For Love of a Vampire

Chapter 3

Isabelle's warnings were significant, but not enough to change my mind; even if Duncan was able to change hers. It took some time before Duncan managed to convince Isabelle that our plan was a bad idea. By the time he did, I'd already learned enough to do it on my own, if need be.

Once my mind was made up, I took the time to study enough on the sly until I was able to work a spell to teleport myself through time without risking Isabelle by using her as my anchor. When no one suspected what I was up to, I did just that.

I'd cast a spell to travel back in time far enough in advance of the attack on Duncan to allow time to find him, meet him, gain his trust, and then return to the future with him before the fateful attack could take place. I was to return no later than the day before the attack. I hadn't the skills to elongate my visit. If we missed the opening of the portal of time, I wasn't sure I'd be able to work a new spell while in the past. If I'd been teleporting to the future, I wouldn't have been as concerned. Going back several centuries before my birth put a different slant on things.

Now, here I was, crouched behind an outbuilding hiding from screeching Mildred while I looked for a way to sneak off with my little trunk of mainstays and the coin I stole from the recesses of a traveling gentry's receptacle. I hadn't taken all he had and, since I'd heard no mention of it, I doubted he discovered its absence before returning home and unpacking. I felt bad for the servants who unpacked him. Surely they would get the blame, but what was I to do? I couldn't function without it. I also had in my possession a small traveler's trunk with a new kirtle, a gown of velvet, a gown of silk, a spare chemise, traveler's shoes, house shoes, a cape, and other accessories. I'd snuck each article, bit by bit, from rooms of gentry staying at the inn over my weeks of working there. I wasn't sure what role the gentry I'd stolen from played in society, but the embroidered fabric seemed of quality velvet, wool, silk, and linen and the cut fashionable enough for me to believe them of a reasonable status.

I managed to hide the little traveler's trunk in the recesses of the older, less used stable under an enormous pile of hay until things cooled down. The last thing I needed was to be attached to theft. Prison wasn't on my agenda.

Oh, Duncan, my love. The things I do for you!

I needed to leave, but I also needed to time it just right. I could feel Duncan's energy all around me. The time was close for me to connect with him. I could feel it. I just couldn't hone in on it.

If only Mildred would stop her screeching and let me think. There was no hope for that. I heaved a sigh and hoisted myself from the squatting position I'd curled up in behind a coop. My feet felt like lead as I forced myself to return to duties I certainly wouldn't miss when I was finally free of them. At least I would be left alone to think while doing the laundry.

Their methods of washing and hygiene had a lot to be desired. The caustic soaps and boiling water practically tore the flesh from my slender fingers. A messenger notified Mildred of a small party of aristocracy that would be stopping for the night. The inn was in a frenzy preparing for the guests. I had no idea who they were, but they were important enough to warrant the cleanest sheets in the county and a meal of roast chicken, rosemary potatoes, apple pie and Brussel sprouts, while the rest of the guests made due with mutton stew. When I heard Carl ordering a barrel of his finest wine to be brought up from the cellars, my curiosity was peaked.

My duties didn't include serving the guests. This made it necessary for me to be creative in finding ways to monitor them. Normally, I would stay in the shadows and study their language and mannerisms. I'd managed to find a spot that only Kitty, the scullery maid, knew about. There were times when she'd squeeze in next to me, but most of the time she was too busy making sure food didn't burn or performing one of the grueling tasks the cook forced upon her. During these times, Mildred and Carl were so busy skittering around to make sure their guests were fat and happy, my whereabouts was never a curiosity.