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"Come love. I'll owe you one," he chided.
And with that promise Claire forgot all about Quinn.
Quinn emerged from behind a curtain in a gown of ice-blue silk with loose elbow-length sleeves, trimmed with lace, and a highly decorated stomacher stitched with silver threads and pearls. The square cut neckline showed a bit more of her breasts than she was comfortable with, but when in Rome. The stays were annoying and made breathing a bit difficult and the weight of the gown was surprising. The silk slippers though were comfortable considering there was very little to them. She had three additional dresses with all the trimmings that were now in a trunk that had been whisked away by Thaddeus' footman.
"Thank you, Claire, you do beautiful work," Quinn offered sincerely.
Claire beamed at the compliment as Quinn disappeared outside to give them a moment in private. Minutes later, Thaddeus came out grinning as he reached for her hand and linked it through his arm before he said, "I've a coach waiting."
And with that he led her to a beautiful black lacquered carriage drawn by two magnificent white horses. Quinn watched as Thaddeus climbed in to take the seat across from her as she settled back against the wine-colored leather seat.
"Can I ask you something?" Quinn asked.
"Certainly."
"How did you happen upon me?"
"I've been riding for over a day and wanted to stretch my legs. It was during my stroll that you simply appeared before me."
"Doesn't that freak you out?"
"Freak me out?" Thaddeus asked confused.
"Sorry, doesn't that disturb you?"
"Well, it was a bit unsettling to see someone just appear, yes, but I can not lie, it was also a bit exciting, like a mystery and I do so like mysteries."
"That, Lord Cornwell, we have in common."
"Please call me Thaddeus."
"Then you must call me Quinn."
He reached over and took her hand to bring to his lips before he whispered, "Gladly."
Quinn couldn't help but be in awe as the castle came into view. It was magnificent in the 21st century but doubly so in this one. It was amazing to realize that this was all being built without the benefit of backhoes and bulldozers; only horses, wagons, pulleys and men, lots and lots of men. It was extraordinary. Thaddeus' voice pulled her from her study of the place.
"Have you never seen a residence under construction?"
"Not like this," Quinn offered softly.
"Tis owned by my cousin, Archer. Obviously he's going to know you aren't my cousin but I don't think he'll say anything because he rarely involves himself in my personal affairs. If he discovers you're up to no good, then who knows how he'll handle you because he can be quite unpredictable."
Archer, hmmm… manly name -- Harlequin romance name, Quinn thought but then her thoughts detoured as she wondered how one might handle someone lying to them, a visitor from the future, if not strapped to a flaming pile of sticks? She voiced her concerns to Thaddeus.
"Drawn and quartered, disemboweled, beheaded, hanged?"
The look he gave her was the very first one that held a touch of concern that perhaps she really wasn't right in the head before he answered, "I doubt anything that severe."
"Oh, good, because I'm quite fond of my head and other parts."
The carriage stopped in front of the castle, at the door that Quinn had entered repeatedly over three hundred years in the future. Immediately, the carriage door was opened and a hand extended to help her down. Thaddeus emerged and pulled her hand through his arm to escort her inside.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, the same sensation that assailed her every time she passed through the doorway washed over her once again but her attention was fully on the grandeur of the great hall. The tapestries hanging from the wall were new, their colors vibrant and she was finally able to determine that they depicted hunting scenes. The fireplaces were still under construction but Quinn couldn't resist walking over and looking up to find a wink of the azure sky above.
She turned and studied the room. The table was in the same spot though it was a different table, longer and more solidly built, and centered at the head was an elaborately carved chair that she could only assume belonged to this Archer. Weapons of every description hung on the one wall, swords of gold and silver embedded with richly-hued gemstones. Quinn was happy to see that the furniture was heavy oak decorated with cushions made from silk as opposed to the gilded Baroque style that was quickly becoming the fashion.
She could smell the spicy scents wafting from the kitchen and wondered what culinary treats were being prepared.
