Chapter Eight
The drink Nellie had called her special tonic was like magic, and probably had a bit of it in it. Kaitlyn felt relaxed and calm and completely ready to face what lay ahead of her. After they’d gotten dressed in proper Victorian attire, Kaitlyn was led to a room near where she’d stayed before and was once again certain she’d actually traveled into the past.
After freshening up, she stepped outside her room and looked for a hint on where to go next. When she caught sight of Reese and Jem with their heads together at the end of the hallway, she’d nearly knocked them over in her excitement to see they’d arrived safely as well. After a few quick words about how relieved they all were, Kaitlyn asked, “Has anyone seen Cora yet?”
“No,” Reese said. “I’m just so relieved you made it. Is Cyrus here, too?”
Kaitlyn nodded. “He doesn’t seem too pleased, but oh my heck, I’m so stinking excited to be here. Really here in the past where we can see it all for ourselves. Can you believe it?”
Jem shook his head. “Not really, but Nellie assured us everything will be fine, so I guess we don’t have a choice except to go with it.”
A young girl approached Reese. “Miss, it’s time for us to go. If you would follow me.”
Reese seemed to steel herself, as if preparing for something terrifying. She looked at Kaitlyn as if wishing to beg for help.
“My maid, Sarah, told me we wouldn’t be seated together since we need to be spread out amongst Nellies other guests. You guys go ahead. I’ll wait for Cyrus. I think he might need a little help getting used to this idea.”
Jem gave her a quick hug, whispering quickly, “I’m so glad you made it here, too. Reese was so relieved when they told us you’d arrived.”
“I’m glad you’re here, too.” She waved good-bye as they followed the maid. She turned to see if she could catch Cyrus coming out of his room. She knew he’d look even better than Jem did wearing the clothes of the time.
When his door opened and he entered the hallway, her heart fluttered for a moment before pounding against her ribcage. He had done it again. Just glancing at her and unleashing that perfect smile made her understand why some women wearing the tight corsets of the time could swoon. It was difficult to catch her breath, but she didn’t mind the sensations that flooded her system, almost like the threads of magic that pulled her back in time.
Yet she knew it was all from him.
The early dinner scheduled before the ball went smoothly. Everyone seemed enthralled to meet all the American heiresses. She had so much fun telling the story of how she would be inheriting property and money from her mother’s side of the family and that Jem could still take over the ranch and horse business their father ran.
It was easy enough to answer the questions in generalities since it seemed like too much detail would have been impolite to ask about. Nellie whispered a few things and the gossip spread that they were well to do with enough money and influence in Ohio to be set up forever.
None of the dinner guests seemed so snobby as to look down on them for their new money or the fact that they were from the Americas. At least Kaitlyn couldn’t detect any snubbing.
She was surprised to realize she was actually hungry, but it had been more than six hours since she had eaten last. When the realization that it had been more than a century since her last meal, she giggled out loud. Most of the guests looked at her. Kaitlyn did her best to act demure and polite, but it was hard to remember to not be too forward as a woman. She would have to be extra careful in what she said. She spent most of the meal observing others and getting a feel for the people there.
Reese was talking to a young girl who seemed to be enthralled with her. Jem sat on the other side of Reese and looked like he was doing his best to keep her from giving too much away. Cora still hadn’t arrived, but Kaitlyn didn’t worry at all for her friend. It might have been the magical tonic Aunt Nellie had provided for them, or it might have been the atmosphere, but Kaitlyn felt incredibly happy. She couldn’t wait for the ball to begin.
***
The hours finally passed and dozens of guests began arriving for the elaborate ball Aunt Nellie had planned. The house was large enough to hold a huge group of people and Kaitlyn wasn’t surprised to see more carriages lined up down the street ready to drop off the party goers. It was a little different than when she had watched the arrival earlier in the day, or back in her own time, but the anticipation of the evening’s events all felt the same.
The dresses in the Victorian time were so much different than what she’d worn only hours ago when she first arrived. The corset was tighter, and the neckline was different. The large flowing skirt felt odd against her legs after having worn the straight dresses. But she loved the way these clothes looked. Coming on the night of another ball was just perfect timing. Instead of having sore achy legs, she was ready to dance for hours and hours. If only she knew what was in Nellie’s drink. She could become a billionaire by selling that.
Kaitlyn studied the room, enjoying the ability to people watch in a time and place completely different than what she was used to. She smiled at Jem and Reese, who stood close together. Cora arrived just before the ball and managed to get dressed in record time. She first seemed just as excited as Kaitlyn had when she’d first talked to her, but she looked like she wished she could be anywhere else. Kaitlyn looked for Cyrus, but she didn’t see him in the room.
Their hostess and resident faerie approached her as she stood looking out over the group milling around in the ballroom. Nellie took Kaitlyn’s hands and looked up into her face. “Thank you for believing in me, and for your enthusiasm tonight. I believe it’s helping all your friends come to terms with what’s going on. You remember my nephew William at dinner. He will be the one to introduce all of you to the different gentlemen tonight. He’ll also help keep the few unsavories that I wasn’t able to avoid inviting tonight away from you all and give you time to acclimate.”
She waved at someone with her fan, and a handsome man approached. “William, dear. This is Miss Kaitlyn Taylor. I’d like you to make sure her dance card is filled up with the right men.” She looked at William as if giving him some secret information. Kaitlyn wondered if they had talked earlier, or if she could somehow share her thoughts with him through magic.
William nodded and turned to Kaitlyn. “I of course would be honored if you would allow me to claim a dance myself.”
Kaitlyn nodded and held up her card. He put his name down on hers and marked something on his own card. “I think a few gentlemen close by will do nicely.” He looked up and met the eyes of nearby men, who took that as a signal to join them. William introduced them smoothly. Kaitlyn hoped she didn’t do anything awkward in accepting the acquaintance, feeling completely overwhelmed that it was for real. She’d been thrilled to think of it when they first arrived, but being there at an actual ball, and a large, important, private one at that, made her more nervous than she cared to admit.
Cyrus was off in a corner talking with Jem and Reese. She knew she had to do her best at being what Nellie thought she was ― brave and excited to be there.
Before she knew it, she had accepted the offers of dances with both gentlemen and she knew they would be safe because both of them were older and married.
Kaitlyn didn’t know how long it would take for the music to start. Would she need to have her card filled soon? Or would it be okay to fill them throughout the night?
The musicians moved to their positions. Kaitlyn could see the excitement rippling through the crowd of people. William smiled. “Don’t worry too much. The guests of Aunt Nellie are always on their best behavior. She has some certain skills at taking care of any problems, or helping people to forget if there are any issues that arise from someone who might not be familiar with how things work here. However, I’m sure you’ll do just fine given your practice over the last few days.”
“Thank you, William. Oh, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t call you that, should I? Is it mister or lord?”
“Mr. Milton,” William said.
Kaitlyn’s first dance partner came to claim the dance. She was relieved when she didn’t mess up more than three or four steps of the whole dance. Her partner complimented her kindly and escorted her back to the side of the room where he had found her. She looked at her card, though she knew it was empty, and wondered what she would do. She didn’t have to wait long before William approached her with a tall man next to him. William smiled and looked at Kaitlyn. “Miss Taylor, the Baronet Jack Hughes Von Maughanhoe would like to make your acquaintance. Miss Taylor is from the Americas and is a special guest of my Aunt Nellie.”
Kaitlyn looked up into the hazel eyes framed by dark lashes of the man in front of her. She’d never met a baronet and had no idea what she was supposed to call him. He saved her from speaking by bowing slightly. “Miss Taylor, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“And you, my…” Kaitlyn paused, hoping William would help her.
“You can call him Sir Hughes,” William supplied.
The baronet smiled at Kaitlyn. “If you aren’t otherwise engaged for the next dance, I wondered if you would do me the honor of being your partner.” His voice was deep, not quite a bass, but she was sure if she ever heard him sing, it wouldn’t be tenor.
Kaitlyn fluttered her lashes in what she hoped wasn’t too flirty a move, nodding. “I am not presently spoken for. I would love to dance with you.”
The baronet offered Kaitlyn his hand to lead her out onto the floor. She wondered what she could possibly say to him. She had easily talked with her other dance partners, but they had begun the topic of conversation. She hoped this one would, too.
As they got into position, Kaitlyn realized this dance was one she wasn’t completely familiar with. “Is this the Quadrille?” she asked.
He nodded. “I believe it is.”
Kaitlyn sighed. “I hope I don’t embarrass you. I’ve not had a lot of practice with this one.”
“You don’t have balls like this in America?” His voice flowed softly over her and she once again wished he would keep talking.
She shook her head. “No, there are very few balls where I’m from. I’ve only attended a few in my life. I’m thrilled to be here, of course, but I’m just so nervous.” She stopped talking, hoping she hadn’t committed some horrible breech of etiquette.
The baronet smiled. “I have faith in you. This dance is easy enough. And if you are quick enough to copy the moves of the ladies nearest you, you’ll do fine.” He glanced at the women on either side of her before taking his place. “I am confident Miss Young and Mrs. Martin will be happy to assist you if needed.”
The two women indicated their agreement. Kaitlyn smiled and whispered her thanks. As the music began and Sir Hughes reached for her hand to start the moves, she allowed the environment to wash over her. She imagined herself like the women in the movies she had always watched with Cora and Reese.
She kept her eyes open and followed the movements of the others, realizing the dance wasn’t all that difficult. It didn’t require a lot of quick movements and fast thinking, but it wasn’t slow and boring either. When she neared Jack, he would compliment her each time. She didn’t know if he was actually sincere, or if it was just that he was too well bred to not praise her pathetic efforts.
As the dance finished, she ended up in the same place she’d begun and smiled happily, clapping with the others as the music came to an end. The women next to her turned to her. “You did perfectly, Miss Taylor.”
Sir Hughes led her back to the edge of the room and took her hand in his, lifting it gently. He bowed and she curtsied, hoping it was the right response. Sir Hughes walked away, yet when he reached the other side of the room, he met her eyes again and smiled, sending a thrill of excitement through her. If all the gentlemen were as handsome and perfect as the baronet, she would thoroughly enjoy her time here.
She just needed to find out from Aunt Nellie how long that would be. Surely they could get home. She just hoped it wasn’t too soon.