Title: Out of Time, Prelude to Murder at Shillingworth Magna

Author: Sherry Thornburg

Author's Email: Thornburgs77

Feedback: Yes, please

Permission to Archive. Privately only, with notice to me as to where it is.

Category: Short Story, Time Travel

Rating/Warning: K

Main Characters: Phileas and Rebecca Fogg and descendants, Loren and Lacy Fogg

Disclaimer: SAJV and original characters copywrite Tailsman/Promark/etc., no infringement is intended.


Chapter 1

"Loren! Loren!"

"I'm coming."

"Success!"

"And this means what to me, Lacey?"

"Lacinda…"

"No. Lacinda is a practical sensible woman who would be in the country right now safe and sound. Lacey is the imp that drags her brother into a city under the threat of bombing raids to hunt for costumes for masquerade parties."

"And has found them. I told you I knew just where they were. Try on this coat for size."

"Hm, not bad. It makes even you look handsome."

"Very funny… Dare I ask if this thing comes with knee breaches? If it does, the answer is..."

"Don't worry. We aren't going that far into the past. I think this is Victorian not eighteenth century. Although… You might look rather smashing in a tri-corne."

"Don't even think about it."

"Too late, It fits you. Here, sit down and let me try one of these cravats on you."

"If it will get us out of this attic sooner, anything. By the way, that is a pretty dress. The green silk nearly matches your eyes?"

"Why thank you, sir! I found the under things in another trunk, six petticoats and a corset, along with the rest of this outfit for you from that trunk over there. There were some toys stacked on top of it. Look at that doll. Isn't it lovely?"

"Sorry, I'm not much into dolls, certainly not bridal dolls."

Snort… "How about this horse and carriage set, masculine enough for you? There is this metal top too. That would be about right for you, little brother."

"You know I hate it when you call me that. We are only half an hour apart."

"True, but I was first."

"Not bad! I think you were born to the wrong time, brother. You were made for this fashion. But the cravat isn't quite right."

"Flattery will not get me into this outfit if I don't like it, sis. Why I agreed to take you to that party, I still don't know."

"Oh, play with your top and stop complaining! I'll figure out the cravat for you later. You did it because you owe me, big. Rachel didn't deserve you ducking out on her, and I felt like a traitor to my sex making excuses so you could take off with your friends to who knows were. And don't inform me, please."

"It never crossed my mind. Hey, this thing has the best balance! Look at it go!"

"Bring it along. We can give it to Dave's little boy for a present. There, that's better. It all fits except the skirt hoop. Nice, I found this big old carpet bag. I'll just get out of this dress, and we can go."

"What's that? Planes again?"

"Hell! The air raid siren! Get downstairs!"

"Where?"

"Anywhere but here in this attic! Leave the toy and GO!"