Page 3 of The Swan Detective (The Swan Syndicate #2)

He shut the door behind him and turned on the antique table lamp and his laptop.

AJ, a private antique broker, had seen the lamp during one of her shopping trips and mentioned it to him.

He’d gone down the next day, knowing what a good eye she had, and bought it on the spot.

He rubbed his hands together and flexed his fingers as he considered what he was about to do.

It was only a small step, but he hadn’t discussed it with Stella.

Without giving it any further thought, he found the document template bearing the name of Stella’s brokerage business. He spent thirty minutes writing his letter of intent to run for an open position on the Baywood Business Association Board of Directors.

Stella had given him the titles of financial officer and business manager so he could build a resume.

Ethan Hughes, a fellow time traveler from England, had also given him permission to add two years as a security consultant for his private security company.

He fudged the dates so it appeared he left Ethan’s firm to work for Stella.

Work history before that was limited to his estate business in England and his membership in Corsham’s Chamber of Commerce.

He didn’t provide a reference and didn’t think the association would ask for one.

He’d spoken with various council members during his short time as a member, and they appeared more concerned about a member’s current participation within the community, with only a minor interest in the resume. It was a long shot at best, but it was a start. Something to build on.

Once the email was sent, he sat back and considered when he’d tell Stella what he was about.

She’d be supportive, yet something held him back.

He wasn’t ready to think too deeply about why that might be.

Perhaps he wasn’t quite ready to become more attached to this timeline.

Maybe it was the idea of failing her. If he looked too close, he might discover it was his fear of not being enough.

He shut down the laptop and shoved it aside. It was time to finish packing and focus on the trip at hand.

His first stop was the kitchen, where he started the coffee then prepared one bagel and one banana. They would share the simple meal. There were still a couple of hours before they called for the fog, but Stella had a sensitive stomach.

He carried two mugs of coffee into the bedroom and set them by the bedside table before turning on a lamp near their reading chairs, though he doubted Stella would notice if all the lights were lit.

He sat on the bed and watched her. She slept like the dead most nights, her nightmares coming farther and farther apart.

She never specifically mentioned what her chaotic dreams were about, but he knew they were about Cheval.

He also knew there was nothing he could do about it but be there for her.

She never mentioned that moment on the beach when Cheval would have drowned him without her aid.

Since they hadn’t told anyone in this time period about Hensley’s mission with the smugglers and the trouble they’d run into, there wasn’t anyone else she could confide in.

Well, there was one person. Sebastian, the French monk, was reliable for not sharing secrets or confessions.

He was one person Stella might seek out to confess the smuggler’s death by her hands.

Sebastian would be understanding, especially after all the trouble he’d lived through with the Mórdha stones.

Beckworth wouldn’t ask her. Over time, he’d learned it was best for Stella to think things through on her own.

If the nightmares had been getting worse, he would have intervened.

But they weren’t, so it was best to leave things be.

He shook her. “Stella, darling. It’s time to get up.

” He grinned when her only response was to turn away from him.

He shoved her over and slipped in next to her, putting an arm around her.

“The coffee’s ready. If the stones work correctly, we’ll arrive in time for lunch.

Perhaps we can convince Nellie to make those strawberry tarts you like so well.

Or perhaps a meat pie. They might be Fitz’s favorite, but I’ve seen you put two away in one sitting.

” He ran a hand over her hip and down her leg before trailing his fingers back up.

She moaned, and he judged she was on the verge of opening an eye.

So, he went for the final words that were sure to hit a soft spot.

“In order to let you sleep in, I’ve taken the liberty of packing the rest of your duffel, and I’ve loaded it into the car.”

He was rewarded with both eyes shooting open.

“What about my first aid kit?”

“Ah. So you’ve been awake all this time?”

She rolled over and reached out for him, her gaze flashing up to meet his eyes. “You’re dressed already.” This time her moan was of sheer disappointment. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the room. “What time is it?”

“You have less than an hour to get ready, and that includes a quick bite to eat.” He picked up her mug of coffee while she pushed herself into a sitting position.

She grabbed the mug from him and sipped the hot brew.

Her body immediately seemed to come alive, and she rolled her head from side to side, getting the kinks out.

“I barely remember going to bed.” After two more sips, she handed him the cup and pushed him off the bed so she could get up.

Then she took the mug back and said, “Give me thirty minutes.”

He gave her twenty before bringing in a fresh mug and taking the empty one. He was halfway out the bathroom door before she tugged him over and gave him a thorough kiss.

“I love you, Teddy.” She ran a thumb over his lips, then gave him one sweet kiss before returning to her morning routine.

“I love you, too.” He patted her backside and picked up his duffel, which he placed at the front door.

It was another fifteen minutes before she shuffled down the hall, and he heard her duffel hitting the floor next to his.

She washed out the empty coffee cup and grabbed the immense travel-sized mug, already filled and waiting, and took a long swallow.

She glared at the half of bagel with a light spread of cream cheese and the half of banana before rubbing her stomach.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You know I’ll just throw it all up on the other side.”

“Nibble it on the drive over. There’s still time.”

She wrapped them in a paper towel. “Everything locked up and furnace turned down?”

“Yes. All the doors and windows have been checked, and you know AJ will be over every two days to check the garden and plants.”

“Perfect.” She picked up her mug, but when she reached the front door, she stared down at her duffel.

He opened the door and shooed her out. “I’ll get the bags.”

She was livelier by the time they arrived at the inn. “Maire, Ethan, and Sebastian are already here.” She pouted. “Probably having a glorious breakfast without us.”

“Now, now. It won’t be long before you’re eating a nice meal at Waverly.”

“There’d better be meat pies and strawberry tarts like you promised.” She got out of the car and pulled out her duffel.

He hurried around the car to take the duffel from her and kissed her cheek. “I knew you were listening.”

She grinned and led him up the stairs, knocking twice before opening the door. “All hands on deck. The time travelers have arrived.”

Finn met them in the hallway where Beckworth dropped the duffels. “You’re right on time. I don’t know how Beckworth manages it so early in the morning.” He gave Stella a kiss on the cheek.

“Funny,” she growled. “If he always used the same method, it would be easier for me to ignore it. But you know how sly he is.”

Finn chuckled. “Yes.” He winked at Beckworth. “We all do.”

The group discussed general activities and plans for a birthday bash for Helen, AJ’s mom, until it was time to leave for the dock. Once they reached it, Maire gave Beckworth a slip of paper.

“Sebastian and I have been reworking the incantation to see if there was a way to make the trip less…” She groped for the right word and finally said, “jarring.”

“It’s possible we might have to tweak it some more,” Sebastian added. “But we don’t want to take any chances with you arriving in the right place and time.”

Stella paled. “Maybe it’s worth the bruises if it gets us where we need to be.”

Maire’s eyes twinkled. “Where’s the adventure in that?”

Stella, still a bit irritable from the early morning, responded with her normal sass. “You’re just irritated that I’ll be in London for the season, attending balls and tea parties.”

“And perhaps I’m just trying to find the best incantation for when I ask Ethan to take me back for a season.”

“Well, you should have just said so. Nothing quite like being someone’s guinea pig.

” She fussed with her jacket. She’d dressed in the pants and shirt she preferred to wear for time traveling.

AJ had found a plain jacket that wouldn’t draw too much attention in the early nineteenth century and was sufficient for the cool morning air.

Beckworth placed the duffels on the dock and turned to the group. “We all know the backup plan, correct?”

“We wait a month or so,” Ethan replied. “And when we eventually notice you’ve been gone a bit too long, we’ll send the women to track you down.”

Stella snorted. “Well, if you need something done right, it only makes sense to send the women in first.”

The group laughed, and Beckworth tugged Stella to him once they’d slung the duffels over their shoulders. “Take care, mates. We’ll be back before you know it.”

“Oh, wait.” AJ ran up to Stella and shoved a large envelope in her duffel. “I almost forgot the letters and shopping list.”

Stella’s brow lifted. “A shopping list?” She glanced at Sebastian, who winked at her. “I’ll be sure Beckworth takes care of it.”

Beckworth reviewed the new incantation and spoke the strange Celtic words as if he’d spoken the language his whole life. Then he gripped Stella’s hand as they watched their friends disappear in the fog.