by Gloria Gay
The woman had moved in with the sole intention of weaseling out information from Kate and Lanquest as to Lanquest’s ‘intentions’ with Kate. Kate hated to be the target of the unpleasant woman’s barbs but more alarming was that Lady Bunright considered Kate an enemy to her ambition for her son to inherit the estate. Kate shivered at the thought.
A love between her and Michael had been fated from the start. She knew she would leave once she found the way, no matter how much she would miss him.
How much she loved him.
Never see Michael again? A sadness enveloped her like a cold shawl so that she shivered as if she were in the snow and tears filled her eyes at the thought that that was to be her future.
The memory of the first time she saw him misted her eyes and brought a smile to her heart. She so looked forward to seeing him again and willed the time to go faster.
She was pulled one way and another by her feelings toward him. Each time she looked into his deep blue eyes, she saw the love for her that grew even more when they were apart.
She sighed as she recalled the rush of tingling on her skin whenever they brushed against each other, her nerve endings affected even after they had moved away from each other, so that the connection continued long after the physical touch was no longer there.
The thought of him was like a soft warm wind soothing her, taking his place while he was away.
And then there was the way she looked forward to his return with the eagerness of the first blush of love. She felt a rush of warmth and wellbeing in just the expectation of his return.
She had no control over her heart, and nothing about her attraction to Michael had had any awareness or active participation from her. She might have been a casual observer of her own life on how she had been pulled physically and mentally toward him from the first moment, without even realizing it or even had she known it, been able to stop the pull. It was like the rush of a sudden wind that scooped her up and landed her in his arms without any participation from her.
Had her heart changed in that moment when she heard the sound of a horse’s hooves and a young man who looked and dressed like a prince appeared before her?
She was again the wide-eyed innocent who believed in love. Forgotten was the bitterness of her past life. Michael had rushed into her arms like a new dawn, the past forgotten as if had never existed.
No. She must now allow herself to go down that road. Deep in her heart she knew she could not stay.
What she must do is concentrate on leaving, before she became more tangled in her mind and heart. Before it would be difficult to realized where her heart began and where Michael’s ended, for she was beginning to think of everything in relation to him.
He was becoming her world.
She closed her eyes and thought again about Madame Enlia’s words, concentrated on bringing them back to her mind. She went back in time to when she was by the woman’s side, perplexed at her words:
“Be very careful where you are, because this has a delayed reaction.”
Why hadn’t Madame Enlia emphasized a bit more how important that was? Made clear how devastating it would be for Kate to be traveling in another country when the magic took effect? She had just said it casually, as an afterthought, and Kate had missed its fateful importance.
What else had the woman said that Kate should examine carefully for a deeper meaning?
And where was Madame Enlia when she needed her? Why had she dumped Kate two hundred years into the past and washed her hands off of her without giving her even a clear way for her to get back to her time and her life?
Had Madame Enlia given her a clue? She had said:
“Once reflected on the mirror and…”
And Kate had not heard her last words, words that were crucial to her getting back to her own time because she had been so enthralled with the magical golden canopy.
Maybe the woman would realize this when Kate didn’t return and she would do something to bring her back. She must be aware that Kate had not returned.
Kate’s head hurt from all this thinking.
There was nothing in this world she was trapped in other than Michael. He was deeply in love with her but in the end his duty lay with his family and the tradition of his great estate. He would do what countless before him in his family had done.
Yet however much she resisted, Michael had managed to breach all her precautions to keep herself from falling in love again. She was pulled one way and then the other so that her heart was likely to split in two.
***
The tinkling sound of the small ormolu clock on a table in her bedroom alerted Kate to the nearing dinner hour. Another dinner spent in the company of Augusta and her daughters.
She stopped by Amy’s room and together they went down the stairs.
Augusta was already there with her two daughters.
Stay cool, Kate told herself. Amy said that Lady Witch often sent her barbed petards and she was afraid to be alone with her. Had it not been for Amy, Kate would have ordered all meals be sent to her bedroom the days Michael was away.
That should be her objective, Kate thought: protect Aunt Amy from Lady Bunright and ignore her constant barbs. Thank God, the two daughters were mostly silent. The poor things knew better than to address Kate for their mother would immediately silence them with a look or word.
Thankfully, Kate and Amy didn’t have to meet with the unpleasant woman at times other than meals.
She determined she would ask Amy, who she knew to be an experienced rider, to ride with her around the estate the following morning and show it to her.
Riding would take care of the entire morning.
CHAPTER 20
Lanquest usually rode his horse rather than take the carriage, even though he would have to stay the night so that Blue would be fully rested before taking again to the road and he alternated between walk and canter so as to not over-exert him. This method doubled the time he spent on the road on the way to his northern estate but he much preferred it this way, for he hated travelling in a carriage over rutted roads.
The wind was high and whipped his uncovered hair about his shoulders, and around the collar of his cape.
He was much happier on the saddle for hours on end rather than in a confined carriage bouncing around on rough roads. Since he had been taught by his caretaker to ride a horse at the age of four, he had always spent as much time on his horse as he could. He thought better on a horse, also, and he needed to think.
He needed to think about his growing love for Kate. He could no longer ignore the physical pull she had on him and the way she had invaded his heart and mind. And what was amazing was that he had known her for so little time.
He recalled the first time his eyes fell on a girl dressed in leaves. But he realized it was when she had sunk on her knees in defeat when he threatened to turn her into the magistrate that he had been captivated. He had realized instantly how ungentlemanly he had behaved, to cause the girl to feel she could expect no mercy from him.
It was then that he really saw her, when she turned her eyes in pleading toward him, wide blue eyes awash in tears.
He had never been affected by a woman before as he had by Kate. Although he had appeared stern, it had been a cover for the explosion of physical effects Kate had wrought on him.
He was headed to heartbreak. He knew this as he knew the sun would rise tomorrow. Kate was not of his world. She was not even of his time. He must make himself accept this.
Her only goal was to return to her time. She may be attracted to him, and maybe feel love for him, for he could sense it, but she didn’t belong here and she was desperate to return to her time and in great fear that she would not find the path to do it.
It was irresponsible to think she could ever belong to him. He should instead concentrate on helping her return to her time and keep her safe in his time while he did so because Kate had a deadly enemy in Lady Bunright. Augusta saw Kate as a threat to Cortland’s ambit
ion.
He was in love with a woman who could be taken away from him at any moment. He would treasure the few days she would be with him and hold the memory dear to his heart when she was gone.
Would he be able to let go of Kate when she found the way to return to her time? He must. And he must force himself to help her to achieve this in whatever way he could even though it would break his heart do so.
***
After an invigorating morning ride around the estate, Amy and Kate walked their horses back to the stable, surrendering them to the stable boys who ran up to grab the reins.
They then walked into the house from the back part. Amy’s face was content and serene, since, as she told Kate, she felt empowered by Kate.
And protected, thought Kate with a smile as she kissed the sweet old lady’s wrinkled and highly-powdered cheek. She had become fond of Michael’s aunt and hated the thought of never seeing her again once she left the past.
“Well, there you are,” said Augusta as way of greeting. “I suppose keeping schedules is not done where you come from.”
Kate glanced at Amy, and since they had agreed beforehand that they would ignore Augusta’s barbs, they shared a smile and headed toward the sideboard. They had also agreed to resume their pleasant and invigorating morning romp after breakfast.
Kate’s riding habit—Lucy’s second best—fitted Kate to perfection and the deep blue brought out the highlights in Kate’s chestnut hair. She would like to have met Lucy, and thank her for the use of her clothes, for they could just as well have been twins, the way Lucy’s measurements and hers were the same. Even Lucy’s riding boots were comfortable on Kate. The habit was completed with a matching little felt hat in the same blue shade.
She could tell her clothes this morning were a hit by the way Lady Bunright pressed her lips as she ran her eyes twice over Kate.
Amy and Kate nodded at the footman when he asked if they wanted their cups filled with tea.
Augusta turned to Kate: “You do have a voice, don’t you, gel?”
Although Kate seethed at the woman’s lack of manners and although she would have liked to ignore her, she remembered that Michael had asked her to try at least the minimum of cordiality. “Augusta is a dangerous woman and she knows how to wield her power,” he had told her. “Promise me you will not bring out her wrath, Kate.”
“I promise,” Kate had replied, “although I shall be biting my tongue to keep from replying. She makes it very difficult with her constant barbs.”
“Good morning, Lady Bunright,” Kate served herself eggs and ham while she pretended the woman had replied in a civil manner to her greeting. “Aunt Amy and I thought to take a ride through the countryside this morning before breakfast. I hope it didn’t inconvenience you too much?”
“It did inconvenience me, gel. I don’t like to be kept waiting.”
“I had no idea you were waiting for us. Please accept my apologies,” Kate said in a placating voice, although she didn’t think any action or word from her was likely to placate the harridan, who refused to address her by name. And it was obvious, from Lady Bunright’s half-eaten food on her dish that she had not waited at all.
Kate was familiar with customs of the Regency from the many books she had read and knew that breakfast in large estates like Arcadia was a sideboard meal with a variety of breakfast entries and a loose schedule in which to have it. But she could see Lady Bunright wasn’t going to miss the chance to be offended.
Kate could feel the woman’s gimlet eyes on her as she ate and heard her say in a voice Kate was certain even the cook heard:
“You, gel, where are you from and what are you doing in this household?”
Kate glanced at Aunt Amy, who had just sat by her, her plate filled to the brim with scrambled eggs, bacon and kippers.
With an apologetic glance at Kate, Amy dug into her food with relish, leaving Kate to deal with Augusta.
“I’m from Cal—from New England, your ladyship,” Kate remembered in time that there was no California that belonged in the United States yet in Regency times.
But she doubted Augusta would have known any of that for she appeared to consider the “new world” a wild vague area not worthy of her notice.
Kate continued eating, and enjoyed the fine meal all the while feeling the woman’s eyes boring into her face.
“I have no idea what reason you have to be here, or what you think to accomplish, miss,” Lady Bunright added, ignoring Kate’s reference to where she came from.
“I don’t understand what you mean by what I hope to accomplish, your ladyship,” Kate replied to this, “I am merely visiting my Aunt Martha’s friend, Lady Bunright, at her invitation.”
“You never mentioned that woman before, Amy,” Lady Bunright turned resentfully to Amy, who dug into her breakfast with a healthy appetite.
“I did not,” Amy agreed cheerfully as she spread jam on a scone, “but then, I hardly remember inviting you into my business, Augusta.”
“Humph!” was Augusta’s reply.
Kate continued eating, while Augusta resumed her harangue. Kate glanced at the woman’s daughters and felt sorry for them. They blushed as they nervously moved their food around their plates.
They were pretty girls—Herlinda with her dark hair and pale, almost translucent complexion and vivid blue eyes was the prettier of the two, but Sally held her own in a quieter way. She had an excellent figure and curled dark blond hair and hazel eyes.
Kate could see that the girls did not share their mother’s opinions but probably would be chastised should they dare oppose her.
Kate thought to extend a peace offering toward the girls, addressing first the elder of the two, Miss Herlinda Malky:
“Do you look forward to your season, Miss Malky?”
Herlinda appeared torn between wanting to reply to Kate’s question and yet adhere to her mother’s dictates.
“I—” She glanced at her mother for guidance which was not late in coming.
“My daughter cannot be influenced by you, miss—whatever your name is—so she is not allowed to speak to you.”
So much for that, thought Kate with a glance at Amy. She continued eating until she finished her plate. She realized that in spite of the sour atmosphere, she had eaten with relish of the well-prepared food and looked forward to resuming her morning ride.
“All of a sudden I have developed a need to continue my exercise, so please excuse me, Lady Bunright, Miss Bunright, Miss Sally.”
She turned to Amy: “I shall await you in the stables, Lady Donney.”
“Yes, dear, I look forward to it,” Amy replied with a wide smile.
And without a backward glance Kate quit the large breakfast room and as she reached the door she heard Augusta’s outraged discourse on Kate’s ‘abominable lack of manners.’
***
After her ride with Amy, Kate left the dear lady to her maid’s ministrations as Marinda helped Amy up the stairs for a morning nap.
Kate went out to the gardens in back.
She was glad that Augusta, acting in a usurped lady of the manor role busied herself with visits to the neighboring families and took her daughters along with her. They were in a froth planning their wardrobe for the upcoming ball at Arcadia and for their season in London.
Aunt Amy had told Kate that Augusta wanted to boast to the neighbors about the ball that she had wheedled Lord Lanquest into hosting for the girls.
This gave Kate a respite from Augusta’s barbs and constant criticism at least for half the day.
But she wondered uneasily what lies Augusta was spreading to the neighbors, as she played the part of the lady of the manor, since she was not shy about insulting Kate to her face.
How long would Michael put up with the venomous woman? He seemed to be reaching his limit. But the time Augusta spent visiting at least gave the entire household a break from her barbed tongue. She was unpleasant also to the servants, so she was universally despised.
> Kate was glad that Michael’s constant absence from the estate at least kept him away from Augusta, for Kate could see that he was reaching his limit on the insults he would put up from her, all of which were directed at Kate.
She could see he held himself in check so that Augusta would not suspect his interest in Kate was more than that for her Aunt’s friend’s daughter, “visiting from the Colonies” as everyone insisted calling America.
My lack of manners, thought Kate with a smile as she recalled how often Augusta complained about Kate’s manners.
As soon as she was away from Augusta, Kate felt a lot better and wondered if the woman knew the benefits she bestowed on people merely by parting company with them.
Smiling at her thoughts, Kate glanced around. Spring was already filling the air with the heady scent of full-blown roses, carnations and hyacinths. She reached the first fountain and sat on one of the mosaic covered benches to listen to the twittering birds and enjoy the pale sunshine that was trying to break through the clouds.
She forced her mind away from Augusta and toward Madame Enlia’s instructions.
She could not even enjoy the fact that as Michael had assured her, she looked nineteen. She barely glanced at the mirror anymore,
What she had wished for, to find the youth potion her mother had found now seemed reckless and immature.
Kate sighed and pulled her thoughts back to her problem.
All her concentration should be to find the way to return to her time. She had no life here and no future. There would be many women similar to Augusta should Kate dare venture into society. A shiver of fear skipped unpleasantly through her as she wondered for a moment what life would be like if she was forced to remain in the past.
She sat back on the bench and sighed, for her mind was suddenly overwhelmed by thoughts of Michael, however much she tried to suppress them. She would be sorry to never again see him and wished he would finish his business north and hurry home. She wanted not to waste any of the remaining hours she had with him.
