do you want to tell her or should I? We might as well.”
“Yes, Lady Hamilton. I am from the America that Mattie knows, though I lived in New York City, and I believe she lived in Seattle. But if you’re asking if I traveled in time from the twenty-first century, then yes.”
Lady Hamilton tightened her lips and nodded. She studied Phoebe curiously.
“How many of there are you?” she asked, looking at both of them.
Phoebe shrugged. “I think we’re the only two I know about. Are you worried that hordes of Americans will come over here from the twenty-first century and snatch up all your young men?”
“Phoebe!” Mattie gasped with a nervous chuckle.
To Phoebe’s surprise, Lady Hamilton didn’t get angry. “I have been thinking just that, Miss Warner,” she said with a wry smile.
“Well, just so you know, it will become fashionable—and necessary—for some of the men of the English aristocracy to marry American heiresses later on in the century. You know, money for the coffers. But not me. I’m not wealthy.”
“Miss Warner,” Lady Hamilton began. “You do know that it is vulgar to discuss money, do you not?” Her hand shook a little as she sipped her tea, but she appeared to be holding back a laugh.
“I do,” Phoebe smiled. “And yet still I do it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Mattie broke out into laughter. “Oh, Phoebe, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said as she reached to pat Phoebe’s hand.
Lady Hamilton sobered. “I think perhaps I am glad you are here as well, Miss Warner. My daughter-in-law has not had a proper female companion since my own daughter left for America, and she has been lonely for a friend.” She looked to Mattie whose face reddened. “Long ago, I expressed my fears to Mattie that she would take my son away from England and from his inheritance—to the future, but that has not come to pass, and it appears my fears were groundless. I have been hard on Mattie, and she does not know how pleased I am to have her as a daughter-in-law. She h
as become a fine wife to William and a good mother to her daughter. I dare say that I am quite proud of her.” She lowered her eyes to sip her tea again as if she’d said nothing.
Phoebe turned to Mattie who stared at Lady Hamilton with rounded eyes.
“Thank you,” Mattie choked out.
“Yes, well, perhaps Miss Warner could tell me a bit about herself,” Lady Hamilton cleared her throat and changed the subject. “Are you truly cousins?”
Phoebe, delighting in the way Mattie seemed to relax in her mother-in-law’s company, spent the next hour discussing her own background and arrival. She deliberately omitted any comments regarding Mattie’s novels or the fact that Reggie and Phoebe had traveled back to the future only the night before. She suspected Lady Hamilton would argue Mattie’s scandalous vocation, and that she would worry about Reggie disappearing and leaving his inheritance behind. She also skipped over the part where Reggie spent the night in her bedroom, albeit passed out on the ottoman at the foot of her bed.
“So, that’s about it!” Phoebe said. “And just to reassure you, Reggie and I intend to stay here in England.”
“Lord Hamilton does not know about the time travel, and I think it best he does not. But I feel I could speak for him were he to know, and say that he would be utterly happy to hear the news. I did make it clear to him that, in purchasing a house in England, Reggie has clearly abandoned his desire to relocate to America for an extended period.”
“I wouldn’t mind visiting the United States, but I’m happy here,” she said. “And I have a new friend.” She reached for Mattie’s hand.
“And family,” Lady Hamilton added. “I may have lost a daughter to America, but I have since gained two daughters-in-law, albeit one by marriage.”
“Oh, good! Can we call you Mom?” Phoebe chuckled.
“Mom?” Lady Hamilton repeated faintly. “Certainly not!” Mattie burst out laughing, and even Lady Sinclair laughed.
It was to this laughter that Reggie and William walked in. The men stopped short and stared at the odd sight.
“Come in, gentleman,” Mattie said with a broad smile. “How did it go?”
