Read Online Through Time-Whiplash by Claudy Conn - Free Book Online

unconscious in a hospital, and making all this up in her mind?
    She could hear men talking about one of their own not being ‘right’ after Waterloo. His body evidently had survived but not his mind. She heard another talking about purchasing a cow from a farmer having troubles down the road. These were not restoration actors; these were real people talking about real problems, real life.
    She pinched Trevor, and he released a growl. “Why did you do that?”
    “Wanted to see if you were real,” she answered.
    He said nothing to this but shook his head, and she returned to studying the occupants of the tavern.
    The men for the most part were in shirtsleeves, well-worn leather vests, breeches, and boots. A few well-dressed men strolled in and joined a group of what she assumed were local gentry at a far table. She loved historical romances and had read enough to know that the superfine cutaways of dark colors and waistcoats had replaced the colorful, bright satins of the 1700s. She was really in 1816. It was a movie playing right before her eyes. Gone were the wigs, as men in 1816 wore their unpowdered hair either tied back or cut short. She watched it all unfold before her with avid interest.
    Trevor spoke to her, his very fine brows drawn together. “By Danu, Fios, you are making some very odd noises.”
    She realized she was oohing and aahing and felt a giggle begin to return. She suppressed it. “The style of dress … the manners … everything,” she answered. “We damn well are in the past. We really are.” She eyed his naked chest suddenly and asked, “Aren’t you cold? Shouldn’t you cover up?”
    “No, we Fae regulate our temperature to accommodate the fluctuating temperatures of the day. Why , are you?”
    “Yes, a little,” she said, hugging her arms around herself. Evening had descended, and they weren’t close enough to the enormous fire at the far wall for her to catch any benefit. They were invisible to everyone who came in, yes, but she was not unaffected by the conditions.
    His lashes moved almost imperceptibly, and she was covered in a lovely dark knit shawl. “Better?” he asked.
    “Where did that come from?” She laughed. “That was quick knitting.”
    He seemed pleased with himself. “I brought it with a thought from the shop down the avenue.”
    “Huh? Oh no—did you leave money in exchange for it?”
    “I left a gold piece. I think that will do,” he answered blithely.
    “Then, I will allow that was really well done.”
    “Of course,” he said impatiently.
    “Oh, you are such a … a …” She gave it up.
    “Red enjoys humans, but I have yet to understand why.”
    “Again with this princess of yours. Are you in love with her?”
    He choked on a cough. “May I be struck down before ever that could happen. No, we barely get along as it is, but I do consider her amongst by dearest friends. She is now wife to Chancemont LeBlanc, the Milesian.”
    “Ah, you mentioned him, Lana’s brother,” Jazz said, putting everything together. She sighed. “Why don’t you blink us some clothing of the time, and then we wouldn’t have to be invisible and could ask the locals a few questions—”
    He cut her off. “We must not do anything to upset the balance of this time. We shall stay invisible and hope that Hordly’s intrusion will do no harm.” He glanced around.
    “That is too bad, because if we could question some of the locals, they would know if they saw some gorgeous hunk of a Dark Prince,” she teased to lighten the mood. He was always so serious, and whether she was in a coma or actually in the past, she needed some levity to ease her tension.
    He frowned at her.
    She said, “You said I do it, but you do it more.”
    “I do what more?” he asked.
    “Frowning,” she answered. “So what do you think?”
    “I do not do more frowning, and why do you call him gorgeous? He is evil. You witnessed what he did to that poor human.”
    She felt contrite all at once.