“Now the black overlay and hand-sewn floral accents were also an interesting choice for the bride, since it meant she wished herself back. Now this is a bit confusing for me. I am not sure how she can wish to be dead, and then wish herself back.” He shrugged indifferently.
“Well, at least it sounds like she changed her mind. Maybe she was like Juliet, trying to be with her true love but she couldn’t, so she pretended to kick it so the other guy would leave her alone,” I said hopefully, trying to make the tightness in my chest subside.
“Perhaps,” Ned replied absently. We finally made it to the front of the line. He inspected the tray for a moment and then grabbed one of the puff pastries off the tray and popped it into his mouth.
“Still, it is kind of sad and disturbing at the same time, don’t you think?” I peered over his shoulder to see what else was on the tray.
“Oh, Katherine, that is not even the half of it. The Victorians were an especially superstitious lot and even made poems up about certain aspects of the wedding. Take the days of the week, for instance: Marry on Monday for money, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for crosses, Friday for losses, and Saturday for no luck at all.”
“Seriously, you get no luck at all for a Saturday? Everyone gets married on Saturday in America. Well, that is just great. I guess we’re all screwed.”
Ned chuckled. “You are quite a crack-up aren’t you?”
“Yeah, a real crack-up,” I said despondently and grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray. “So, Ned, where did the dress come from anyway?” I took a sip of champagne.
“Oh, it came from Ravenhurst.”
I coughed so hard, the sip of champagne flew out of my mouth as my eyes teared up. “What did you say?”
“The gown is from Ravenhurst.”
“Wh—why am I wearing it then? Isn’t that against the rules?”
“Oh, no worries.” He chuckled and petted my arm reassuringly. “It isn’t like the girl who wore it is going to miss it,” he said laughingly.
I drained my drink in record time. I needed to take the edge off. I was trying to forget all about the origins of the necklace, as well as the girl who wore the dress.
All I really wanted to do was explore the castle without Ned telling me another dreadful story. He was putting a serious damper on my good mood. And those stinking gargoyles’… their little beady eyes seemed to keep following me everywhere I went. It was probably guilt making me feel this way. I should have taken the necklace off. Truthfully, I should have never worn it in the first place, but somehow, I couldn’t help myself.
The necklace was awesome. Besides, it wasn’t my fault Ned lent me the gown and insisted I keep the necklace on. Except he didn’t know I was lying about how I got it in the first place.
Apples-oranges, did it really make a difference? I didn’t think so. Ned was the culprit in all this. Not me… at least that’s what I told myself to lessen the feeling of guilt.
‡
Two hours later and yet another terrible story relayed by Ned in gory detail, I was getting pretty depressed. Didn’t Ned have any good stories to tell? I finished off my third glass of champagne, which did a fine job of dulling the pain in my toes, but unfortunately, not my head. Ned had been talking non-stop. My eyes followed Ned’s hand as he reached out and snagged another pastry off the passing waiter’s tray and popped it into his mouth. Cream slipped out of the side of his mouth as he chewed and tried to speak at the same time, warming to his subject again.
“The Victorians would attach strings to the deceased bodies in various places, such as the hands, head, and feet before they were buried.” Ned paused for a moment, and plucked yet another pastry off the retreating tray of crab puffs and popped it into his mouth.
II
“And to think DR. TABERGER designed the system above ground, just in case the person they buried was not really dead at all. It was bloody brilliant. The bell would alert the cemetery night watchman to dig up the body. Of course, I am not quite sure if they managed to do this in enough time…” He shrugged and licked the cream off his fingers.
As I watched him run the tip of his tongue over each one of his fingers, I was frankly surprised my mouth began to water instead of my gag reflex kicking in. I knew why, too. I was so hungry it just didn’t matter. The dress had me trussed up so tightly, it was hard to take a breath. I knew if I tried to eat anything, the damn thing would asphyxiate me and render me unconscious for the rest of the night.
“Now where was I?” Ned tapped his chin.
Please stop…please stop! I can’t take it! Not another word about corpses or I am going to be sick. I searched the crowd frantically for someone to unload him on. Amelia, was standing in the corner, gawking at Ned. Perfect.
Amelia was another appraiser but she dealt mainly in antique jewelry. At least that was her specialty. She actually dabbled in a bit of everything, especially from the Victorian era. She was a petite little thing, with a short boyish hairstyle that looked perfect on her small frame. Amelia dressed nice but her clothing tended to be very conservative, with one exception. She liked to accessorize with brightly colored, vintage-enameled flower pins. I guessed she was a likeable enough person, a bit bookish at times but really, in this business who wasn’t? Spotting my chance for escape, I pulled Ned towards Amelia.
Three ladies were huddled together, blocking me. Not to be deterred, I cut around the side and came to a halt right in front of Amelia.
“Ned,” Amelia said in surprise, smiling widely.
“Oh hello.” He didn’t smile back.
I thought Ned would be happy to see Amelia but instead he sounded completely downtrodden. Good grief, was he blind? Amelia looked really good.
I smiled at her warmly. “Hey Amelia, I love your outfit.” She was wearing a bright green riding ensemble with a jaunty little hat cocked to the side. The feathered plumes, curved around her face dramatically. She had a riding crop in one hand and a drink in the other.
“Oh, hello Katherine.” Her brow wrinkled in displeasure. “Funny, I didn’t know you were invited.”
“Ah, I wasn’t. I mean, I came with Ned.”
“That was kind of him.” Amelia eyes slid up and down my body with visible distaste.
Immediately, I revoked my earlier comment. Amelia wasn’t nice—she was a bitch!
“What an interesting piece of jewelry.” Amelia leaned forward to get a better look in the dim light.
“Ah, it is. Thanks.” Reflexively I covered the necklace.
“Wherever did you get it?” Amelia narrowed her hazel eyes, which made her fake lashes, clump together. It looked like a spider was attacking her left eye.
I may have found some humor in that but instead I was trying to come up with yet another lie. “Erhm … ah, someone’s grandmother from another mother,” I mumbled stupidly.
“What?” She leaned in closer.
I took a step back, and hugged my stomach. “Oh gosh, I have got to go to the bathroom,—it just hit me.” I made a strained face.
Ned looked suspicious. “I will accompany you.” He made a grab for my arm.
“Oh no, I really think it would be best if I go alone.” I played it up a bit and bent down slightly, pretending to have cramps of some sort.
Ned made a sour face, and flared his nostrils slightly. “Oh, I see, of course, you should go alone. You will need your privacy.”
I added another strained look for good measure, turned, and walked away.
“Try to hurry back,” he called out from behind.
“Oh, I’ll try,” I lied as I called back over my shoulder and walked briskly through the crowd. A broad smile quickly replaced the pained look. I snatched two more glasses of champagne from a passing waiter, and took off to explore the castle.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR
RAVENHURST * PRESENT DAY
THE light of the full moon made an eerie glow at the end of the hall through the mullion
ed windows. I walked slowly past armored knights stationed in alcoves on either side of the hall. Finishing off one of the glasses of champagne, I set it on the base of one of the knights. Standing up fully, I patted the cool metal. “I’ll pick this up on my way back,” I assured the stoic figure of a knight in shining armor.
Walking down the hall, I stepped into the glow of the moon and looked out the large bank of windows. A dark cloud spread across the horizon and gave the impression of a hand reaching out across the sky—searching for something or someone. Instinctively, I reached up and stroked the amulet.
A cloud drifted over the moon and blocked the illumination. The hall turned black. I shivered.
After a few moments, the clouds dissipated and the hall filled with illumination once more. Over to my left there was a large gallery. I stepped through the arched doorway. Vaulted ceilings soared high above. The vast floor was filled with strategically placed statuary. I wondered if this was where the lords of the estate courted their ladies, or were they brought here to be seduced. It certainly looked like the perfect place for seduction. I ran my gloved fingers over the muscled arm of David, moving down to his perfectly sculpted buttocks, and patted them lightly.
The champagne was taking its toll and I laughed out loud at my foolishness.
Gilded rows of paintings covered the far wall of the room and I wandered over to them. My heels clicked out a rhythm on the parquet floor, keeping time with the music wafting up from below. I stopped and admired one of the paintings: a knight in profile, his long black hair was blowing away from his face as he looked off into the distance across a vast countryside. Dark clouds gathered above his head, and his cloak billowed out from behind. He looked sad.
A brief glimpse of him in misery flashed through my mind and my heart went out to him. I tried to recall where I may have seen him before, but couldn’t grasp it. There was nothing tangible. Determined to have a good time, I moved away from his portrait. Taking another small sip of champagne, I looked at the next portrait. My breath caught and I instantly wished I took the bottle instead of just two glasses.
This portrait showed a man leaning against a mantel in a library or study. I could swear the room turned colder as soon as I looked at the unpleasant man in the portrait.
It was disturbing. There was no other word for it. He was not unattractive, but his eyes were cold, unfeeling, like he wanted to or did some foul deed. Trying to ward off the unpleasantness, I rubbed my arms, but the feeling held tight. Quickly, I strode away to the next painting and froze. My heart skipped an entire beat as I stared into the eyes of yet another man. He was all alone on a grassy hilltop, with this very estate as the backdrop. He was smiling broadly—he was… perfect.
Disjointed images hit me in waves and my stomach lurched. I felt like I was going to be sick. Then I saw him in another time, laughing. Then for a split second, his gray eyes flashed anger before they softened. I could see the love in them, which made me feel warm all over. I barely had a chance to catch my breath when another image hit me. This time, his beautiful face was devastated. I watched his suffering, and my heart dropped. Then, just as suddenly, his eyes went blank, devoid of all expression. There was no spark of life, anger, or love… he became a shell of emptiness.
I couldn’t take it. It felt worse than his suffering. Choking back a sob, I turned away. It was horrible… I could not stand seeing him like that. However, the vision did not fade. It stuck in my mind, suffocating me. Trying to alleviate the terrible feeling, I closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing.
After a few moments, the feeling abated a little, but not entirely. Forcing myself to move, I walked towards another painting at the far end of the room. This one stood all alone in the corner. The soles of my shoes scuffed loudly against the floor as my feet moved forward, but my mind wanted no part of where they were taking me.
Friction began to build in the air. I stopped in front of the last portrait. Lifting my glass, I gulped down the rest of my champagne, with my eyes tightly shut. I knew I was being a coward, but I did not want to look.
Still, I forced my eyes open and immediately wished I had kept them closed. Recognition slammed through me. “This can’t be happening,” I whispered in disbelief as my world fell away and everything turned black.
REFLECTIONS
RAVENHURST * VICTORIAN ENGLAND
SEBASTIAN de Winter-The Earl of Ravenhurst, looked out his library window toward the setting sun, watching it disappear into the coming night. He couldn’t help thinking it was vanishing, just as Marguerite had, without a trace.
Placing his glass on the desk, he let out a heavy sigh. She was certainly not his first choice for a bride, and would not have been a candidate at all if he had any say in the matter. He was quite content with his life just the way it was. When he wanted a woman, he bedded one. There was no rhyme or reason to his choosing. He enjoyed all women and they him. He had yet to hear a complaint.
He laughed lightly, remembering Annabelle’s reaction when he told her he was getting married.
THE DANDRIDGE’S TOWNHOUSE LONDON
“What do you mean you are getting married?” Annabelle Dandridge shrilled out loudly and pushed her long red curling hair away from her face. Her blue eyes ignited in anger.
“Sorry love, I do not know what to tell you. A man has to do what a man has to do,” Sebastian said absently and pulled his breeches up. Her pretty face had an angry pout. “Annabelle, now do not be that way,” Sebastian cajoled and tossed his shirt on carelessly. Letting it hang open he walked towards her and stood over the bed.
“Remember you are married as well, or have you forgotten your husband, Adam, so easily?”
Annabelle fell backward on the pillows and covered her face with her arm. “Oh, right, I am,” she said as if it suddenly dawned on her. “He is old, though. And he makes me sick when his wrinkled fleshy body touches mine.” She shuddered. “And you are the opposite.” She sat up and placed her hand on his taut stomach. “You are young and handsome and you make me feel so good when you touch my body.” Her hand slid lower. “And I have not even mentioned the best part…” she teased, and smiled up at him. She pushed her hair back and leaned forward. Deftly, she unfastened his breeches and released him fully in her hands. She looked up and gave him a wicked smile.
Sebastian lifted his brow. He knew that look.
Annabelle lowered her head and took his length into her mouth.
Sebastian closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment.
WHEN IN ROME
RAVENHURST * VICTORIAN ENGLAND
WHERE in the hell was that rotten smell coming from?
I tried to swallow, but my mouth was as dry as a desert in drought… Damn champagne. It always tasted so good going down too. A sharp pain shot through the side of my head as I tried to open my eyes. I needed a soda… fast, and a bathroom. I forced my eyes open.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!” I scrambled back from the person leaning over my body.
“Oh there now little missy,” the old woman crooned in a crackly voice. “Just rest your weary head back onto the pillows and try not to make any sudden movements while I get you some water.” She pressed my shoulders down into the pillows and then turned to walk across the room. “I bet you are awfully parched after all this time,” she called out over her shoulder.
I pushed myself up and winced. Where the hell am I? I glanced around. The room was dimly lit and I didn’t recognize anything. Rubbing my forehead, I watched the woman with the weird accent shuffle back and forth across the room. She stopped at a table and lifted a pitcher in the air. “What you need is a cool glass of water,” she said, and then began pouring water into a glass.
I would have preferred a soda instead but the super thin maid/woman seemed a bit put out with me already, so I was afraid to ask. Besides, I was trying hard not to stare but I wasn’t doing too well. The woman had on some strange clothing. Well, maybe not strange per say, but it definitely looked out of date… really out of date. The go
wn she wore was long and an ugly grayish color with a ruffled neckline and a bright white apron with a matching little cap perched on her head. Her dark hair was pulled tightly back in a bun at the nape of her neck, which was not a good style on her. It made her hair look really greasy.
“Ex... cu,” that was all I got out. The bad smell from earlier hit me again. I breathed on my hand and my eyes crossed. Gross! My breath smelled worse than road kill on a hot day. What in the hell did I eat last night, a bucket of turds?
The maid shuffled back across the room with a glass in her frail hand.
I clamped my mouth shut. I didn’t want to kill the feeble maid with my horrible breath.
“Now little missy, just open your mouth and I will help you drink this.” The maid leaned in, wrapped her free arm around my head, while wedging the rim of the glass between my lips. Before I could protest, she dumped the water down my throat. A heavy metallic taste filled my mouth. I gagged and coughed. The water came right back up. I couldn’t catch a breath. The maid held onto my body so tightly I couldn’t rise… or breathe.
“There you go,” the maid said and jerked my body forward and then whacked me on the back.
Air blasted into my lungs. I looked at the skinny maid again. The veins of her frail arms bulged through her pale skin. How in the hell were those skinny arms so strong? And yet the sting on my back told me the bitch was hell of a lot stronger than she appeared.
“Now look what you have done.” The maid gave me a disparaging look and pulled a rag from her pocket. The little piece of white material dangled from her fingers as she made a clucking sound. “You have made an awful mess of your face.” She looked horrified. “No worries, I can fix you up in just a moment.” She covered my face with the rag and pinched my nose shut.
A Knight Such as This: Enhanced with Interactive Content: (Time Travel Romance) Book 1 & 2 (Ravenhurst Series) Page 3
