She put aside thoughts of her governess and Ashford’s longtime assistant and grew heated at the idea that Ashford was trying to slip something past her.
“Why in secret? If he thinks that portal is a viable option to finding Ariana, why shouldn’t we all go?”
“I don’t think he does think it’s a viable option. It’s more of a desperate last resort and he doesn’t want your hopes to get up or for you to worry more.”
“Don’t defend him after he tried to get Thomas to lie to you,” Tilly sputtered.
Farrah only calmly shrugged and started packing a new trunk. “Don’t get too angry. I told him I was going to tell you and that if he went to Castle on Hill, I’d be going as well.”
“Are you sure you want to risk getting lost in time again?” Tilly hugged a battered toy giraffe to her chest. She had made one for each of the twins when they were first born, and this one had survived to be loved by her youngest.
“If I thought this was anything other than a last resort, or that the portal up there would happen to open at the very moment we arrive, then I’d be scared.” Farrah frowned, probably thinking of the first time she’d been pulled through the Belmary House portal. It ended up being for the better, and she was happy now. “Actually, I suppose I’m a bit scared. But according to that ratty old book Thomas still has, there won’t be any openings for months. I think Ashford just wants eyes on it in case.”
“In case? Does he think Ariana might travel through it?”
Farrah looked away, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Like I said, I think he’s desperate.”
They all were. Before Tilly could start up a fresh round of crying, which she really didn’t have time for, a maid stuck her head in the room.
“Lady Ashford, if you’ll unlock your jewelry box for me, I can get your baubles packed up nice and safe for the journey.”
Tilly slumped, not having started on her own packing yet. “That’s all right, Edith. We’re only going up to the farm. I won’t need any jewelry.”
The young girl bit her lip. “I beg your pardon, but Lord Ashford has just now told me to pack up every last trinket. All your fine gowns as well.”
Every last trinket and gown? “How long are we going to be gone?” she asked. No one bothered to answer her and she didn’t want to waste time arguing. She’d been married to Ashford long enough to pick her battles. Perhaps he anticipated getting one of the time travel spells to work and wanted her to have appropriate costuming in case they needed to blend in.
“I can finish up the boys’ things by myself,” Farrah said.
Tilly sighed and hauled herself to standing, following Edith to her own chamber so she could help pack up every last trinket and gown.
***
They rode in silence for most of a day. Tilly leaned her head against the padded window frame, watching the rolling green landscape pass by maddeningly slowly. It had been ages since she’d missed something from her own time but she would have loved a direct flight from London or even a fast train. Hell, being stuck in traffic would beat the plodding pace of their caravan. There was one carriage for the boys and Farrah, three huge carts laden with their luggage, the carriage she rode in with Serena and Kostya, and six armed men on horses to make sure they weren’t bothered by anyone who felt the need to waylay them and partake of every damn thing Ashford had insisted they bring. It was ridiculous and embarrassing.
One thing she couldn’t complain about though was how little time it had taken to pack everything up. Every servant they’d ever had was pressed into duty and she herself had been up until four in the morning trying to wrangle the boys and their things, getting in a quick breakfast before they set off at first light, just as Ashford had wished.
“It will be lovely to be home again,” Serena murmured, just as Tilly was drifting off to sleep. She decided to pretend she hadn’t heard and let the gentle sway of the carriage continue to carry her off to a much needed nap. “Why isn’t Ashford with us?” Serena persisted. “Wasn’t this his idea? The rush to be off, I mean?”
Tilly sat up and rubbed at her eyes. “Who knows. He wouldn’t say a word directly to me since he set his mind on leaving. He ran around muttering under his breath or shouting at the servants all night. I’m sure he’ll catch up to us eventually.”
“Yes, he said he’d meet us at the inn tonight,” Kostya said. “I’m not sorry he’s not riding with us,” he continued unabashedly. “I’m sure we’d come to blows after how…”
“Irritating he’s been,” Tilly finished for him.
The truce they’d made before Ashford got a bee in his bonnet to race to Scotland was on shaky ground. She still wasn’t convinced it was a good idea to leave Belmary House. If there was the least chance Ariana returned there for any reason, she wanted to be able to grab her and hold on tight.
“Yes, a bit,” Kostya said, scratching at the stubble on his jaw. “But I do believe we’ll have much better luck in Scotland. One, it should be safe since we know the land surrounding the estate was much the same in your time as it is now. And two, we won’t have that malevolent curse fighting everything I do.”
Tilly nodded, her spirits lifting despite the jab about the curse. “Yes, it looked almost exactly the same when we visited the area in my own time. A little less forest, perhaps.” She slumped against the side of
