“But no Cora?”
“Not yet, miss.” Lulu lifted a dressing gown from a settee. “Aunt Nellie will be here soon to answer your questions.”
“Oh, then let’s get with it,” Reese said, anxious for an explanation.
The maid had only just put a dressing gown over Reese’s shoulders when Aunt Nellie entered the room. She glanced at the empty cup on the tray.
“Good,” she said. “You look much better, Miss Hamilton.”
“Why good?” Reese asked, wary. “Because I won’t freak out as much now?”
“In part.” Aunt Nellie seemed amused, with the hint of a twinkle in her eyes.
It irritated Reese. She wanted a serious response, and Nellie’s whole demeanor made it seem like she thought this was a great joke. Reese narrowed her eyes, fragments of comments the woman had made when they first got here coming back. That unexpected guests had arrived had been no surprise. Thenumberof the guests had. So, it seemed her hostess had done this before. Maybe many times.
“When do I get to see Kaitlyn and Cyrus?”
“Lulu has informed you of their arrival. Very good.” Nellie said. “Please sit so your maid can finish your toilette. Your friends will also attend the dinner, though you will not be seated near each other. They are also being dressed, so you may not have time to discuss your little adventure before dinner, but the ball should provide ample opportunities to speak with them then.”
“Still no Cora?” When Nellie shook her head, Reese added, “Is there any way to find out what happened to her? Do people ever get stuck in the process of traveling through time?”
“No, they do not ‘get stuck,’ as you call it. You may not know until you return home, but—” Nellie raised her hands, “you mentioned standing in a group when the magic caught you. Your other friend might yet arrive here.” She studied Reese, her expression turning more serious, like she was trying to figure out the best approach. Nellie finally nodded. “I believe you to be a forthright woman, am I correct?”
“Very.” Reese was so done with the deflections. “So, cut to the chase. How can we possibly be in 1850?”
“You and your friends were brought here by faerie magic,” Nellie said simply.
Reese blinked, her thoughts scattering in different directions, one part reminding her that the servants had mentioned magic earlier and another screaming there was no such thing.
Her heart rate sped up, but it seemed to reach a limit and slowed down. She put her hand over her heart, reminded of the antidepressant she’d had to take for a few months in high school. It had kept her from feeling any extreme emotion. The logical part of Reese’s mind said it must be the tea keeping her from overreacting. She was glad she’d taken it. Otherwise, she might already have run screaming from the room.
“I am a guardian for ancient fae ley lines,” Nellie continued. “Twickenham Manor was constructed over them as a way to protect against periodic releases of magic. They occur during a full moon. Unfortunately, if people are in the right place when these releases happen, they are moved through time. In the case of you and your friends, you were brought here to 1850.”
Reese sank onto the dressing table chair, wishing Jem were there. He would make a joke about it. Maybe when they got back home— She straightened abruptly.
“Youcansend us back, can’t you?” she asked.
“Oh, yes, but not straight away.” Nellie said, her positive attitude for once not an irritation. “It has to do with the painting you saw of yourselves—that I will now have to create.”
“Youpainted that?”
“Iwill. And, once I have a match for the future painting, when the magic releases at the next full moon—if you are in position—it will return you to your own time.”
“I can’t be gone for a month.” Reese put her hands to her cheeks. “My mother will freak out.”
“Have no fear. You will return to almost the exact moment that you left.” Nellie gave a mischievous grin, her playful side back. “Your family need know nothing of your little adventure here.”
Reese closed her eyes. The next full moon. They were stuck here for a month. It would be the Regency immersion vacation, times four. And for real.
“You and your friends,” Nellie continued, “will be introduced as rich Americans looking to marry into the English aristocracy.”
“What?” Reese stood, standing as straight as she could so she towered over Nellie and Lulu. “I’mnotlooking for a husband, and I’m not rich.”
“You will not be here long, so that is irrelevant,” Nellie said with finality. “It merely gives you status and a way to interact with the Quality. I have done this many times quite successfully.”
“Aunt Nellie has a knack for helping to make love matches,” Lulu said enthusiastically.
Nellie shot the girl a quelling look.
