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Archer ran his finger along her jaw. "Meaning?"
"The villagers in my time fear you. But I think we can fix that now, create a bond between you that will hopefully span across the generations to come."
"And how do we do that?"
"A fair."
Archer grinned. "Don't tell me they have fairs in your time as well."
"Oh yes, funnel cakes, dunking tanks, pie eating contests. I say we show the villagers that the Scarcliffs are a rather fun lot."
"Whatever you require is yours but only if I can help you arrange it."
"Sweet."
A week after he sent the letter, Lady Scarcliff, Rosalind and Cecilia arrived at Whispering Winds. Quinn stood back and watched as Archer welcomed his family home, saw as little Nickie was passed between all of them. She knew with certainty that when she returned to the future, the place with its hallowed halls would be hallowed no more. A family lived and loved here and their legacy would not be tarnished. The Scarcliffs would be remembered and, with hope, would live on. But Maude's warning played in her head.You may just find what you're looking for but all magic comes with a price.She had found what she was looking for. She found who lived in these halls, and fell in love with them in the process, but she'd pay the price when she lost them all again.
"I do hope you plan to stay on for a while," Archer offered as he led his mother over to Quinn.
"Indeed. We closed up the townhouse. Our family is here and here is where we shall stay. Hello, dear Quinn."
Quinn hugged Lady Scarcliff and felt tears welling, "Hello, Lady Scarcliff."
Lady Scarcliff pulled back and pish poshed Quinn. "I do believe you should call me mother."
"With pleasure, mother."
Quinn took Lady Scarcliff's arm and she led her into the castle. "I know we need to plan a wedding but let me tell you what we're planning first."
The fair idea was met with much enthusiasm from Archer's family. Lady Scarcliff and Archer's sisters were working with Mrs. Hamston and Cook to prepare much of the food for the day. Mr. Tilward and a few men in the village were working on creating a sort of dunking tank. Archer and Thaddeus were coordinating with the villagers on the booths that would be setup. Cook was intrigued with the idea of funnel cakes and though they didn't taste quite like they did in the future, they were still delicious. Women in the village all contributed pies for the pie eating and pie smashing contests. Pony rides, sack races and face painting were just a few of the activities planned. The response from the village was even better than Quinn hoped.
The day of the fair she walked hand in hand with Nickie as he stared wide-eyed at all the activity. He rode a pony, got his face painted, and then they made their way to the dunking tank where Archer was sitting in the hot seat. Thaddeus came up next to her and grinned, "How did you manage that?"
Quinn smiled sweetly, "I asked."
"He's clearly smitten," Thaddeus said with a laugh.
"The feeling is mutual. However, he is the lord of the manor so I felt he should demonstrate the game."
"And you should be the one to throw the ball, why?" Thaddeus probed.
"Because I'm the only one who's ever played this game, silly."
He laughed out loud at that. "I, for one, am looking forward to Archer taking a swim."
Quinn's grin was wicked, "Me too."
Archer did take a dunk on the very first throw and the laughter, in response, was loud and uproarious. Lady after lady pulled their men up to the tank so they, too, would have a chance to make their honey take a soak.
Later in the day, Quinn sat around a bonfire with children and adults alike and told stories, anything from ghost stories to nursery rhymes. When it was full dark, mothers and fathers carried their sleeping children back to their homes. As she waved goodnight, Quinn felt a sense of peace knowing that this was just the first of many activities this community would share.
Archer and she walked through the gardens later that night as the glow of the moon lit the path before them.
"Thank you for today, Quinn. It was a truly wonderful day."
"I was happy to help and it really was a great day. I still can't believe Thaddeus won the pie eating contest. Where on Earth does it go?"
Archer didn't hesitate to answer, "A wooden leg."
