Chapter Seventeen

James held his lantern aloft trying to keep track of Oakleigh’s progress. He believed Charlotte, he really did, but he couldn’t deny the portion of himself that expected Oakleigh’s journey to fail.

The tunnel was tight. Oakleigh’s shoulders brushed both sides, and he was forced to twist his body to make it through some narrow sections. How he maintained his hold on Lady Alexandra was anyone’s guess, though James supposed if the situation were different and Charlotte relied on him to save her, he’d have found a way as well.

They were almost out of sight, and suddenly Oakleigh lurched forward—and disappeared.

Charlotte’s keening cry forced him out of his stupor. He dropped to his knees at her side and wrapped his arms around her trembling figure. He strained to hear her mumbled questions.

“What if it’s too late? What if they won’t help?”

“If I’ve learned anything about Oakleigh this night, it’s that he is not to be denied. If there’s any chance to save Lady Alexandra, he will see it done.” It killed him he couldn’t give her a better answer. Truth was, they had no way of knowing what had just happened to Oakleigh and Lady Alexandra. Given what Charlotte had explained about the portal’s guard, their friends could have been shot on sight the moment they appeared in the future.

He hoped not. And he most definitely wasn’t going to let on that the thought had even entered his mind. “We’ll know if he was successful in a few moments.”

She turned to him, her face tipped up to his, tears streaming down her cheeks, her mouth set in a miserable frown. “How? What do you mean?”

“If the portal guard is unwelcoming, they will send Oakleigh and your sister back immediately. If Oakleigh is able to convince them to lend Lady Alexandra aid, they will not return for some time. I imagine, even with the wonderful powers of your future world, that it takes some time to heal from a wound of this magnitude. Oakleigh will not allow her to return home until she is adequately recovered.”

Slowly, her frown eased. Until, with panic spreading in her expression, she asked, “What if she died before they could help her? What if the crossing killed her? She was so weak. She didn’t have much time.”

“Then Oakleigh will return here immediately.” He pulled her back into his embrace and settled himself against the cavern wall, her head resting on his chest. A rock immediately made itself known against his posterior, but he ignored the discomfort so as not to disturb his beloved. “We’ll wait here for a short while. If they do not return within the half hour, I feel we can safely assume Lord Oakleigh has found some way to force their hand and help Lady Alexandra.”

Her shoulders continued to shake with silent tears. All he could do was hold her and pray his logic was sound.

With each passing moment, he felt more hopeful their prayers had been answered. Eventually, Charlotte’s crying stilled. He began to think she’d fallen asleep, until she suddenly sat and straightened her skirts. “I’m going.”

He tightened his grip around her shoulders. “Going where?”

She twisted under his arm to face him, pointing back over her shoulder. “Home.”

That word was like a dagger to his heart. Home. She still thought of the future as her home. Never-the-less, he couldn’t let her go. “No. You’re not.”

“I beg your pardon?” Her back straightened, her chin rose, and from the flickering light of their lantern, her glare was enough to make the heartiest of men quail.

But not him. He could face her disdain. He could not face her leaving him and never knowing if she were safe. “We have a lot to take care of here.”

“Such as?”

He released her to count on his fingers. “Stone and his cohorts need to be taken into custody. Unless you left a note before you were taken, my mother is likely frantic with worry. Not to mention your family needs to be updated on what happened to Lady Alexandra.”

Mention of her family got to her. She sunk into herself and pulled away from him. “I’m not so sure I want to see them.”

With a finger under her chin, he tilted her head so he could look her in the eye. “Then you don’t have to. But what about my mother? And Prudence?”

“Prue?” she said in a tiny, wavering voice. “Yes. Miss Crawford said she was all right, but I really would like to check on her myself. I never intended to leave without saying a proper goodbye first.”

“Miss Crawford?” What part had she played in this? Cold had seeped through his backside. His legs ached from his awkward position and the jagged rocks he sat upon. “It appears we have much to discuss. Let’s get out of here. We’ll take care of Stone first and then head back to Tyndale Manor. We can talk there in comfort.”

“What if Nicholas and Alex come back through the portal? We can’t leave.” Her voice rose at the end.

“As soon as we get home, I’ll send someone to watch over the portal. We’ll keep a twenty-four hour guard. Since they didn’t come back right away, we have to assume Oakleigh has found a way to get Lady Alexandra the assistance she required. He won’t leave her until he can be certain she is safe.”

“How do you know that? Maybe he’ll get her to the hospital and come right back.”

“Trust me, I know.”

“But how?” she insisted.

“Because he loves her. And there’s no way in hell I would walk away from you.”

****

Charlotte reluctantly preceded James away from the portal. Her head was fuzzy, her limbs shaky, and the burn marks around her wrists from the rope stung. A part of her was grateful James had decided to take charge of the situation. She’d be more herself later. For now, the evening’s events were beginning to take their toll.

She stumbled frequently, but each time James was right there to keep her from falling. When they reached the larger cavern where she and Alex had been held, she stopped short with a gasp.

James immediately stepped up beside her. “What’s wrong?”

“Cantor! We tied him up.” Her hand shook uncontrollably as she pointed to the empty space. “We left him there. He should be right there.”

“Damn.” James searched the cavern, returning after a few seconds holding a pile of rope. “He must have had a knife on him. These ropes were cut clean.” He held up one end of the bindings which had clearly been cut through.

“Bloody hell. We didn’t think to check him. We knocked him out and tied him up. I took the gun he threatened us with, but that was it.” She cursed her stupidity. She’d watched enough television to know she should have checked him. Her eagerness to get out of the damn dark made her act foolishly. She shivered. Speaking of which… “Any idea how long we’ve been down here? Who knows how long he’s been gone.”

“Long enough.” James had her gun out. He grabbed her elbow with his other hand. “I’m going to make sure he’s not waiting at the surface to ambush us. Can you stay here?”

She shook her head vigorously. “No. We only have one lantern. I can’t, James. I just can’t.”

He gave her a quick kiss. “Do you know that’s the second time you’ve called me by name? I like it.”

So did she.

“Fine. We’ll go together. When we get closer to the entrance, though, I want you to stay behind with the lantern while I go ahead. All right?”

She bristled at being treated like a child, but now wasn’t the time to debate women’s lib with him. “Fine.”

They made their way slowly to the surface, using the lantern only enough to guide their way, while trying to conceal the light from anyone who might be lying in wait for them. When sunlight from the exit finally filtered in, James doused the light and held a finger to his lips. He pointed to a spot that would provide her some cover. She nodded and tucked herself against the wall while he continued on silently.

Screw that, though. Seeing Cantor had escaped reminded her of the gun she had tucked into her pocket. She pulled it out and sidled her way closer to the exit, careful not to make any noise or let James see her.

He crouched behind the bushes, gun ready and swinging slowly side to side as he searched the area just outside the cave. From her stance behind him, she couldn’t see much. When he carefully made his way around the bush, out into the open, she took his place. She scanned the area, searching for any danger that might take aim at him.

The gun shook so badly in her hand, her chances of hitting anything were slim. She was probably more likely to hit James by accident. But she could at least threaten to shoot. As far as backup went, she would not be anyone’s first choice, but right now, she was all he had.

Thankfully, she didn’t see anything out of line.

The smaller of the two carriages was gone. Cantor must have freed Lord Stone, and the two of them made a run for it. James let the gun drop to his side as he made his way over to the other carriage. He checked on a lump near the wheel. She started, realizing the lump was actually Timmons. So Cantor and Stone hadn’t bothered saving the old man. There’s gratitude for you.

She scanned the area one more time, and judging it safe, marched over to James’s side.

He swung toward her. “Damn it, Charlotte. I told you to wait inside the cave until I called.”

She propped her fist on her hip and glared back at him. “Yes, you did. I elected to help you instead. Deal with it.”

A slow smile took over his face. “Yes, my lady. Don’t mind me, I shall learn my lesson soon enough.” He turned back to Mr. Timmons, squatting to get in the old man’s face. “Where has Lord Stone gone off to?”

“I don’t know now, do I. ’e done left me here.”

James continued to question Mr. Timmons while she searched the carriage. If she could just find something to write on, she could leave a message for Nicholas. Let him know to wait, and someone would come here to meet him. Whenever he came back. If he came back.

Nothing. She shouldn’t be surprised. Just because she always kept a small notebook and pen on her, didn’t mean she’d find anything of the sort here. Paper was a much more precious commodity in this time than she had grown used to in the future.

Stupid not to have made arrangements before Nicholas and Alex passed through the portal. But she’d been so frazzled, she hadn’t thought past the immediate need of getting Alex to someone who could help her.

She should have gone in Nicholas’s stead. He knew nothing of the modern world. How would he handle all the questions the doctors would ask? She paced between the carriage and the cave entrance. Was she risking Alex’s life by not being there? Should she follow now, find out what was going on?

Not knowing was killing her.

“I know what you’re thinking. And the answer is no. Let Lord Oakleigh handle this.”

She jumped. She hadn’t noticed James’s approach. “So you’re psychic now? How convenient. Since you know so much, tell me what’s going on with Alex. Did she survive long enough to make it to the hospital? Is she in surgery? Did she lose too much blood? Can Nicholas understand a word the doctors are saying to him, or are they walking all over him and letting Alex die while no one is there to be her advocate?” Her voice neared hysterical levels, but she couldn’t stem the tide of panic overtaking her.

He rested his hands on her shoulders, holding her at arm’s length and forcing her to keep her chin up to maintain eye contact. “Lord Oakleigh may not know what you do, but he does know how to command attention. Your doctors will bow to his demands and ensure Lady Alexandra’s safety if only for fear of what he will do to them should they fail.”

“If she was too far gone, there’s nothing they can do to save her. It won’t matter what threats Nicholas uses.”

“Then your presence will not make a difference.”

All her strength flooded from her limbs. She slumped, thankful he was there to catch her before she could fall to the ground. He swept her into his arms and placed her gently in the driver’s seat of the carriage. He shoved Timmons in the passenger area and slammed the door shut before swinging up to the seat beside her. Warmth surrounded her as he placed his greatcoat over her shoulders. She clutched the front together and tucked her chin into the folds of the collar. His scent surrounded her, providing a modicum of comfort.

He squeezed her hands. “I don’t wish to make light of your worry. I understand how difficult this must be for you. However, at this point in time, we must allow Lord Oakleigh to see to Lady Alexandra. As her fiancé, it is his right and his duty.”

“And what of my duty as her sister? Shouldn’t I be there? Nicholas knows nothing of the future. Sending him there to take charge was foolish. I’m much more capable of taking care of Alex there. He has no idea what he’s dealing with.”

He shook his head and took hold of the reins. With a flick of his wrists, he sent the horses surging forward.

“Wait, we need to leave a message. What if—”

“Nonsense. Lord Oakleigh would only return today were he to fail. He will not. And as for you being more capable in the future, I might agree with you were circumstances different.”

“What circumstances?” What was he talking about? What would make Nicholas deal better with the future than her?

“This Sawyer you spoke of. A man such as you described would hardly be swayed by appealing to his better nature. I can assure you that Lord Oakleigh did nothing of the sort.”

Maybe James had a point. Hadn’t facing Sawyer been the reason she’d yet to make an attempt at returning?

Unfortunately, knowing all this did nothing to ease her anxiety or improve her situation. The man who wanted her dead had escaped. Her sister was at death’s door, she had no way of knowing what was going on with her, and she still had no idea what she was going to do about her own life.

****

James drove the carriage home in silence. The horses had already been pushed nearly to their limit, so he kept them to a more sedate pace than he preferred. He supposed he could have arranged to switch horses at The Rambling Inn, but he elected to avoid what was sure to be a bustling business at this hour of the morning.

Scandal from the night’s events would be unavoidable, but he had no wish to court more than his fair share. He needed time to think through all that had happened before facing those who would spread rumors that may or may not be based on the actual facts.

His first order of business was to take care of Charlotte. In the light of this new day, he could tell she’d been through quite an ordeal prior to his arrival. Then to have the sister she’d been so anxious to see shot in front of her…

Her very brief brush with hysterics was understandable. He wanted to get her home, where he could be ensured of her safety and allow her time to heal from her trials.

The question was whether she would allow him to take care of her as he wished. Charlotte was a strong woman. A trait he’d grown to admire. He’d never thought highly of strong women before, other than his mother.

Her strength was part of her appeal, yet he could wish her able to let down her guard for a moment and allow him to take care of her. He feared the moment his back was turned, she would run back to the portal with all due haste and leave him without a word.

Would she do such a thing? He’d like to believe she’d at least take Prudence into consideration before leaving them. If he were not mistaken, he believed her to be quite enamored of his child. He might even define her actions toward Prudence as motherly.

Or perhaps he only saw what he wanted to see.

They arrived at Tyndale Manor in due time. Max, a wide bandage wrapped around his head, ran to greet them. James tossed him the reins so he could relinquish control of the carriage and see to Charlotte. Despite having his great coat wrapped around her, he flinched at the icy touch of her fingers.

“Max.” He kept hold of Charlotte’s hand, preventing her from proceeding to the manor’s front door without him. She needed his support right now, whether she wished to acknowledge it or not. “There is a Mr. Timmons tied up in the carriage. He is responsible for abducting Miss Evans last evening at the behest of Lord Stone.” He acknowledged Max’s shocked gasp with a nod. “I will explain all that has transpired later. Please see Mr. Timmons does not escape. Send someone for the constable right away. Then see me in my study. Gather several men we can trust to keep these events to ourselves. There are many errands that must be seen to.”

Max nodded, then rushed off, shouting for the assistance requested.

Seeing his commands being met, he led Charlotte to the house. Worthing opened the door immediately. James had never seen his steady retainer so shaken. His face was pale, and worry lines ran deep in his forehead and around his fierce frown.

“My lord, Miss Evans!” He grabbed hold of Charlotte’s other elbow, lending additional support. With his other hand, he signaled something to another servant, who immediately scurried away toward the back of the manor. “We have been worried. When you did not appear at the evening meal last night, we all feared an accident of some sort. Then Max was discovered with a terrible knot on his head and informed us of his attack. The staff has searched through the night. Are you well? Shall I send for the doctor?” He led them into the drawing room, the nearest room with a convenient place to sit.

“No. I don’t need a doctor.” Charlotte snapped out of her stupor, a horrified expression on her face.

Knowing what he now knew, he’d gained a new respect for her dislike of the man. Their ways must seem barbaric to someone with knowledge of future medicine.

“Thank you, Worthing. There will be no need for the doctor. I have asked Max to—”

“Miss Evans.” His mother burst into the room. Dark shadows haunted her eyes, she clutched a shawl to her chest, and her normally pristine clothing was wrinkled and splattered with dirt along the hem. He’d not seen her so distraught since the months following his father’s death. She rushed to the sofa and gathered Charlotte into her arms. “Oh, my dear. We were so worried. Where have you been all evening? We feared the worst.”

Charlotte straightened her spine and attempted a smile, though her eyes glistened with tears. “I am so sorry I worried you. I’m fine.”

His mother leaned back and scanned Charlotte from head to toe. Her eyes widened when his greatcoat slid off Charlotte’s shoulders and her blood-splattered dress was revealed. She gasped. “Oh my goodness. Are you bleeding? We must send for a doctor right away.”

Charlotte grabbed his mother’s hands, preventing her from rising. “No. I’m fine. It’s not my blood.” She then covered her face with her hands, leaned forward and burst into tears.

Eyes wide, his mother sent him a questioning gaze as she gathered Charlotte in her arms and patted her shaking shoulders.

“It is a very long story, Mother. Perhaps best not rehashed at the moment. Miss Evans and I will explain all at a later time. For now, I must see to a few details. Will you please stay with her?”

“Of course, dear.”

Reassured Charlotte was in excellent hands, he crossed the hall, intent on setting the search for Lord Stone into motion. He wouldn’t rest easy until the man had been taken care of and he could be assured no one was left who would seek to harm Charlotte.

****

“Are you quite all right, dear?”

Charlotte shook her head as Lady Tyndale’s question penetrated the fog that had descended upon her mind. “I…I’m sorry. I’ll be fine. I’m still reeling a bit from everything.” Exhausted and heartbroken, but nothing the lady needed to worry over.

She perched on the edge of a small, upholstered bench at the end of an enormous four-poster bed, Lady Tyndale beside her. The room was overwhelmingly pink. The bedding, all the chair cushions, the wallpaper. Even the carpet had pink woven throughout. Pink had never been one of her favorite colors.

They’d moved from the drawing room to a bedroom in the family wing, a few doors down from James’s room. Apparently, news of Charlotte’s family had spread quickly. Lady Tyndale insisted Charlotte move out of the governess’s quarters and stay as their guest rather than servant. She also made a point of mentioning that she slept in a different wing, giving James ample privacy. There was a dowager house on the property, but Lady Tyndale was not ready to remove herself quite yet, though the implication was there that she would consider moving once James settled down with a new bride. Charlotte suspected James’s mother of playing matchmaker.

Lady Tyndale gave her a soft, gentle smile and held her tighter to her side. “We’re all a bit unsettled. Would it help to speak with me about last night? I know I spend much of my time talking, but I’m quite a good listener as well.”

Charlotte chuckled. “Thank you. I don’t even know where to begin.” Lady Tyndale knew nothing of her history. And she definitely wasn’t up to explaining the future without anything handy to prove her point. She was fond of James’s mother and cared what she thought of her. Acting like a lunatic wasn’t the impression she wanted to leave with the lady.

“I’ve always found the beginning is a good place from whence to begin one’s tale.”

So she explained about Mr. Timmons and Lord Stone, Alex and Nicholas, the caves and her kidnapping fifteen years ago. If Lady Tyndale noted the gaps where Charlotte left out anything pertaining to the future or where she’d been the past fifteen years, she was polite enough not to push for answers. She simply listened, gasped, and made comforting noises when appropriate.

Charlotte didn’t know how long she rambled on, but by the time she finished, her stomach rumbled and her head ached, but her heart felt lighter for sharing her burdens.

A soft knock sounded on the door. “Enter,” said Lady Tyndale.

Theresa nudged the door open with her hip, her hands full with an enormous tray. Tea for two, along with a mouthwatering assortment of pastries. The delicious aroma set Charlotte’s stomach growling like a monster truck. She jumped to clear space on a small table before the fireplace. This room Lady Tyndale had insisted on moving her to was quite luxurious compared to her previous accommodations.

“Thank you, Theresa.” Once the tray was settled, she asked, “How is Prue? Did she wonder where I’d disappeared to?” She twisted her fingers together. Had the poor girl thought Charlotte abandoned her? She’d always made it clear she’d be leaving one day, but she never intended to leave without a proper good bye.

Theresa curtsied. “She’s well, mum. Eager to see you when you’re ready.”

“I shall send for her shortly, Theresa,” Lady Tyndale interrupted. “If you would leave us now, I’d like Miss Evans to have a bite to eat before she gets too settled.”

Theresa curtsied and then left.

Charlotte suppressed her dismay. She shared Prue’s desire to get together. She wouldn’t be happy until she could see for herself that Prue was all right.

“Please, sit, Miss Evans. Have something to eat. You will see Prudence shortly, but…” she let her voice trail off with a slight frown as she stared into space.

“But?” Why did Lady Tyndale want to keep her away from Prue? “Prue’s all right, isn’t she? They didn’t…” Her voice cut out. She couldn’t continue. If Mr. Timmons or Miss Crawford had done something terrible to that wonderful little girl…

Lady Tyndale placed a hand on her knee and squeezed. “Prudence is fine, dear. Don’t you worry. However, you don’t look quite yourself. Have a little something to eat while I have a bath drawn for you.” She paused, then resumed gently, “I fear Prudence would worry were she to see you in your current state.”

Damn. Her hands flew to her cheeks. Her nails were jagged, her fingers black with muck and dried gore. Her dress was ripped to shreds, and she was splattered with Alex’s blood.

She was certain she didn’t smell particularly nice, either. And here she’d been crying away on Lady Tyndale’s shoulder when she should have gone straight into a bath and freshened up.

Coming back to her senses sucked. Her wrists stung, her skin itched, and she didn’t want to think about the creatures that probably crawled in her hair and in the folds of her clothing. The idea of sinking into a tub of hot water was heavenly. “A bath sounds like a brilliant idea, thank you.”

Lady Tyndale poured her a cup of tea, but Charlotte didn’t reach for it. Instead, she shuffled over to a basin and poured it full of water from the pitcher nearby. She shivered, the chilly water quickly became murky from her mess. Getting her hands completely clean was out of the question without copious amounts of soap, but she did the best she could. She’d scrub herself raw in the bath later. For now, she just needed her hands clean enough to eat without spoiling the food.

While she ate, Lady Tyndale directed the filling of the tub. Pretty soon, the bath was full, and steam could be seen rising from the heated water. She didn’t want to be rude, but she couldn’t wait to be alone.

“I’ll leave you in a moment. Let me help you remove your dress.”

“No, that’s not necessary. Thank you.”

Lady Tyndale was not to be dissuaded, so Charlotte gave in, wondering at the lady’s frown and hesitant manner. Lady Tyndale was usually one to come right out and say what she meant or come up with some seemingly innocent remark to set someone in their place. Yet she remained virtually silent, except for giving a direction here or there.

“Is there something you wished to say to me?” Charlotte finally asked.

“Yes, dear. Yet, I’m afraid I don’t quite know how to ask. It is a—delicate matter.”

A delicate matter? What was that supposed to mean?

Lady Tyndale cleared her throat. “I wonder whether you have told me everything that occurred last evening?” She paused and gave Charlotte a searching gaze. “I sense that you have kept something back from me.”

Shit. What could she say? The bath called to her, and by the time she explained the entire truth to Lady Tyndale, the water would be cold. She trusted the dear lady, but she was so tired. Convincing Lady Tyndale she wasn’t a nutcase would take much more energy than she had. “It’s nothing. Really.”

“You may view me as an old—”

“No, I would never—”

“—lady. However, I’m well aware of the terrible things that can happen to a woman in this world. I would like you to know that I would never think the less of you had the men who took you—”

It suddenly dawned on Charlotte what Lady Tyndale was worried about. “No!” She shook her head vigorously. “Nothing like that happened. Mr. Timmons was strong, but thankfully not interested in anything other than pleasing his lord by capturing me. I have no doubt had I been left alone with the coachman something like what you’re thinking might have occurred, but he had to rush to London to inform Lord Stone of my capture.” She squeezed Lady Tyndale’s hand. “You don’t have to worry. Other than being tied up and left in that dank, dark cave, I wasn’t hurt. Not physically.”

Lady Tyndale let out a loud gush of air. “I hated to even think such a thing might have happened, yet were you hurt in that way…”

She gave the woman a hug. “Thank you. I appreciate your concern.”

“Do not worry overmuch about Lord Stone and his servant evading capture. Even now my son is taking care of everything. The culprits will be apprehended in no time. Meanwhile, you have returned to us safely, and I couldn’t be more pleased.” She gave one last tug on Charlotte’s chemise and the neck gaped wide.

Charlotte grasped the fabric together to cover her breasts, a furious blush heating her entire face at being practically naked before James’s mother. Not to mention the heartbeat tattoo she had on her ribcage in memory of her parents. That would take some explaining.

“I believe you can manage the rest on your own. Please know that you are welcome to stay as long as you wish. Perhaps, one day as more than a mere guest.” With that parting remark, she left.

Charlotte dropped her chemise and stepped into the steaming hot bath. She completely submerged, grateful to block out the surrounding world. If only she could avoid Lady Tyndale’s less than subtle hints as well.