Page 26 of The Time Of Queens (An Afterlife Story #2)

26

A PRECARIOUS RIDE

KEIRA

I could just hear the words of my future-Pip…

“Well, this is a fine mess you’ve gotten us into.”

But then, Laurel and Hardy hadn’t been born yet, and I was still facing a very different time. Although the vision of my husband’s body affected me just the same, for no matter the year, it was a sight to behold, that was for sure. A tempting one… to the point where it had been hard to tear my eyes from him. Of course, my embarrassment soon followed when he reminded me of the fact.

But then I knew his game. Because if I was playing the part of the terrible maid, then he was playing the God of temptation. He had purposely arranged for the head housekeeper to pound on my door this morning, I hadn’t even opened it and she was barking orders at me, telling me the master needed his breakfast tray. My response to this was one she missed, as I threw the covers over my head and screamed into the pillow.

Last night, I had been furious at him, only calming enough when I had gone too far and hurt his feelings. My outrage at telling him that I wasn’t going to sleep in his bed somehow must have translated to him doing something awful. He thought I had implied he would try and force himself on me. Which of course, I knew he never would. Now as for shamelessly standing there naked, oh yeah, that he would most certainly do.

But then I wasn’t stupid, as I knew what he was trying to accomplish. He was trying to win me back, and if he had to use temptation to do it, he would, as clearly, he was pulling out all the stops. Because something had happened to him last night after finding me gone. Something I continued to question, despite how pointless it was to do so.

And I kept having to remind myself that I was leaving the first chance I got.

Just like last time.

That, of course, didn’t make any of this easier, it was a mind fuck to say the least. It was one thing to fall in love with your husband the first time, but to do so four times in a lifetime was enough to have anyone questioning their sanity. Each Draven I unencountered had been different, despite being the same at their core. Which just proved that time had its part to play in shaping the man who I had first met all those years ago.

And as for now, well he wasn’t making leaving any easier on my conscience, seeing as he was going above and beyond in ensuring that I went nowhere. And without a coin, then this was true.

The problem I faced now was how I was to escape him yet again, as I doubted I would have another chance to get to London. Which begged the question, just how long would I have to live life as his maid? When would my next chance to escape this timeframe present itself?

And speaking of playing the little maid…

“I believe my brother wishes to speak with you.”

I turned quickly to find Vincent standing there, watching me as I folded linen napkins. Because for the time being, I had nothing else to do but try and help the others.

I, therefore, couldn’t help but tense when I saw Vincent jerk a head to Betty, who I was helping, telling her silently to leave. Something she did after granting him a quick curtsy and a blush.

Not that I was surprised, Vincent made for a handsome picture indeed, dressed in his dark-grey suit, with his near white-blonde curls tied back from his face. Although unlike before, now he was looking at me with a genuine smile, instead of granting me his usual judgemental expression.

Did he know something I didn’t? And where had his cold countenance towards me gone? That easy grin of his was one I almost found unnerving, for I knew not to trust it in this time. Not after how he had made it more than apparent that he disapproved of me for his brother. So, I decided to nod my head in acknowledgement before making my way to Draven’s study, as that was where I gathered he was to be.

“He is in the stables… here, let me take you there,” Vincent offered, making me freeze in my steps before saying a quick,

“That’s alright, my Lord, I know the way.”

“Nonsense, for it will be my pleasure.”

At this I jerked back a little, clearly not trusting him.

“But I…” I tried to argue, but he stepped up to me and offered me his arm, making me look down at it suspiciously.

“Come now, Miss Williams, have I given you such cause to distrust me?” he asked, laughing. I frowned and decided to be honest.

“Well, you made it clear enough that you don’t like me, so yes, forgive me if I am not so quick to trust your intensions.”

He looked surprised by my honesty, until another grin emerged on his handsome face.

“Then I must apologise for giving you such an impression, for I assure you, I meant you no ill will, and I certainly don’t now… something I will prove, should you allow me to escort you to my brother,” he said, once more holding out his arm.

I couldn’t help but allow myself to be charmed by his words, as he certainly seemed sincere. So, I nodded and hoped I wasn’t making another mistake in letting him take me off somewhere… Maybe he intended to try and be rid of me himself.

“I assure you, my brother charged me with this task,” he insisted, making me release a sigh before placing my hand in the crook of his arm.

“Let us take the long way around, for it is a nice day for a stroll,” he said, leading me through the exit from the south portico and down the steps that faced the fountain.

“It is a beautiful piece, is it not?” he asked, making me look away and say a cautious,

“I suppose.”

“And are you familiar with the story of Perseus and Andromeda?” he asked, unknowingly sending me on a trip down memory lane, when Draven himself spoke about it.

“Yes, I am and therefore know better than to anger any Greek Gods,” I replied, as I knew the myth of when Cassiopeia boasted that her daughter, Andromeda, was more beautiful than the sea nymphs, angering the Gods who created them. Something that ended up with them demanding sacrifice for the offence, and how Andromeda ended up chained to a rock about to be eaten by a giant sea monster. That was until the hero, Perseus, a demigod rescued her.

“Ah but of course, for I knew you would be well educated,” he remarked, making me give him a wry look in return.

“What…? Even for a maid, you mean?”

“Ah, but I believe we both know you to be so much more than that, for why else would you have captivated my brother so intently? You are beautiful, to be sure, but I think we both know there is far more than just possessing a pretty face to catch the attention of my brother.”

I couldn’t help but tense in his hold, now panicking about what he knew.

“What… what do you mean?” I asked cautiously.

“Why, your obvious wit and intelligence in holding conversation, of course… what else could I mean?” he asked with a strange gleam in his handsome, ice-blue eyes. Naturally, I released a held breath, allowing myself to believe his words.

“You don’t need to keep up pretences with me, for I know you do not approve of his attention towards me,” I said, deciding that honesty was the only way forward with Vincent, as it was what he would respect the most. Although, it was true that my honesty was limited at best.

“That may have been in the beginning, but I have come to realise that there are some things even a brother should not meddle in.”

My face must have said it all, as he chuckled.

“Argh, I fear I have made a terrible impression on you.”

“So, what is this, you giving me your approval or something?” I asked in a sceptical tone.

“Think of this as my trying to make amends and asking your forgiveness for how I have acted. For I had hoped we could start a fresh, you and I,” he replied earnestly, surprising me.

“That’s nice of you, but I see little point in doing so,” I told him, deciding once again to be frank.

“Why is that?” he asked, genuinely curious.

“Because I am your brother’s maid and nothing more, nor do I ever intend to be.”

He laughed and scoffed.

“Then you don’t know my brother as well as you think you might, for he is quite tenacious, Miss Williams.”

Now it was my turn to scoff, as I admitted by mistake.

“Oh, I know.”

He raised a brow in question, a knowing smirk playing at his lips.

“I mean to say, that I have gathered that by now,” I added quickly as we continued to walk down the length of the house, soon getting to the conservatory.

“But of course, after all, you have only known my brother such a short time,” he said, looking down at me in a curious way, one I was forced to ignore. Because what could I say to that? Nothing much, is what, hence why I didn’t say anything else for fear of what I might reveal.

We walked in comfortable silence until we reached the stables yard, and the sight of Draven outside in his riding gear was yet another sight to behold. He wore grey leather breeches, black knee-high riding boots with a low heel, and a tailored white shirt underneath his black riding coat. One I now knew, thanks to Pip, was called a redingote. Other parts of his outfit were the black waistcoat underneath his thick jacket, along with the black leather gloves, neckcloth, and a black top hat. Which, all combined, made him utterly droolworthy and the epitome of some dashing hero from a period romance novel. To the point that just the sight of him had me stopping dead and forgetting how to breathe.

“Ah there is my little maid,” Draven said the second he saw me. He was standing next to his colossal horse, reminding me of a similar sight back in Persia. It was when I had left in search of Ari and had to convince her to return. Something we both ended up doing on horseback after the Draven brothers had, in their panic, galloped out across desert sands, intent on chasing us down.

I would have commented to this nickname he had christened me, but with Vincent here, I decided against it. I still wasn’t convinced at his intensions and didn’t trust why he was suddenly being so nice to me. Had Draven said something to him? Forced him to apologise and be kind to me?

He had seemed genuine enough but, right now, I was not willing to trust either of them. Because I just couldn’t shake the feeling as if something else was going on here.

“Come here, Keira,” he said, calling me by my first name and just before I took a step, I heard Vincent whisper down at me,

“Good luck on your ride.” Then before I could question him further, he was walking away. So, I asked Draven instead,

“What did he mean, good luck on your ride?”

“Well, I do owe you a lesson, if memory serves me,” was Draven’s smooth response.

“Oh, that’s alright… besides, I have work to do,” I told him, before turning around ready to make my quick escape.

However, in true Draven fashion… I didn’t get far. Not when he was bold enough to band an arm around my waist from behind before leaning down to whisper in my ear,

“Not so fast, little one… do not show fear now.”

I swallowed hard, as his voice as always did strange things to me. Especially when he spoke all low and gentle like that. It always had. A fact my husband often exploited and used often to his advantage.

“I…”

“I speak of my horse, for not to worry, I have your secret in the palm of my hand…”

I quickly tensed in his hold at what that could mean, internally panicking for seconds too long. A panic that only left me when I looked down to see him opening his palm in front of me so as to show me the handful of sugar cubes there. A sight that had me instantly relax in his hold.

I also chuckled, something he seemed pleased about as he lowered his arm and took my hand in his. Then once he had a firm grasp on me, he pulled me around so he could walk me back towards his horse. One that a stable hand had just finished saddling up ready for him.

“Thank you, John, that will be all,” Draven said, dismissing the man.

“Enjoy your ride, my Lord,” he replied with a bow of his head before leaving and, in response, I didn’t miss the way Draven replied under his breath.

“Oh, I most certainly will.”

I couldn’t help shiver at that, wondering exactly what it was he had in store for me. Which was why I knew I still needed to try and get out of this.

“I am not fit for riding and besides, I only see one horse,” I told him, now looking around for the tame dappled mare but not finding her.

Of course, Draven had taken me riding before, but we both agreed I wasn’t good at it and too much of a liability. Especially after my foot got stuck in the stirrup when getting off and I ended up hanging in a very awkward position before I hopped around like a crazy person. Draven had laughed for a week after he had first come to save me. Which was why I had answered his laughing fit by saying, “never again… ever!” Then I had stomped off, only to have Draven come and catch me. He had swept me into his arms and tried to kiss me enough to forget my embarrassment.

And that had been the extent of my short-lived horse-riding experience. Hence why I wasn’t exactly all fired up to get back on one. There was no way I was riding with Draven, as that was far too close for comfort seeing as it was the opposite of what I was trying to achieve here.

“You can ride without a habit, for I brought you a cloak to wear,” he said, walking towards a bench seat that I could now see the material hung over… It looked suspiciously like one I had stolen from him that first night.

“Erm…”

“This belongs to my sister. In fact, I used to have one just like it, but alas, it was stolen not that long ago,” he told me, as if reading my mind, and the whole exchange started to unnerve me.

Did he know something? No, he couldn’t know, as I doubt if he did, that he would be acting this calm right now. Which was enough to get me to relax and say,

“I thank you but, again, I think I will have to decline,” I told him, trying to sound more firm this time.

“Nonsense, for there is nothing to fear. Come, you will see,” he told me after wrapping the cloak around my shoulders and leading me towards his horse.

“But I cannot ride him, for he is far too big for me,” I argued, even as I was being ushered closer to where I could see a step beside his waiting horse.

“No really, I can… Whoa!” My argument died from my lips when I felt myself being lifted up suddenly. Which meant that I had no choice but to cock my leg over into the man’s saddle. I felt tiny on the giant horse, quickly gripping on to what I knew was called the horn and steadying myself.

My long skirt was caught, as well as my cloak, giving me no choice but pull it up slightly, exposing my calves and lace-up boots. But before I could do anything else, Draven mounted the horse behind me, heaving himself up with ease after first putting his foot in the stirrup. Then once he was on, he rearranged my cloak so as it was around my shoulders but cascading down to one side, leaving my back more exposed to his chest. He wasted no time before pulling me firmly against him, simultaneously sliding closer so as he could reach around me and take possession of the reins.

Then he swiftly gave the horse the command to move, and with nowhere else to hold on to, I gripped the horn tighter in front of me and yelped at the feel of the large beast moving. Meaning before I had a chance to say a single word more in protest, we were quickly riding from the stable yard and along the gravel path leading us away from the house.

But then as I glanced back, I caught sight of Sophia and Pip walking the path, their faces full of shock and horror. I didn’t question it for long, as this quickly reminded me of one major thing.

One very important thing.

And the very reason they had planned to join me the first time Draven mentioned taking me on a ride. A ride that never happened. Just like this one shouldn’t be happening. Because of one very important rule about Pip’s mojo…

It only worked when she was near.

Meaning as I looked behind me now and saw the grand house getting smaller and smaller in the distance, I knew I was in trouble and soon…

Draven would know it too.

In fact…

He would soon know everything.