Across the Ages (Across the Ages Book One) (11 page)

As soon as Lucy reached the inner walls of the bathroom, Ingrid closed the door. “Hurry. Mr. William Godwin isn’t one to be kept waiting.”

Lucy hadn’t known Will long, but had a feeling Ingrid spoke the truth. “Right.” She went to work removing her towel. Slid on the panties—she liked them. Then the bra—loved it! They gave her cleavage without all the discomfort of a corset. The jeans were slightly too long and too roomy around the middle, but by Providence they were comfortable. As were the tank top and the jacket. She felt light as a feather.

But the shoes? They were a different story. Where the clothing was comfortable, the shoes reminded her of walking on tiny stilts. She walked back and forth in front of the mirror and nearly fell over four times before stopping in front of the bathroom door. She opened it, nervous about what Ingrid would think.

The maid clapped happily. “You look amazing.” She lifted the edge of the tank top, pulled on the waistband of the jeans and said, “These are a size too big as are the tank and the jacket. But the shoes fit beautifully.” She brought Lucy over to a wooden chair tucked under the counter and had her sit. “Take off the jacket.”

Lucy removed it, hanging it on the back of the chair while Ingrid went to work on her hair. “I’m going to put a French braid in your hair.” She finished Lucy’s hair and then allowed Lucy to see.

“I love it.”

“Excellent. Now for some makeup.” Ingrid pulled out some powder and brushed it over Lucy’s face. She ran a little over Lucy’s eyelids and put some lash tint on her eyes. Then she used a strange little comb on Lucy’s brows and touched a brush to her cheekbones. “All that’s left is lip gloss and you’re good to go.” Ingrid swiped a wand over Lucy’s lips. “Have a look.”

Lucy peered in the mirror and was pleasantly surprised. The dark tint of her lashes highlighted the violet of her eyes, her cheekbones stood out and her lips were glossy. “It’s wonderful.”

Ingrid beamed. “I’m glad you like it, Miss Channing.” She helped Lucy put her jacket back on. “Now you’d better get downstairs.”

Lucy took a couple of steps and then stopped. “I’m not sure about these shoes. I may fall.”

Ingrid came over and placed a hand on Lucy’s lower abdomen. “Keep your stomach in tight, take smaller steps, walk heel to toe, and take as many sitting breaks as possible,” she said.

Lucy repeated Ingrid’s rules over and over in her head as she made her way to the stairs. Glancing over the rail she saw Will texting on his smart phone. He glanced up just as she started down. His brows scrunched together as Lucy grabbed hold of the railing and made it down without killing herself. She smiled.

“Hi,” Will said, smiling back. “You look hot.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I actually feel quite fine,” Lucy said, wondering if she were perspiring. She didn’t feel like she was.

“You’re that too.” He glanced at her feet. “But those heels. They won’t do.” As he spoke he bent down and lifted her over his shoulder.

Lucy squealed with shock. “Mr. Godwin, what are you doing?”

He started back up the stairs. “We’re going to be walking all over New York today. I won’t have you whining about your feet five minutes after we start.”

When he reached the landing he stopped and took a deep breath. Ingrid was just coming out of Lucy’s bedroom with the dirty clothes. “Is there something I can help you with?”

He pushed past Ingrid into the bedroom and then set Lucy on the bed. Her cheeks were flushed red as ripened cherries. “Apologies, Lucy.”

She fumed, ready to give him a stern talking to. But he spoke before she could.

“Mind if I take these off?” He knelt in front of her, one knee up so he could place her foot on his thigh. He was amazed by how beautiful she was. He’d loved her in the blue dress last night, but seeing her in faded skinny jeans allowed him to admire all her curves. She was slight, even smaller than he’d suspected.

“No,” Lucy replied, her heart racing rapidly. The whole scenario was highly unsuitable. If her mother knew, she’d demand Will marry her immediately.

He undid the gold buckle on the side of her foot. His fingers brushed against her bare feet, making her skin tingle white hot. Electric shocks of pleasure rushed low in her belly. His eyes, so blue it was like staring into the ocean, never left hers.

“Now the other.” He gently lifted her bare foot off his thigh and brought up her other. “What kind of shoe do you normally wear?”

“It depends on the occasion.” She swallowed. “If we are to be walking then probably ankle boots in leather would be what I’d choose.”

Will finished taking off her other shoe, picked them both up and went into her closet.

When he came back he held a pair of brown leather ankle boots and a pair of stockings the color of her tank. “Let’s try these.” He got down on one knee again, placed the boots on the floor, pulled apart the stockings and slid one over each foot. They were soft, thick cotton. Lucy wanted to sigh. His hands touching her feet felt like nothing she would’ve believed possible. Her body was humming at full throttle. “If I tie these too tight, tell me,” he said, sliding the first boot on and tying it. “How’s that?”

“Good,” she tried to say said but nothing came out. She cleared her throat. “Lovely,” she answered.

He smiled. Picked up her other foot and put the other boot on. After he finished, he stood and reached out a hand. She stood, their bodies in such close proximity, she could smell his scent. It was clean, like birch and apples. “Better?” he asked, taking a step back.

She moved around him with great relief. “Yes. These will do nicely.” She studied her feet, wiggling her toes. “Thank you, Mr. Godwin.”

Will came to stand in front of her. He lifted her chin. “If we’re going to be sightseeing buddies, you’re gonna have to call me Will.” She tried to look away, but he held firm. “Please.”

“All right,” she agreed. It was obviously the custom of the time.

“Fantastic.” He abruptly moved away to the door and was gone before she realized what happened.

Blinking rapidly, she raced after him, enjoying the full freedom of her jeans.

NINETEEN

FIFTH AVENUE

WILL AND
Lucy took a limo into New York City. Lucy kept her gaze out the window, still mesmerized by the quickness with which the world sped by. The sensation filled her with excitement. Especially since she’d had a night to ponder all she’d learned. There was still fear, but not nearly so strong as when she first arrived. She also felt better knowing that she would only be here another six days. Then she’d go back to her time.

If she chose to time travel again it would be because she wanted to and because she understood what she was doing. Her grandmother had said the amulet would bring her to her true love. It didn’t seem to have worked quite that way. But it had brought her to her grandfather. That in and of itself was worth the trip. She’d known him for such a short time, but already she adored him.

And William Godwin? She wasn’t sure what to think of him. He’d done a kind deed, helping her in the park. He was handsome and her grandfather seemed to think highly of him. But he certainly couldn’t be her true love. The idea made her want to laugh out loud. If asked to choose between Dashel and Will, she would’ve chosen Dashel without hesitation.

“How you doing?” Will asked.

She turned to face him.

His words felt insincere, but there was a gentleness in his tone that surprised her. Lucy decided to be honest. “I’ve ridden a horse and been inside a carriage. But this?” She stomped her foot on the floor. “It’s beyond what I could’ve imagined. Absolutely incredible.”

Will chuckled. “I bet.”

The driver stopped on Fifth Avenue in front of a store called FAO Schwarz. Two men dressed in red jackets with double breasted gold buttons, and black pants with gold trim running down the outside pant seam stood on either side of the glass door. It looked like the whole building was made of glass. Lucy didn’t think that could possibly be safe. But no one seemed concerned. Most people barely acknowledged the store or the men standing at attention in front of it. They just rushed by, as though they had someplace to be and were late getting there.

Will took Lucy’s hand and pulled her toward the entrance. “Wait until you see what’s inside.”

Lucy’s heart sped up at the touch of his hand against hers. She didn’t know how to explain the feeling, but she’d seen lightning shoot across the sky, and it reminded her of that. “Mr. Godwin.” She pulled her hand from his. “You’re being wildly inappropriate again.”

Will chuckled, giving her a smug smile. “True.”

Her breath hitched and she had to fight the urge to clasp her hands over her heart. Until that very moment, it’d appeared a meaningless gesture only silly girls were apt to do. Not anymore. In a way she felt relief. She wasn’t broken after all. She was capable of feeling.

“Good day, sir,” she said to one of the men in the red jackets standing to the right of the entrance. She was about to stick out her hand as was customary, but Will pulled her past them.

“Excuse me. Where are your manners? Introductions are expected.” Lucy glowered at Will.

“Those men are employees, hired help. Their job is to stand there and look like toy soldiers, nothing more.” He pulled her aside.

Lucy wanted to respond with a sharp comeback but was utterly overwhelmed the moment she walked inside the shop. The music and bright colors seemed to come from everywhere all at once. She closed her eyes.

“What are you doing, Lucy? Open your eyes. Look around. Unless you’re too grown up for this store.” Will sounded disappointed. His hands briefly touched her elbows before they were gone. But he was still close. His proximity set her on fire.

She sucked in her breath and allowed her eyes to blink open. “It’s all so unbelievable.” Her mind didn’t know how to take in what she was seeing.

The store itself was white, with an angled recurring pattern. The walls not covered with windows were white as well. Row after row of shelves were filled with strange packages. Directly in front of her was a tall thing with square eyes and a square body. Inside its body was row after row of the same type of thing, only smaller. It said Rockin’ Robot on the packaging.

“This is a toy store. Everything you see was created for children.” The excitement in his voice led Lucy to believe the toys were for more than just adolescents. His excitement was contagious.

“It’s amazing, Will. You have no idea. But I’m...” She was confused. Why would he bring her to a toy store? Did he think she was still a child? As she looked around she couldn’t help but want to figure out how everything worked. The word extraordinary came to mind.

“Confused,” he finished for her, stealing her exact word.

“Well, yes.” She touched the Rockin’ Robot now that it’d stopped moving. The material was hard and unfamiliar. “Not in a bad way,” she added.

“Let me show you,” Will said, moving around the gigantic Rockin’ Robot display and disappearing.

Lucy yelped, following after him. He hadn’t gone far. She walked past dolls that looked like adults with thick paint on their eyes, and wore barely any clothes. Then she went past strange animals with big eyes that opened and closed, their bodies painted vibrant colors.

Will turned to the left and headed down an aisle with strange things on the front. He stopped in front of one and picked it up. “I wanted to show you this,” he said holding it out for her, “It’s called a helicopter. It can fly.”

Lucy took the box, turned it over, wondering how it flew. The picture was something she didn’t understand. She handed it back. “Mr. Godwin, I think you’re teasing me.”

Will placed it on the shelf. “I’m not. In this century people fly in helicopters and airplanes, they’ve even flown to the moon.” As he spoke, he pointed to different boxes containing more odd contraptions. One said
airplane
. Another said
car
.
Aircraft carrier. Tank.
The list went on.

“I wanted to show you what a helicopter looked like and let you see how it worked before I actually took you up in one.”

Lucy’s mouth went dry. “I’m sorry, but what you are saying makes little sense to me.” The buildings in New York were already so tall that she became dizzy when she looked up. But flying? “Like a bird? How can this little thing fly and carry us in it?”

Will shook his head. “I’m doing a terrible job of explaining. Sorry for the confusion. Let’s just get out of here. It’ll be easier to show you once it’s out of the box.” He reached out to take her hand, but pulled away at the last second, obviously remembering what Lucy had said earlier.

A pang of sorrow bruised her chest. She wanted his hand entwined with hers.

“Follow me.” Grabbing the box containing the helicopter he walked back down the aisle and turned left. Lucy trailed after him passing toys that seemed even more vibrant and colorful than the ones before. Part of her longed to stop and touch each of them, but Will was walking fast and she had to hurry to keep up.

“Will,” she whispered when he stopped.

He turned. “This is where we go to pay.”

“Oh?” She peered around Will, at the people standing in front of them. They also had items in their arms. There was a man with curly blond hair wearing a white shirt and a red and white-checkered vest standing behind a counter that moved. He took the items, ran them across something, and then placed them in bags while the other people would swipe a card of some kind through a small box, take their purchases, and leave. “Is money no longer the way one pays for items?”

Will looked confused a moment. “Yes, of course.” He pulled a square sort of coin purse out of his back pocket and showed her a card. “These are called credit cards.”

Lucy took it. There were numbers across the middle with his name underneath. “How does the store know how much money you have?”

He returned the card to pocket. “The information is all on computers.”

“Computers?” she asked. It was an odd word.

“Ah, hell. We could be at this all day.” The line cleared ahead of them and it was Will’s turn. He handed the helicopter to the man who took it and then Will “paid.” And before Lucy knew it, they were back outside.

The street was noisy, filled with honking, high-pitched screeching, and people talking and shouting. The sky was overcast, the air muggy and dirty. It reminded her a lot of London. Lucy watched the dozens of yellow cars, the people rushing by, and did her best to take it all in. New York City really was amazing. “Are we going to ride in the limo again?” Lucy asked, searching the heavily crowded street for the one they’d arrived in.

“We’re going to take a cab this time.” Will raised his hand and one of the yellow cars stopped at the curb in front of them. Will opened the door. “Ladies first.”

“Careful, Will. That sounded distinctly like a gentleman.”

“Well we certainly wouldn’t want that.” He smirked as he slid into the back seat beside her.

When the door was closed, the cab took off.

Lucy squealed, which surprised her. Embarrassed she covered her mouth with the back of her hand.

“Where to?” The man in the front asked. He was a ruddy-faced man with red hair, a lot of freckles and strange drawings on his thick, beefy hands.

“Central Park,” Will answered.

“Right away,” the man said, pressing a button and speeding up.

“What are we going to do in Central Park?” Lucy asked, noticing the close proximity between her leg and Will’s.

“We’re going to eat lunch. Then I’m going to show you how to fly this. And after that I’m going to take you up in an actual, full-sized helicopter.”

“O-Okay.” She clasped her hands together tightly. The idea of flying made her nervous. She was ashamed to admit it, even to herself, because of her tinkering soul, but it was true.

Will patted her knee.

Lucy flinched.

“Sorry.” Will moved his hand away.

Blast, she’d done it once again. “No, it’s just…” She snuck a look at the man driving and lowered her voice. “Touching the opposite gender is frowned upon in my time…” She shook her head. “A man can look to his heart’s content,” she continued dryly. “In fact young ladies of a certain age are often dressed up like fashion plates to be ogled by prospective suitors. But until you’ve been married, you’re not to be touched.”

Will shifted in his seat. “It must be difficult being a woman from your time.” His eyes shifted to the driver before returning to her.

“It is.” Her bottom lip began to tremble. She was shocked by the depth of her emotion on the matter. “We are considered property with no rights of our own.” She gave him a sideways glance, astonished once again by his beautiful eyes. She looked away. “You must think me a simpering fool.” Lucy felt wretched.

“I find your attitudes refreshing, Lucy.”

“You do?” She gave him a hopeful look.

“I am constantly surrounded by girls and women who want to be with me.”

Lucy crossed her arms. “Insufferable.”

Will smiled. “Yes, I am.” He studied his hands. “But it’s easy to see the truth behind most girls’ eyes. They don’t want to be with me because they like who I am, as a person. They throw themselves at me because of what they think I can offer.” He shook his head. “I’m a payday, a way out of whatever circumstance they think they need to get out of.” He looked over. Cleared his throat.

“You haven’t felt love either,” Lucy said, comprehension filling her veins. She wasn’t so odd after all.

“Love?” He chuckled, but Lucy heard the emotion in his throat. “It’s just a word people use. In my life I’ve found it means little.”

That made her sad. She’d felt love from her grandmother. Her sister. Even Dashel. “It exists. I know it does. True love isn’t a myth. It can’t be.”

She caught the gaze of the man driving in the front seat. “If I can interrupt, I’ve written a poem about love that I think perfectly describes it.”

Will smirked.

Lucy leaned forward. “I’d love to hear it. Please.”

“You’re going to be sorry,” Will said under his breath.

“Hush,” she returned. Then to the man said, “Go on.”

He smiled, showing his crooked, stained teeth. “Love rocks!” He stuck out his tongue and made a sign with his hand.

Will laughed. “Told you.”

Lucy had no idea what to think. “Is that it?”

“Yep.” He pulled out of traffic and against the curb. The cab stopped. “That’ll be eight-sixty-one.” 

Will took money from his wallet and slid it into a tray. “Keep the change, man.” He opened the door and got out.

Lucy exited after him, shutting the cab door behind her