A Bridge Through Time: (Time Travel) (11 page)

Nothing in her past life compared to this rush of feeling when catching sight of him as he entered a room. She had never really known love until she had met Jestyn.

Their attraction to each other was growing by the minute. Their fingers touched as she handed him objects to see or he handed them back. They had developed a need to be in constant touch with each other.

The thought of how they made any excuse for their arms or hands to touch that sent delicious shivers down her arms.

But where would this lead? Nowhere. Although she realized this she also knew that she would continue this way until the last minute she was allowed with him.

She was looking forward to their trip to Exeter, for at least there they would be away from the whispers that followed them wherever they went.

She may have to return her body to her dimension but her heart and her mind would stay with Jestyn.

CHAPTER 13

From the carriage window Jane glanced out at the wooded areas they went through on their way to Exeter and when their coachman stopped their carriage to get some water from a crystal stream, Jane pointed to a badger that was peeking at them from behind a stone embedded on the forest floor.

The place teemed with life and it was fragrant with plants that looked exotic to Jane. She and Jestyn got down to stretch their legs while Aunt Florinda continued her long nap.

“That’s bog myrtle,” Jestyn said as Jane stopped to admire a plant. “This forest must have many bogs for the unwary traveler who dares enter without the proper precautions.”

“And insects,” said Jane as she shoed insects away from her face.

“What’s that?” She asked Jestyn “those little white puffs?”

“That’s cotton grass,” Jestyn told her, and cut one stem for her. There was heather and bracken on the base of an ash and wildflowers among berry plants.

It was mid-afternoon when they arrived in Exeter even though they had left Lydford before dawn. Jane glanced at the silver gray River Exe that she had admired at another time, another age, and at the sumptuous cathedral with its twin Norman towers that she had visited with Cybil.

There was a cool nip in the air and it was fragrant with jasmine and honeysuckle as their carriage brushed by a mass of white jasmine and deep pink honeysuckle bushes on the side of the road. Jane extended her arm as the coach came to a halt and snapped a vine with fragrant jasmine and pressed them to her nose.

There were blackbirds and mourning doves circling and landing on the cathedral towers. The metallic gray of the day was giving way to pale sunshine from the silver-gold sun that peeked behind fat clouds.

The front of the cathedral was teeming with carriages and vendors hawking their wares above the din. It was amazing that just a few days ago she had maneuvered her rented car in the traffic of automobiles, trucks and motor bikes as she and Cybil had driven through Exeter, and along the quays where there was a wonderful view of the sea.

She stared at the different scene in stunned silence. The sky had been cerulean blue then and more than two hundred years into the future. Jane knew that when the sun managed to break away from the clouds that held it captive it would again turn the sky to that unique cerulean tone she had admired in her own time with Cybil.

“Well, we have arrived.” Jestyn’s voice cut across her thoughts. They both turned to Aunt Florinda, who was snoring quietly, her head cushioned against the velvet blue squabs of the carriage seat, her bonnet forming a pink halo around her kindly face.

“We better wake Aunt Florinda,” Jestyn added.

Jestyn then tapped his aunt’s shoulder gently. Eventually Aunt Florinda opened her large, pale blue eyes and for a moment seemed not to be aware of where she was.

“We have arrived at Exeter, Aunt,” said Jane.

Aunt Florinda smiled widely first at Jestyn and then at Jane. She then shook herself awake and gathered her cape close to her. Jestyn waited for his aunt to gather her reticule and helped her down from the carriage.

Both Jestyn and the coachman helped Jane down from the carriage, for her injured leg was not well enough to manage the carriage step, especially after the long hours in the carriage.

Once the driver left them to park the carriage and secure his own lodging, Jestyn led the ladies into the Blue Ridges Inn, a large, well-run establishment where he often stayed when he came to Exeter on business, which was often, and where he had a standing reservation. He had sent a message before, to add two more bedrooms.

Once inside the Blue Ridges Inn, Jestyn led Jane and Aunt Florinda to their rooms and left them to unpack their portmanteaus. Jestyn went to his room and then to have a few words with the proprietor.

The inn had a wonderful view of the wide river quays where there was now a lot of activity with the fishing boats bringing in their day’s hauls and scoops and clippers bringing in cargo. Jane gazed in wonder at the masses of masts and sheets, some tucked and some to the wind in preparation for taking to sea and sighed with pleasure. No matter what happened she would have this wonderful day with Jestyn to hold close to her heart.

The sun finally broke through the clouds and now cast a gold sheen everywhere it fell. The competing scents of fish, wet nets and old timber from the boats, and the abundant lilac and pine trees around the hotel made the air heady. A wide veranda in the back of the hotel faced the water and wicker chairs and tables were already filled up with groups of families and businessmen. Exeter was a busy commerce center, its main avenue and streets lit generously by gas lamps.

Jane had been eager to see Exeter in 1803 because she had seen it in 2015 and had read about it with great interest. Originally a Roman town, Exeter had been in different eras invaded by Saxons, Normans and Danes and had become a crucial battleground for religious and civil wars. The many cultural influences had left their marks on everything. Exeter was not only beautiful but it was also unique. No matter what her life brought, this town would always hold a place in her heart.

After they had all settled their belongings in their rooms, Jestyn helped Jane and his aunt to a snug private dining-room.

After a hearty lunch of asparagus bisque, fresh cod, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding, Jestyn went to attend to the business that had brought him to Exeter and Jane and Aunt Florinda spent a leisurely two hours shopping in the nearby shops.

Jane realized she wanted time to pass quickly so that Jestyn would return. And then there was no point in buying things she could not take back with her but she enjoyed shopping with Aunt Florinda and advising her when her opinion was sought, which Aunt Florinda often requested. Florinda insisted on buying Jane a bouquet of flowers for her bedroom and Jane thanked her with a kiss and a hug.

Finally, Jane’s eyes lit up as she heard Jestyn’s voice.

They settled with a leisurely early tea with Aunt Florinda.

“These scones are incredible,” said Jane, savoring a scone dripping with butter and strawberry jam.

“The meal we had earlier was wonderful too,” said Aunt Florinda. “I cannot abide meals at inns unless I am absolutely forced to them, but the food we had here was just as good as meals prepared by cook back home.”

“The wine was also very good,” said Jestyn and then after he and Jane had finished their tea, said tentatively, “You would not mind, Aunt, if Jane and I went for a stroll along the quay?” The edge of the water was just a few steps from the hotel.

“Of course not, my dear,” said Aunt Florinda, “You two go on down and amuse yourselves. My shopping outing with Jane tired me. I will take a very long and necessary nap.”

“I have been to Exeter more than a dozen times in my lifetime,” she added. “There is nothing here to interest me unless they moved the River Exe to a different location. That would indeed be something to see. I loved going to the quays as a child. She glanced out the window, “We do have a wonderful view.”

“You will be all right without us for a while, Aunt?” Jestyn asked.

“Of course, I will,” Aunt Florinda assured him, and added: “and if you also want to go sightseeing feel free to do so, my dears.” She then kissed each in turn.

“I need long naps after long journeys and big meals. Be sure to take Jane to the Mols Coffee House, Jestyn,” she added. “That’s my favorite, my dear,” she said turning to Jane.”

“When I return to my time I’ll have to drag Cybil with me to see if the Mols Coffee Shop is still there,” Jane said to Jestyn.

“Don’t talk about that, please,” Jestyn disliked any talk of Jane leaving. “Aunt Florinda and I don’t want you to leave for a long time, do we, Aunt?”

“We certainly don’t,” agreed Aunt Florinda. “You could live here just as well as in the Colonies, my dear.” She pressed Jane’s hand warmly. “You are well loved here, my sweet.”

“Thank you, Aunt,” said Jane. She had given up on correcting people when they said “colonies” instead of The United States, for it was a useless endeavor.

Jestyn kissed his aunt. “I might also take Jane to have ices at that small confectioner place close to Mols.”

“I suppose you mean Broderick’s, my dear,” said Aunt Florinda. “Do try the royal cream ice, it is absolutely delicious.”

As they left, Jane turned back from the door to look at Aunt Florinda. Aunt Florinda winked at Jane. The old dear!

“Lock the door, dear, and don’t open to anyone but us.” Jestyn said to her and he and Jane did not leave until they heard the click of the lock.

Jane and Jestyn then left the inn and went to stroll along the river quay.

“Your Aunt Florinda is a sweet lady,” said Jane.

“She’s also a match-maker,” Jestyn replied with a wide grin. “Too bad her match-making powers do not span two different ages.”

Jestyn found a secluded inlet and he and Jane sat on a rock enclosure. It was late afternoon and people had abandoned the quays to see to their supper.

“I will always remember this moment,” Jane said as they gazed at the blue gray water and the lowering clouds. The sun had turned the light into burnished gold and silver that to Jane seemed magical.

“I have never been as happy as I am with you, darling.” Jestyn ran his index finger up along her neck and chin and came to rest on her lips. Jane kissed his finger, slowly, and felt his touch in a tightening of her stomach and weakening of her legs. With her hand she pressed his finger against her lips until it touched her tongue. She felt Jestyn’s sharp breath intake as they moved instinctively together.

A couple of rough seamen hauling nets approached them. Jane and Jestyn jerked apart as the men stopped their walk and stared at Jane in a leering way.

“Come, Jane,” said Jestyn, his arm protectively around her as he led her back along the quay.

“Every time I come to Exeter I have coffee at Mols,” said Jestyn as Jane held on to his arm. “As Aunt Florinda said, they have the best coffee in Exeter. Later on we could have ices at Brodericks. They may not be as famous as those found in London but their ices are just as good.”

Once at Mols, Jestyn and Jane settled to a leisurely cup of coffee with crumpets and talked for over half an hour. They both felt the little time they had left to be with each other fleeting.

“The shields are very impressive – and so heavy looking,” said Jane. She glanced at the paneled walls and read the different plaques under the warrior shields. “Is that really Sir Walter Raleigh’s shield?”

“Yes it is,” said Jestyn. “Mols is an ancient coffeehouse that has been here forever.”

There was a nice view of the river and they both gazed at the water for a few moments, in silence, enjoying each other’s company. The place was almost empty.

“Each time we are some place,” Jane said leaning toward him, “the thought that we are to go to another place after it gives me a warm feeling, like the thought that we are to go to Broderick’s next. But then I think of the time when there will not be a next place I will be going to with you. I cannot bear the grief that brings me.”

Jestyn moved his hand closer to Jane’s so that their fingers touched, discreetly, protected by the overhanging blossoms of a low bowl of roses on the table. Sparks of pleasure quivered along Jane’s arm with the contact and she looked into Jestyn’s eyes, unshed tears making her sparkling blue eyes even brighter. Their legs, under the long tablecloth, also touched.

“Don’t think of that for now, darling,” Jestyn said quickly and asked, “what are ices called in your time?”

“They’re called ice cream, and there are hundreds of flavors, world-wide.”

Would she ever drink coffee or eat ice cream in her time without recalling these moments?

“What’s your favorite flavor?” Jestyn asked.

“Well, I have several – chocolate, vanilla and strawberry are at the very top. But there’s hundreds of flavors now, even bacon and avocado.”

“Even through the ages, those three hold up pretty good, don’t they?” Jestyn asked with a laugh.

“Children love flavors like Rocky Road, Chocolate Chip, Cookie Dough…”

“Rocky Road? I could bet that would have been a favorite with Cedric and me when we were children. What is it made of?”

“Marshmallows, walnuts – something like that.”

“Maybe I’ll reinvent it now and give it to my nephews and nieces as a birthday surprise.”

“How tall is the tallest building in the world?” Jestyn asked.

“I don’t know exactly – probably a hundred and twenty-five stories. It’s in Thailand or Malaysia. I’m not sure of that, either. Some reporter, huh?”

“Some beautiful reporter,” Jestyn said.