Read Online A World Apart (The Hands of Time: Book 3) by Irina Shapiro - Free Book Online Page A

late.”  
    “Fascinating,” Kit said again, his eyes shining with wonder.  “Who became their king?  Was the rebellion led by someone of royal blood?”
    “Kit, I’ll tell you more later, but right now, we have more pressing issues.  Since they ’re not back, we have to figure out what to tell everyone.  We need a plausible explanation for Mrs. Dolly and Minnie, and the field workers.  Charles will have to be told something as well, and what about little Louisa?  How do we explain the disappearance of her brother and parents and the appearance of Mr. Taylor?  He’ll have to stay here until they return since he’s got nowhere to go.  Oh, Kit, what if they can’t find Finn?”
    “They’ll find him, Louisa.  They must.  Think good thoughts.  There’s nothing more we can do now, except make sure that everyone is calm and ignorant of the truth.  Let’s tell them that they went to North Carolina.”
    “Why would they suddenly go to North Carolina?” Louisa asked.
    “Everyone is worried about the lack of supplies for the coming winter.  We’ll just tell them that they wanted to barter for some additional items, not available here.  Finn would have gone with them.  I don’t think anyone will question it.  As far as Mr. Taylor goes, just say that he’s a relation come from England to visit.”
    “All right.  I suppose that’ll do since I can’t think of anything better at the moment.”  Louisa sighed.  “I’m so frightened, Kit.  What if they don’t come back?”
    “Sweetheart, you managed to find Valerie after going back in time, crossing an ocean, and surviving a pirate attack.  Alec and Valerie have much better chances since they know where Finn went, and have some useful knowledge of the future.  Even if Finn left the area, he must be somewhere close by.  They will find him.  You’ll see.  Now, get dressed and come downstairs.  We must act normally.”
    “You’re right, of course.  I’ll just change Evie’s clout and check on Bridget before I come down.  She’s been unwell.  I hope she’s feeling better today.  I wish I could tell her the truth, Kit.  She’s always so practical and resourceful; she’d know how to make me feel better.”  Louisa unwrapped Evie’s blanket to a howl of protest.  She hated getting her clout changed. 
    “ Louisa, you must say nothing to Bridget.  I know she can be a source of comfort to you, but the less people know, the better.  I’ll go have a word with Mr. Taylor and advise him of the plan.” 

Chapter 10
     
    Wispy ribbons of mist wrapped themselves around tree trunks, and pooled in the hollows still shrouded in darkness as the sky began to lighten in anticipation of sunrise.  The air was cold, turning their breath to white puffs as they walked in silence down the road to Jamestown.  Alec desperately wanted to say something to comfort Valerie, but no words sprang to mind.  She walked beside him, silent and distant, lost in her own thoughts.  They’d spent the whole night searching the area, but found no signs of Finn, and they both knew what this meant.  He could have gone anywhere.  Going to town seemed like the most logical idea, since Finn would likely try to find Charlie before realizing that he was in a different time.  How long would it take him to grasp the reality of the situation?  What would he do then?  With no one to turn to, Finn might take to the woods, making him impossible to find.
    T hey left the woods before the current inhabitants of the house began to rise and go about their business.  Alec didn’t really have a plan, but it was vital to make Valerie believe that he had an idea.  Her eyes looked haunted in the gray light of the early morning, her face pale and drawn.  He hated to admit it, but she had been right last night.  They should have gone immediately.  The hour it took them to prepare probably made all the difference, although Finn might have already gone by the time Mr. Taylor