“Okay, maybe the third time is the charm.” I pulled out the middle drawer. This one held stockings actually made from silk, undergarments, and some pretty little handkerchiefs. Reaching in further, I felt around the back. People always hid stuff in the back of dressers.
“Ah Ha!” I pulled out an elaborate box. Gilded flowers and vines carved an intricate pattern on the top, and there they were again, the three keys. Just like the weird mirror across the room that looked like it was a doorway to another world.
“What’s with all the keys?” I opened the box, tucked inside the red velvet confines was the necklace.
The necklace sparkled, beckoning me with its beauty once more. I was about to put it around my neck and wish myself back home but instead, I froze.
What would happen if I did put it back on? Would I simply poof back to the future? My heart sank.
If I put the necklace back on, would I wake up back at work, listening to Janice talk about her latest conquest? Or Ned’s latest acquisition? Or worse? What if I ended up back in my apartment and none of this had ever happened? What if I never saw him again? My throat clogged and my heart constricted.
No, I shook my head. I was not ready to let this dream—delusion, disappear. Not yet.
With shaking hands, I carefully placed the necklace back in the box and closed the lid. Leaning down I pulled open the bottom drawer, which was filled with shawls, and stuffed the box way in the back and covered it, then closed the drawer.
I stood back up. Maybe I would feel differently later, maybe in a day or two. Besides, I needed to lay a legend to rest. But first, I had to figure out what the riddle meant, and how it tied everyone together.
Walking over to the bedside table, I lifted up the piece of paper that Milford gave me last night, which was more proof I was not imagining everything. I unfolded the parchment. Barely legible writing was scrawled across its length.
“Until the key is found… the door of time will be bound… locked within for all time… may no other be allowed peace of mind.”
The paper slipped from my fingertips and floated down to the carpet. “What the heck is that supposed to mean?” I thought Milford said the knight loved the girl. Those words sounded more like a curse. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what the words would mean to someone desperate enough to do anything to get back a girl they loved and lost.
Just thinking about it made my heart ache. I bent over and picked up the paper. Opening the drawer on the bedside table, I shoved it inside and shut it once again. “What in the hell am I going to do?”
I took a few good deep reviving breaths and made up my mind. I had a riddle to solve and not only for my own sake—but apparently a few others’ sakes as well.
GOOD MORNING
RAVENHURST
DISHES clattered as the liveried footmen cleared them away to make room for another setting on the stark white, linen tablecloth. A pair of white-gloved hands polished the silverware gently with a cloth before placing them on the table alongside a setting of fine porcelain plates. Crystal glasses were filled with juice and water from pitchers. Toasted bread was placed inside the slots of a sterling rack with jam on the side. Serving trays of food rested on the sideboard nearby.
Sebastian summoned the footman to refill his cup with more coffee. The rich aroma filled the room. He wiped his mouth, settled back in his chair, and picked back up the morning paper.
The delicious smell of food and freshly brewed coffee greeted me when I came down the stairs. As I made my way past the gargoyle and headed down the hall towards the smell as a maid stepped out of a room to my left.
“Good morning,” I chirped brightly and kept walking.
“Milady,” the maid called.
“Yes.” I stopped.
“The breakfast room is that way.” She pointed towards a pair of double doors.
“Oh.” I laughed stupidly. “I thought it was this way.” “That is where the kitchen is.” Her brows creased.
“Right. How silly of me.” I spun around and headed in the other direction. I entered the room and stopped. The last person I expected to see was Sebastian, but there he was, sitting at the end of the table. I waffled on the threshold. The smell pulled me in the room but his presence made me want to slide back out the way I came… until he lowered his paper and I saw his face. I no longer had a choice. He was so good-looking… too good-looking. Where are men like this in my world? I thought grimly and stepped into the room.
“Good morning,” he said and folded the paper.
“Good morning.” I made my way over to the table thankful it was so large. I didn’t want to be too close to him. He might realize I wasn’t who I was pretending to be. A footman appeared out of nowhere and pulled my chair out for me.
Sebastian leaned his head against the upholstered back of the chair and toyed with the edge of his folded newspaper as he watched her situate herself. Pieces of her hair had fallen from her makeshift ponytail and floated up in the air each time she adjusted her bottom on the edge of her chair. She was quite fetching. How had he missed this? Perhaps it was the simplicity of the gown she was wearing, which made her seem so appealing. He watched her breasts jiggle as she moved her chair again… no, probably not the gown at all… it was more than likely what was under the gown that seemed so enticing suddenly. He was not sure exactly what it was, but if his body’s reaction was any indication, then he certainly would not mind exploring whatever it was, further.
The chair would not budge on the carpet. I adjusted my bottom again, attempting to sit on the edge of the seat just like a genteel lady should, but unfortunately, I was failing miserably… again. Finally, I gave up and looked down. My breasts were practically perched on top of the table. I groaned and tried to push back once more, but the legs of the chair were stuck. “See, that’s why you don’t put a damn rug under a table…” I lifted my gaze and then wished I hadn’t. He was staring right at me, with a peculiar expression on his face. “Embarrassing…” My face heated.
Sebastian grinned. He was amused. He could not help it. When did she become so utterly adorable? And then his mind came to a halt. What in the bloody hell was he doing? He sounded like he was talking about a puppy and not the girl who jilted him, and by her own admission had left him for another man, one she thought may return for her. The warm feeling he had moments before quickly turned cold along with his ardor. He reached for his cup once more and took a drink before settling it back on the table.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, casually breaking the silence.
A footman reappeared from nowhere and filled my cup with coffee. I peered around his back. “Yes I did, thank you.” I made sure my voice came out loud and clear, since there was about ten feet between us, which I couldn’t be happier about. If I was sitting next to him I would probably make a fool out of myself.
“I am glad to hear that,” he said and gave her a wry smile.
A footman blocked my view and placed a heaping plate of food in front of me. I wasn’t sure what to do. Was I supposed to wait to eat?
“Please eat,” he said, as though he had read my mind. “You are obviously famished.”
My face heated. Could he tell how hungry I was? I tried to smile back, but it ended up looking forced and awkward. My stomach twisted as his smile faded. He lifted his paper back up. Lifting the napkin off the table, I placed it in my lap and sat up straighter. There were several forks on the side of my plate and I had no idea which one to use. I wished he would leave so I could eat in private. Nervously, I glanced in his direction, and was relieved to see that his paper covered most of his face. Reaching forward, I quickly grabbed the fork farthest from the plate and filled it with eggs. I shoved a bite into my mouth. It was too big. I covered my mouth and chewed on the oversized bite…it wasn’t pretty.
Of course, Sebastian was watching. He watched the way she ate, as well as the way she drank. The way she kept blowing a stray hair from her eyes and the rise and fall of her breasts in he
r conservative morning gown; none of these things went unnoticed by him. He even caught her darting glances to see if he was looking at her; he was, of course, but she did not know that. She was nervous. He was glad. He watched her shut her eyes, her dark lashes fanned across her high cheekbones, and her full, pink lips caught his attention as they met the delicate edge of the porcelain cup. His mind strayed, wondering what they would feel like on his own lips and his body began to react immediately. What in the hell was he thinking… he was aghast at himself and rightly so. These urges were getting bloody ridiculous.
Pushing away from the table, he stood. “I can see you are thoroughly enjoying your meal.” He tossed his paper down on the table as a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips and then promptly turned into a frown. What in the hell was he saying? He must look like a besotted imbecile. “If you will excuse me, there is something I need to attend to.” He straightened his jacket and then lifted the paper and tucked it under his arm. “I will let you finish breaking your fast with some semblance of tranquility.” He strode casually toward the door, his brightly polished hessians barely making a sound on the carpet.
“All right,” I mumbled past my food as I watched the tops of his boots draw nearer. And then he stopped right beside my chair. I had a feeling he wanted me to look at him but there was no way in hell I was going to do that with food bulging from my cheeks.
Sebastian waited. He thought for sure she would at least acknowledge his presence before he left, and when she did not, he tried to lean forward to see her expression. It did not work very well. “I will see you in the library once you have finished.” He shook his head. “Very well then.” Still no response. He gave her one last curious look and finally exited the room.
I swallowed my food quickly and wiped my mouth. I looked down. There was a nice big brown spot over my left boob. Perfect. When I could no longer hear his footsteps, I stood up. No big surprise, I suddenly lost my appetite. Spotting a plate of biscuits, I looked over my shoulder at the footman who was staring straight ahead like a sentinel. Nonchalantly, I grabbed up a biscuit for later and then ran back to my borrowed room to change.
NO ONE LIKES TO SHARE
RAVENHURST
THE wind blew harshly through the trees, forcing the remaining leaves from their limbs. Sebastian gazed out the window, watching the leaves spiral in wild abandon to the ground below.
The stack of papers on the top of his desk should have been a reminder of what matters he should be attending to, but instead, he was lost in thought. Mentally he tried to prepare for the conversation he would soon be having with his betrothed about their upcoming nuptials. He was not sure how she would react to his plans to marry her at the end of the week and then leave the following morning for London… alone.
He was not sure what exactly was driving him to this decision, but he could not keep from wondering if this was haste or cowardice. Distance seemed the best avenue at this point. The rest would come to him in time.
However, his thoughts were interrupted when he sensed that he was not alone. Turning, he fully expected to find Marguerite in the doorway. When he saw that it was Renquist… again, he let out an irritated sigh. Blast the man for his poor timing. What in the hell did he want this time? He just saw him a day ago.
“Good morning, de Winter,” Renquist said jovially as he entered the room and crossed to the fireplace to warm his hands.
Sebastian rolled his eyes and his jaw tensed. “Renquist, what a surprise. Two days in a row?” he said, barely able to control the edge in his voice. “What brings you out and about at this hour in the morning?”
Devlin, seemingly oblivious to his tone, shivered. “Goodness, I have to say there is quite a chill in the air. I would not be surprised if a blizzard was on its way.” He shivered again for effect.
“What?” Sebastian frowned, confused.
“Yes, I do believe a blizzard is about to descend on us all.” He placed his hand on the mantel. “Of course, I took the liberty of letting the staff go home to their families to ready themselves.”
“You did what?” Sebastian blanched. Since when was Devlin a paragon?
“Oh, I know it was a selfless act on my part.” He smoothed his hand through his hair. “Not many people would sacrifice themselves as I did for the benefit of others…” he paused and looked pointedly at Sebastian.
Sebastian’s mouth dropped open.
“Well, that is neither here nor there.” Devlin smiled. “Who am I to judge?”
“Well that is ah… gracious of you,” Sebastian ground out. It killed him to compliment the man at all. But damn, he had no warning of a blizzard or else he too, would have done the same.
“I say, de Winter, be a gracious host and ring the maid for a pot of tea and perhaps some of your cook’s delicious biscuits. I must admit I did not have a chance to eat before I left and find that I am starving.”
Sebastian would have liked to do more than starve the man. He would have liked to shove his ass right out of his house.
“Certainly,” he said and walked over to pull the cord for the maid.
Devlin helped himself to a glass of Sebastian’s liquor and took a sip. “So I take it Marguerite is still abed?” he asked casually.
Sebastian glanced over at the door. “No, she is right behind you.”
“She what?” Devlin turned so fast his drink sloshed on the carpet.
“Good morning.” Even from where I stood, I could see the man had the blackest eyes I had ever seen. They were piercing, unreadable. I rushed forward and sat in one of the chairs.
Devlin’s mouth dropped open as she half-ran across the room. As she fell into one of the winged chairs, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. She looked so beautiful. He had almost forgotten… almost.
Sebastian walked over to the front of the fire, and purposefully used his body to block Marguerite from Devlin’s salivating stare. “Look who decided to stop by.”
Freaking out, I held onto the arms of the chair so tightly, I lost the feeling in my third finger. I had no idea who this guy was and if I didn’t think of something fast I was going to be busted for the imposter I was. What to do? What to do? A little voice echoed in my mind, lie, lie, lie to them, it whispered. “How wonderful,” I said with what I hoped was the right amount of fake exuberance.
Devlin frowned. She acted as though she held no animosity towards him for the small incident that happened before with Judith. Her eyes sparkled in the firelight, and the blue in her gown made them look darker, deeper than normal. He watched as she darted a shy smile towards de Winter, the gesture causing his stomach to twist in knots, the sensation still too familiar for his liking.
He cleared his throat, trying to draw her attention away from de Winter and glided a gentle hand through his hair. “May I say you are looking even lovelier than the last time I saw you…” he trailed off. He stepped towards her and lifted her hand in his, then leaned forward to press a kiss on the top. He lingered, watching her face flush even brighter, while her lashes fluttered. He continued pressing his lips against her sweet, soft skin.
“Tea’s here,” Sebastian practically yelled from across the room. He gritted his teeth, watching as Devlin appeared to slobber all over Marguerite’s hand.
Sebastian had always wondered what Renquist’s intentions were towards his betrothed. And he always wondered if the obvious attraction was one-sided. After finding them alone with one another on far too many occasions, it could not be simple coincidence. Renquist had always watched her every move, when he thought no one was looking. But Sebastian was watching also. He saw it all and he did not like it one bit either.
“So Devlin, where is my aunt… your wife?” Sebastian questioned, accentuating the word “wife” more than necessary.
Devlin gave him a sidelong glare. It was just like de Winter to mention he was married, just to remind Marguerite. Perhaps she forgot. But no… the do-gooder had to open his big mouth, and now she knew, again. Blast the man
. “Actually, it was your aunt who sent me off at such an early hour to retrieve documents she left here some time ago,” he said simply, his gaze straying back towards Marguerite.
Sebastian crossed his arms and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Since when did his aunt leave documents at his home? He had no idea what the man was speaking of. And why would Isabelle not come here to retrieve them herself? It was not like her to miss an opportunity to visit. Now that he thought about it, he had not seen her for some time. “I do wonder why my aunt did not come herself, or at least accompany you here, Renquist.”
Devlin pulled his gaze from Marguerite. “Oh, she was feeling a bit under the weather, so Judith offered to look after her while I came here in her stead to retrieve what she needed.”
“Under the weather?” he questioned. “I do hope you sent for the doctor?”
Devlin adjusted his waistcoat. “No need, she is suffering as all women do at certain times of the month.”
Sebastian’s face went blank, and then he seemed to recover. “Of course, yes, I understand.” There were some subjects he chose to avoid at all costs.
The rumbling of the teacart momentarily sidetracked the conversation. The cups were prepared to each person’s liking and then handed out.
“Thank you,” I said and took the offered cup from the maid.
Devlin was not one to miss an opportunity. So while Sebastian was occupied with the maid, he took a moment to appreciate the beauty before him. Her angelic face turned in profile, as she sipped her tea. Her dark lashes cast shadows on her cheeks and reminded him of how she looked when she slept…so innocent…so beautiful. Her lips were even fuller than he remembered, and he could imagine quite clearly how they would feel against his body if he let his mind conjure the image fully. A shiver of delight raced through him. He wanted her to look at him… to finally, see him... and then she did. She gave him a sweet shy smile before turning away. What was this? Was she being shy, bashful? This girl was not the Marguerite he remembered. She had to be playing coy with him. Oh, how he loved to play games as well. He let his gaze travel freely over her body, imagining what fun they could have, knowing this time it would be different. Just thinking of them together, with one another, began to make him uncomfortably hard. And as he glanced down, he could see it was becoming quite obvious.
A Knight Such as This: Enhanced with Interactive Content: (Time Travel Romance) Book 1 & 2 (Ravenhurst Series) Page 10
