Page 5 of The Swan Detective (The Swan Syndicate #2)

She blushed. “I think he remembers the little girl rather than who I am now.”

“Well, he’ll have to get used to it when we’re all in London together.”

“London? Me?”

Stella gave her a long look. “Barrington didn’t tell you.” She squinted, trying to remember what they’d agreed on before returning to Baywood after their last visit.

The timing between the future and the past wasn’t consistent in both periods.

For every week, give or take, they spent in this time period, only a day passed in Baywood.

Now that the incantations used with the stones had been fine-tuned, they could predict a time and location for their travel back in time.

However, with the recent update in the incantation to reduce the body-jarring arrivals, it seemed the incantation was off a day.

“Maybe we didn’t talk about the specifics. I just assumed I’d need my lady’s maid with me.”

Libby shrugged. “I thought Beckworth would arrange for one at Lord Templeton’s manor.”

“Doesn’t Mary take her personal lady’s maid?”

Libby nodded. “Most do.”

“Then it’s only appropriate for you to go with me.

” She paused and glanced at Libby, who was staring straight ahead, making it difficult to read her features.

“I know we’ll be here a couple of days before leaving, but if it’s not enough notice and you have other plans, I understand.

I’m sure, as you say, Beckworth will find someone. He always does.”

Libby sat up, her expression fierce. “I’m your servant. You tell me what to do and I do it.” She bit her lip again. “Maybe Barrington was right.”

“Oh no, you don’t. I’m not a part of this aristocracy and actually prefer to spend time with Eleanor and Bart.

And while I love my time with Mary and Elizabeth, I don’t fit in with the rest of them.

I can’t help but think of you as an equal.

It’s how we do things in the future. Just because Beckworth has money and you work for him doesn’t mean you don’t have a life and your own commitments. ”

“I wish you lived here all the time.”

Stella barked out a laugh. “And I wish I could take you back with us.”

“What’s all this?”

The women turned to find Beckworth leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded across his chest.

“I was just ensuring Libby was prepared to travel to London with us.”

“I see. I suppose we should have discussed that when we arranged the London dates with Barrington. I’ll have him notify Mrs. Walker.”

“How’s the pony?” Stella asked, smiling at Libby.

“He’s not a pony. He’s a fine colt from an impeccable blood…” he trailed off and stood straight, a wicked grin on his handsome face. “You’re in a mood.”

“I am. How long until lunch, Libby?”

“Will an hour do?” Libby grinned as she stood, stealing a strawberry tart from the plate.

“It will have to.”

Once Libby sashayed out the door with a grin on her face, Stella offered one of the tarts to Beckworth, who licked his lips after he swallowed it in two bites.

“You’re still in your traveling clothes.” He took her hand and led her inside.

“We were catching up.”

“Hmm. Then let’s see if I can help.” He stood her next to the bed, then pushed her backward onto it.

She fell back but rose onto her elbows as she watched him remove her boots before he unbuttoned her pants and stripped them off. He left her in just her shirt while he removed his clothes, more hurried than usual, but they only had an hour.

She waited patiently for him to finally grab her shirt and pull it over her head. When she was free, she turned and crawled toward the pillows but didn’t make it very far before he rolled her over and positioned himself between her legs.

His kiss was long and full of heat, and she returned it with equal measure.

They’d missed their opportunity to stay in bed that morning to smooch, drink coffee, and talk about meaningless topics.

Now that they were at Waverly, he’d be busy catching up on manor business, spending time with the colt, and taking his early morning rides.

She’d have to take her moments with him when she could.

She wrapped her arms around him, and when his kisses moved down her neck, she reached down to encourage him. They might have an hour, but it would take almost half that time to make themselves presentable to the staff.

He seemed to read her mind because it didn’t take long before he was inside her, and she relished the moment. They were at Waverly. Soon, they’d be in London with good friends, enjoying their vacation. No worries about the Mórdha stones or missions from Hensley, the Crown’s spymaster.

What a glorious time they would have.

B eckworth parked the wagon with his two passengers once it drew up to the steps of Waverly and swore as he jumped down.

Bart, otherwise known as Doc, who’d been a surgeon in London for decades until he got tired of what he called the “establishment” and disappeared to live in a cabin in the woods five miles northwest of Waverly, had complained the entire way.

Bart was getting too old to live alone, though he refused to see it.

Lincoln, the young lad Bart had all but adopted, would soon be attending the Royal College of Surgeons in London.

He had grown into a fine man who did all the heavy lifting at Bart’s cabin.

Once he left for London, Beckworth would have to find a replacement who wouldn’t be seen as a nursemaid to care for the old man.

“Are you going to help me get down, or do I need to yell for someone?” Bart griped as he searched for something to hold onto as if he’d find his own way off the wagon. The irritating old man would kill himself before Beckworth had time to find someone willing to put up with his cranky ways.

“I’m here.” Lincoln took Bart’s cane, then held out a hand for the old man to take. “You’re getting more impatient by the day.”

“I can’t wait for you to leave for London so I don’t have to listen to your constant bickering.”

Beckworth grinned, knowing a good portion of Bart’s increased complaining had to do with the fact that once Lincoln was gone, Bart would miss him.

Not as much for his help around the cabin, but for the loss of companionship.

He’d have to discuss the situation with Barrington and find another caretaker soon.

“Bart!” Stella raced down the steps of the manor, remembering to hold her skirts up before she did a face plant at the bottom.

Beckworth wasn’t surprised by Stella’s quick acclimation to life in this century.

Though she hadn’t spent much time at the manor, the staff had been equally nimble in learning her quirks and seemed to love her all the more for them.

She grabbed the old man and hugged him tightly before he knew what hit him.

“Enough of that.” Bart held on a little longer than necessary, though he blustered about it. “I’m old. You want to break my bones?”

She managed to plant a kiss on his cheek, which made him blush as he waved her off. “Enough, woman.”

Bart continued to grin while she turned to give Lincoln the same treatment, a trait not too dissimilar from Hensley’s wife, Mary. The young lad knew better than to fight against Stella’s attention. It was faster to just give in.

“I can’t believe you’re willing to go to London with us.”

“No choice,” Bart muttered. “Might as well tag along so I can introduce the boy to some contacts.”

“Well, come in. Nellie has a lovely lunch arranged before we start our adventure.”

“Is Eleanor here?”

Beckworth hooked an arm around Bart’s shoulder and turned him toward the steps. “Yes. But I had to bribe her to go with us once she heard you were coming.”

The old man laughed. “Nice try. That woman thinks the world of me.”

Beckworth glanced at Stella with a pleading gaze, hoping she’d take pity on him and assist Bart into the manor.

She rolled her eyes and took Bart’s arm. “Why don’t you escort me to the dining room. You should have come last night so you’d have a good rest before our trip.”

Beckworth watched the two move slowly up the steps. Bart’s mobility had gotten worse since their last visit, but it had been a cold winter. The warmer spring weather should help.

Lincoln stepped next to him. “I’m worried about leaving for London.”

He knew Lincoln wasn’t talking about this trip. “I’m considering options.” He patted the lad’s shoulder. “We’ll find a solution. Now, how about going to see that colt?”

An hour after lunch, Bart was loaded into a carriage with Eleanor, Stella, and Libby.

Barrington and Lincoln took the bench to drive the carriage while Beckworth mounted his horse.

It was good to be back on a horse. In Baywood, he occasionally went horseback riding with Finn to help exercise AJ’s horse.

But to ride all the way to London on his beloved stallion, there simply weren’t enough words.

He rode ahead of the coach, giving the horse its head, then walked him around until the coach caught up.

They overnighted once before reaching London.

Stella mentioned privately that, so far, Bart had been on his best behavior, seeming to enjoy getting out and catching up with stories and the local gossip.

However, his griping started as soon as the first signs of London could be seen out the window.

Bart wasn’t fond of London, but he would put that all aside to ensure Lincoln got the best start when it was time for his schooling.

By the time they reached Lord Templeton’s manor, which Beckworth had free rein to borrow when the earl was overseas, everyone was ready to stretch their legs. He helped the women and Bart out of the carriage while Barrington went to ensure the staff were ready for them.

“You really need to see about better padding on those benches,” Stella grumbled while rubbing her backside. “I was ready to ask you to buy a horse halfway here.”

“You would still be sitting on your backside,” Beckworth mused.

“Different muscles, and I could ride ahead like you did then walk around until the coach caught up.”

“I suppose we should have hitched Smudge to the back of the carriage.”

Stella took his arm as he guided her up the steps to the manor. “Next time. I miss that horse.”

Beckworth shook his head then glanced up in surprise when he heard Fitz’s voice.

“I’ll drive the carriage to the coach house before I make a run back to the ship.”

“Fitz!” Stella hurried over to give the sailor a hug.

Fitz took it in good stride. “It’s good to see you, Lady Stella.” Then the first mate scowled. “But you’re a day late.”

Stella laughed. “And you lost the bet.”

“Aye. And Lando’s a bit too chipper about it.”

“Is he here?”

“Him and Jamie both, but they’re back at the ship taking care of some business.” Fitz eyed Beckworth. “Hensley wanted to know when you arrived.”

Beckworth gave Stella a quick look before nodding. “I’ll have a message sent. Are you all staying here?”

Fitz shook his head. “We decided to stay on the ship, but I expect Jamie and Lando will be seeing you at Hensley’s.”

“Well, that didn’t take long.” Stella didn’t appear happy about the news. She liked Hensley, but she wasn’t keen on him wanting to bring Beckworth in for a meeting the minute they’d arrived.

“Let’s get you upstairs,” Libby said. “We could all use a short rest before dressing for dinner.”

Thank heavens for Libby, Beckworth thought.

He knew she’d be good for Stella, and he hadn’t been wrong.

Although when he saw the two women grin at each other before heading for the stairs, he sometimes questioned his wisdom.

The two of them together weren’t much different than Stella with AJ.

Alone, they were smart, fearless, independent women.

Together—and with a bit of wine—they seemed to lose common sense, and their fearlessness had been known to get them in trouble.

He wouldn’t have to worry for long. Once Mary and Elizabeth heard they were in town, they’d keep Stella busy and out of trouble.

“Did you want to change, sir?” Barrington asked.

Beckworth snorted. “Not a minute in London and it’s already sir?”

“I thought it best to get back in practice.”

He shook his head. “How about a drink in the study? I need to write a few letters.” There were always the bankers, the solicitor, and other business associates he needed to meet with while he was in town.

If he was quick about it, he might receive some updates before his meeting with Hensley.

Better to be forewarned before walking into the spymaster’s web.