ROMANCE: Time of the Werebears (Scottish Historical Time Travel Shifter Romance) (Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance)

by Sky Winters

  Isabelle had been the only one old enough to really remember her mother. The others did not take kindly to their sister’s lessons and Isabelle had long since given up on trying to instruct her sisters in how to live. She had however, tried to show them by example. She didn’t spend time worrying about her hair, or buying clothes. Somehow today felt different to Isabelle. She had a reason to look her best. Kitty could sense this and tried her best to push the limits.

  “I am not going to swoon!” Isabelle warned.

  “I am not saying you have to swoon,” Kitty argued. “It is just a tiny little fan, you wave it in your face, or use it to hide behind.” Kitty had even convinced her friend to wear a very showy necklace. The other Bernard sisters had never seen Isabelle so dressed up.

  “See, I told you she wasn’t a monster,” Miranda teased.

  As they entered the dining room their father, Edmund, Victor, and the colonel were already around the table. The soup was already out. Nan, their Matron, was a better nanny than hostess, but she was an excellent cook.

  “Nice to see you girls made it down,” Colonel Raglan’s voice overflowed with sarcasm, “My soup is now properly chilled.”

  “We are very sorry fath…”

  “Reginald!” The colonel cut Kitty off as the MP appeared standing in the doorway. “I am so glad you could make it.” Kitty had turned a deep shade of red as she realized that the only empty seat was beside her. Reginald sat down and smiled fondly at her.

  “I..Immm g..g.lad t…to be here.” Reginald looked around the table smiling. He got right to work on his soup so that he could avoid trying to talk. Isabelle smiled back at Reginald and tried to look at Edmund. She knew that her cheeks would give her away. Nan had told Isabelle once that she blushed with her whole body and Isabelle knew it to be true. The redness would start in her cheeks, but it would soon travel down her neck and chest. It wouldn’t be long before she had entirely changed color.

  “Edmund, how long will you be in Caddington?” Lord Bernard asked. Isabelle stole a peek at Edmund when she knew that he would be turned the other way. Her father was at the other end of the table.

  “I am not sure,” Edmund said. He turned back fast and caught Isabelle’s gaze. She could feel the warmth moving down her neck. “I have business on Saint Helene to attend to, but it should keep for a few months.”

  Kitty had forgotten all about her seating troubles when she noticed Isabelle. The boisterous young woman had to fight to keep the laughter down. She made slight motions at Isabelle trying to show her how far the blushing had crept down her neck. Isabelle gave her friend a stern look, but that was just making it harder for her not to laugh.

  “You never told us the other night,” The Colonel started. He sounded very distracted. Colonel Raglan was trying to figure out what was afflicting Kitty, who was nearly convulsing in her soup, and fighting with Victor to keep wine out of his cup. “Whatever happened to the man who shot you? Surely there must have been a disciplinary hearing?”

  “He claims that the punishment is unending.” Edmund laughed a bit to himself, “I hired him on to drive my coach.”

  “Really, he shoots you and you give him a job?” The colonel seemed to be weighing the merits of the arrangement. “I guess that does sound fitting, in a manner of speaking.”

  “In a manner of speaking!” Victor stood up as if to make a toast. His father pulled him back down into his seat. Victor slumped even farther than he had been before he stood up. He seemed to be humming, but everyone chose to ignore it.

  Isabelle could feel Edmund’s eyes on her throughout the dinner. He barely looked away. Even when addressing others at the table, Edmund’s eyes were fixed on Isabelle. As focused as Edmund was on Isabelle, there were other young ladies at the table who were just as focused on him. Isabelle was always embarrassed when she took her sisters out in public. The girls were busy employing their social graces to drive Isabelle crazy, and even their father, a man who did not notice much, recognized that something was wrong with the women at his table.

  “Lysa, if you fan yourself any harder you are bound to float away,” Sir Thomas didn’t look up from his plate. He had never been sure what to do with all of these girls. After his wife died the Baronet had relied heavily on Nan to handle teaching and disciplining the girls. Lysa wasn’t the only one trying to get Edmund’s attention. Alayne and Miranda were also doing their best to bat their eyes and feign laughter. Alayne was nearly on the floor after every comment the Lieutenant made.

  As dinner came to a close, Sir Thomas Bernard led most of the gentlemen to his library for cigars and brandy. Isabelle looked over at Kitty. “Why don’t we see if Nan has anymore desserts?” Kitty grabbed Lysa by the ear, and with a stern look at the other two, the room had been cleared for Edmund and Isabelle.

  “I have to apologize for my sisters,” Isabelle shrugged. She was still working up the courage to meet Edmund’s gaze.

  “No need,” Edmund smiled. “They are playing their role.”

  “And what role is that?”

  “The role of the socialite damsel,” A smile crossed his lips, “Whether they are in distress or not?”

  “And how do you prefer your damsels?” Isabelle had never wanted to be a damsel. In distress or otherwise.

  “Not,” Edmund stood up and started walking around to sit closer to Isabelle. “I am against the institute of damsels.”

  “I have never been to such an institute.” Isabelle tried to stand, but Edmund put a hand on her chair blocking the young woman’s escape. Other than dancing, Isabelle had never really been this close to a man. She had certainly never been alone in a room with a man this close to her. She wanted Edmund to be close, but Isabelle was not ready for things to be moving this rapidly.

  “I can tell,” the Lieutenant’s gaze moved right through Isabelle, she was mesmerized by the purple veins running through the soldiers ice-blue eyes. The Lieutenant started to lean forward in his chair. Isabelle was frozen with fear, but she knew that she wanted Edmund to keep edging closer. As he neared the young lady’s quivering lips, the soldiers head turned. His mouth went right past her cheek bone. Isabelle felt a chill shoot down her spine as Edmund’s nose grazed the neck.

  “Ummm!” Edmund shot backwards off the chair and was standing. Isabelle could see blood coming off of either corner of Edmund’s mouth.

  “Did you bite your lip?” Isabelle asked as she stood to try and hep. Edmund was pacing frantically back and forth. Isabelle put a hand on his shoulder and felt the body shift and turn. Edmund was holding his mouth shut and it looked as though he was wrestling with his own tongue.

  “I am sorry,” Edmund huffed as he regained control, unable for the first time all night to look Isabelle in the eyes. “I have been away from polite society for far too long. I have forgotten how to control my urges.” Isabelle could feel the red rushing through her cheeks again. She was having trouble with her breathing as well. Standing face to face with Edmund, Isabelle knew that she wanted more. She didn’t want him to resist.

  Isabelle put her hand on the lieutenant’s cheek. He locked onto her eyes again. Edmund grabbed Isabelle by the waist and lifted her into his arms as they kissed. She had never felt so vulnerable, and yet Edmund made that okay. Isabelle wrapped both arms around Edmund’s neck and enjoyed the feeling of his lips pressed against hers.

  “Owww!” Isabelle yelled as she felt something sharp graze her neck. “I think you cut me.”

  “Sorry, I got too worked up.” Edmund said as he set Isabelle down and began kissing her with fervor. It wasn’t until they heard the sound of Isabelle’s ffather’s can tapping the floor that Edmund had carried her outside.

  “Do you think he saw us?” But as Isabelle turned back to Edmund she noticed he was missing. She started looking all over the garden to try and find him. It was dark out and Edmund’s dark hair and suit would be difficult to see, but Isabelle knew that she had to find her lover.

  “Edmund!” She called out.

>   “I had to share you all night,” came from behind Isabelle. “I needed you all to myself. I thought that I would be able to control myself…this time.” Edmund offered a weak smile as he led Isabelle out into the dimly lit lawn. It was a warm spring evening. Isabelle held onto Edmund’s arm. She could feel the strength even through his dinner jacket. No matter where they were walking or how the terrain moved her, Edmund’s arm stayed locked in place.

  “Why did you run away?” Isabelle squeezed Edmund’s arm reassuringly.

  “There are certain things that I cannot undo,” was the only answer Edmund gave. Isabelle had heard talk like this from soldiers before. Isabelle wanted to press the topic. She was sure that there was nothing that Edmund could say that would change her mind about him.

  “It was a war,” Isabelle thought she knew what was bothering her friend. She had a similar experience with her grandfather. Sir Richard Bernard had killed many on his tours as a mercenary in Europe. His prowess on the battlefield had won the family a Baronetcy. However, the price had been his sanity. He claimed that he could see the eyes of the men that he had killed every night in his sleep. Isabelle had helped her grandfather and she was ready to help Edmund too.

  “It was more than that,” Edmund would not meet Isabelle’s gaze. “I am afraid I shall never be the same. I am not the boy you knew.” Edmund was shaking and breathing heavily. “I have trouble with controlling my passions.” He took in another deep breath and pulled her closely, this time he buried his mouth between her breasts and kissed them intently. Isabelle’s whole body became aflame.

  A great crowd of people came storming out into the gardens. Sir Thomas Bernard was leading the men toward Edmund with a stern look on his face. “What do you mean by this affront sir?” The older man bellowed as his walking stick, eagle sitting proudly, kept time on the stone path. A few of the servants were carrying torches. Kitty was trying to get to the front of the crowd, but Victor was holding both her arms behind her back.

  “Father,” Isabelle was horrified, “What is the meaning of this?” Isabelle had never had to deal with this side of her father before. He had never tried to stop her from doing anything. Of course this was the first time that she had ever been alone with a man. “I am old enou…”

  “Mind your tongue!” Isabelle’s father said as he raised his hand. “Taking a young woman out of her house without a chaperone.” Isabelle was so shocked that she fell silent. “Why are you bleeding?” Sir Thomas asked his daughter, but before she could answer her father saw the blood around Edmund’s mouth. “Did this man accost you?” It was all happening much too fast for Isabelle.

  “No one better have laid a hand on my betrothed,” Victor was still holding tightly to his sister as he made his way through the crowd. “She belongs to me, father said so,” Victor tried to stifle a hiccup as Kitty took advantage of the opportunity to break free. She ran to comfort her friend.

  “I’m so sorry,” she was crying. “I tried to stop them.” Isabelle hugged her friend. She knew that she had crossed a line.

  “This is an outrage Bernard!” Victor had regained his composure. He pushed himself right past Kitty sending her to the ground. “I will not take this ill-mannered harlot as a bride.” Victor was wild with rage as he slapped Isabelle across the face. Her cheek was stinging and there was a ringing in her ears. She saw Edmund moving in a blur of ferocity. Isabelle crawled over to Kitty to make sure she was okay.

  That was when Victor fell to the ground. His cape now seemed to be on the front and a vacant look was fixed on his face. The other men were all wrestling with Edmund. They were being thrown about like rag dolls. Isabelle saw her father pull back his walking stick. When the head of that great, silver bird struck Edmund’s cheek it was as if all the strength left his body. The blow sent Edmund staggering to the ground and he was tied up by the servants.

  “I..I…www…will see that he is dd..ealt with.” Reginald said as he and a few of the Bernard family footmen carried Edmund from the house.

  “He’s injured my son!” Colonel Raglan was kneeling over the body of his son. Tears were streaming down his face, but he pulled himself together when he felt Sir Thomas’s hand on his shoulder.

  “I ww..will sssee that j..jj..justice is done!” Reginald had a stern look on his face as he led the captive from the grounds. Isabelle wanted to chase after Edmund, but she knew that would only make matters worse.

  “Now, now,” the colonel brushed himself off as he shot up to a standing position. “I will need help with Victor to get his into a doctor’s care.” Raglan said rather matter-of-factly. “Just add 2000 to the dowry for this inconvenience and I will marry the girl myself.” Isabelle was helping Kitty to her feet as their fathers settled the new terms of the engagement. Tears filled the eyes of both girls as they helped each other back into the house.

  That night after everyone had gone to home and the Bernard household was asleep, Isabelle lay in bed. She could feel where the hands had been caressing her body. She could feel the lips as if they were still on her. She could feel her blood rushing through her body, Isabelle was overheating. She pushed her covers back and took off her night gown. Lying in the moonlight, she could feel the cool night air passing over her naked body. It all felt like a magical dream.

  The breeze seemed to have a mind of its own as it caressed and danced across her naked body. It touched and pinched at her goose bump covered flesh. Isabelle could feel something welling up inside her. She had never felt her body do anything like this before. Always in control, always dignified, Isabelle was now tossing to and fro with abandon in the grips of an indescribable force. Isabelle’s body shuddered as a wave of pleasure passed through her. When she opened her eyes Edmund was lying next to her in the bed.

  “Shh!” Edmund had put his hand over her mouth to prevent a scream that never came. Isabelle was not shocked to see him. She was excited. There was still a mark on Edmund’s cheek from where Sir Thomas’ silver Eagle had struck him. The color of his face was a sickly grey.

  “How did you get here?” Isabelle noticed that the window was open. Edmund had been using that window as an entrance since he was 8 years old. Although he hadn’t used it in many years.

  “Not important, I just came to tell you that I am to be hung tomorrow night.” Edmund’s look was gravely serious. In the moonlight he looked like a sculpture of a Greek God. Isabelle reached out and touched his face. She ran her finger along the scar and down his chin. She had never touched a man like this before. She could feel the redness rising in her cheeks as she let her finger run down his broad chest. He was certainly not the boy he once had been.

  Edmund kissed her deeply and pressed her body tightly against his. Isabelle could feel Edmund’s manhood growing along the length of her leg. In a flurry of motion Isabelle found herself sitting on Edmund’s lap. His movements were so fast, faster than Isabelle had ever seen a human move. Her eyes fluttered as she lowered herself accepting Edmund’s girth.

  “Did I hurt you?” Edmund whispered as he started to grind slowly against Isabelle.

  “A little, don’t stop,” Isabelle moaned. Edmund held her tightly in his arms looking her right in the eyes. As they writhed together on the bed Isabelle felt as if Edmund was reading her mind. His hands moved where she wanted them to go. Another rush of pleasure coursed through Isabelle’s quivering body as Edmund held his mouth over Isabelle’s to stifle their screams. Finally, in a moment of ecstasy, he released his seed deep inside of her. They collapsed on the bed.

  Isabelle lay against the smooth muscled chest, but she could not feel Edmund’s heart beating. She could feel her own heart racing through every part of her body. As she lay there feeling her own pulse, Edmund’s words came rushing back. He was to be hung. Isabelle got up, threw on her house coat, and started moving about the room. “What are you doing?”

  “I am readying myself,” Isabelle said. “We must flee.”

  “It is all for the best.” Edmund said as he caught Isabelle by
the arm and brought her back to bed. He wrapped her in his arms. “I am not a part of this world anymore.” Isabelle seemed confused. Edmund seemed to be weighing matters in his head. He wanted Isabelle to understand, “Have I told you about Waterloo?” Edmund started. Isabelle shook her head, it seemed a curious question given the circumstances. “The reason that we defeated Napoleon’s troops was that he didn’t come ou…”

  “Out of his tent,” Isabelle interrupted, “He was over-confident everyone knows the story.”

  “No, the Emperor is many things,” Edmund spoke of Napoleon with a deep reverence. “He was never neglectful of his troops. However, since his first banishment on Elba, the Emperor had been pursuing an answer to the question of death.” Edmund was studying Isabelle’s face as he told the story. “He had shifted his focus away from the mortal coil. He had been searching through the wilds of Eastern Europe. The mystical Carpathian Mountain range. Returning from his trip east his troops started to notice that they only saw their commander at night.

  We had heard these reports and we knew that it was time for us to strike. When we bested the Emperor at Waterloo, I was the first man into the tent. I placed Napoleon Bonaparte under arrest. I said the words before really stopping to look at his face. He had the drawn sallow countenance that you see before you now. He was weak and depleted, but that didn’t slow him down.

  When I tried to slip manacles onto his lacy sleeves the Emperor sunk his teeth deep into my neck. I didn’t have any time to react. I had only looked away from him for a split second. Napoleon had found the key to immortality, but he was no longer human. I had so many thoughts flashing through my mind. I was sure that he had killed me. I fell to the ground grasping my neck. I could feel warm liquid dripping all over my hand.

  It was night time when my eyes fluttered open. The Emperor and I were in a carriage together. He had convinced Wellington to leave me in charge of him. It is one of the benefits of our lifestyle. We can be very convincing.” The veins purple running through Edmund’s eyes flashed as he said this and Isabelle could feel the flash tugging at her mind. Her body moved closer as well.