Forgotten Time (Ravenhurst Series, #1) A New Adult Time Travel Romance (9 page)

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, making her mouth go dry. She moistened her lips, forcing her gaze up to his. His eyes, a deep gray, darkened like a stormy sky. She tried to talk, to say something, anything, but found no words.

Sebastian took a step closer, his pride not letting him relent. He wanted to know if she was indeed an innocent, or knew what affect her little display in the sunlight had on him.

Katherine inhaled deeply. He smelled fresh like the outdoors, with a hint of leather and something headier… she leaned in closer; it burned her nose a little. A flash of déjà vu hit her, she felt dizzy and she reached up to steady herself. His chest was hard and unyielding. She could feel his muscles flexing under his shirt as he reached out to hold her in place. He pulled her towards him, and she didn’t have the will power to resist him, as she knew she probably should. She felt like she was in a dream, the best one she ever had.

She felt her legs giving out, and leaned into him more, unable to stop herself. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to hide her face or kiss his. She was so embarrassed by the thought; she had to stop herself from laughing aloud like a silly little girl. She barely managed to return his gaze, melting bit by bit as he continued to stare at her.

Sebastian gathered the shawl in one hand, the golden threads rough against his palm. The expression on the girl’s face confused him. He remembered all too clearly the look of hatred in Marguerite’s eyes the last time she saw him. Now, suddenly, she was looking at him hungrily, as if she wanted to taste him as much as he wanted to taste her. Was she playing a trick? Or had she changed so much? Was she really no longer an innocent? Even so, why would she look at him with longing? Something did not add up and he did not like it one bit. She stared at him like a love-struck girl, her deep blue eyes drawing him in. He suddenly found he didn’t care if she was playing a game; he wanted to kiss those full, pink, succulent lips of hers, and taste them. His body reacted before his mind. He pulled her closer, making her relinquish her hold on the shawl, pulling her closer to his body.

A knock sounded at the door, breaking the spell.

He looked down into her flushed face, her eyes widened in wonder as he took a step back. Suddenly, he felt like an outright cad. A gentleman would not make untoward advances toward a young woman, especially one who had been unconscious. Still, he found he could not tear his gaze from hers. The desire to taste her lips, for just the briefest moment was distracting.

It took Katherine’s mind a minute to realize he had moved away from her and someone else was in the room. She pulled the smelly shawl closer to her body as she watched a young girl in maid’s clothing enter. The girl’s small arms were carrying a large, covered tray.

“Excuse me, my lord,” she said in a small voice as she hurriedly set the tray on a table by the fire. As she straightened from the table, she dropped into a curtsy. “Is there anything else, my lord?”

“Yes, Tabby, please draw our guest a bath.”

The maid turned in a flash and went into the bathroom.

Katherine could find no words; she had no idea what to do. Hadn’t they almost kissed? Or was her mind playing tricks on her? Either way, she still had no idea what to do, she was so embarrassed, she wanted to run and hide.

“Please sit down and eat something,” he said as he extended his arm toward the chair.

Katherine stared at the carpet, her face felt hot. She made herself move forward and sit in the chair, keeping her gaze on the floor. She didn’t trust herself to look at him again, lest she do something really stupid, like drooling all over him. The food’s aroma wafted towards her and her empty stomach made a low, growling noise. She shut her eyes, instantly hating her stomach.

Sebastian cleared his throat, trying to get her attention, but she kept looking at the floor. “After you have finished your repast and had a bath, of course, I would like you to meet me in the library,” he said quietly.

Katherine froze in horror.
Crap
. Was that why he stopped? Oh good Lord! Did she still smell? She felt sick. “Certainly,” she squeaked out, barely audible.

“My lord, the bath is drawn.”

“Thank you, Tabby. Please come back shortly to help your lady dress.”

“Of course, my lord, I will be back directly,” the maid answered as she hurried from the room.

Katherine had no idea if the maid curtsied this time or not, since she was still staring stupidly at the floor. She felt a slight breeze as someone walked past, the maid, she assumed, with her skirts rustling in her haste.

Sebastian raised a brow in question, leaning down slightly to see her face. “Very well, then, I shall leave you to your meal.”

Her body jerked. He was close, too close. Her mouth dropped open as he smiled briefly. His dark hair fell forward and he lifted his hand, pushing it back before he straightened. Slowly, he turned away and walked out the door. She heard the door close as it made a soft clicking sound.

Katherine let out a pent-up breath and fell back against the cushion of the chair. Her hand shook slightly as she removed the cover on the food and began to eat. She was starving. Not surprisingly, she ate everything on the plate, even though she had no idea what half of it was. She was practically licking the plate clean when the maid knocked and reentered the room before she had a chance to say come in. At least, it was only the maid this time.

“My lady, is there anything else you need?”

Katherine set the plate back down on the table, the maid’s eyes following her every move. She was glad to see she was not the maid who tried to smother her with the rag. This girl was much younger, not more than fourteen or fifteen years old. Her hair was in the same style as the previous maid, and pulled back just as severely. This girl was also dressed in a similar gown, a light gray, buttoned up to her chin. Her pale blonde hair was also covered, but at least, it looked clean. The girl was slight with a nice, friendly face. She made Katherine feel much more at ease than the crazy one from before, thank goodness. “Tabby?”

“Yes, milady?” she answered pleasantly.

“Could you help me find something other than this to wear?” she asked, lifting the frilly gown up in the air.

“No worries, milady, all your belongings are just where you left them. I will have all your clothing laid out for you by the time you are finished with your bath. Would you like me to help you bathe?”

“Oh, good Lord, no,” she laughed, embarrassed. “I will be fine on my own, thank you.” She almost laughed aloud in her face. Help with my bath?
Seriously? What was with these people
?

“If you don’t mind, then, I will carry the tray down and return shortly to help you dress; if you wish?” she inquired sweetly.

“That will be fine. Thank you, Tabby.”

“I will return shortly,” she said quickly as she grabbed the tray and carried it from the room.

Katherine leaned back in the chair for a moment, smiling. She could get used to this kind of service. This must be what it felt like to be a royal. With a full stomach, she stood and walked over to the bath. The tiles were cold on her bare feet, and slightly wet from the hot steam of the bathwater in the claw-footed tub. She quickly ditched the frilly sleeping gown and climbed into the steaming water. She scrubbed her body and hair ‘til she was squeaky-clean. No smelliness left.

After she was finally finished, she climbed from the tub. There was a robe of rich blue fabric with darker blue-corded edging draped over the small chair in the bath. The material felt divine, like thick brocade. She picked up the robe. No big surprise, the style was Victorian; these people must take historical accuracy to an entirely different level. Not only did the maids dress and sound authentic, but the man in her room was dressed in period clothing as well.

Not that she had any complaints. When you look like he did, she guessed you could wear anything you want and get away with it. She surely did not mind, not one bit.

Tabby was true to her word. She laid her clothing out on the bottom of the bed, and not just any clothing, either. There was an incredible, light celadon-colored evening dress with a satin bodice. It had a full, pleated skirt and delicate, crocheted buttons. Ned would freak if he could see these, she thought, as she ran her hand over the delicate material. Beside the gown were matching undergarments, stockings and another pair of toe crushers that matched the gown. Just looking at them made her wiggle her toes in the carpet. She wasn’t looking forward to sticking her feet them.

Oh well, hopefully, they wouldn’t be as bad as the other pair. Which reminded her, where in the hell were own shoes, dress, and “borrowed” necklace? It wasn’t on her neck, obviously. Briefly scanning the room, her gown wasn’t anywhere in sight, either. Ned would kill her if she lost his gown. She walked over towards the “Narnia” wardrobe.

A gentle breeze blew across her skin, making her shiver slightly. Her hand was on the handle and she was about to open the door. The hair on the nape of her neck began to stand.

A knock sounded at the door. She ran over to open it, and it creaked softly as she peered out.

“Tabby, it’s you, thank goodness,” she gushed, relieved, pulling the door open fully. It creaked louder the wider she opened it. Tabby came in, all smiles, and guided her towards the dressing table to arrange her hair.

Katherine stood in front of the gilded mirro
r
, admiring her reflection. Tabby pulled her hair loosely back and intertwined a matching ribbon through it. She had to admit she looked even better than she did at the ball the previous evening.

“His lordship is certainly going to like the looks of you, milady,” Tabby said, eyeing her appreciatively.

“Do you really think so?” Katherine asked nervously, running her hands down the length of the gown.

“Oh yes, only a blind man could not see how beautiful you are.”

Katherine blushed crimson at the maid’s praise and she looked back in the mirror. Even through her own critical eyes, she had to admit she really did look beautiful.

“Now, milady, you must be off so as to not keep his lordship waiting for you.”

With one last look in the mirror, Katherine left the room and made her way down the hall towards the main floor. Her skirts made the softest swishing sound against the rug.

The dimly hit hallway was darkly paneled. It seemed different from the one she was in at the party. How big was this place? She made her way to the top of the staircase and looked down with a bird’s eye view to the entryway below. It was not what she remembered from the previous evening. Perhaps she did not see it as clearly as she thought. It was crowded. Who knew? Maybe she was at another part of the estate entirely.

She told herself she didn’t care, but something felt off, as if she was in the same place, but it wasn’t the same. It didn’t make sense; even though it was only a feeling.

She gripped the banister. Her hand slid easily on the polished wood as she walked carefully down the stairs. After making it to the bottom without falling, a feat, at least for her, she froze. There were the ugly gargoyles, leering towards her in the doorway. Now, those she remembered from the night before. She stuck her tongue out at one and shivered when it seemed to sneer back in her direction. She hugged the railing, stepping around the corner to put as much distance between
ugly
, the gargoyle, and herself as possible.

Her heels clicked softly on the marbled floor, echoing throughout the hall as she briskly walked over to a pair of huge doors, barely cracked open. Light flickered from underneath, causing shadows to move back and forth.
This better be the library.

One would have thought the lord of the estate would have given her an escort, at least. Where were the servants? A distinct chill passed over her body; she wrapped her arms about her midsection, trying to squelch the uneasy feeling gathering in the pit of her stomach. She took a breath and looked up at the massive doors. She leaned forward and peered in. She felt like a spy. The man from earlier leaned against the mantel, in front of a massive fireplace. He was dressed in period clothing again, a smartly tailored black coat and trousers. A thrill of excitement spread through her, and she took a bracing breath, gathering her nerve. She pushed the door open. She thought it would be hard to open, since it was so big, but it moved without any resistance, and clanked loudly against the wall when it slid inside.