Across the Ages (Across the Ages Book One) (6 page)

SECTION TWO

ELEVEN

GLORIOUSLY HANDSOME

New York City, USA

Current Day

SUNLIGHT SHONE
around her and Lucy blinked. Moments ago she’d been in her family’s graveyard conversing with her grandmother’s ghost. It’d been nearing midnight and the only light had come from the moon and the stars. Now the sun glared down. Trees were everywhere, their branches full of new leaves and soft blossoms the color of blush pink and lavender.

In the distance sprawled many enormous odd structures. Some were pointed others rectangular. She guessed they were incredibly tall buildings. But she couldn’t imagine how they had come to be. The air was heavy and infused with the lingering smell of the ocean. Lucy turned in a slow circle, exploring her surroundings, trying to get her bearings.

Dozens of people milled about. Shouting. Laughing. Squealing. Eating. Playing. They all seemed happy, which disquieted Lucy even more. She clutched the locket in her hand, wishing it would return her home. As she placed the chain around her neck, fear like she’d never experienced nearly overwhelmed her. How long would she remain in this time?

Lucy exhaled. She’d chosen this. As crazy as it sounded, she’d asked to be taken to her supposed true love instead of staying home and marrying the man her father had picked for her.

I can do this,
she told herself, standing up straight.

Something struck her in the back. “Ouch.” She turned around in time to see the most gloriously handsome man in the world jog over, swoop down and pick up a yellow circular disc.

“Sorry about that,” he said, flashing her a brilliant smile.

When her eyes connected with his, it was like time stopped. Lucy didn’t know how long she stood frozen in place. It could have been seconds or hours. He straightened and Lucy had to arch her neck to keep their eyes locked.

“Are you all right?” One of his eyebrows lifted with the question.

Was she? Lucy had no idea. His eyes were cerulean blue and they danced with wicked mischief. Sunlight licked at his golden blond hair, making the short ends appear to be on fire. Lucy was speechless and embarrassed. The man wasn’t wearing a shirt. His pants hung low on his hips and barely covered his knees. A band of black ink circled his right arm. It was the most skin Lucy had seen on a man. His body was covered in rippled muscles but no hair, at least none that she could see. She found herself wondering what his skin would feel like. Would it be soft and supple like a feather or tough like that of a rock? Those thoughts made her face flame and she turned away, breaking the strange moment.

It was then she really noticed what the other people around them were wearing. Or weren’t wearing. It surprised her people weren’t walking around with their arms crossed over their bodies to cover themselves up. Could there have been a cotton shortage? Was that why everyone wore so little?

“Hey,” the man snapped his fingers. “Did you do too much partying last night?” He pointed at her clothing.

Lucy looked down and saw that she still wore her sleeping clothes. “Blast!” She covered herself up and then tried to think about what the man had asked her. “I had my eighteenth birthday party a couple of weeks ago. It was rather stuffy.” The sun was in her eyes making her squint as she looked back at him. “But it wasn’t too terrible, just a bit awkward at times.” She remembered all the people she hadn’t known who’d watched Dashel propose. And then there had been dozens of people who’d been introduced to her whose names she couldn’t remember.

The man gave her a strange look.

“Come on. Throw it back, Will. I’m growing old over here.”

About a hundred feet away another shirtless man with lots of muscles and some black ink on his stomach shrugged as he raised his hands in clear demand.

The man standing in front of her turned and threw the yellow disc. It floated on the air.

“That’s beautiful,” Lucy admired as the other man caught it. Then he tossed it behind his back and caught it again.

“It’s just a Frisbee. Hey, you’re not from around here, are you? England maybe?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Lucy choked on a sob of relief. “How did you know?”

His smile grew. “Your accent, silly girl.” He jogged away, heading toward the other man.

“Oh.” It took a moment for her to register that the cheeky man with brilliant blue eyes had run off.

Lucy wasn’t sure what to do. She had no money. No clothes. She had nothing of value except the locket and she couldn’t sell that, not if she wanted to get back. Alone and afraid she moved over to a bench and sat down. There she watched the men throw the disc he’d called a Frisbee back and forth. They both seemed quite skilled, especially the one called Will. He ran, jumped, and caught it expertly. Then tossed it back to the other man with ease. It was exciting to watch, even if she was terrified.

The day lengthened and Lucy grew tired, hungry, and very thirsty. As she watched the men open containers and drink, she became even more parched. They didn’t seem to realize she was still there. In fact, no one paid her any attention at all. If Will hadn’t spoken to her when she first arrived she would’ve thought herself a ghost.

Lucy’s stomach growled as she watched people pack up their blankets and baskets of food. Part of her wanted to run over to perfect strangers and ask them if they might spare some food for her, but she was a lady, not one to beg or steal. So she continued to sit until she couldn’t stay upright any longer. Then she lay down on the bench. After a while the shirtless men pulled some sort of clothing over their heads and then one departed. The other, Will, glanced over at her.

She wanted to wave, even thought about asking him for a drink of some of the liquid in his container, but she couldn’t. She didn’t have the energy.

“You’re still here?” Will said, squatting down beside her. “Can’t get enough of my fine body?” He glanced down at himself and laughed.

“Yes,” Lucy began answering his first question and then changed her mind, as she comprehended the second. He was teasing her. “I mean no, that isn’t why I stayed.”

“Oh?” He stood. “Then why are you still out here in your robe and slippers? You must be hungry.”

Lucy sat up and tried to ignore her spinning head as Will took the spot beside her on the bench.

“Are you lost?”

Without knowing it, Will had hit the mark.

“Yes, I am,” she said. And she was so relieved someone understood that she began to cry. Tears streamed down her cheeks like big drops of rain.

“Hey, it’s okay.” He noticed her looking at his water bottle and held it out. “Are you thirsty? I don’t have any weird diseases if you’d like a drink.”

Lucy wiped her face with the back of her hand. “Are you sure?”

“I’m tested regularly,” he answered with a smirk.

She had no idea what he meant, but she took the container from his hand, opened it the way she’d watched him and his friend do earlier, and then tipped the water into her mouth. Before she knew it the container was empty. Sheepishly she screwed the lid back on and handed it back to him. “I’m so sorry.” She glanced away, fighting another bout of tears.

Will patted her on the back. “Let’s get out of here. Can you walk or would you like me to carry you?”

“I’m perfectly capable of walking, thank you.” She stood and experienced an immediate rush of light-headedness.

Will caught her as he stood as well.

“Unhand me, sir. You are far too fresh for my liking and we haven’t even been properly introduced.”

He chuckled, but let her go. “What are you, some kind of Jane Austen enthusiast? An actress in a play?”

“You’ve heard of Jane Austen?” The thought thrilled her. She’d read the author’s books and found them delicious.

“I don’t know her. I know of her. Everyone does, probably me more so that most because my mother named me after the swoon worthy Mr. Darcy.”

“But you look nothing like him,” Lucy said, as she walked beside Will. She was feeling rather unsteady and hoped they’d get to wherever they were going quickly. Otherwise he would be carrying her after all.

“My mother didn’t know I wouldn’t be tall, dark, and handsome when I was still in the womb.” Will began walking backward as he spoke. “At least she got one out of three right.”

“You most certainly have confi… dence… iss…” The world started to spin and the edges of her vision turned dark.

“Hold on.” Will wrapped an arm around her waist and together they made it Will’s waiting limo.

TWELVE

DESPERATE FOR ESCAPE

LUCY OPENED
her eyes.

“Here, have some more water.” Will held out a crystal goblet.

Lucy sat up. She felt queasy and weak and holding the glass seemed to take altogether too much effort. Her arms and legs were shaking.

“Maybe I should have my driver take us to the hospital.” He pointed toward the front of what Lucy had believed was a small room. A man sat at the front peering at her through a mirror stuck to some glass. Darkened glass surrounded them on both sides as well. She glanced outside and realized they were moving! So quickly that everything rushed by in a haze.

“What the devil is this madness?” Lucy fell to the floor and pulled her legs to her chest so she could duck her head and wrap her arms protectively around her knees. But that close to the ground she could feel the movement, hear the rushing of the wind. It was terrifying.

“Hey, whoa. Hold on. What’s the matter?” Will dropped to the floor beside her.

Lucy started to rock back and forth. She’d made a mistake. A terrible, terrible mistake. “Oh, Grandmother. What have you gotten me into? I just want to go home.”

Will crossed his legs, more than a little worried about the girl. She was acting loopy and he wasn’t sure whether she was coming off something or still on it. She was dazzlingly beautiful. He couldn’t help noticing the way her hair fell around her heart-shaped face in waves. And her eyes? Such an unusual color. He’d only met one other person with similar eyes. In certain light they appeared purple. One of his exes had worn colored contacts that came close to the color, but not quite. He figured this girl’s must be contacts as well. And then there were her clothes. They looked like they’d come from a vintage store. She said she was from England. Then again, if she were on something, she might believe she was from the planet Mars.

“What’s your address? I’ll tell Victor, my driver and he can get you right home,” Will said softly.

Lucy shook her head. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Sure I would.” Will tried to appear reassuring as he patted her on the shoulder. The material felt coarse, different than anything he’d experienced. “Even if it’s in London, that’s not a problem. My family owns a private jet. We can fly you there.”

“Fly?” Lucy snorted.

“Yes, fly. Like on planes.” Will sounded exasperated and Lucy had no idea why.

“Only birds can fly, Mr.…” Lucy glanced up. “Will is your first name, correct? What is your last?”

“Godwin,” Will said. “Why don’t we get off the floor and into the comfortable seats?” He helped her up. “What’s your name?”

Remembering her upbringing she stuck out her hand for him to take. “I’m Miss Lucy Channing, eldest daughter of Winston and Kathryn Channing, the Earl and Lady of Sothersby.”

“Huh.” Will took her hand. “Charmed I’m sure,” he said with a smirk.

“You should be, Mr. Godwin.” His arrogance was irritating.

“We’re being formal?” Will crossed a foot on one knee, picked up something and pressed a button. A rectangular box hanging from the ceiling started talking. There was a person inside.

Lucy swallowed hard to stifle her scream. Desperate for escape back to her own time, she clutched at the seats.

Will didn’t seem to notice. “I’ve seen you in your pajamas, there’s no need for formalities, Lucy.”

“Of course there is, sir,” she blurted, trying to remain dignified as she faced the person talking from inside the box. “Why do you have little people locked up in there?”

Will faced her. “You’re totally playing me right now, aren’t you?”

“Playing? No. I’m completely serious.” Lucy shook her head, trying to make sense of her surroundings. “What year is this?”

Will turned away and focused on the person in the box. “Look right there.” He touched the top right corner of the box. “It’s April 15
th
, 2015.” In the bottom left corner was another large number followed by the words New York, New York. So she knew where she was as well. For some reason that made her feel slightly better.

“What are you on?” He rubbed a hand over his shoulder, perplexed. When she didn’t answer he clarified. “What did you take?”

“Take?” Lucy realized then that she hadn’t really thought the whole time travelling scenario through when she took the locket from her grandmother. She hadn’t believed time travel was possible. Part of her had believed the ghost of her grandmother was nothing more than a hallucination brought on by grief and that same part still hoped this was some kind of episode. Eventually she decided it wouldn’t hurt to tell the oddly kind yet slightly obnoxious man the truth. In fact, she thought doing so might wake her up, help her break through whatever was going on.

She lifted the locket and opened it, revealing the strange piece of metal with the various partial circles. “I took this from the ghost of my grandmother. She told me it would take me to my true love, no matter where he was in the word, including in time.” As she spoke Will leaned back, a combination of humor and worry crossing his features. Lucy took a breath and kept going. “I’m from Sothersby, England. The year there is eighteen hundred and fifteen. I live in that time with my mother and father and my younger brother and sister. They’re twins.” Will eyes narrowed. He still didn’t believe her. “Up until two weeks ago I also lived with my grandmother. She died the night after my birthday party, the one I mentioned earlier.”

Will opened a new bottle of water and poured some in a glass. Lucy kept talking. “I’ve been sick with grief. We went back to our estate in Sothersby for her funeral.” She got choked up thinking about it. “Last night I went for a walk in our family graveyard and saw my grandmother’s ghost. She gave me this locket and told me she’d used it to find her true love. She also told me if I touched it, the amulet would take me to mine.” Finished, she closed her eyes. Even she thought she sounded mad.

I want to go home,
she
thought again, wishing that when she opened her eyes she’d be back in her bed with her big fluffy pillows and Harriet there to help her dress and bring her hot chocolate. But when she opened her eyes Will was still there and they were still moving at unimaginable speeds in a contraption Lucy couldn’t begin to comprehend.

Will leaned in, taking a closer look at the amulet. “If I touch it will it take me to my true love?”

Lucy closed the locket. It was her only way of returning home. Somehow. “It’s unclear at this point.” She tucked it under her nightdress.

Will sat back and crossed his arms. “So your grandmother used that first. It brought her where?”

“She said two hundred years into the future.”

“Uh-huh. And when was that?”

Lucy shrugged, feeling her bottom lip tremble. “I’m not sure. I didn’t get a chance to ask her all of my questions.”

“I see.” Will pushed a button and the glass between the driver and Will opened. “Take us to Bellevue, please, Victor. Thank you.”

“Right away, sir.” The driver stared at Lucy in his mirror.

The glass closed.

“What’s the name of the man she fell in love with?” Will asked. He’d decided he needed to keep her talking.

Will’s tone was beginning to irritate Lucy. She knew she sounded crazy but he didn’t have to rub her face in it. She glanced out the window. They’d stopped. More strange contraptions were lined up next to them. Dozens in fact. And there were hundreds of people walking next to the buildings. The city was noisy. A vexing honking noise kept sounding followed by a scary whirring noise and some screeching. People shouted.

“Lucy?”

She glared at his use of her Christian name. How dare he speak so casually?

“Fine. Miss Channing. What’s this guy’s name?”

She debated whether to tell him, but went ahead. “She told me his name is Charles Kincaid.”

“Ahhhh, now I think I understand.”

Lucy’s irritation changed immediately to hope. “You do. Sir, please enlighten me.”

Will put something to his ear. “Yes, I’d like to speak to Mr. Charles Kincaid.”

“To whom are you speaking?” Lucy asked.

He held up a finger, the universal sign for wait. Lucy wasn’t a patient person. It wasn’t in her nature. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot.

“Yes, Charles. Hi. Sorry to bother you, but I have a mutual friend here who says her grandmother knows you.” A pause. “What’s her name?” He pressed something on the thing he held. “Speak aloud. Mr. Kincaid can hear you.”

“Uh,” she sat up. Then shouted. “L-Lady Agatha Fitzgerald, countess of Polenska.”

“I need to see her right away.”

Lucy nearly flew out of her skin at the man’s voice coming from the thing Will held in his hand.

Will pressed a button and returned the thing to his ear. “You know this woman? Agatha Fitzgerald.”

Lucy noticed surprise replace his doubt. The man must respect Charles Kincaid. Perhaps they were related.

“Okay, I’ll bring her right away.”

The glass slid open. “Sorry to do this to you, Victor, but can you take us to the Kincaid residence? It’s located—”

“Yes sir, I know where it is.” He tipped his head in acknowledgement.

“Thank you.”

The glass slid shut again.

“You know Charles Kincaid, the man my grandmother fell in love with? The man who is actually supposed to be my grandfather?”

Will tucked the device back in his pocket. “Apparently.” He folded his arms across his chest, leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. “The drive is going to be another thirty minutes, at least. I’m going to take a nap.”