Chapter Thirty-Two 

Lady Blackford insisted they eat first. James looked around the lady's solar. It was colorful and soft. The two sisters had not stopped talking since clapping eyes on each other.

"Your letter fell apart, Lucy. You should've tried to protect it better. When I found it and opened it, the paper crumbled to dust. The only word I could make out was safe. And I recognized your handwriting. You always put a smiley face in the bottom of the S."

Lucy took her hands. "I'm so sorry. I thought it would last. Salt air destroys almost everything. I should have known better."

James thought Melinda and her sister had forgotten he was there. He sat back, watching them together. The moment Lucy knew her sister was the moment he knew her story was true. Both sisters had traveled through time. More than seven hundred years.

James kept looking between the two sisters, listening to the strange words. The way they spoke. Hearing them talk, he realized how Melinda must have thought about her words before she spoke. He did not understand some of the words, but followed the conversation, understanding the meaning.

"So you actually married Simon? That jerk tricked you. Well, you aren't married now. I mean in the future. Crap on toast. In 2016."

Lucy put down the small pastry she was nibbling.

"What do you mean?"

"The church and all the records were burned to ash. Apparently the old priest kept everything on paper. He hadn't computerized anything. It was supposed to be his project for the next year. So there's no record of your marriage."

"Who owns the castle? Is it still a ruin?"

"It is, and get this."

Melinda paused. James found himself leaning forward, wanting to know what she would say.

"The Grey family never owned Blackford. The Brandon family owned the castle. The last Lord Blackford died in the fifteen hundreds. He was named Winston Brandon…let me think…some old guy said it was 1564. Winston was the last Brandon. The castle went to the National Trust."

"Winston. After Dad?"

Lucy looked as if she might faint. James set his cup on the table in case he needed to catch her. He touched his leg. The herbs the healer gave him were working. His leg still ached and trembled, but not as much.

Melinda nodded. "I know, right?"

James was glad this Simon was dead. For if he wasn't, James would've killed him. To trick a woman into marriage was a cowardly deed.

Lucy told Melinda about a curse.

"So Simon said I was Lucy Brandon. Which at the time didn't make a lick of sense. But I am Lucy Brandon…now." Lucy shook her head. "I know. It doesn't make sense. I don't know how it's possible, only that it is. Maybe you get a new life when you go back in time? I thought and thought about it, but it just makes my head hurt trying to figure it out."

Melinda leaned forward in the chair.

"So where is this husband of yours? I'm dying to meet him."

Lucy glanced over at James. "He's visiting his cousin, Edward Thornton. He should be back tomorrow. You must stay. I can't believe you traveled all the way from Falconburg in this weather. How long did it take?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you all about it later. Let's just say it took us a few weeks to get here and it was a very eventful journey."

James looked at Melinda, saw the question in her eyes, and nodded. "We'll stay."

Melinda smiled at him. She looked so happy he wanted to pull her in his arms. Tell her how much he cared for her.

A servant brought more food and drink. James had to allow that the food was very good. The "sandwich" Melinda had created was also something her sister knew of. James took a bite and chewed. He lifted the bread to see what was inside. Content to let the sisters talk and learn more about the woman he cared for, James took another bite.

"So what year did you come through?"