Forever Knight: Thornton Brothers Time Travel (A Thornton Brothers Time Travel Romance Book 2) (20 page)

“I’m sorry you lost your parents, but I’m really happy you found someone who completes you.”

Anna took Elizabeth’s hand. “What about you? Robert is very smitten with you.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. We have had an incredibly rocky journey. Did I tell you what happened when I first came through?” She took a big bite of the tart, finished off the cup of wine, then sat back and told Anna the whole story. How she’d woken up in Robert’s bed, which she thought was her bed. How they’d taken an instant dislike to each other.
 

She caught Anna up on everything, from Robert using her as the prize in a wager like he would a book or a car, all the way to him coming to rescue her. And him explaining why. Trying to make up for being such a pigheaded jerk. When she finished, she sat back, emotionally exhausted.

“We’ve talked about me staying, but after all I’ve been through, I still have a few lingering questions. Not about staying here, but about my relationship with him.”

“The Thornton brothers are all stubborn,” Anna said. “It takes them time to come around. But he cares for you. In fact, I think he loves you, based on how he has acted. Especially when another man showed interest, like Connor did.”

Anna told her all about the Merriweather sisters and how Lucy came through first.

“I still can’t believe there are five of us. I’m dying to meet them.”

“They are all totally Southern and fantastic. The expressions that come out of their mouths always make me laugh. I know you’ll like them. They made me feel so welcome when I met them.”

Elizabeth tucked the blanket more tightly around her. “Don’t you wish we’d paid more attention in history?”

Anna laughed. “You have no idea. But then I wonder if it would matter. Can you really change the past? And if we were back in our own time, would we want to know the future?”

Elizabeth shrugged. “I believe knowledge is helpful, so I think I’d like to know. Though I wouldn’t want to know the date of my death or my loved ones’ deaths.”

She sat up, the blanket falling to the floor. “If I stay, I’ll live through the black plague. I just cannot imagine.”

“I can’t either, but this is where knowledge is good. We can help by making sure there are cats to catch the rats. Making sure everyone washes their hands. And when we know it’s spreading, we try to keep people on the estates. We can only do the best we can.”

Elizabeth clapped her hands together. “It’s going to be a grand adventure.”

“Don’t you want to go back?”
 

“No. Remember I told you about my parents? I haven’t seen them in ages, and they have no plans to come back to the U.S. for the foreseeable future. They would think this was the best trip in the entire universe, and I have to agree. The opportunity to live in another time, it’s just fantastic. I want to make the most of every day I’m here. Did I tell you what I want to do?”

The rest of the day passed as Elizabeth told Anna about Radford and the women on his estate. How she wanted to help women in general. It was growing late when Featherton stuck his head in the door. “Supper is served, ladies.”

Elizabeth stood and stretched. “I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”

Robert listened to his brothers talk as they caught him up on their lives and what was happening at court.

“Radford is on the outs with the king.”

“Serves him right, the bloody bastard.”

“Ye should have run him through when you had the chance,” Connor added.

Edward had grudgingly agreed to take him across the border. The Scot stood. “I will take my leave.”

When he was gone, Edward narrowed his eyes. “Out with it, whelp. Tell us why you would not allow your own family at Highworth.”

Robert took a deep breath and told them everything. “I did not know he would go to court and reveal the location of the keep. The people you swore to keep safe died because of me. There is so much blood on my hands that I know you could never forgive me. So much betrayal that I could not face you, brother. I cannot ask for your forgiveness but know it is good to see you.”

Edward rolled his eyes but let John speak. “Many did make it to Blackmoor. You speak of betrayal, yet my actions cost our family everything. I allowed all of you to think me dead rather than see the disappointment in your faces.” He clapped Robert on the shoulder. “You could not have known what would happen.” John looked to Edward. “And our brother has always been one to boast.”

Edward grinned. “Aye, but perhaps he is ready to settle down?”

“Yes, Robert. Settle down and take a bride.” John raised the cup to Robert. “A future girl makes a wonderful bride, though she will vex you until the end of your days.”

Edward pouted. “Now three of my brothers will have future girls. What will Christian and I do? ’Tis too bad Elizabeth is an only child.”

Relief swept through Robert. John had forgiven him. He cursed himself for treating Elizabeth so terribly, for not talking to John sooner, and for doubting his brother would forgive him. It seemed he had much to learn. Robert knew he wanted to spend the rest of his days learning how to be a better man with a future girl who had arrived with hair the color of the evening sky by his side. Elizabeth was the only woman for him. The woman he would love, forever and a day.

Edward clapped Robert on the shoulder. “Send her with me. We all know I could woo her better, and she would prefer me as the smartest, most handsome brother. Not to mention the richest.”

“Forget it. Thank you for coming.” Robert pulled his brother into a hug, glad he was not so serious today. “You are going to visit Christian?”

Edward looked to the sky, judging the weather. “Aye. Come along and bring your lady.”

“Nay,” Robert said. “Elizabeth and I have much to discuss—besides, she might leave me for Christian.”

Connor clapped Robert on the back. “If she wouldn’t leave you for me, she won’t have any other.”

Elizabeth and Anna had their heads close together, whispering to each other. His lady hugged Anna tight. “I’m going to miss you terribly. Be careful traveling, and I promise I’ll see you again soon.”

Anna whispered in her ear, “I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other again soon and you’ll be my sister-in-law.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. It seems awfully sudden.”

“You’ll find out that once a Thornton decides what he wants, he single-mindedly goes after it. And Robert knows he wants you. My guess is you’ll be married within the month.”

“Are you talking about marriage?” John pulled his wife to him, ignoring the jeers of his brothers as he kissed her soundly. Elizabeth was gratified to see the love between the two of them.

“I was just telling Elizabeth that I think her wedding will be the next one we attend, husband.”

John grinned at them. “My wife is always right, so I welcome you to the family now, Elizabeth.” He kissed her on the cheek. “You are too good for Robert. The lout doesn’t deserve you. We’ve been here for a fortnight and I haven’t seen him lost in his cups any of those nights. I’ve even seen him out speaking with his tenants. Be good to him, Elizabeth. He has a tender heart, as much as he pretends otherwise.”

“I will. Sometimes we hide behind our words. I have done the same.”

“Take your hands off my lady.” Robert pushed John out of the way. “Thank you again for coming.” ’Twas difficult to speak; mayhap he had swallowed a bug. “For everything.”

“We Thorntons may not be perfect, but we are brothers, always. And family is there for you no matter what. Don’t ever stop speaking to us again, hear me?”

Robert held Elizabeth close, not wanting to let her go. “You see? My older brothers are terribly bossy. Wait until you meet Christian. He is not bossy at all.”

Edward walked toward them, talking to Connor. “No wedding before we depart?”

“I would like time to ask her first.”

Edward rolled his eyes. “Whatever. We welcome you to our family, Elizabeth. In the spring you can meet Henry and his wife. And, of course, her sisters. I know you will have much to speak of.”

“Will you be safe at your castle? Robert said you live close to the border, and I worry about the war.”

Edward rocked back on his heels. “Never fear, lady. My castle is formidable. The walls have never been breached.” He embraced Robert. “If you ever ignore us again, I might actually run you through.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

Connor held up his hands. “As much as I enjoy a good brawl, we should go.” He made a face at Edward. “I cannot believe you’re making me ride inside the carriage like a mere woman.”

John laughed. “We must keep you hidden. Be happy he did not ask you to dress as a woman.”

Connor pointed at Elizabeth. “I will not forget, lady. ’Twas your idea for me to dress as a woman.”

A giggle escaped. “I’m just picturing you in a dress. But you have to admit, it would have been a good disguise.”

He made that particularly Scottish noise in the back of his throat and climbed into the carriage. Anna climbed in after him and then John. When he caught Robert’s look, he held out his hands. “Think you I would leave the Scot alone in a carriage with my wife?”

Robert laughed. “You hear that, Connor?”

From the carriage came the deep burr. “She is lovely. Why don’t future girls appear in Scotland?”

Anna’s words were lost as John growled and shut the door. As the carriage rolled away, Robert saw the sadness on her face.
 

“Missing your parents?”

She sniffed. “And my friends, but it will all work out. Think what an adventure I’ll have.”
 

“Come inside by the fire and let me kiss you senseless.”

“I would like nothing more.”

Robert wound the brown strands of Elizabeth’s hair though his fingers. He could still see pieces that were faintly purple. “Your hair is a beautiful brown. The color of leaves in autumn. I’m glad you no longer cover it up. Every time I see you, I want to touch your hair and your beautiful skin.”

Elizabeth pulled the piece of fabric from her hair, letting the ponytail fall.
 

He touched the ribbon. “The pink is the same color as your cheeks when you blush. Just as you are now, my love.”

“I’ll leave my hair down, but I’m keeping your gift with me at all times.” As she went to tuck it in the pouch at her waist, she stopped, frowning.

“Is aught amiss?”

“This has to be the same one. Remember I told you I found a scrap of fabric the night I ended up in your bed?”

He nodded. And cold dread swept through him at the look on her face. Before he could stop her, she pulled the brooch he had given her off the dress. Pricked her finger and touched the ribbon. The very air in the room seemed to still. The flames in the fireplace stopped moving. And Robert held his breath, waiting.

“Guess that’s that. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

Robert hauled her onto his lap. “Don’t ever do that again. You scared me to death.”

“I had to know. I think you have to want to go back.”

Robert thought of everything he knew about traveling through time. “What about the storm? There is no storm today.”