Once and Forever

by Constance O'Day-Flannery

  Elthea’s smile was warm and motherly. “Oh, child… does thou think one directs where they shall find love? ’Tis my belief that love is a power that cannot be dictated. You do not find it. It finds you. And now you are wondering whether love has found you, Maggie Whitaker?”

  She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. It seemed so ridiculous.

  “It would make your choice to leave much more difficult, I understand, but you must leave, child. We are expecting Lady Norreys’s arrival within this week, and thus your presence cannot be here. I shall avert my son’s attention until Lady Margaret presents herself, but have you given thought to where you shall go if your trip to the wood is a disappointment?”

  “I have to find my way back, Elthea. I can’t even consider any other plan.”

  “I think you should speak to Nicholas and follow thy heart. He could accompany you to London.”

  “London?” Maggie was shocked. “What is in London?”“ There was that phrase again. Follow your heart.

  “Mayhap answers, Maggie.” Elthea rose and sighed deeply. “You have much to contemplate this night. I have kept you from your rest, and I am weary from all this activity. We shall speak again in the morn.”

  Maggie stood up and instinctively hugged the older woman. “Thank you so much, Elthea. Truly, you are a friend. If I don’t envy Margaret this marriage, I do think she is blessed to have you as a mother-in-law.”

  Elthea pulled back and there was a film of tears in her eyes. “Bless thee, child. You have given me hope that one day peace shall reign. Until then, I shall do what my heart directs. It is a strange journey we are on, is it not?”

  Maggie felt all the emotion she had been holding creep closer to the surface, and she could only nod.

  “Sleep well, my soul sister. Mayhap one day you and I shall be reunited.”

  Maggie couldn’t speak as she watched one incredible woman open the door and leave her alone with her thoughts. There was one that was beginning to torment her.

  What if she couldn’t find her way back?

  Chapter Eleven

  The trees created a canopy of green overhead as she rode next to him. Maggie again thought she had entered a seductive fantasy. She glanced to her side to see him sitting tall, his chin up, his gaze panning around the dense forest. She was sure he was making a concerted effort to avert looking at her. Maybe he was on the alert for more marauding bandits. What was that expression again?

  Oh yeah… villainous hedge-borne miscreants. The woods were full of them.

  Deep down she really was glad he had agreed to accompany her back out here. The countess could have sent any one of her servants to help. Dear Elthea.

  Her mind was filled with images as she held the reins in her hands and put more distance between herself and Greville Manor. It had been difficult to say good-bye to the woman, yet each knew it had to be done. Elthea had been so kind to her. She had given her a small bag of coins to help her on her journey, and Maggie didn’t know how to refuse. Both of them had tears in their eyes, and Maggie knew no matter what happened to her now, she would never forget Countess Elthea, one of the wisest women she had ever encountered. How she would love Aunt Edithe to meet Elthea. The two of them would get along famously. They were so alike.

  “’Tis most curious to be on this road once more.”

  Maggie knew exactly what he meant and nodded. “Yes,” she murmured, not trusting her voice to say more. The last time they had been here, it had been a much different situation. They had each thought the other mad. Soon, only one of them would be sure of their sanity. She had to find that maze, even the village, a highway, a modern home… anything!

  A part of her was wondering if she would see Nick again, once she returned to her aunt’s home. Would he drop his role-playing and seek her out? How she would love to show up at Greville Manor in Edithe’s cherry red Jaguar. In spite of her mood, she chuckled as she imagined everyone’s shock.

  “Thou art recalling the fool, backward upon his steed?” he asked, then shook his head with honest laughter. “What a spectacle, no?”

  Maggie grinned as she glanced at him. “I guess it was. I apologize for the way I acted that day. Nothing made sense to me.” Geez, he looked so handsome, with that green cape flowing from his shoulders and his blond hair catching the dappled sunlight.

  “And does it now?” he asked with a smile, as his horse neared hers and his leg lightly brushed against her skirt.

  Maggie felt his brief touch and inhaled sharply at the sensations racing through her body. She had never felt this strong of an attraction in her life! How could she just walk away from him?

  “Mistress… . ?”

  His voice brought her out of the confusion. “Please, Nick. Call me Maggie,” she answered, gripping the reins tighter. Everyone had been shocked when she’d insisted on straddling the horse, and now she wasn’t so sure it was such a wise decision as the slow, undulating movements of the horse beneath her created sensations that only added to her torment.

  “I was inquiring if things felt more in order… Maggie.”

  He added her name hesitantly, yet almost intimately, and the sound of it seemed to inflame her already warm blood. She shifted in the saddle.

  Taking a deep breath, she said, “Actually, nothing makes sense to me, Nicholas. I don’t understand anything. Elthea and I spoke last night and… and I don’t know what to believe any longer.”

  “You are not alone in your confusion, m’lady,” he replied, and then added, “The spot where I happened upon thee is not much farther. Soon, we may begin to explore the wood for your labyrinth.”

  “I don’t think you exactly happened upon me,” she said, wanting the record straight.

  “You happened upon me?” he asked, grinning with amusement.

  She shook her head with a smile. “Okay… perhaps we ran into each other.” She looked out onto the path, pausing to speculate. “But just think about the timing, Nick. If it had been even an instant later you would’ve ridden by and never fallen. You might not have seen me at all… we would never have met.”

  Glancing at him, she added, “I’ve never thought so much about the subject of time before in my life.” In truth, that was only one of her consuming thoughts.

  “Aye, the theory of time and its relevance haunts us all, Maggie.” Now it was his turn to pause thoughtfully. “A most excellent friend of mine avows that nothing is accidental, mat all is meant to unfold at exactly the right time… even if the reasons behind it are unknown.”

  “Your friend sounds just like my aunt. She would say just relax and enjoy the adventure.” Maggie couldn’t wait to find her aunt and tell her about this adventure. Without any safety, she was free-falling into a bewitching attraction to a totally unsuitable man.

  “Thy relative is someone I would like to meet.”

  Maggie quickly turned to him. “Oh, she would love to meet you, too. I know she’d be as fascinated as… well, as anyone.” She stared down at the path to help hide her near slip. “I mean, I don’t think many people can say they’ve met a person who claims to be from the past. They’re usually locked up for that sort of thing.”

  He chuckled. “And yet, Maggie Whitaker claims to be from the future…”

  Okay, so he had a point. There are two sides to every story, she reminded herself.

  “Countess Elthea seems to believe you… and she is a brilliant lady.”

  “Yes, she is.” Maggie agreed.

  “But for the blessed unknown, I go in grace. That expression always reminds me there are no detours on the road to grace, Maggie. There is purpose for and in everything, even if the explication is not readily at hand. Such a thought is inconceivable to thee?”

  He lost her on that one.

  She shook her head and sighed. “Time travel? I don’t know… it’s so far-fetched. Science fiction.” They rode in silence for a few moments, each thinking over what the other had said, until Maggie blurted out, “But you know, I’ve heard that all time
is concurrent. Probably in college. Einstein, or someone. It was many years ago, but I do now remember a demonstration of an old phonograph record, something about the grooves representing time lines and so time travel might be that somehow you jump a groove, or something.”

  When she turned, he was staring at her. “You must meet Bacon.”

  She laughed. “I’m sorry, I was rambling, but that memory just popped into my head.”

  “I was not able to comprehend many of thy words, yet I did hear something most interesting. You are educated? Where might this university be?”

  “Yes, Nicholas Layton. You are speaking to a woman who attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Wharton School of Business, though a lot of good that did me in the last year.” She wasn’t going to spoil the moment by thoughts of what awaited her in New Jersey. She had enough to do staying right here next to Nick and not blurting out what her body was screaming. Again, she shifted in the saddle and almost groaned as it only increased her desire to touch him. It was absurd to be feeling like a teenager again!

  “You are from the New World?” He seemed shocked.

  “The New World,” she repeated and laughed. “It ain’t so new any longer.”

  He glanced at her and seemed surprised by her answer. “There is much talk of the tribes of Indians. Have you any news of Simon Ferdinando?”

  “Who?” Maggie couldn’t believe where this conversation was going.

  “A’ Portuguese navigator working for the English Crown. He is looking for treasure.”

  “Ah, no. Haven’t heard of him.”

  “It is feared Indians have killed him. It must be a very wild, dangerous place.”

  She shrugged. “It is. Not because of the Indians.”

  He didn’t say anything for a few moments. Clearing his throat, he said, “There is something I must ask thee, Maggie Whitaker.”

  Glancing at him, she grinned. “Yes?”

  “’Twas only last year Parliament passed an act allowing deportation of convicted criminals to the colonies. I should want thee to know, I do not hold with others’ judgments.”

  She laughed. “I’m not a criminal.” Unless not answering her phone or opening her mail was criminal. “And what’s with this New World? I’m an American.” A part of her was amazed that even now, he insisted that he was living in 1598.

  “Yes… that explains much. You are an adventurer, to have crossed the ocean!”

  Was there almost envy in his voice?

  “This is where we turn,” he said and pointed to the right.

  Maggie looked in the opposite direction. “Can we just ride up this road a little? I swear that’s where the parking lot is.”

  “Parking lot?”

  “A place to park cars, ah… vehicles of transportation.”

  He looked confused, yet shrugged. “I suppose a brief detour would not impede our mission.” He turned his horse to the left, and Maggie followed.

  She had never been a great horsewoman, yet was grateful for the summer she’d spent at camp and had learned to hold her own. Giving the horse the command with her knees and the reins, she managed to stay upright as the gait increased. Nick kept up with her, allowing her the lead. She was anxious to turn the next bend in the dirt road and see the parking lot.

  She reined in the horse and stared at the thick forest where a paved parking lot should have been. Her gaze was riveted to the trunks of mature trees and the heavy undergrowth. Where was it? She would have sworn this was the road. Turning to Nick, she smiled sadly. “I’m sorry. I was mistaken. It couldn’t have been here.”

  He merely nodded as they turned the horses around and headed back to the fork in the road. Maggie was trying to concentrate on the horse, yet her mind was turning all kinds of crazy thoughts around in her head. How could she have been so sure? Parking lots don’t just disappear. It had to be the wrong road. She refused to allow any other answer. Again, she urged her horse forward, past the fork in the road, down the narrow and rutted dirt path toward where she had entered this nightmare. The wind caressed her face, as though trying to soothe her chaotic mind. The sun shone on her with brief moments of dazzling light as she raced through a canopy of trees toward sanity. She had to find that maze….

  “Maggie!”

  His arm reached over, and he grabbed her left hand. Startled, Maggie realized he was pulling back on her reins while slowing his own horse. She immediately felt embarrassed.

  “We are here,” Nick said, as both horses came to a trot.

  “Already?” Maggie asked, and looked around to the woods.

  He chuckled. “All ready, aye. The lady keeps her seat well upon a steed.” He turned both horses and then removed his hand from hers. “In fact, we have passed the place when first we met, a goodly length back.”

  Slowly, they rode back several yards until Nick stopped and looked to the woods. “Here,” he said, and pointed. “This is where thy pearls were discovered missing. That tree is familiar. Aye, I remember well… ’Tis there,” he hesitated slightly, “you disrobed, removing thy underblouse.”

  Touching the stiff, high collar under her chin, Maggie looked at the tree and remembered taking off the underblouse behind it. Yes, it did seem familiar. “Okay,” she said, and began to dismount.

  “Heed caution,” Nick called out, and slipped from his horse to the ground.

  Maggie saw him wince as his injured foot hit the dirt. “I can do it myself,” she insisted, yet found that the voluminous skirt made dismounting a struggle.

  Suddenly his hands were upon her waist, and she had no other recourse as he pulled her down but to hold on to his shoulders. Slowly, almost as if he couldn’t bear to let her go, Nick allowed her to slide down the front of his body.

  When her feet felt the ground, Maggie was sure the earth was made of quicksand as she seemed to sink beneath him in dizziness.

  He held her tighter. “Are you all right?”

  She forced herself to stand upright on her own. “It’s just that… well, I haven’t been riding in a long time,” she muttered, and managed to take a step backward as his hands left her waist. It was the first time they had such intimate contact, and her entire body was reacting to him.

  She took a deep steadying breath and walked away from him. The woods did look vaguely familiar and, if she was to find that maze, it was now time for her to say good-bye. She should just do it. Taking another deep breath, she stopped at the side of the road, turned to him, and said, “I want to thank you for bringing me back here, Nick. I don’t know, saying good-bye seems—”

  “Good-bye?” he interrupted, and came forward to tie the reins of both horses onto a tree branch. “Verily, I would not leave thee out here alone.” His eyes seemed wide with disbelief. “Together, we shall search for thy maze… but should it exist not, have you a thought for such a contingency?”

  She felt tortured, to leave him without ever finding out what was in his heart was slicing through her soul. “I can’t think like that,” she answered. “It has to be here. I must find my way back… to my life.”

  “And should that prove impossible this day, pray tell, what will Lady Margaret Whitaker do then?”

  As he moved closer to her, Maggie took a step back, her mind refusing to entertain such thoughts. “I have to try. Can’t you understand I’m fighting for my sanity here? If I don’t find it, that means you’re right. Elthea’s right. I’m lost in time and…” Her voice faltered. “… I just can’t even think like that.”

  “I am with you, and together we shall discover the truth. You are alone no longer in this adventure, Maggie. I shall see thee to safety. Of this, I promise.” He held out his hand. “Shall we…?”

  She had to bite the inside of her lip to stop the tears. Everything was running together, her fears and her attraction, and she wanted to just scream out her frustration. Didn’t he understand she was struggling to find her sanity here? That if she entered those woods and there was no maze, she was insane? Had she some
how crossed over an invisible time line and entered another age? She was flying solo here. There was no one to tell her what was real, no one from her own time to help her understand what was happening. She was alone. Alone in a madness that was also the most incredible thing that had ever happened to her in her entire life! And now this man, this fascinating, talented, romantic, humorous, gorgeous man was staring at her, holding out his hand to her, offering her his help, his strength, his knowledge, his courage. Somehow she knew she’d be adding to that list of attributes if she stayed around him longer.

  Was it any wonder her body seemed infused with an intense, gripping energy… a mixture of fear and anticipation? Courage. That was what she needed. Courage to continue this adventure. How does one get courage when there is no safety? She was on her own and had to trust herself now. No matter what happened once she entered the woods, she had to be prepared to accept it and deal with it. Even if it meant she was dead. For nothing while she was alive had ever compared to this adventure. Something had happened to her in that maze that rocked her world. Aunt Edithe and modern England didn’t seem to exist. The answer was in those woods, and somehow she had to summon up the courage to find it.

  She squared her shoulders and straightened her spine, feeling a calming energy balance out the fear enough for her to make a decision.

  Slowly, as though knowing she was about to embark on what might prove to be the most important thing she’d ever done, Maggie put her fingers into his and tried to smile. “Thank you.”