Forgotten Time (Ravenhurst Series, #1) A New Adult Time Travel Romance Read online

  Katherine could see his boots closing the distance between them, stopping next to her chair. She had the feeling he wanted her to look up at him, but there was no way in hell she would do that. Her stupid stomach already made her sound like a pig, and she was sure her face would make her look even more like one.

  He leaned forward, trying to see her expression. “I will see you in the library once you have finished,” he added, his voice sounding awkward. He shook his head. “Very well, then, I will leave you to your breakfast.” He gave her one last look before exiting the room.

  Katherine exhaled a huge breath, trying to get her emotions under control. When she could no longer hear him walking away, she stood up. No big surprise, she suddenly lost her appetite. She looked down at the front of her borrowed gown and noticed it had a large spot of coffee on the front. Unbelievable.

  She eyed the footman. He was staring straight ahead like a sentinel. Grabbing a biscuit for later, she made a break for it.

  The wind blew harshly through the trees, forcing the remaining leaves from their limbs. Sebastian gazed out the window, watching them as they spiraled in wild abandon to the ground below.

  He sat behind his desk, a stack of papers on top of it, untouched. He was supposed to be taking care of the affairs of the household, but instead, he was lost in his thoughts. He tried to mentally prepare himself for the conversation with his betrothed about their upcoming nuptials. He was not sure how she would react to his plans to leave Ravenhurst without her shortly after the ceremony.

  Perhaps he was being too hasty, or was it cowardice? He was unsure how he felt about all of it; distance seemed the best avenue at this point. The rest would come to him in time.

  His thoughts were interrupted when he felt, rather than saw, that he was not alone. Turning, he fully expected to find Marguerite in the doorway, but instead, it was Renquist. Blast the man for his poor timing. What in the hell did he want this time? He just saw him a day ago.

  “Good morning, de Winter,” Renquist said, entering the room and walking over to the fireplace to warm his hands.

  Sebastian rolled his eyes, running his hand through his hair in irritation. “So, Renquist, what brings you out and about at this hour in the morning?”

  Devlin ignored his question. “Goodness, I have to say there is quite a chill in the air. I wouldn’t be surprised if a blizzard was on its way.”

  Sebastian frowned, confused. “What?”

  “Yes, I do believe a blizzard is about to descend on us all. I took the liberty of letting the staff go home to their families to ready themselves.”

  “You did what?” Sebastian asked in disbelief. Since when was Devlin a paragon?

  “Oh, I know it was a selfless act on my part. Not many people would sacrifice themselves as I did for the benefit of others…” he paused, looking pointedly at Sebastian.

  Sebastian’s mouth dropped open from the insinuation.

  Devlin smiled. “Well, that is neither here nor there. Who am I to judge?”

  “Well that is um… gracious of you.” Sebastian ground out. It killed him to compliment the man at all. But damn, he had no warning of a blizzard, else he too would have done the same.

  “I say, de Winter, be a gracious host and ring the maid for a pot of tea, and perhaps some of your cook’s biscuits. I must admit I am starving.”

  Sebastian would have liked to do more than starve the man; he would have liked to shove his ass right out of his house. “Certainly,” he said, walking over to pull the cord for the maid.

  Devlin helped himself to a splash of Sebastian’s finest. He took a sip. “So I take it Marguerite is still abed?” Devlin asked casually.

  Sebastian looked over at the door. “No, she is right behind you.”

  Devlin turned so quickly, his drink sloshed on the carpet, darkening another spot with the amber liquid.

  Katherine made it to the library in record time; she didn’t want to keep Sebastian waiting. Now she stood in the doorway, dreading the conversation she would have with him. She knew she would have to make everything up as she went along. She couldn’t tell him the truth, at least not now. She had a feeling he would get rid of her for sure. She hadn’t realized anyone else was in the room, and her breath caught in her throat when another man turned towards her. Even from where she stood, she could see he had the blackest eyes she ever saw. They were piercing, unreadable. A chill ran up her spine.

  “Ah… um… Good morning,” she said stupidly, rushing into the room headlong.

  Devlin’s mouth dropped open when she ran at a dead heat across the room, her full breasts bouncing slightly, and straining against the soft fabric of her gown. He shook his head, smiling, when she threw herself into the tall-backed chair in front of the fire. Her hair was falling from the makeshift ponytail she gathered it into. She was so beautiful. He almost forgot… almost.

  Sebastian walked over to the front of the fire, blocking Marguerite from Devlin’s salivating stare. “Look who decided to stop by.”

  Katherine’s eyes widened, holding onto the arms of the chair so tightly, she lost all feeling in her third finger. She had no idea who in the hell that guy was. Crap. Crap. Crap. She knew she was going to be busted for being an imposter. What to do? What to do? A little voice echoed in the air, in her ears alone, Lie, lie, lie to them, it whispered. She cleared her throat, “How wonderful!” she exclaimed with just the right amount of fake exuberance.

  Devlin was caught off guard by her eager display. She acted as if she held no animosity towards him for the small incident that happened before. Her eyes sparkled in the firelight, and the blue in her gown made them look darker, deeper than normal. She smiled shyly at de Winter, the gesture causing his stomach to twist in knots.

  He cleared his throat, pulling her attention towards himself. With his most rakish smile, he glided a gentle hand through his hair. “May I say you are looking even lovelier than the last time I saw you…” he trailed off. He walked towards her, lifted her hand in his, and leaned forward to kiss it. Her lashes lowered demurely as he pressed his lips against her sweet, soft skin.

  “Tea’s here,” Sebastian practically yelled from across the room. He gritted his teeth, watching Devlin slobber all over Marguerite’s hand.

  He always wondered what Renquist’s intentions were towards his betrothed. And he always wondered if the obvious attraction was one-sided. After finding them alone with one another on far too many occasions, it could not be simple coincidence. Renquist had always watched her every move, when he thought no one was looking. But Sebastian was. He saw it all. He did not like it one bit, either.

  “So Devlin, where is my aunt… your wife?” Sebastian questioned, accentuating the word “wife” more than necessary.

  Devlin gave him a sidelong glare. It was just like de Winter to mention he was married, just to remind Marguerite. Perhaps she forgot; but no, the do-gooder had to open his big mouth, and now she knew again. Blast the man. “Actually it was your aunt who sent me to retrieve some documents she left with you some time ago,” he said simply, his gaze straying back towards Marguerite.

  Sebastian crossed his arms and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Since when did his aunt leave documents at his home? He had no idea what the man was speaking about. And why would Isabelle not come here to retrieve them herself? It was not like her to miss an opportunity to visit. Now that he thought about it, he had not seen her for some time. “I do wonder why my aunt did not come herself, or at least accompany you here, Renquist.”

  Devlin pulled his gaze from Marguerite. “Oh, she was feeling a bit under the weather, so Judith offered to look after her while I came here in her stead to retrieve what she needed.”

  “Under the weather? I do hope you sent for the doctor?”

  Devlin adjusted his waistcoat. “No need, she is suffering as all women do at certain times of the month.”

  Sebastian’s face went blank, “Of course, yes, I understand.” Sebastian chose to avoid some subjects at all c
osts. He took a cup from the maid that was just poured and handed it off the Marguerite.

  “Thank you,” Katherine said as she took the offered cup from Sebastian. She kept her gaze averted, not able to look him in the eye. Good Lord, men couldn’t say the word “period” in the past any more than they could in the future. Typical.

  Devlin wasn’t one to miss an opportunity. When de Winter left to retrieve another cup of tea, he took the moment to look his fill. He studied her profile as she stared into the flames of the fire, sipping her tea. Her dark lashes cast shadows on her cheeks, reminding him of how she looked while she slept, innocent and beautiful. Her lips were even fuller than he remembered. He could imagine quite clearly how they would feel against his body. A shiver of delight raced through him. He wanted her to look at him, see him.

  Turning, she looked straight into his eyes. He raised a questioning brow at her, wondering what she was thinking. Her face turned redder and she quickly looked away.

  Was she being shy, bashful? This girl was not the Marguerite he remembered. She had to be toying with him. Oh, was she playing coy? Or was she teasing him in a game meant to tantalize his mind as well as his body? Oh, he loved to play games too. He stared lazily at her, imagining what fun they could have, knowing this time it would be different. Just thinking of them together, with one another, began to make him uncomfortably hard. And as he glanced down, he could see it was becoming quite obvious.

  Devlin decided he better leave before Sebastian turned around, lest he find himself in dire straits. He turned and walked towards the door. As he reached the entrance, he looked back over his shoulder. “Pray, forgive me, but I have forgotten a most important matter I must attend to at once.” He donned his coat quickly, ignoring the curious stare from the doorman. He walked out into the brisk morning air, admonishing, time had not diminished that particular desire in the least bit.

  <>*LB*<>

  Sebastian stared after Devlin’s departing form, exceedingly glad he was finally leaving, although he did wonder what he was up to? With Renquist, one never knew. He turned his attention back to the matter at hand, forgetting Renquist quickly. He decided to drink something a bit stronger for his conversation with Marguerite.

  Katherine wasn’t a big drinker and never normally drank during the day, but watching Sebastian pour his own drink, she suddenly wished he would pour one for her as well. She felt even more unsettled from the leering looks his aunt’s husband had thrown in her direction every few minutes. He thought she couldn’t see, but she could, she could see really well. She wanted to poke her fingers into his eyes for acting like such a pervo.

  Sebastian took his drink and settled in the chair across from Marguerite. “Now that we are alone finally, there are a few things I need to discuss with you.”

  Katherine braced herself for what was to come.

  He cleared his throat. “Since you have seen fit to return to me, although it may not have been on your own accord, I want you to know I still take our betrothal very seriously,” he said with conviction.

  “Oh,” she replied simply, her mouth forming a perfect “O”. She had no idea where he was headed with the conversation but had a feeling it was not going to be good. Of course, Milford warned her about Marguerite’s and his engagement, but for some reason, it never occurred to her that the wedding might take place before she righted whatever wrong had been done. She thought about it for a minute and found she was not overtly averse to the idea either, which was so sad.

  “Good,” he said quickly. “Now I want you to know I have made allowances for your indiscretion. And have graciously consented to marry you despite your debauched state.”

  Katherine narrowed her eyes at him, watching his jaw tighten. It looked like the words left a bad taste in his mouth. She found herself agreeing. Maybe she was a bit too hasty in her pathetic declaration a moment before. Even though she had a good idea what he was talking about, she wanted to hear for herself. “Marry me in what state?” she asked, raising her brow in question.

  He laughed; but it had a hard, bitter edge to it. “Your innocence is lost, you have sullied yourself, you let another have his way with you. Could I be any clearer?” His ire filled every word he spoke.

  Katherine winced from his candor. “I see.” Of course, she did not see at all. What an ass. She was in every way entirely unsullied. Of course, he had no proof of the fact, but his words were still rude and hurtful. Jerk. She narrowed her eyes at him, her spine ridgid, “My goodness, how very gracious of you to take on a person such as myself in such a debauched state,” she poured on as sarcastically she could.

  Sebastian determined quickly this was the Marguerite he remembered. He wondered if her true nature would eventually make an appearance. “I thought you might be,” he replied offhandedly as he removed a piece of lint from his sleeve. “Now I know this is a lot to take in at the moment, but in time, I am sure you will see how this is the best avenue for us both.”

  Katherine gripped the chair tighter. “What avenue would that be?”

  Sebastian sighed in irritation; it was an obvious statement. “I speak of the one where we wed, of course. I will move to London while you stay here. That avenue,” he said tonelessly. “Of course, I will return periodically to do my duties as lord of the estate, and I will need an heir at some point. But other than that, I see no reason to stay on.”

  Katherine’s anger turned in on itself, and was replaced quickly with dread. He was going to leave. How could she fix what she needed if he left? Wasn’t he an essential part of the legend? Didn’t she need him to help her find the knights love? She searched her brain, trying to come up with a reason to make him stay. She could always tell him the truth. No. no. no. She quickly discarded that notion. He would think she was crazy, with a capital C.

  What would make him want to stay?

  Why did any man, stay with a woman? Love… Sex… Good food. Hell, she didn’t know. She searched her brain for the numerous Cosmopolitan articles she often read about men. “How to keep your man coming back for more” she couldn’t remember that one. “How to make your man fall for you” she tried that one, but it didn’t pan out well. “Give him what he wants, and leave him begging for more”… oh hell, she would just have to wing it. Obviously, she wasn’t going to have sex with him… she thought about it… well, at least, not right now; she barely knew him. Although, looking at him now, the way his suit strained against his muscles, the way his hair fell perfectly forward …she was sure he would be pretty darn good at it. Perhaps she could make him fall in love with her. She snorted in derision. Like that worked so well in the past.

  Her entire body tensed when he cast his eyes on hers again. Her mind was reeling. How in the hell was she going to make him fall for her? She chewed her lip, contemplating an answer before looking back towards him. She ended up biting her lip so hard, she almost drew blood. He was looking right at her, like she was a moron. She knew that look too. Crap. This was not going to work. She widened her eyes at him, making them bug out from her head. His own widened in response. Oh hell, she took another drink of tea to cover the awkward silence. After a few strained minutes, she couldn’t take it anymore. “Well, isn’t that just wonderful,” she said, her voice dripping sarcasm. He narrowed his eyes at her. She took a breath. She continued before she lost her nerve. “Any idea on what I might do to amuse myself while you’re in London, doing whatever you do while you are there?” she said, pouring on fake sugary sweetness.

  He smiled then, it didn’t reach his eyes.

  Katherine shivered, as her stomach twisted in knots from the look he was giving her. Oh shit.

  He crossed his leg over the other, and his mouth twisted into a smirk. “Actually, I mostly indulge my most basic desires whilst I am in London. I find this act comparable to enjoying a savory meal. I try not to be too particular about the type of dish I indulge in. I find they all have a slightly different flavor, and who am I to deprive my palate of a delicacy when it is being offered so
freely?” He shrugged his shoulders indifferently, raising his brow just slightly to see if she caught his double entendre.

  Katherine was utterly speechless. Was he actually comparing the girls he did to a freaking meal? Her mouth dropped open as her eyes bugged out from her head in shock. After a minute, she shut her mouth.

  Unbelievable. He may be nice to look at but apparently he was a complete and total pig. Oh, she knew plenty of those types, too; she had dated most of them. She should give his ass a number so he could stand in line behind the rest of the pigs she knew.

  What in the hell was she supposed to do with him now? She watched him for a few moments, stare into the fire. He lifted his hand, running it through his hair. She watched the way the fabric strained over his muscle from the action. Her mind strayed. She felt offended, truly, she did, but as she watched him, staring at the fire, she couldn’t help wondering what flavor she might bring to his meal. Would he enjoy her as much as he did the others? And most importantly, could his hunger ever be sated with just one dish? Her heart sank a bit from the thought… Probably not.

  After a few moments of silence, he turned back towards her, watching her intently.

  She gulped and gave him a wide-eyed look, her face flushing, with embarrassment. She felt like he knew what she was thinking. “Um, ah, I see.” Of course, she did not see at all. She was still pondering whether she wanted to be a meal, or simply a snack. She cast her eyes to the folds of her gown, trying to hide her expression.

  Sebastian was gratified with the reaction he received from his comments. He realized, even as he said them, she must indeed care about him a little if he was able to strike his intended mark.