Love Lost in Time (Victorian Time-Travel) (10 page)

He strode toward the stables
. Prickles rose on the back of his neck and the feeling of being watched came over him. He stopped and glanced around the area, but didn’t see anything. Then he looked back at the house. A movement from Georgiana’s window caught his attention.

Miss Chapman stood in front of the window, her gaze on him. No longer was she wrapped in the drab afghan, but she was adorned in one of his sister’s bright yellow day dresses, instead. From what he could tell, it looked like the ratted ringlets had been brushed from her hair, and her
golden, light brown locks hung over her slender shoulders.

That woman bothered him,
but he couldn’t quite put his finger on the problem. Was it the way she gazed at him with admiring, knowing eyes? Or was it because they had just been introduced, yet according to Edward, the young woman called Andrew by his given name without his permission? And why, pray tell, did she say he was a
gardener
? Very curious.

Miss Chapman turned away from the window and left his sight. Her presence at his family’s estate was most confusing.

Andrew blew out a frustrated breath as he glanced toward the stable. Perhaps he could put off seeing Lucy right now. Matters at home had suddenly become more important.

* * * *

Several times while sitting in front of Georgiana’s vanity as Halle studied her reflection in the mirror, she had to pinch herself…and it still hurt.

This could not possibly be real, yet here she was being fussed over by a servant and being made to look like a Victorian woman. Halle had dreamed about this for so long, and then when Samantha had helped her get ready for the reenactment last night, Halle thought she looked so much like a woman from that era. But now…well, now Halle
knew
she was dressed like someone from this time.

Not too long ago when she had watched Andrew from out the window, her heart fluttered with happiness knowing he was alive
, and especially that he looked much younger than he had when she knew him in her time. Perhaps staring at him so much wasn’t a good idea. She didn’t need to make him suspicious.

Too late for that.
When he’d met her gaze through the window, she could tell he wondered about her actions. What could she tell him that would make him believe? No way could she tell him she came from the future. In their time, they didn’t know about things like this. They didn’t have movies or books that told stories about time-travel. Or did they? Regardless, Halle must find a way to warn him about the upcoming attack on his family. She must help protect them—and him.

She recalled the few things Andrew had told her about the threats being made when he was in
her
time. He’d mentioned a fire being set in the stable the same day Edward proposed to Agnes, and sometime after the announced engagement, Georgiana had been abducted. Halle had to watch for those signs, and make sure she could stop them from happening. Especially the attack on the house.

Georgiana chatted up a storm, and Halle did her best to focus on the topic of conversation. From time to time,
the duchess threw in a comment or would give instructions to the servants. It pleased Halle to know the two women were so friendly. For some reason, Edward and his father were not. The duke was at first…until Edward had mentioned the tree.

She frowned. Why would the tree give them cause to be leery
? Andrew hinted he thought the treasure was buried under the tree. Did they think she was trying to steal it? That must be the reason the duke had looked at her hands when Edward had informed him where she’d been when they found her.

The
tree was the link to all of this. Andrew had mentioned that the tree
opened
for him, and
beckoned
him before he had traveled through time. And of course that’s where she found Andrew before the tree had opened to her and called out to her…

“Miss Chapman, is something amiss?”
the Duchess of Harrington spoke.

Halle
pulled out of her thoughts and met the woman’s gaze through the mirror’s reflection. “Nothing at all. Why do you ask?”

“Because you were frowning.”

Halle shrugged, quickly recalling the story the duke wanted her to stick with. “I just started thinking about the group I’d been with last night, wondering if they are worried about me at this very moment.”

The Duchess of
Harrington patted Halle’s arm. “I’m certain they are. My husband will have this matter taken care of soon, I assure you.”

“That relieves me greatly.” Halle smiled and wondered what would happen when the authorities didn’t find the buggy she’d said had broken down
…and when the duke couldn’t find anyone by the name of Samantha and Colin Firth.

The maid stepped back, silently communicating she was finished. Halle stood and faced the lady of the house and her daughter.

“You are certainly a very handsome woman,” the Duchess of Harrington said, giving a nod of approval. “Indeed, you must have many men flocking to your side.”

Georgiana stepped closer and swept her gaze over Halle. “I wish I looked half as lovely in that dress as you do.”

Halle chuckled. “I’m certain you look even prettier, my lady.”

“Shall we adjourn
to the sitting room now?” the duchess sauntered toward the door. “It’s time for tea.”

Time for tea.
Giddiness jumped in Halle’s heart like butterflies consuming a large amount of caffeine as she practically flew out of the bed chamber, down the stairs, and into the sitting room. Halle had dreamed about living in this era for so long and finally it was coming true. Even if she was whisked home tomorrow, she would cherish this day for the rest of her life.

The Duchess of
Harrington sat on her chair first, and then rang for tea. Georgiana sat on the sofa closest to her mother before patting the cushion next to her. “Will you sit next to me?”

The girl smiled up at Halle, stars sparkling in her blue eyes. “Of course I will,” Halle answered and sat, adjusting her dress around her legs. “You all have been so generous and kind to me.”

“It’s easy to do knowing you have been through so much recently.” Georgiana’s smile widened. As a servant brought in the tea service, Georgiana continued, “If you don’t mind, will you tell us about your family? Are they here in England?”

“My parents are not from England. I was raised in America.
My father left our family when I was but a young girl, leaving my mother to raise me. She had been ill for many years until she succumbed to her illness.” Halle frowned, trying to make the sad tale sound like something that would happen in this era. “Not even a week after she died, I tried to locate my father whom I had not seen since I was young. That led me here to England. I still have not found him, but I did find relatives who live near Bristol.”

Georgina gasped and brought her hand to her throat. “How utterly terrible. I cannot even imagine
my mother dying and losing my father as well.”

Halle tapped her hand on the younger woman’s leg. “And I hope you will never have to experience the pain of losing a loved-one.” Yet she knew that if she couldn’t stop the mob attacking their home, Georgiana would indeed experience such a thing.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” The duchess poured the tea. “Nobody wants to lose someone they love.”

Men’s voices grew louder in the hallway, and Halle snapped her gaze to the doorway, hoping to see—or speak—with Andrew again. Although she knew he didn’t recognize her, she prayed he would feel some kind of connection. When he was in her world, he told her once she would be the kind of woman he would find attractive. For now, she had to rely on that to gain his interest so she could eventually gain his confidence.

When the men walked into the room, Halle breathed a heavy sigh and smiled wide.
Andrew!
Her prayer had been answered. Well, this one, anyway. Andrew was with his brother. Whatever they had been discussing came to a stop as soon as they saw her. The beat of her heart knocked crazily against her ribs the longer Andrew’s attention stayed on hers.

Earlier when she stood by the window and briefly watched him, he appeared to be going toward the stables, and she assumed he would leave.
Happiness welled inside her that he’d chosen to stay. She wanted to believe it was because of her, and she wouldn’t think anything differently right now.

“I hope you don’t mind us interrupting your tea.” Edward stopped by his mother to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Nonsense. We would enjoy your company.” The duchess smiled at her son.

The duke
took a seat beside his wife.

“Splendid.” Edward aimed his gaze at Halle. “I had hoped to get to know our guest a little better, too.”

Halle eyed him guardedly. Why was he acting so nice and polite now when he was so suspicious of her before? Regardless, she must show
her
manners and be nice to him.

Offering up her best smile—under the circumstances—she nodded. “I would like that as well, my lord.”

Edward strolled to another empty chair beside his mother’s and sat. The older woman handed him a tea cup and he sipped, watching Halle over the rim. Once he set the saucer back down, he cleared his throat.

“Miss Chapman, I have never been to America. How is life there?”

“It’s much busier than here, my lord. Where I live…um, used to live, everyone rushed from one place to the other. People are working all the time and only rest in the evening after the sun has set. They don’t have time for balls or soirées.” She held up her cup. “Or even time for tea. Occasionally they might have dinner parties, but that is all.”

“When did you come to England to stay with your cousin?” Andrew asked.

She turned her focus on him as he leaned against the hearth, his finger absently toying with a glass figurine perched on the shelf.
Gads, he’s gorgeous!

“A little over six months ago,” she began. “When I first arrived, I was early in the mourning stages, and so I did not meet many of my cousin’s friends. It’s only been a couple months now that I’ve stopped wearing black and began to meet people.”

“My father has a cousin who lives in Bristol. By chance have you met Nimrod Merrick?” Andrew asked again.

Her heart jumped to her throat.
Nimrod…
She remembered when Andrew had told her about him, and how he and the duke were at odds with each other. “I fear I have not met him, my lord.”

Andrew traded glances with his brother, and she wondered what secret the two of them shared.

“Miss Chapman,” Edward spoke this time. “When I first talked to you by the tree, you had mentioned knowing my brother.”

Oh dear!
Halle scrambled her mind, thinking up something to say.

“Do you know me, Miss Chapman?” Andrew pulled away from the hearth and walked closer to her. He stopped by his sister’s side of the sofa. “I must confess, I don’t recall meeting you before today.”

She gulped a hard swallow of her tea. She must choose her words wisely because she didn’t want him to mistrust her.

Chapter Nine

“I feel just awful about this morning, my lord.” Halle switched her gaze to Edward. “I honestly don’t know what I was mumbling about. I had such a frightful headache when I awoke, and I fear I said some things that didn’t make sense…even to me.” She rested her eyes back on Andrew. “So forgive me. I must have remembered hearing your name before—and that of your family. And I have no idea why I thought you were the gardener.”

Georgiana laughed. “You thought Andrew was the
gardener
?”

Halle shrugged. “Apparently so.”

“I have to admit, that when my brother told me, I was curious to know why.”

“Hopefully, I have answered your questions…or at least put your mind at ease now.”

Andrew didn’t say anything, just nodded. Although the perplexed expression in his eyes let her know she had
not
answered all his questions and he was still suspicious. Somehow she needed to get his mind off that particular subject—and fast. “My lord, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but…how did you acquire a title and estate? I am most intrigued to hear how you were awarded this.”

His grin broadened and he puffed out his chest a little more. As he opened his mouth to speak, a loud commotion echoed from down the hallway. The floor shook with hurried footsteps as voices rose in terror.

Halle’s heart dropped. The mob couldn’t possibly be attacking the home yet, could they? It wasn’t Edward’s wedding day. But then she detected a certain smell in the air coming from the opened window. It was smoke…and a lot of it.

Oh, no! The stable fire!

Just as a baffled expression crossed Andrew’s face, she jumped to her feet and said in an urgent voice, “Something’s on fire!”

As the
duke and his sons jumped into action, the servants rushed into the room, shouting the thing Halle already knew.

“The stable is on fire,” a servant yelled louder than the others in a panic-stricken voice.

“I’ll call 911!” she said anxiously. Automatically, she reached for the cell phone that she usually kept in her pocket before realizing she was wearing a Victorian gown…not her jeans. Embarrassed, she glanced around the room to see who had heard her. Besides the duchess and Georgi’s curious stares on Halle, Andrew’s gaze met hers briefly, but only for a moment before he turned and dashed out of the room.

The
duke charged out of the room, snapping instructions to everyone. Georgiana sprang from her chair and huddled next to her mother whose arms wrapped protectively around her. Wide eyes and pale faces stared at Halle as the ladies were frozen to their spot. Halle couldn’t stay with the other women and do nothing…especially since she couldn’t call 911.

Without giving an excuse—because she couldn’t think of one—she hurried out of the house and to the front porch. Down the hillside stood the burning stable as smoke billowed up from the roof. Thank heavens the flames were not large—yet—but they were still enough to cause damage.

She lifted her gown and darted down the steps toward the fire. From behind her she heard the Duchess of Harrington and her daughter calling after her to stop, but Halle ignored them. As she neared the stable, the men were at the front of the structure with blankets, trying to kill the flames as they struggled to get the large doors opened.

It struck her odd that the doors were even closed. Usually they were always opened.

Grooms and several male servants carried water as fast as their legs would take them. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed an empty wool blanket lying on the ground. Immediately, she grabbed it and plunged it in one of the buckets. She took the dripping wet blanket and threw it over her head before rushing to the back of the barn.

Just as she
figured, there was a back entrance that was almost as large as the front. She pulled on one of the doors, but it seemed to be stuck. Growling, she yanked harder, and even kicked the piece of wood to get it to budge. A thump sounded just on the other side of the door, sounding as if something had fallen. She pulled on the door again and this time it opened. As she started to go inside, she nearly tripped over a shovel that was lying in her path. Who in the world would place a shovel this close to the walkway? Had someone purposely put the shovel here as a way to keep the door closed?

Cautiously, she stepped inside. Through the smoke, she could see the bulk of the fire which was in one of the front stalls. Horse’s neighed wildly, bucking to be released from their pens.

She hurried to the stall closest to the fire and jerked on the latch, securing the gate. Just then the front doors to the stable opened, bringing in more light. She heard the men’s voices, but couldn’t see anyone.

Tugging harder on the latch, she didn’t give up until it opened. Immediately, she jumped
back, keeping the stall door between herself and the frightened animal as the horse ran past the fire and out the opened front doors. She turned and stepped to the next stall, but noticed another man there yanking the gate loose.

Andrew!

He held a wet blanket over his head, following her example. She coughed as the smoke grew thicker.

“Miss Chapman,” Andrew yelled. “Get out of here. Now!”

She shook her head. “I can’t. I have to help.” She coughed again, the smoke growing thicker.

When the gate to the stall was opened, he yanked her away from the bucking horse. The quick movement brought her body up against his. She clutched his waist-coat to hold herself up as she gazed into his face. Worried eyes stared deeply into hers.

“Please, Miss Chapman. Let me free the horses.” He coughed. “I don’t need to worry about rescuing you as well.” He motioned toward the back door. “Now do as I say and go!”

Nodding, she pulled away from him and handed him her blanket. “Take this
blanket—and yours—and throw them on the fire before you leave.”

He took her blanket before moving to the next stall. She hurried out of the back of the barn as promised. When she was far enough away to inhale clean air, she breathed deeply a few times until the coughing subsided. Then she ran to the front of the structure.

Two servants had just brought out the family’s coach. Thankfully, that hadn’t been touched by the flames.

A line of servants stood from the
pump to the barn, passing along buckets of water. She hurried to the end of the line and helped carry buckets to the duke and Edward as they threw it on the fire.

It seemed like it took hours, but she was sure it hadn’t been that long before the fire was finally contained. A few servants stayed inside the stable, throwing dirt on the ashes. Other weary servants walked back to the house with
the duke and his sons. Halle stood by the well, her limbs feeling like they wouldn’t be able to move on their own. As the men neared her, Andrew and his father broke away from the servants and came her way.

“Miss Chapman,”
the duke began, scowling at her, “that was a very foolish thing you did.” Then suddenly, his scowl disappeared and the lines in his forehead and around his mouth relaxed. “And it was also a very brave thing you did.” He stopped in front of her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I don’t know how to thank you for your help.”

She shrugged. “Forgive me for worrying you—” she glanced at Andrew— “and you, for trying to help save the horses, but where I was raised
everyone
no matter their station or gender, helped in emergencies.”

The
duke nodded. “Well, please know that I do appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

“Your Grace, why hadn’t the grooms gotten the horses out when they discovered the fire?”

The older man blew out a frustrated breath. “Apparently, they were distracted and were away from the stable. Not to worry though, I will get to the bottom of this.”

She peered over his shoulder toward the stable. “Was there much damage?”

“Only a few stalls. I don’t believe we will need a whole new stable, thank the Lord.”

“I wonder what caused the fire.” She looked back at Andrew who
studied her with wary eyes.

“Miss Chapman,” he said, “I think we would all like to know that answer.”

“Personally, I think the fire was
not
an accident. I think someone wanted to cause damage.”

“Why do you say this, Miss Chapman?” Andrew asked.

“Because when I finally was able to get in through the back door, there was a shovel lying in the path as if someone had placed it there—on purpose.”

The
duke’ jaw went hard and he nodded. “I will definitely report that to the authorities.” He took a deep breath and motioned toward the house. “Come, let us return inside. I fear you have ruined another gown.” Chuckling, he shook his head. “If you keep that up, I will have to buy you a whole wardrobe.”

“Oh, forgive me, again.” She glanced down at the soot-soaked gown that not very long ago had been very beautiful on her. “I shall wash it. I’m certain we can figure out how to make it look like new.”

“Pardon me?” Andrew asked. “
You
want to wash the dress?”

Gulping, she berated herself for not thinking before she spoke. “Well, my lord, I’m not uneducated when it comes to work. I apologize if that shocks you, but growing up, my family was not wealthy and we all did what we could to help each other in the home.”

“Well, Miss Chapman,” the duke said, turning toward the house and beginning his journey, “while you are in my home, I don’t want to see you doing the chores of my servants. Is that clear?”

“Yes,
Your Grace.” She smiled as she followed him.

Daring to take another peek at Andrew, she noticed he was still watching her. His expression didn’t appear as distrustful as it had been earlier, and she prayed she had changed his mind about her character in some way. If not, she was in big trouble because she didn’t think she’d know how to fix it.

* * * *

The next morning, Andrew strode toward the makeshift stable as he readied his mind for the confrontation he would have with Lucy. As he reached the barn, his named was called and he swung toward the house. His mother waved as she descended the steps, making her way toward him. He turned and met her halfway on the lawns.

“Before you leave,” his mother began, “I need to ask a favor.”

“Anything. What is it?”

“Drop in on my Aunt Dorothy. Her health hasn’t been good as of late, and I worry about her.”

“I promise to do it before I leave London.”

“Thank you, Andrew.” She patted his cheek lovingly. “You were always such a good boy. I would have asked Edward, but since his thoughts have turned to marriage, I cannot get him to do anything.”

Andrew grumbled a sigh. “I agree. He has definitely not been thinking straight.”

“I’m assuming he hasn’t asked the lady for her hand, yet.”

Andrew wasn’t sure what his father had told her about Miss Chapman and their suspicions, and he dare not say anything out of turn. “Not as of yet.”

His mother sighed irritably. “Well, if you want my opinion, I think he’s making a colossal mistake. I have never liked Lady Agnes, and I think if Edward marries her, he’ll be ruining his life.”

Chuckling, Andrew nodded. “I couldn’t agree more, but Edward has always been stubborn, and so I fear he will marry her no matter what we think.”

“You are right.” She frowned. “So I must get used to the idea.”

“As we all must.”

She grasped his hands and squeezed. “Please do not say anything to your brother about my concerns.”

“I assure you, I shall not say a word.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be off now, and I promise to see Aunt Dorothy before I leave.”

“I thank you again.”

As Andrew turned back toward the barn, he shook his head. His mother’s worry would be his father’s as well, but…Edward would not listen to anyone, unfortunately. Indeed, Andrew’s brother was in for a miserable life.

After saddling his stallion, Andrew took off toward London—to his mistress’ townhouse. He hadn’t had any time to think about what he was going to say to her. When they’d talked the other evening and he’d mentioned ending their relationship, she feigned a fainting spell and collapsed in his arms. He’d had enough of her dramatics, and left soon afterwards.

One way or another, he would end it today. With the new duties the
Foreign Office had assigned him, and now everything that was happening at his family’s home, Andrew did not have time for leisurely activities—especially mistresses. He tried to wrap his mind around what he could say to Lucy without throwing her into another dramatic scene, but other things kept interfering with his train of thoughts.

Miss Chapman.

She was definitely a strange woman. At one moment she confused him greatly and he couldn’t help but distrust her, then she had gone and done something that most other woman wouldn’t have attempted, which changed his mind about her.

Or had it?

He still didn’t think he could trust her, but she definitely proved she was not the genteel woman she appeared to be. Yet, the more he got to know her, the more her story about driving a buggy by herself and walking so many miles to their estate seemed plausible. Indeed, Miss Chapman was the type of woman who could accomplish all of those things. Perhaps his father had thought the same.