by Wendi Sotis
Her family probably wouldn’t even be able to have her work at the store unless the position didn’t have anything to do with the public. At least she knew how to run a forklift. She could stack crates in the warehouse... if they’d let her.
Maybe she could talk her father into selling her a bit of land where she could build a really nice tree house and live like a hermit the rest of her life. It could probably work.
Elizabeth sighed deeply and walked over to the sliding glass doors. Blinking back the tears that threatened to flow, she concentrated on playing connect-the-dots with the stars, running a fingertip over the glass. She then opened her mouth wide and huffed a breath across it. The resulting fog showed the outline of the constellation.
William cleared his throat somewhere behind her, startling her. She turned toward him.
Gosh, he was gorgeous. When he smiled like he was doing right now, her insides did flip-flops, and her fingers itched to trace his dimples. Before he began living at the house, she had thought he didn’t shave every day because often when she saw him he had five-o-clock shadow on his chin. But now, she knew his beard just grew very quickly. He’d appear clean-shaven in the morning, and by lunch, he’d have stubble already. She liked that look—really liked it—although he was almost as good looking clean-shaven, too. William was one fine piece of eye-candy no matter how she looked at it.
“Great idea.” He gestured toward the window.
Elizabeth decided she might as well take advantage of this time as they waited for Jane. It might be the last chance she had to speak to him without having to see a disgusted expression—or worse, pity for the crazy woman—on his face. Poor guy, first his best friend’s sister went nuts, now his sister’s best friend. At least he couldn’t feel at fault about her losing her mind, as Anne had told her he did about Caroline.
“When I was a little girl, my father and I used to do this at night sometimes, so I could learn the constellations. I still do it when I can’t sleep or when I’m nervous.”
“You’re nervous about your father... but also about what Jane and I saw.”
She nodded and looked deeply into his eyes. Confidence flooded her senses, and she raised her chin. “Since Jane isn’t here yet, can you help me bring something down here from my room?” Going through the trunk with them is probably the only way I’m going to convince them that I’m not coming unglued. And I will convince them!
“Sure.” He gestured for her to precede him and followed her up the back staircase.
Once in her room, she headed for the walk-in closet and started pulling at the trunk.
William helped her, and then picked it up. “It’s heavier than it looked.”
He placed the trunk on the bed to get a better grip before walking down the stairs. “Is it locked or do I have to worry about everything falling out if I move the wrong way?” He tried to lift the lid, but it didn’t budge.
“Shoot! I don’t have a key.” Elizabeth took a step forward and lifted the lid without a problem, then closed it. “Good, it isn’t locked. I don’t want to have to break into it—it’s too beautiful.” Elizabeth absent-mindedly ran a hand over the antique wood.
William frowned and tried to lift the lid again. It still didn’t open. “Why can you open it, but I can’t?”
Elizabeth’s eyes opened wide. “Are you joking?”
“No.” He tried again, putting some muscle into it. He shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense, but I can’t open it.”
A chill passed down Elizabeth’s spine, and she laughed nervously. “Well, at least you won’t have to worry about keeping it level.”
When they returned to the library, Jane stood. “I thought I might have missed you.”
Elizabeth rushed ahead to spread the towel she had grabbed from the bathroom onto her father’s desk so the trunk wouldn’t damage it.
“Oh, we’re finally going to open it!” Jane exclaimed with a smile. “I’ve wanted to see what was inside since the movers found it in the attic at the old house. But I thought we were going to talk about those pictures...”
“Close the door, please, Will?” Elizabeth requested, and William immediately complied.
Elizabeth placed a hand on the trunk. “What’s in this trunk will explain where those pictures came from. Before I explain anything, Jane, can you lift the lid?”
Jane tried but couldn’t open it. Elizabeth’s goose bumps doubled, and her breath quickened. She gestured for William to try again. The lid still wouldn’t open.
Elizabeth first met Jane’s gaze, then William’s. She took a deep breath and easily lifted the lid with one finger.
Jane gasped. “How’d you do that, Lizzy? Is there a latch or something?”
“None that I know of.” Elizabeth shook her head and whispered, “But she did say the trunk would open for no one but me.”
“Who told you that?” William asked.
“I think you’d both better sit down,” Elizabeth moved a few things around inside the trunk and found the letter. “Jane, do you remember when mom and dad went on their second honeymoon a few years ago?”
Jane answered in the affirmative.
“Remember when everyone came for dinner to hear about their trip and Lydia’s vacation?” She fingered the ancient wax seal on the paper in her hands.
“Yes.” Jane’s eyes shined with recognition. “You were upset because you thought someone pulled a prank on you while you were home alone, and it scared you half to death. Something fell over in the attic above your room.”
“It was this trunk that fell over. I’ve come to believe that it was not a joke after all, and nobody in our family had anything to do with it... at least no one in our immediate family. The contents were scattered across the floor. As I was putting everything back, I found this letter.” She held it up to show them the direction. “The last name is spelled wrong, but it was addressed to me, and the date there is the date that I found it.”
“You wrote the date on there so you’d remember when you found it?” William asked.
Elizabeth shook her head. “I didn’t touch it except to break the wax seal and read it.” She unfolded the letter and removed the sketch. “This was what I saw first.” She handed it to Jane. Will looked over Jane’s shoulder. “That is exactly what I looked like at the moment I broke the wax seal on this letter—right down to the dust smudges on my clothes and face, and the missing slipper. It completely freaked me out.”
Jane handed the picture to William so he could examine it more thoroughly.
“Even after seeing the picture, I had to believe it was a joke, but... well, recently, things have been happening that make me think it wasn’t.” Elizabeth hesitated until William looked up. “Do you want to hear what the letter says?”
Her audience nodded.
“Again, she spells my last name wrong here, with one t.” Elizabeth began reading aloud, but stopped part-way through. “This part is very important. Please listen closely.”
It was not until the morning of my twentieth birthday that the letters began to arrive in the post. I thought them only odd at first, for there was no direction telling me from whom they came. Each letter contained only a drawing—some consisting of more than one sheet—but that was all. They were beautifully crafted, and since most depicted people that I knew, I kept them. However, I soon began to doubt my sanity. Only after my sister confirmed that the events shown in the pictures actually were occurring after I received them, as I had thought, did I believe the pictures were not a product of my imagination.
Elizabeth lowered the letter and looked up at Jane and William. She pointed to the letter. “This is exactly what’s been happening to me. I started receiving the pictures on my twentieth birthday, but with modern technology, they come as photos to my cell phone.” She continued reading:
In the bottom of this trunk, I have placed a package that contains my journal and all of the sketches that I received during the time that fell under the blessing. I trust they will
answer many of your questions.
The final drawing I received is the one that you hold in your hand. It is interesting for me to see—it seems that the style of ladies’ dress will change dramatically over two hundred years. I envy that you are able to wear trousers.
I cannot explain how I am aware of the date that you will find this letter, nor that your name will be the same as mine. I cannot prove that the drawings come to me as a result of the gypsy blessing. I cannot tell you why I believe that my trunk will open for you only,
Elizabeth looked up from the page and raised an eyebrow.
and that you will experience the same effects from the blessing as I have. I simply knew these things the moment I laid eyes on this drawing, as surely as I know my own name, the same way that I have been intuitively aware of many details about the sketches I have received. I believe you will appreciate that statement soon, as well.
The best advice I can give you now is that you remember to believe in the impossible, dear girl.
Do not fear; in the end, the drawings will lead you to complete happiness—that which you never dreamed could be possible!
Yours, etc.,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth looked up again and examined both their expressions before saying, “I know it sounds fantastic, but you’ve both experienced this yourselves—you both saw those pictures come in right before my father had the stroke. Up until today, it didn’t work that way. They came a while before it happened, almost like some... thing was trying to convince me that I wasn’t nuts with some sort of test pictures or something. But tonight, when I heard that tone—the only time my phone makes that noise is when I’m about to get a picture that will come true—tonight, when I heard it, I knew I had to look at those pictures immediately or something terrible would happen. That’s the only reason I was so careless and let you both see the photos.” She swallowed hard. “But right now, I have a strong feeling—just like the other Elizabeth said—that you two were meant to see those pictures. I needed you to help me with that situation.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked directly at William. “I never would have been able to keep my father from falling to the floor and injuring himself further. I needed your help, Will.” She looked at Jane. “And Jane... something else is going to happen... I have a feeling that I need to convince you now, because I’m going to need you to believe me without question when it comes.”
Jane’s already wide eyes widened further. “What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know that yet.”
William stood and walked over to the window to stare out for a minute. He raked his hand through his hair several times before he turned around quickly. “How many pictures have you received so far?”
“I’m not sure... a few.”
“I want to see them,” he demanded.
Elizabeth paled, thinking back over the photos. Was there anything in there that he shouldn’t see? “I don’t see why not.”
When Jane saw the gift on the balcony, she exclaimed, “You showed me this one, Lizzy! You thought the picture was from Anne and that she had come to Meryton for your birthday. But that was last year.”
“Yes, I did, but I only thought that because of the next picture.” She looked up at William. “It’s strange—the next few pictures happened in order, but I never did get this gift.”
“That’s—” William looked like he was about to become ill. “Is there a date on this picture anywhere?”
Elizabeth nodded and handed him the phone. “It’s in the bottom right hand corner.”
William’s mouth dropped open, and he shook his head. “I don’t understand any of this. It doesn’t make sense!”
“Will, what is it?”
“I...” He rubbed his eyes with both hands and looked at the picture one more time, then met Elizabeth’s wide-eyed gaze. “I know this paper and the shape of the box. It’s from me—and Georgiana. I was there when she wrapped it, and she tied the bow just like that. We forgot to bring it... left it at our brownstone in the city. I called Mrs. Reynolds this morning to ask if she could bring it with her when she comes. She won’t be here until tomorrow.” He looked at Jane. “I was going to ask you to put it on the balcony outside Elizabeth’s window so she’d find it and be surprised.”
Elizabeth smiled widely, her gaze darting between Jane and William. “Then you believe me!”
“Of course I do, Lizzy.” Jane smiled warmly at her sister.
William closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath. “Let’s see the rest of the pictures.”
Elizabeth hesitated. She knew they’d need to see them, but she wasn’t sure how William would react to some of them—especially the one with Georgiana and Wickham. “Okay, but please understand that I have no control over what’s in these pictures. I did not take them.”
Both Jane and William nodded, though William still seemed a little pale. Elizabeth wedged herself between them on the couch so they could all view the pictures at the same time.
“The first was the gift. The reason I thought it was from Anne was because this one came along with it.” She flipped to the first picture of William. “Maybe it was supposed to mean that the gift was from you, but at the time I received the pictures, I didn’t know you. I had only seen pictures of you in Anne’s room and talked to you on the phone a few times.”
Elizabeth would have to ask Jane later which of them blushed a brighter shade of red upon remembering that time period.
William groaned. “I don’t even want to think about what your reaction was to receiving a picture of me. I don’t do well on the phone with people I don’t know.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Really? I never would have guessed.”
At seeing William now, Elizabeth determined she wouldn’t need to ask Jane, after all—out of the corner of her eye she could see that William definitely won the blushing contest. She had a feeling he was holding something back, but then again, so was she. What a complete turn-around her feelings had taken since she received this picture.
“What’s next, Lizzy?” Jane asked.
“Oh, sorry.” Elizabeth pressed a button, moving on to the photo of the Bennetts around the dinner table. “I didn’t show you this one, Jane, but it came in with the other two. These were sent to me while I was out with some friends earlier in the day, but it happened that night.”
“That’s why you seemed so upset and ran up to your room!” Jane exclaimed. “We were all so worried about you.”
“Yes, I went to check the picture to make sure it really did show exactly what happened. For a while, I figured I was going nuts... seeing things.”
“I’m so sorry, Lizzy.” Jane slid her arm around Elizabeth and hugged her. “It looks like the picture was taken from up high, almost at the ceiling. I’m not in the picture, but, if I remember correctly, I went into the kitchen to get something to clean up the mess. Nobody else was there. Who took this?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I know exactly when these pictures come true—time sort of slows down, and I get dizzy. I checked... nobody was there taking this picture.”
“Time slows?” William furrowed his brow.
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, it’s almost like a movie in slow motion.”
“That happened to me at the restaurant today!” Jane cried out.
“Me, too,” William whispered.
“It makes sense to me since you both saw the pictures.” Elizabeth moved on to the next, steeling herself. “These came later that day, but it didn’t happen until William was at our dorm helping us move in.”
Elizabeth could feel the heat coming off William in waves as she paged through the next two.
“That’s when we met. You got these when?”
“On my birthday last year.” She could hear William grinding his teeth.
“Weeks before it happened.” William sighed.
“Eight weeks, to be exact. Sorry if I seemed rude at the time, but I became very upset and I ran out of the room to look at
my phone. I couldn’t believe there were more pictures coming true.”
“I was acting like such a jerk that day. I thought you couldn’t stand being in the same room with me.”
Elizabeth tried to bump his shoulder with hers, but they were so squished into the couch that it was more like leaning into him. “I have to admit, my first impressions of you weren’t very complimentary.” She smiled teasingly. “You definitely weren’t as charming back then as you are now.”
“Well, your opinion couldn’t have gotten much worse, could it?” He met her gaze for a minute and then looked away abruptly. “Can you delete those, please?”
Elizabeth’s smile faded. “I’ve tried—especially the next one—but I literally can’t delete them.” She hesitated. “Maybe I should skip the next.”
“What is it?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “While I was studying, I had a bad feeling that Georgiana was in danger. I started calling around to find someone to help me look for her, but nobody answered their phones, and Richie’s plane hadn’t landed yet. Security laughed at me when I said she was only an hour late. I probably should have lied, but I was too worked up to think of it. When I got the next photo, I rushed right out to find her.”
“I don’t think I want to see this one.” Jane looked away.
“Do you, Will?”
He nodded.
She shuffled the screen to the next photo—Georgiana struggling to get away from Wickham.
