Always and Forever (42 page)

"We don't need to break into the library; we'd probably start an international incident if we tried. There's a copy of the Codex in Guatemala City," Quinn informed them. "We need to find it, I mean we need to be the
first ones
to find it. We're going to need Derek and Constance." Quinn looked at Tessa. "We know where in the Yucatan the Codex was found, right?"

"Yes."

"We already know what dates are conducive for jumping so we wait for the next date, jump a few years before it's found, retrieve it, and bring it back to the present and destroy it."

"You want to time travel to steal a book so we can prevent time travel?" Nick asked for clarification.

Quinn flashed him a smile before she said, "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up."

In the days that followed, Quinn contacted Derek who, along with Constance, joined them at Whispering Winds. Constance in particular was very excited about jumping through time again. In a few days, the sky would be in the correct pattern so until then they were doing the waiting game.

Quinn was sitting at the piano in the music room of Whispering Winds when she remembered she had Morgan's journal.

"I have Morgan O'Cuinn's journal," Quinn told the group. "Colleen gave it to me but I haven't read it yet. Let me get it and we can sit in your solar, Nick, and read it."

"I'll get the wine and glasses," Nick said as he started from the room.

Once everyone was comfortable, Quinn opened the journal and started to read.

February 13, 1698

It's beautiful, so very beautiful, the estate being built along the river's edge. When the wind blows through the valley, and through the dense foliage of the trees, it sounds like voices: barely audible whispers from the ghosts of the past. There's a spot right on the river's bank that shows the castle in all of its beauty and the gentle flow of the water sweeping over the river bank, is the most peaceful sound I've ever heard. The Viscount who is building this place is so very lucky to be blessed with this small piece of paradise that he can call his own.

March 4, 1698

I've lost my heart, one look and I knew he was the man I was meant to spend my life with. He's beautiful, physically yes but kind and good. When I saw him standing in my favorite spot, his back to me as he studied what was his, I waited for him to turn. I wanted him to see me and then as if I made it so, he turned and pierced me with the most incredible eyes, the color of a perfect emerald. When his mouth turned up into a smile, my heart was no longer my own.

April 18, 1698

We had a picnic in our spot. He brought a basket filled with the most delicious food. I felt guilty enjoying such a bounty when my family had so little. He knew what I was thinking and being the man that he is, had a second hamper for me to bring to my family. At one point, a breeze blew through the valley and I shared with him how I thought it sounded like a whisper. He turned those amazing eyes on me and declared that his estate would be called Whispering Winds, in honor of the winds and me. I was already halfway in love with him but in that moment I fell the rest of the way.

May 23, 1698

Archer came to my house, shared a meal with my family, and like me my family fell just as hard for him. He is soon to be an Earl but he isn't arrogant and autocratic like so many of the gentry. He's good to his tenants and his staff. He treats everyone, from the stable boys to his steward, with kindness and generosity. Why someone as fine a man as he, is interested in a poor young woman like me, I don't know. His father isn't pleased. He was very rude when I met him the other day. I realize I am not the kind of woman a soon-to-be Earl marries but late at night when it's only my dreams I wish for that, for him to love me too. I believe he and I are fated. I think that's why we've connected as hard and strong as we have in so short a time. Tis believed in my homeland that souls can call to each other, be fated for one another for all time. I believe Archer and I are two such souls so if in this lifetime we don't come together, in my heart I know we will in another.

July 14, 1698

I'm engaged to Archer Scarcliff! My feet haven't touched the ground since he proposed this morning right on the river's edge where we met. My ring, a simple band of pale gold that sparkles with clear, perfect diamonds, is the most beautiful ring and more so because it is his ring. I love him. I will love him always.

July 29, 1698

The Earl did not take the engagement well and in fact threatened to remove Archer from the family wealth. Archer told his father to go to hell. I feel very badly that my being with him is causing so much trouble and a part of me wishes I had the strength to leave him, to end the discord between him and his father. But I can't. To lose him would be like losing my soul. I only hope he will not one day regret the wedge I have driven between him and his father.

August 15, 1698

Archer told me some truly terrible stories about his father, stories that make a rage in me that I've never known. His father is a hateful man, hateful and cruel. I no longer feel badly for pulling them apart. Byron Scarcliff doesn't deserve Archer. I'll need to be careful though especially after the threat, one I didn't share with Archer for fear of what he would do. The Earl came to my home and thankfully my family was not home. He sat in my father's house and threatened me, told me if I didn't leave his son he would make certain that we never had a moment of happiness. If it wasn't a crime, I would have slapped him across the face. I would never have a moment's happiness without Archer so his father be damned.

September 1698

We are married! Archer and I ran off to Greta Green and married. I am now Morgan Scarcliff and am so happy. I will make him a good wife and I will give him children that we can love and cherish, give them the kind of childhood that Archer never had. My life is wonderful.

November, 1698

I am pregnant! I have known for a couple months but I wanted to make sure before I shared the news with Archer. I told him just this evening and his reaction I will remember all of my days. He was overcome with love and excitement -- he even cried. We loved and our love has created a child. I am a very blessed woman.

January 1699

A woman paid me a call today, an acquaintance of the Earl. She was beautiful but she was very cold and staring into her pale-blue eyes, I was left feeling like I was looking directing into evil. She terrified me and though she spoke very little I was left feeling that she wished me harm. Perhaps it's just my superstitious nature but when she left the whispers that normally surround me sounded more like the wails of a banshee.

Quinn looked up from reading and she met and held Derek's gaze from the other side of the room. "Sounds like Katherine."

"Please keep reading," Constance said from her spot near the fireplace.

Gabriel reached for Quinn's hand. "Would you like me to continue?"

Quinn handed him the book. "Please."

She settled closer to Gabriel's warmth as his deep voice continued the tale.

February 14, 1699

Doctor Elliot Jenkins came to see me today. He brought his daughter, Lilith Jenkins, a nurse who he recommended I should employ once my child is born. I didn't like Miss Jenkins and the thought of her around my child had my skin crawling. There was cruelty in her eyes and her manners were that of someone who believed she should be elevated to the gentry. That life was somehow cheating her. My child, I'm sure she thinks, would represent all those who have kept her in the position that she thinks is beneath her. Never. I will never allow that woman around my child.

March 2, 1699

I am rather round now. Archer laughs, loves that he can barely wrap his arms around me. He spends every night talking to our child, telling stories or singing. He is going to be a wonderful father. I hope that this is only the first in a long line of children.

That woman came again today. She was stunning in her silver gown against the pale blonde of her hair but her nearly colorless eyes were frightening, especially when she looked at my now rounded stomach. I saw hate there. She hates me and she hates my child. She asked me questions about Archer, about what we liked to do together, where our favorite places are. I feel as if she was interrogating me. I am going to have to tell Archer that I am no longer going to receive calls from her. The Earl isn't going to like that because he is the one sending her to me but I don't care. The welfare of my child is more important.

March 15, 1699

I had the most horrible experience earlier today. I was in the gardens tending the beds, when an Adder snake slithered from my gardening bag. It coiled in preparation to attack and as I sat there in terrified fear, I could only think of Archer, of him losing me and our child. It was divine intervention that the gardener happened upon me just then and moved with astounding speed to kill the snake before it uncoiled and sprang at me. How it got into my bag when my bag hangs from a shelf in the shed, I know not. When I told Archer, he held me for hours, his body shaking from his fear and fury. I believe he suspects his father but he won't say anything to me. He wants me protected from all of that.

April 4, 1699

I have felt the baby move before but now his kicks are getting so very strong. I know I am having a boy, I have seen it. Nickie. That is what I call him when I am alone. I love him so much already and I have yet to meet him. Will he look like his father? I do so hope that he does -- a miniature version of Archer -- with that black hair and those wondrous green eyes.

Archer is no longer receiving calls from his father. I haven't told him about the woman since she hasn't been to see me recently. I wonder if he truly believes his father is behind the snake incident. Does he really think the man would hurt me? I want to believe that isn't so but I have seen the hatred in his eyes and fear that he is capable of anything.

May 18, 1699

I fear that I am being followed. Even though I no longer leave the grounds I have the sense that someone is watching me. There isn't anyone at Whispering Winds that I don't know and trust but there is definitely something dark lurking here and it scares me especially since it is so close to Nickie's birth. Archer is away on business in London but he will be home tomorrow. When he is home, I feel safe.

June 6, 1699

Nicholas Archer Scarcliff is perfect. He looks so much like his father, even for an infant. Those green eyes are already so clear and bright. When Archer held his child for the first time, it brought tears to my eyes. I love them both so much and I fear for them because I have felt it, death is hanging over us. I hope it is just the aftermath of the delivery but in my heart I fear something truly bad is coming.

June 12, 1699

Archer is near death. I don't understand since he was fine, healthy and strong, just yesterday and today he can't even keep his head up. I sit with him day and night and watch as his life drains from his body. He burns with fever and his beautiful eyes are so dull, as if the light of his life is fading. I want to know what is wrong with him but Doctor Jenkins shares nothing with me. I really don't like that man and plan to send a note to London, to one of Archer's University friends, and ask him to come. I will not lose Archer.

Gabriel looked up from the book, "That's the last entry."

Nick was up and pacing. "She was suspicious of Archer's illness and if someone was making him ill, another doctor would most likely uncover that." Nick stopped pacing and turned to the others.

"The doctor was making Archer sick at the request of his father. But why?"

"My guess: they made him sick because they knew how confused he would be when he came out of it, depended on that confusion to pull off their nefarious plan: to rid Archer of an unacceptable wife," Charles theorized.

"You were around for part of this right, Constance?" Cole asked.

Constance looked decidedly paler when she answered in a soft voice, "Yes."

"Anything you can add?"

"The woman, right before Morgan died, was making arrangements to move into Whispering Winds to tend to Archer. I overheard one conversation between her, the Earl and the doctor but it was the woman who was telling the doctor what to expect and how Archer would be when he finally came out of it. Apparently, they were keeping him sick by feeding him something in his water. Every time Morgan gave him water, she was making him sicker and she had no idea. It was the woman who was behind the whole thing."

"Why didn't you tell us this before?" Nick demanded.

Constance hung her head. "I felt guilty that I didn't do more. Maybe if I had stepped up, Morgan would have lived."

Quinn walked over and sat next to Constance before reaching for her hand. "I doubt you would have been able to stop it and probably would have come to an untimely end yourself. It was another reason why you agreed to the Earl's plan, wasn't it? You wanted to make sure Archer wasn't still being given the poison?"