Anya still couldn’t believeshe’d agreed to this. She should never have allowed him to persuade her. Lord Blackthorn was not the reason she’d come to Weston. He waylaid her and distracted her from her true intentions. She should have gone in search of Lady Vivian again, but had reluctantly awaited the marquess in the foyer as he’d instructed before they departed the night. If he didn’t make an appearance soon, she’d go with her first instinct and locate Lady Vivian, but she had to at least attempt to be patient.
She tapped her foot against the floor, belying her ability to remain anything remotely serene. Anya would never be able to disguise her pique and anxiety, and she had no particular desire to do so. Where was Lord Blackthorn? She blew out an exasperated breath and headed for the door. She couldn’t take it anymore. Standing in the foyer reminded her too much of the embassy and the restrictions set on Anastasia. She had no wish to relive any of that experience. She opened the door and stepped one foot out.
“Are you in a hurry?” Lord Blackthorn asked in an affable tone.
Anya froze in the doorway, her hand still firmly clutched around the handle. He had rotten bloody timing. She eased her grip, let go of the doorknob and turned toward him. “My lord,” she greeted him formally. “I suspected you decided upon a different engagement and chose to do so myself. My apologies for my presumption. Do you still wish to spend the day with me?”Please say no.She feared what the outcome of the day might prevail upon her. Something deep inside of her dreaded it.
“I must insist you not speak formally with me. Nomy lords, orLord Blackthorn. I prefer Matt, but if that is too personal, then Mathias.” His lips tilted upward into a wicked smile that sent every one of her nerve endings all aflutter. “We are not two souls forced into propriety because of nineteenth century standards. It is the twentieth century. I do believe we can loosen the rules a little.”
When he put it like that… “All right, we can use our given names. It is a little ridiculous, I suppose. Please call me Anya then.”
“Thank you,” he paused a moment and then said her name in a much softer tone, “Anya.” That made her all aflutter again. What was it about him saying her name that made her want to move closer, touch him, and so much more. She barely restrained herself from acting upon the urge. “Now, shall we go?” He closed the distance between them and then held out his arm to her. Slowly, she looped her arm with his and allowed him to escort her outside.
“What have you planned for us?”
“We’re not doing anything extravagant.” His tone was jovial as he spoke. “I do hope you don’t find that disappointing. I thought we’d spend the day here on the grounds. There is much I’d like to show you, and even more I’d like to tell you, if you’ll allow it.”
“I agreed to spend the day with you. I’m not about to go back on my word now.” She tilted her chin upward. “As long as you’re not untoward, that is.”
“I promise I won’t do anything that you don’t agree to. I’d never take advantage of you.”
Anya believed him. He’d been proper at every turn. The only thing he did against propriety was to insist on using their given names, and that was more normal today than it used to be once upon a time. “All right,” she said. “I am all aquiver with eagerness at your plans. Do proceed.” She didn’t try to hide her lack of enthusiasm from her tone. Anya was a little bit curious, but that didn’t mean she had to give in to it. Some things were better not known. She learned that lesson the hard way in a dream that was probably a reality she couldn’t shake.
“You will be,” he said. “But I understand that you’re uncertain of everything right now.”
He led her away from the house and they walked toward the cliffs. She didn’t know anything about the Weston estate. When she arrived, she hadn’t taken the time to look at her surroundings. It was beautiful. The sky was a mix of blue and purple, and she wanted to go to the edge to see the water below. That might be a little insane considering how much she hated heights, but she’d be willing to bet it was a gorgeous view.
“Our family’s history is long and winding, like most families with our background,” Mathias began. “You understand, considering your father is the Earl of Parkdale.”
“I do,” she confirmed. There were many portraits at her family estate outlining her heritage. “Where are you going with this?”
He pointed to the cliffs. “One of my ancestors fell from that cliff.” He turned to her and smiled. “She traveled through time, and then married James Kendall, the Duke of Weston that lived in 1815.”
“Is that so?” It sounded fantastical to her. If he believed that, then it was possible that he might actually consider her story to be factual. “Do you expect me to believe that?”
“I do,” he said. “Because it’s the truth. In time, we’re supposed to conceal that truth so one of my descendants is unaware of it. His lack of knowledge is essential to ensuring my ancestor does everything exactly the same so that we all exist. It’s a weird paradox you see, because she’s from the future.”
“Uh huh,” Anya didn’t believe it for one second. “Why are we heading toward the cliffs.” Why would he think she might? He couldn’t possibly know about the dream she had about traveling back in time and inhabiting another person’s body. Could he? If he believed a person could feel another’s emotions or have visions, then anything was possible. With that line of thought, her experience could have actually happened to her as well. Mind boggling really…
“So we can go down to the beach.”
She gasped. Had she heard him correctly? “Do you plan on jumping then?” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Or push me?”
He chuckled. “I promised I wouldn’t harm you. We’re going down to the beach by less suicidal means; though I must warn you, the path can be slippery. I’ll protect you as best I can. Are you willing to take that risk?”
Anya sighed. She’d already died in a dream; how much worse could this be? “I am,” she agreed. He was a fount of knowledge, but she wasn’t certain she understood why he imparted some of it. Perhaps, as the day went on, she’d uncover the truth. So she followed him down the path to the beach below, ready for anything.
