Chapter 1
I was just waking up one morning looking out from under the covers and thought that I want to do something exciting with my life. As I threw off the covers, my sister was calling to me telling me to get my butt downstairs. I yelled down at her and told her I would be down as soon as I got dressed. So I threw a black t-shirt and blue jeans over my undies and ran down the stairs.
When I got to the foot of the stairs my sister said, "Char there is a special delivery letter for you on table". "Thanks Tori". I replied. I take my letter and go the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and sit down at the table to see what was so important that I would get a letter sent special delivery. The return address said it was from England. Do I know anyone in England? I don't think so. I open the letter and as I read it I realize that this letter is from a person I knew from my childhood, her name is Melissa. She says that she is dying and would like to see me before she goes. The letter proceeds to tell me that on my computer and under my name is an airline ticket (open date), and extra money to secure a passport.
Two weeks after I get the letter, I have my passport, ticket (first class), bags packed and off to the airport. When I get to England I hope to find the adventure I know is waiting for me. My plane lands in Heathrow about nine hours after take off. We arrived in early evening and the sky was an amazing mixture and contrasts from dark blue, almost navy, to a lighter blue. As I look around I see a man standing by the baggage claim area holding a sign with my name on it. As I approach I notice that he is tall, with chestnut colored hair just touching his shoulders, and amber eyes. I go up and introduce myself to him. He tells me his name is Duncan and is happy to meet me. We collect my luggage and head out to the waiting vehicle. As we approach the vehicle I notice that it is not a vehicle at all but a beautiful open carriage with a pair of white horses. As I look at my escort to find out why we have horses instead of a car I notice that instead of the jeans and t-shirt he had on in the airport, he was now wearing a leather tunic and breeches with a broadsword by his side. I am not sure what has happened here, but I know I am no longer in my element or in my time period and know that the saying "beware of what you wish for, it just may come true", is definitely true.
Duncan helps me into the carriage and wraps a lap blanket around by lap just in case I feel a little chill during my trip to my benefactor's house. I am afraid to see what else is lurking ahead of me, but I feel safe at the same time. Duncan, who is sitting beside me, offers me a leather skein with wine and I take a haughty draught. As the driver is going along the lane along the twists and turns of the dirt road I notice that the scenery is fantastic. There are no pollutants in the air, the sky is clear and you can see the stars shining bright as the moon rises. As we head around the bend in the road sitting up on a bluff is a beautiful manor home. It appears to be two stories high and at first glance looks like it is as big as a modern day block. The closer we get the house becomes bigger and I notice it is made of stones. We come to a halt at the side of the house and I notice that there is a wide oaken door with wrought iron hinges and pull. There is a door knocker in the shape of wolf's head, with the ring hanging from its mouth. As I sit on the seat I am taken aback at the things that have happened in my life within the last few hours. I have read about stuff like this happening but never thought it would be true.
Before I even begin to descend from the carriage the door is thrown open and my friend and benefactor comes out of the house, she appears to be thin, almost anorexic, with mousey brown hair tied back away from her face. Her face is gaunt and grey looking. Duncan helps me from the carriage and I go to Melissa and give her a tender hug. She slowly escorts me into the foyer of her house and I notice that it is decorated in 16th century tapestries. As I proceed into the house, the carpets and furniture are fantastic; Oriental carpets and Queen Anne furnishings in red velvet upholstery.
Melissa invites me to sit as Duncan takes my bags to my room. The housekeeper brings in a tray laden with tea and cakes. As we eat Melissa tells me that she has been stricken by a mysterious illness that has no cure in this time. She is dying and wants me to become the mistress of the manner. "Right", I say, "I don't know anything about running a household, I don't even like to clean house". Melissa laughs and tells me that all I have to do is let the staff know what needs to be done and they will carry out the orders. The whole time this is taking place, I am thinking "Yeah, right, me, in charge of a staff" what a laugh. After we eat Melissa introduces me to the staff. There is the housekeeper, Mrs. Croft; Two maids one for upstairs her name is Lily, and one downstairs she is called Scarlett, she has red hair; there is Donald the stable hand, Dominic the houseman, and Duncan who seems to be at the beck and call of the lady of the house. Of course I can live with that.
Melissa tells me that she is going to lie down for a while and that I am free to explore. I ask Lily to take me to my room. As we enter the bedroom, there is a fire laid out in the fireplace, with two chairs on either side of a table in front of it. The bed appears to be big enough for four people. The bedding is a large quilt comforter decorated with red and pink roses, to match the pink walls. I notice the wardrobe in the corner and I open it. My clothes are all neatly hanging, but along side of them are dresses that are more appropriate for this time period. Lily shows me where I may wash the travel dirt of my face and lets me know that dinner is at 8:00 and to dress for it with one of the gowns from the wardrobe. After washing up a little, I remove my jeans and t-shirt and lay down on the bed to think about all that is going on.
After trial and error I finally figure out all that goes with wearing one of these gowns. Thank God I don't have a lot of petticoats to wear under it. The gown I chose was emerald green velvet; there was lace on the cuffs and around the neck line. The bodice was cut low so there was a certain amount of cleavage showing. It was gathered under the breasts and hung to the floor where it covered the shoes that I wore. I don't know how it was managed but the gown fit perfectly, I wish I could say the same about the shoes, so I am still wearing my regular shoes.
As I enter the drawing room, with the help of Mrs. Croft, I see that Melissa changed into a red velvet dress, and had her hair done up in curls. Duncan was dressed as a gentleman with a dark almost midnight blue jacket, and matching breeches, knee high polished boots, and a white shirt open at the neck showing off his tan skin and a small amount of chest hair. Duncan comes over to me takes my and in his and lifts it to his lips where he kisses the inside of my wrist, sending little shivers up my spine. I give him a coy smile as he escorts me over to the settee. Dominic brings around a tray that has three glasses of wine on it. While we drink our before dinner drink, Melissa tells me that she left her whole estate to me when she dies. I tell her that I can not possibly accept because I have a life about 300 years in the future, and I am not sure I would fit into 18th century because all of the customs that would seem backwards to me. Mrs. Croft informs us that dinner is ready, and Melissa leads me into the dining area, while Duncan follows behind.
Duncan moves around to hold the chair out for Melissa, and then he pulls the chair out for me, saying "Miss Charlotte, please allow me", and as he pushed in the chair his hand absently touches my shoulder.
The meal was far more than I expected. The table was laden with ham, candied yams, homemade bread, with fresh whipped butter, homemade jams, apple tart with cream, and coffee there was also a creamy leek soup that was served as the first course. After dinner we went to the drawing room where Duncan had a brandy, and Melissa and I had a sherry.
As we sat in the drawing room, I brought up the subject of the time travel situation. I told Duncan and Melissa that I have read about this sort of happening in fictional stories and fantasies but never in real life. Melissa told me that she was surprised when it happened to her also, that for some reason there appears to be a fairy mound at the airport, so as soon as you enter the airport you are in the current century and when you leave it takes you back in time. "So, what you are saying is that if I want all I have to do is go to Heathrow and I can be transported back to my life in my own clothes, back to my century". "In a nutshell as you would say that is correct," Duncan said. My eyes meet Duncan's and I get this little shiver that runs up my spine. I look over at Melissa and she has a slight but delightful smile on her face. She says she is going to bed because she is feeling weak, but informs us that Duncan and I should stay, visit, and get to know each other.
As Melissa leaves, Duncan approaches me and sits next me, takes my hand and starts to question me about my life. I tell him that I work for the justice system in my century, which should be like Parliament in his. He then wants to know if I would be missed by anyone in particular. "Of course, I will be missed," I told him, "I have a job, friends, and a family back home". He wanted to know why I came, and I told him about the letter and that it was a request that I come and visit. Besides I wanted an adventure didn't I? He wanted to know if I was going to stay, or if I was going to leave at the first opportunity. I told him I haven't decided yet, but I would at least stay for Melissa's sake. As our conversation continued I couldn't help wondering why he was so interested in my intentions.
About two hours later, Duncan escorts me to my room, kisses my hand and tells me he will see me in the morning. I enter my room, remove my clothes and crawl into bed. I sleep peacefully and dream of a man with flowing chestnut hair, holding a broadsword, and fighting as if his life depended on it.