AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"We already know what dates are conducive for jumping so we wait for the next date, jump a few years before it's found, retrieve it, and bring it back to the present and destroy it."
"You want to time travel to steal a book so we can prevent time travel?" Nick asked for clarification.
Quinn flashed him a smile before she said, "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up."
In the days that followed, Quinn contacted Derek who, along with Constance, joined them at Whispering Winds. Constance in particular was very excited about jumping through time again. In a few days, the sky would be in the correct pattern so until then they were doing the waiting game.
Quinn was sitting at the piano in the music room of Whispering Winds when she remembered she had Morgan's journal.
"I have Morgan O'Cuinn's journal," Quinn told the group. "Colleen gave it to me but I haven't read it yet. Let me get it and we can sit in your solar, Nick, and read it."
"I'll get the wine and glasses," Nick said as he started from the room.
Once everyone was comfortable, Quinn opened the journal and started to read.
February 13, 1698
It's beautiful, so very beautiful, the estate being built along the river's edge. When the wind blows through the valley, and through the dense foliage of the trees, it sounds like voices: barely audible whispers from the ghosts of the past. There's a spot right on the river's bank that shows the castle in all of its beauty and the gentle flow of the water sweeping over the river bank, is the most peaceful sound I've ever heard. The Viscount who is building this place is so very lucky to be blessed with this small piece of paradise that he can call his own.
March 4, 1698
I've lost my heart, one look and I knew he was the man I was meant to spend my life with. He's beautiful, physically yes but kind and good. When I saw him standing in my favorite spot, his back to me as he studied what was his, I waited for him to turn. I wanted him to see me and then as if I made it so, he turned and pierced me with the most incredible eyes, the color of a perfect emerald. When his mouth turned up into a smile, my heart was no longer my own.
April 18, 1698
We had a picnic in our spot. He brought a basket filled with the most delicious food. I felt guilty enjoying such a bounty when my family had so little. He knew what I was thinking and being the man that he is, had a second hamper for me to bring to my family. At one point, a breeze blew through the valley and I shared with him how I thought it sounded like a whisper. He turned those amazing eyes on me and declared that his estate would be called Whispering Winds, in honor of the winds and me. I was already halfway in love with him but in that moment I fell the rest of the way.
May 23, 1698
Archer came to my house, shared a meal with my family, and like me my family fell just as hard for him. He is soon to be an Earl but he isn't arrogant and autocratic like so many of the gentry. He's good to his tenants and his staff. He treats everyone, from the stable boys to his steward, with kindness and generosity. Why someone as fine a man as he, is interested in a poor young woman like me, I don't know. His father isn't pleased. He was very rude when I met him the other day. I realize I am not the kind of woman a soon-to-be Earl marries but late at night when it's only my dreams I wish for that, for him to love me too. I believe he and I are fated. I think that's why we've connected as hard and strong as we have in so short a time. Tis believed in my homeland that souls can call to each other, be fated for one another for all time. I believe Archer and I are two such souls so if in this lifetime we don't come together, in my heart I know we will in another.
July 14, 1698
I'm engaged to Archer Scarcliff! My feet haven't touched the ground since he proposed this morning right on the river's edge where we met. My ring, a simple band of pale gold that sparkles with clear, perfect diamonds, is the most beautiful ring and more so because it is his ring. I love him. I will love him always.
July 29, 1698
The Earl did not take the engagement well and in fact threatened to remove Archer from the family wealth. Archer told his father to go to hell. I feel very badly that my being with him is causing so much trouble and a part of me wishes I had the strength to leave him, to end the discord between him and his father. But I can't. To lose him would be like losing my soul. I only hope he will not one day regret the wedge I have driven between him and his father.
August 15, 1698
Archer told me some truly terrible stories about his father, stories that make a rage in me that I've never known. His father is a hateful man, hateful and cruel. I no longer feel badly for pulling them apart. Byron Scarcliff doesn't deserve Archer. I'll need to be careful though especially after the threat, one I didn't share with Archer for fear of what he would do. The Earl came to my home and thankfully my family was not home. He sat in my father's house and threatened me, told me if I didn't leave his son he would make certain that we never had a moment of happiness. If it wasn't a crime, I would have slapped him across the face. I would never have a moment's happiness without Archer so his father be damned.
September 1698
We are married! Archer and I ran off to Greta Green and married. I am now Morgan Scarcliff and am so happy. I will make him a good wife and I will give him children that we can love and cherish, give them the kind of childhood that Archer never had. My life is wonderful.
November, 1698
I am pregnant! I have known for a couple months but I wanted to make sure before I shared the news with Archer. I told him just this evening and his reaction I will remember all of my days. He was overcome with love and excitement -- he even cried. We loved and our love has created a child. I am a very blessed woman.
January 1699
A woman paid me a call today, an acquaintance of the Earl. She was beautiful but she was very cold and staring into her pale-blue eyes, I was left feeling like I was looking directing into evil. She terrified me and though she spoke very little I was left feeling that she wished me harm. Perhaps it's just my superstitious nature but when she left the whispers that normally surround me sounded more like the wails of a banshee.
Quinn looked up from reading and she met and held Derek's gaze from the other side of the room. "Sounds like Katherine."
"Please keep reading," Constance said from her spot near the fireplace.
