Chapter Fifteen
“What an arrogant—” Rachel cut herself off in deference to Roger. She locked her arms across her chest and stared at Halwell’s rigid back as he trotted away.
“He has not heretofore been considered such,” Roger offered with a wince.
“Well, he is! I don’t suppose he told you about his visit?”
“He told me he had come to see you. I believe you had asked him to call?”
Rachel shot him a look out of the corner of her eyes. “What else did he say?”
“Miss Lee, Rachel, I do not...” He let his words die out.
“Well, his visit was humiliating!”
“How distressing for you.”
“You didn’t tell him about me, did you, Roger?”
“That you come from the future? No, certainly not.”
“Good! He can’t handle the truth!” Rachel had always liked that line, and it certainly applied.
“Do you think not?” Roger asked.
“No!” Rachel raised a hand to wiggle her tight jaw into relaxation. “Well, I don’t know. I don’t think he would care. He would only care about Mary, and of course, I couldn’t tell him about her. That’s her business.”
“I would agree.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway. He’s leaving. Hopefully, I’ll be leaving when Hickstrom figures out there is no way that man thinks he can fall in love with me, so...”
“So?”
“That’s it. So.”
“Did Lord Halwell actually say such a thing to you? It seems so very ungentlemanly of him. Out of character, I would say.”
“Well, he was shocked when I told him what Hickstrom had said. He’s still very attached to Mary, and he can’t see his way out of that. I asked to see him so that I could tell him I release him from this silly curse, that of course he doesn’t have to fall in love with me and can marry anyone he likes. I’m sure of it!”
“I have been with St. John for most of his life, Rachel, including the years he was imprisoned here at the castle. He could not pass through the gate. I think you must believe that this Miss Hickstrom has extraordinary powers. If she has ‘cursed’ Lord Halwell, I do not believe there is anything you can do to lessen the conditions of that curse. Only she can.”
Rachel turned to the estate agent. “But I can’t be the source of Halwell’s...entrapment! How awful for him!”
“No, surely not ‘awful,’ Rachel. You do yourself an injustice.”
“He was pretty appalled when I told him that he was supposed to fall in love with me.”
“Was he?”
“I think so.”
“Perhaps he was simply surprised.”
“No, he’s in love with Mary and doesn’t think it’s okay to fall in love with someone else so soon, if ever, maybe. I’m not exactly sure, but he may have suggested fixing me up with some of his friends in London.”
“Fixing you up?”
“I exaggerate. He said that any bachelor of his acquaintance would be honored to offer me his heart.”
“A romantic sentiment.”
“Mmmhmmm.”
Roger sighed. “I wish I could offer you a cup of tea, but...”
“No, I know. I heard it loud and clear from Halwell.”
“When do you next expect to see Miss Hickstrom?”
“I don’t know. I might try calling her. Did you know that Mary can just call out and Hickstrom appears?”
“I did not know that. Do you wish to try now? It is obvious you have questions for her.”
“Hmmm... Why not?”
Rachel turned toward the road, looked up and called.
“Hickstrom! Can you come here please?”
She waited, searching the area, but Hickstrom did not appear.
“Hickstrom! I need to talk to you! Can you come here?”
Rachel waited again, but still no Hickstrom.
“I wonder if Mary is the only one who can call her.”
“Perhaps.”
“Well, I’d better head back to the house. Mary will wonder what happened to me.”
“Good day, Rachel. I believe I will see you at supper.”
“See you then.”
Rachel descended the steps and walked out onto the drive, turning toward the castle.
“Yes, dear, did you need to speak to me?”
Rachel jumped at Hickstrom’s voice. Dressed in a purple sack dress, she stood next to Rachel in the road.
“I didn’t hear you!”
“You called me.”
“Why didn’t you come when I called? Was it because Roger was there?”
“Roger, is it? You mean the estate agent, Mr. Phelps?”
“Yes.”
Hickstrom linked her arm through Rachel’s, and they resumed walking.
“Perhaps. Perhaps I was busy with other lonely hearts.”
“Well, at any rate, this whole thing is a nightmare! Halwell is determined to be faithful to his love for Mary, for the foreseeable future, at least. I can’t make him fall in love with me. I wouldn’t know how, and I don’t want him to. He’s arrogant!”
“Arrogant! I have some limited acquaintance with George. I have never considered him arrogant! He was always so affable. How very odd.”
“Well, I guess you never saw him trapped before!”
“Trapped, my dear?”
“You’ve basically told him that if he doesn’t fall in love with me, he’s doomed never to find anyone else, right?”
“I do not believe I worded the case so harshly, and I never told him that he must fall in love with you.”
Rachel stopped. “You didn’t? But you told Mary and me that he had to fall in love with me.”
“I told him only that he must find the love which was before him.”
“So me...”
Hickstrom inclined her head. “Yes.”
“The problem is still the same. He’s leaving for London. He wants gone, out of this, and I don’t blame him, and I think he should go.”
“London!” Hickstrom exclaimed. “Oh, no, no, that will not do.”
“Don’t, Hickstrom!” Rachel said in a warning tone. “Please don’t interfere with his plans. Let him go! You can’t make him love me!”
“No, I cannot make him choose from the heart, but I can ensure that he does not squander the opportunity I have offered him.”
“I feel like a golden goose on a platter.”
Hickstrom laughed. “You are a gift, my dear.”
They had resumed walking again.
“Hickstrom. Fairy godmother, I’m no one’s gift. Really. I told Halwell that I released him from this ‘curse’ you put on him.”
“Poor dear,” Hickstrom said, patting Rachel’s hand.
Rachel realized she was the “poor dear.”
“You do not have that power, but it was thoughtful of you to try.”
“I want to go home, Hickstrom.”
“Not just yet, dear. Wait until after the ball.”
“Why?”
“Trust me, dear. If Halwell does not find his heart captured by the end of the ball, I shall send you home, and he may spend the rest of his years searching for the love he lost.”
Tears gathered in Rachel’s eyes. “Oh, Hickstrom! That sounds so sad.”
“He has a choice.”
“What about me?”
“It is your choice as well.”
“Am I also cursed never to find anyone of my own if I don’t fall in love with the unavailable Halwell?”
“No, dear. I would not do that.”
“I’ll wait until the after the ball, but he won’t be there. He’s going to London. I’m not sure he’s welcome at the ball anyway. There was a fight this morning between Halwell and St. John, and St. John kicked him out.”
“I am aware,” Hickstrom said. “Who could not be? Even now Halwell stands in front of his mother explaining the gossip which has already reached her.”
“Oh dear.”
“Leave it to me. Halwell will attend the ball. I must go now, Rachel. Yours is not the only lonely heart to which I must attend.”
Hickstrom slipped her hand from Rachel’s arm, walked away a few steps and vanished. Rachel stared at thin air, wondering how she was getting used to an apparition coming and going like that. Time travel seemed ordinary in comparison.
She returned to the house and updated Mary on all that had occurred. They ate a light luncheon with St. John, and then Mary said she hoped that Rachel would understand but that she couldn’t keep her eyes open and needed a nap. Rachel understood. Sally’s sister had trouble staying awake early in her pregnancy as well, something to do with hormones, she had said.
Rachel found herself with time on her hands, and she went down to the library and studied the books there. Touching their bindings reminded her of her shop, and she missed it terribly. She picked up a book, settled into a chair and spent the rest of the day there reading.
The days before the ball passed in much the same fashion: breakfast in the morning; a walk around the grounds with Mary, accompanied on occasion by St. John; a light lunch; extra sleep for Mary and more books to read for Rachel. Mrs. Green handled most of the preparations for the ball, often consulting with St. John, who had more experience planning a Regency country ball than did Mary.
Rachel discovered that Mrs. Green did indeed know that Mary had traveled through time, and she knew about Rachel as well.
Rachel heard nothing from Hickstrom in that time, and she assumed that Halwell had gone to London. She had no idea if he was still invited to the ball, and she was hesitant to ask. It didn’t matter anyway. She didn’t think Hickstrom would get him to the ball, not even if she forcibly drove him in a pumpkin carriage.
Lady Georgianna came to call one morning two days before the ball. Mary received her in the drawing room and asked Rachel to join her for moral support.
“Good morning, Lady Georgianna,” Mary said, curtseying.
Rachel curtsied as well but said nothing.
“Good morning, Lady St. John. I did not realize you were still here, Miss Lee. George told me that you had returned to America? Or were planning to?”
“Planning to,” Rachel said briefly.
“Rachel is welcome to stay as long as she likes, but I know she wants to get home. She has a full, vibrant life there.” Mary smiled at Lady Georgianna through her teeth. “Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you. I see the castle is abuzz with preparations for the ball?”
“Yes, Mrs. Green and the staff are very busy. You are still coming, right?” Mary asked.
“Yes, of course.” Lady Georgianna took a kerchief from her reticule and touched at her face, as if she was stalling for time.
Rachel and Mary exchanged a glance.
“I did wonder... It pains me to discuss this, and so I will not, but I understand there was an altercation between the earl and George, and things were said.”
“That is over, forgotten,” Mary said.
“That is so good to hear, although it still wears on George. I wondered if he was still...welcome at the ball. I do not like to attend these functions alone.”
“I thought he went to London!” Rachel interjected.
Lady Georgianna looked at her, an elegant eyebrow raised in inquiry. “No, he is at Alton House. I believe he said something about going to London last week, but his horse grew colicky, our carriage broke a wheel, and the coachmen and groom fell ill for a time—all seeming to conspire against his desire to go to London. Ultimately, he chose not to go, but has instead stayed near the house, reading in the library or walking in the garden.” Lady Georgianna smiled. “He said he was cursed. Foolish boy! I am certain he must have felt that way.”
Mary and Rachel exchanged another glance, and Rachel put a hand to her mouth to cover a grin.
“Of course Halwell must come to the ball, Lady Georgianna. As I said, anything that happened before is forgotten.”
“Thank you so much, Lady St. John. I did so hate to ask, but as my husband is away, I truly did not wish to attend alone. George stated he was not welcome here, but I knew that could not be true. I hoped that it was not true.”
“And it isn’t,” Mary said.
“I am so relieved. I did think that perhaps Miss Hickstrom could accompany me in lieu of George, but when I sent a note around to the inn in the village yesterday, they said she was not a guest.”
“Oh! How odd. Then you haven’t seen her lately?”
“Miss Hickstrom? Why, yes, she came to call last week. I think it was right before George was to leave for London. We had a pleasant visit. Does she attend the ball?”
“I hope so,” Mary said.
“I do enjoy her visits so much, but she is a mysterious lady.”
“That she is,” Mary agreed.
Lady Georgianna rose. “I will keep you no longer. I am certain you have much to do. Thank you so much for your kindness. I am looking forward to the ball.”
“We look forward to seeing you and Halwell there,” Mary said, rising.
Rachel rose and curtsied. She watched Mary escort Lady Georgianna from the room, then sank down into a chair to await Mary’s return.
Mary slipped in and shut the door behind her.
“Well, Hickstrom strikes again,” she said with a grin. “So much for London!”
“I really didn’t think she could keep him from going, but she managed, didn’t she? I mean...she did all that, didn’t she? The horse, the carriage, the coachman and groom?”
“That would be my guess.”
“So Halwell wouldn’t go to London.”
“So Halwell wouldn’t go to London and would come to the ball.”
“Where nothing will happen,” Rachel said.
“I don’t know, Cinderella. Hickstrom is unpredictable.”
“I’m keeping my shoes on, just in case,” Rachel said with a laugh. She didn’t want to admit how lighthearted she suddenly felt at the knowledge that Halwell hadn’t left, that he was still in the vicinity, within a few miles of her—whether willingly or not. She didn’t want to admit any of that.
Mary laughed with her. “So Halwell is coming to the ball. I think I’m going to give you my ivory silk dress. Something else we bought in Paris. It has a rose lace overskirt that is so pretty. I haven’t worn it, so that’s fine. I’d rather you have it.”
“It sounds beautiful, thank you. What are you wearing?”
“I have a turquoise satin that I want to wear. Another honeymoon purchase.”
Rachel smiled.
“I think it’s probably time to eat right now,” Mary said, rising.
“It’s always time for you to eat lately.” Rachel laughed.
“I know!”
“Did you see Hickstrom to invite her to the ball?” Rachel asked as they left the drawing room.
“No, but you know she won’t be able to resist. Besides, she told you she would consider your request to leave after the ball. So she would have to show up for that, wouldn’t she?”
“Maybe.”
“I wonder what she’s got up her sleeve,” Mary murmured.
Rachel swallowed hard. “I have no idea. There is no way Halwell would have suddenly fallen in love with me over the intervening week, not if he didn’t have feelings for me before. That sort of thing only happens in fairy tales, right?”