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"I know where we can get some," he offered helpfully.
"I don't have any money," Quinn replied.
"Don't worry about that," he countered.
Quinn stopped walking and turned to the mysterious stranger. "Why aren't you making the sign of the cross and backing slowly away from me?"
He studied her a minute and Quinn suspected he wasn't sure what her words meant so she clarified, "Why are you helping me? Particularly with how I came to be here?"
He thoughtfully replied, "I do not understand how you came to be here and I will admit that I don't totally believe what my eyes have seen but I can see that you are lost and alone. I would hope, had I a sister, that if she found herself in a similar situation that someone would come to her aid."
Quinn could tell there was more that he was not saying so she pushed, "And?"
It was admiration in his expression when he said, "You are very astute. Normally, I would not say what I am about to say but considering the circumstances I'll share." He inhaled deeply before he added, "I had a dream the other night about just this."
Quinn paled in response to those words which instinctively had him reaching for her hand as he offered reassuringly, "Yes, you look like I feel but I must admit I'm as much intrigued as I am terrified."
"That makes two of us," Quinn said softly. "You are very kind to help me."
He looked almost offended when he replied, "I would not be a gentleman if I did not come to your aid."
Chivalry, Quinn thought, what a lovely concept. She asked, "What's your name?"
"My apologies! Thaddeus Cornwell," he offered with a deep bow.
"It's very nice to meet you, Lord Cornwell."
They walked along as Thaddeus lost himself in his thoughts. He must have imbibed a bit more scotch than he thought last night since women usually didn't just appear out of thin air. Of course, he had spent the night in his carriage and only had the one flask so how much could he have had? As hard as he tried, his mind had no rational explanation for what his eyes had seen. It was a bit terrifying seeing someone just magically appear but one look into those silver-gray eyes and he knew she was lost: as confused as he as to how she came to be there. It was that lost look that had moved him to act.
They reached the little cottage where the dressmaker lived but as soon as the dressmaker saw him with Quinn her face turned dark with anger. Quinn, recognizing the look, attempted to pull away from Thaddeus but he wouldn't release her as he looked to the seamstress.
"Claire, tis not what you think."
"Who is she?"
Quinn looked up at Thaddeus curious as hell as to how he planned on answering that.
"She's my cousin," he easily lied.
Quinn almost snorted at that. As if anyone was going to believe that lame excuse.
"Oh, well, it's very nice to meet you." Claire curtsied.
On second thought. "Quinn, my name is Quinn."
Claire's eyebrow rose and then she seemed to see what Quinn was wearing as she gave her a blatant perusal.
"What is she wearing?"
"Her luggage was lost which is why I brought her to you. She'll need a whole new wardrobe."
Claire didn't bother to hide her look of skepticism but a sale was a sale. "I have some things she can take now. The rest can be sent to her."
"We'll be at Whispering Winds for the foreseeable future. You can have the garments sent there," Thaddeus offered.
Oh, Quinn was definitely dreaming. What were the odds that of all the times and places she could have gone back to, it was to the one place she really wanted to see? Dream or not, though, Quinn could barely contained her joy; she was going to be staying in the castle with whomever lived there. If she did a little victory dance, would they think she was crazy?
Claire looked suspiciously at Quinn now since her jealousy had died down -- clearly it had been getting the better of her -- and Thaddeus must have seen it too for he began to sweep Claire off her feet.
