“I think the second time was when Clement Grey, his ancestor, tried to kill me by drowning me in the cistern on top of Blackford. I was saved by a raven.”
A look passed between the sisters, and Ashley made a note to ask about the raven later. She was afraid that if she asked now, they’d go off on another tangent and she’d never hear all the time-travel stories. What would be a five-minute story to a New Yorker was an hour or more to a Southerner.
“And we know it worked,” Melinda said. “Because when I went to the castle, the people in the village said there hasn’t been a Lord Blackford since the 1500s. And they were named Brandon, not Grey. The last Lord Blackford was named Winston Brandon, and he died in 1564. The castle went to the National Trust.”
Her hand trembled as she lifted the cup. “Winston was our dad’s name. Simon believed that if he killed me, he would be free of the financial drain of the castle and able to enjoy his money. Of course, at the time I didn’t know I was a Brandon because I was a Merriweather.”
“The jerk sent a hitman after Melinda and I,” Charlotte said. “And when we came through, it was twenty years after Lucy.”
“It’s true,” Lucy said. “I came through in 1307. And from all of our stories, I’m the only one who came through earlier than the rest of you.”
Anna wiped her eye. “It’s because William was meant for you and was waiting. You came through when you needed to.”
Ashley sipped the tea, letting it warm her from inside. “You were either brave or crazy to go through with the fake wedding.”
“I know, right? But you know, he could be so charming, I swear that man could convince a tiger to go vegan. So I went along with it, thinking it was a way to end things on a good note. Who would’ve known the guy would drug the champagne? I still miss that sparkly blue shoe.”
“Well, I think it’s poetic justice that he came through time with you and was smashed to death on the rocks. Dead as a doornail,” Melinda said.
“You have to make sure you start rumors about this curse. Have your children and their children tell their descendants, and make sure it happens on the Grey side too.” Ashley took another sip of tea. “Because could you imagine if somehow the curse was forgotten and lost over time? Would Lucy suddenly disappear?”
“I don’t think so,” Elizabeth said. “I think this is her new reality, and somehow it’s already done, so even if someone forgot it, she would find out another way or go back another way.”
Ashley held up her cup. “I think we need to switch to wine.”
CHAPTER 25
Charlotte wascareful not to slip on the icy patches as she made her way across the battlements. Looked like it was going to be a rough winter. Were the severe climate changes and storms continuing to worsen at home? The summers had been hotter, with terrible flooding and hurricanes, and she hoped it had gotten better, that people had woken up and made changes to leave a world for their children.
She was staring at the ice on the trees when she heard a sound she hadn’t heard in a very long time. A raven was flying low and close. One of the guards crossed himself and prayed as the big black bird almost clipped the guy.
The raven flew so close that she could see the iridescent feathers, and as it passed, the bird dropped something. She reached out without thinking to catch it. It was some kind of chain. When she opened her hand, a sob escaped, her vision blurred from the tears streaming down her face. How was it possible? She thought she’d never see it again.
Aunt Pittypat’s necklace. Charlotte shielded her eyes, the chain dangling as she yelled, “Thank you, Aunt Pittypat. I love you.”
The guard moved away, crossing himself again, but she didn’t care. She ran through the corridors to the solar, shouting for her sisters.
Lucy opened the door, a look of alarm on her face. “What’s the matter? We heard you yelling.”
Charlotte could hardly speak, she was crying so hard. The charms sparkled in the light as she held up the necklace. After she’d blown her nose and wiped the tears away, she was able to tell them.
“Remember the ravens?” She looked to Melinda and Lucy. “Now I know. It had to be something to do with Aunt Pittypat. I don’t know if she’s up above watching over us, or somehow she was reincarnated as a damn raven, but one thing I know for sure: this has to be her doing. I’m so sorry I lost it in the well.” Charlotte was crying again, holding out the necklace to her sisters.
Melinda took it and dropped it in her hand. “The raven gave it to you. It’s yours.”
“Are you going to tell us the story?” Ashley said.
Charlotte held the necklace up. “I had it last, so let me start.”
After that emotionaldisplay this morning, Ashley had decided she had to tell Christian the truth if there was any hope the two of them might have a future together, and if not, at least she’d tried. She found him in the lists.
“Would you walk with me?”
He kissed her hand under the watchful eye of his brothers.
“Shall we come along, Ashley? Make sure our brother is comporting himself as a knight should?” Robert called out.
She was about to answer when Christian scowled. “The lady wishes to have speech with me. We do not want you lot loitering about.”
