Falling For Mr. Darcy Through Time

Get up to date on the released chapters of Falling For Mr. Darcy Through Time! 

Chapter One

It was the eyes.

The goddess made flesh staring at me, then the broken vase on the ground.

Right, the broken vase whose shattering echoed down the halls of Merryton Hall.

This was no brown-haired goddess, no Aphrodite of lore gracing our presence, but a woman.

She waved at me, her eyes big like a doe’s.  “Er, my bad. I’m gonna go.”  

The utterly poor use of the English language was excusable. Perhaps she hadn’t the proper teachings. Running away without making amends or speaking to the hosts of this hall, was abhorrent.

Those thoughts, even fallible in my own mind were what dragged me from where Charles planned to meet me.

The woman hurried down a hall, the unruly curls slipping from their clips swished from side to side as she opened nearly every door she could.

Very rude to invade the host’s privacy like that.

“Wait, miss!” I called out.

She didn’t bother to face me as she answered. “Sorry, I can’t talk right now.” She opened the door at the end of the hall and stepped inside.

The study was dark, with only the moon lighting the room through a large window before us. She stopped and such language I’d never heard expelled from feminine lips.

“I apologize for the abruptness in my tone, however you must speak with our host about the vase. What if someone were to hurt themselves?” Did I sound like an ass? I didn’t mean them too.

“Where is it?” She whispered, but not to me. My mouth opened to speak again, perhaps she didn’t hear me clearly.

Her head turned and I was lost in those eyes for a moment.

“I’ll get on that. You get going, and I’ll be right behind you.” She smiled, the action obviously full of lies.

I lifted my arm and waited for her to accept.

“I’ll escort you.” Without a chaperone, she’d disappear, and I couldn’t have that. She frowned, her posture rising in a defensive manner.

“I don’t need an escort. Just go.” She said through grit teeth, and my eye’s narrowed.

What a wayward woman.

“Miss, I will not leave until-“

The window exploded.

I moved to cover her from the glass but she dodged my arms and stepped in front of me like a guardian angel.

“Here we go.” She said, her delicate fingers lifting the dress over her thigh. I blushed. A highly inappropriate action during this inappropriate moment.

A shimmer of  blue light drew my attention from her bare skin to knife in her hand.

Why did she have a knife strapped to her thigh?

“You need to run, like right now.” She didn’t look at me but kept her gaze on the creature rising from the window’s wreckage.

A monster.

Green leather-like skin with veins that glowed in the dim room. It stood nearly seven feet tall, its pointed ears brushed against the ceiling.

Sharp nails dragged along the floor as it stepped forward. Teeth bared, glowing green eyes staring right at us. It was unlike any creature I’d seen or read besides in the holy book.

 Was this a demon sent to punish us for our sins?

“Dude, pick up your feet and get out of here. I’ve got this.”

She’s got this? Did she mean that she’d deal with this monster? Not on my watch. I was no coward to let a woman take on such a beast.

She readied herself. The balls of her feet pressed against the floor, ready to run. Her hand gripped the hilt of the blade, poised to attack.

Fear of this creature didn’t drive her away, it motivated her forward.

Quick, Fitz, think.

I saw no useable weapons, but I did see books. Heavy books.

No woman nor creature noticed as I ran for the shelves. Their attention locked on each other as if in a duel.

My actions must be swift yet exact. I grabbed the thickest book and took aim.  Right as the monster growled, drool dripping from those razor sharp teeth did the book land directly on its head.

The woman pinched the bridge of her nose with her free hand. “Great, now you’ve pissed it off.”

The creature raised its lanky arms and dagger like nails glowed as it launched toward us. I reached for the woman, to throw her over my shoulder and run. But she was already sliding between its bowed legs, slicing its emaciated belly in her wake.

It twisted and swiped for her torso. She bent low and angled her blade into its chest but long bony fingers wrapped around her hand, lifting her body up and off the floor.

 Face to face, the monster glared, blood and drool falling to the ground beneath her floating feet.

I waved my hands and stepped forward. “Vile creature! Over here.”

If I could distract it, then she could get away. Clearly, she was trained like a soldier. She could run and be safe.

When its glowing eyes glanced my way, she took advantage. Her knee slammed into its leaking gut. She crumbled to the ground, and the monster faced me.

I hope Charles will forgive me for not attending the gathering with him. I didn’t want to go, but loyalty was important.  I came for him, to help him navigate the move to Netherfield. He’d have to rely on his sister.

“Georgiana.” I whispered my sister’s name as the monster stepped toward me, its arms raised. I was not a match against this. I was no soldier. 

All my assets would be left to my sister. She would be well taken care of in Pemberly. Charles would see to it.

I was ready to fight and ready to die if that was heaven’s plan.

My fists were balled up, raised to my face as the monster paused. Its eyes bulged and that’s when I saw the glowing blue blade sticking out of its chest. Right where a heart would reside if it had one.

“Got you, bitch.”

My heart beat rapidly in its cage as I watched the warrior goddess pull the knife out with a sickening sloshing sound. She wiped the blood onto a bracelet on her wrist, and the rest on her dress. Such horrid behavior and I could take this no longer.

She stopped me with a soft smile. “Oh, you were so brave.”

My temper simmered as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged her off and spoke when her eyes widened.

“Oh no!” She pointed behind me and I whirled around, fists raised.

Not even a second passed before something hit the back of my head. My vision went dark, thoughts vanished, and I crashed to the ground.

~

I dreamed of a warrior goddess who came down from the heavens to fight a monster. A tale that I’d never tell a soul lest they’d assume I’d drank too much. Something I’d never do.

A wind and wooshing noise had my eyelids opening. Were the windows left open again? Such draft would cool the house more than Georgiana preferred.

Rising to my feet, I touched the back of my sensitive head and looked around. I was in the study with the broken window, but no dead, monster and no woman.

Was it truly a dream?

The wind picked up to my right and I stumbled back a step.

A glowing vortex swirled rapidly against a bare wall. Nearly large enough to fit three grown men in its circumference.

It shook for a moment, and I wondered if it had something to do with the woman. Perhaps the monster fighting and this vortex were conjured. I stepped closer, inspecting the edges and daring a look behind it.

If only I’d foreseen that following the unruly woman and continuing to search for her would be my undoing.

If I’d known, I would have stood where Charles was to arrive and ignored the woman. Instead, my body flung outward as the edge of my coat snagged in the whirls, dragging me into the vortex inch by inch until all I saw was darkness.

Chapter Two

All I wanted was a bath and a cheeseburger. Instead, I heard the calm but stern voice of my boss upon returning to the 21st century.

"Johnson, report."

My eyes adjusted as I stepped onto the metal platform of the portal room.

Miles waved his blue nails from the designated command center, his words not mine. "Welcome back!"

Grabby hands already lunged for my knife before I could blink. I instinctually handed it off to Iris for Monster DNA inspection. I knew the procedure after field missions.

Didn't change the fact that I wanted to decompress with some food and hot bat to soothe my throbbing muscles.

"Category four monster. A broken window, messy room, and one neutralized witness."

Messing with time travel was tricky business. A business I was secretly employed to do.

My boss's thin white eyebrow rose and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Neutralized?"

"Alive, unconscious, likely questioning reality. But there's no proof besides the mess." It was a simple enough answer. She didn't need to know that the dude followed me, and sort of tried to fight the monster with me.

So unless a new science fiction novel showed up having been written in 1811, then I think it'll blow over.

"Fair enough. Get the Iris and Miles their details and clean up."

Gerry looked me over, taking in the monster blood, and my disheveled appearance. Sometimes I felt bad ruining her historical creations. As the founder of this secret agency, and a historian, she put utmost care into the details of field agent's time accurate attire. She promised she didn't mind. Our job was to protect the timeline from monsters destroying time and space as we knew it. Not worrying over a costume.

"I'll have Mrs. Wills bring some tea over to the villa. Good work, Liz." She nodded then faced the resident computer nerd.

"Miles, close the portal."

The portal whirled as expected but then it crackled. Crackling wasn't expected unless-

A blur of blue and black flew from the time vortex and landed at our feet with an echo that silenced the room.

My hand reached for the knife strapped to my thigh but then I remembered I gave it to Iris already.

Gerry only took a moment to look at the body on the ground before shouting orders. "Keep the portal open!"

Not even the demand from the boss could stop the portal from winking out seconds later.

Shit.

My blood chilled, and the rest of my body froze.

"Where?" A deep voice asked. The voice, the broad shoulders, and brown hair. I knew who this man was before he rolled over and his gaze collided with mine.

The man from 1811 followed me through time.

Double shit.

His eyes widened, then narrowed.

Triple shit.

Why would he follow me? He should have been unconscious longer. Fuck this wasn't good.

"You." He growled and rolled to his feet, his body swaying to his full height. Time travel wasn't easy, I'd be surprised if he didn't-

His head flew forward, and vomit spewed onto the floor.

Puking, headaches, fatigue were side effects to the portal. The more exposure you had, the more tolerant a body got. I barely felt them anymore.

"What did you do to me?" He hissed as another wave of English dinner burst from his mouth.

Gerry watched the interaction with calculating eyes. I'm glad someone was formulating a plan because I didn't know what to do besides stand there with my hands still raised to fight and a gaping mouth.

The boss watched the stranger stand again and wipe his lips with the back of his hand.

"Miles, have Mrs. Wills bring three teas to my office. Two early grey, and one calming blend."

Normally, Miles and Iris were bickering, music played from sound system in the ceiling, and the clicking of Gerry's high heel boots made this large room feel alive.

Right now, you could probably hear the seagulls above ground it was so quiet.

Was there a protocol for this? I read the book and signed the contracts so long ago, that I didn't remember.

What do you do when a person from a different time follows you through the portal and can't go back?

Chapter Three

The man stared at me, then Gerry who simply arched her brow, and finally noticed the other two in the room.

 “Pardon me.” He said while walking straight past us.

What the hell?

He stomped right up to Miles and Iris and harshly pointed his finger at me. “Sir, this unruly woman is a disaster. Breaking things, fighting, then knocking me unconscious.”

What a tattle tale!

Miles was half hiding behind Iris who had the monster slaying knife in her hands. She wasn’t battle trained but I wouldn’t wanna be on her bad side. She made an Iron Man suit for Halloween last year and I’m ninety-eight percent sure it was fully functional.  She was a scary nerd.

The twenty-one-year-old genius shook his head. “Uh sorry, dude.” He pointed at Gerry.

“That pirate looking lady is the boss. You’ve got complaints, she’s your.. err.. guy.”

A strong trunk twisted in our direction and those eyes from the past studied us. Would he yell and cause a ruckus about my actions? I couldn’t say I’d blame him if he did. This situation was fucked up and he didn’t even know the half of it.

He didn’t even know where he was, let alone when.

Gerry walked toward him and gestured for him to follow her. “Sir, if you wouldn’t mind, please follow me to the study for a cup of tea and to air your grievances about my employee.”

Perfect. She would talk to him, sort this mess out the best she could, and I’d finish my reports.  Iris watched me move toward her, but Gerry stopped me with a grip to the neckline of my dress.

“I called for three cups, miss Johnson. You’re joining us.”

The gentleman stood a little taller and nodded at Gerry.

Great.

“Proceed.” I gave her a thumbs up because there wasn’t a point to arguing with the lady who kept my life stable. She gave me a job when I was fresh out of the service from a knee injury. And after…

Memories I usually denied rushed through my head. I closed my eyes to shut them out.

Point was, I owed her a lot, and this all stemmed from my field mission.

Gerry led the way to the elevators at the back of the room. Miles and Iris waved as we entered and the doors closed.

Out the side of my eye, I watched the handsome stranger’s face as the elevator lifted.

His expression was worth it.

He gasped, and hands gripped the railing on the walls.

“What sorcery-.” He snapped but then we stopped. Basements weren’t common in Florida on the count of the water level being near ground level. But when you had serious funds in the bank, you were able to make below sea magic happen.

The doors opened to the main portion of Gerry’s mansion and she stepped out first.

“This was sir.” She took a right and walked down the hall to her office. Not sure why she called it a study to the guy. Did they not have offices back then?

The floor to ceiling bookshelves always enamored me. It was a beautiful collection of knowledge. All personal favorites from when she attended college and researching time travel with her late husband.

“Please, have a seat.” Gerry’s voice refocused my mind from the books to the vintage leather chairs positioned in front of a large fireplace, with three steaming cups on the coffee table in the middle.

The stranger shook his head while Gerry handed him a cup.

“I’ll stand, thank you.”

I’d been standing and fighting for a while, so I plopped my ass in a chair, and grabbed the last cup of tea.

The house manager, Mrs. Wills knew just how I liked my tea, and I smiled with the first sip of earl grey with a tablespoon of milk inside.

Gerry set her tea onto the table and took a breath before speaking. “Thank you for your patience. My name is Gerry Sinclair. This is my home and the faces you’ve seen thus far are my employees.”

She lifted her hand in my direction.

“Liz is one of my soldiers.” Field agent was on my Wells Agency badge but solider worked too.

The towering male looked at me and chewed on the word. “Soldier.”

Seriously how tall was he? Six foot six?

 Even at my five-foot nine height, I had to look up at him, let alone nearly break my neck sitting down at this angle.

He sipped from his cup and spoke to Gerry without any emotion on his face. “Ms. Liz has disrupted my evening, and I wish for a horse, and a guide back to Merryton.”

Yeah buddy that wasn’t happening.

“Yes, we’ll get to that. But first, what is your name?” Gerry asked and I faced him. This handsome yet unapproachable looking man of the past must have an interesting name. Or a boring one.

John?

Charles?

Rupert?

He bowed his head then his torso followed like a male curtsey or something.

“Fitzwilliam Darcy Esquire.”

I held the title as an unruly woman as I spit a mouth full of tea all over my dress and half of the coffee table.

Fitzwilliam Darcy.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Darcy.” Gerry said while handing me an embroidered handkerchief.

Mr. Darcy. Surely not the fictional Darcy. The one from a beloved book, that wasn’t based on real life.

Right?

We didn’t get to find out because the gentleman swayed, the cup fell to the ground, followed by the man himself.

“Is he dead?” I jumped up to check his pulse.

Gerry remained in her seat, sipping her tea without a care in the world.

“He’ll be fine once the sedatives wear off.” She sighed and her words registered.

“You drugged him?”

“I needed time to think.”

I shook my head and looked down at the resting Mr. Darcy.

“You don’t think he’s got anything to do with the fictional Mr. Darcy, do you?” I asked while crossing my fingers that the universe wouldn’t be so cruel.

Gerry took a deep breath and looked me in the eye.

“I’m not sure. Perhaps we will have a celebrity in our care until we can figure out how to get him home.”

We potentially had the world’s first book boyfriend stuck in the 21^st century.

Fuck

Chapter Four

I watched as two furry black ears floated by the edge of the bed near the alarm clock.

My best friend, my companion, my sister from a doggy mister, Jane.

The German Shepherd stared at the clock waiting for the alarm to go off. She had a schedule to keep and it started in about thirty seconds.

She didn’t notice I’d been awake for two hours.

A fluffy tail wagged, and I braced myself for a 90lb dog to jump onto the bed to make sure I didn’t just roll back over to sleep.

Jane was mid launch when the alarm blared. I squealed and dodged her wet dog licks to the face while smacking my hand on the clock.

“Morning, Jane.”

I kissed her furry face and tried to snuggle her big body but she wiggled out of my grasp to run out of the room.

And the others say I am rigid… Clearly they didn’t realize Jane was the one running my schedule.

Speaking of running.

Jane barked from the living room, ready to go for our morning run.

I wasn’t ready for the day to start the day.

My impatient diva barked two more times and I rolled out of bed with a sigh. Sometimes I wished Jane was a coach potato type.

But then she wouldn’t be my girl. Jane saved me after Jason died by keeping me in a routine.

With a huff to fuel my momentum, I rolled out of bed.

Thankfully, the summer humidity hadn’t settled in yet so I wouldn’t be soaked being outside for five minutes.

A win is a win.

We ran along the beach, enjoyed the sunrise with some easy yoga, and finished the morning off with breakfast. Well, I got a shower in and Jane tried to grab my sandwich from the counter then acted all innocent. Like I didn’t know what she was scheming.

All in all it was my perfect morning, especially after yesterday.

I eyed the mansion across the blue pool and pergola.

As soon as I entered, everything would change.

Soft snores came from the living room. My pup moved onto the next part of her schedule, napping. Which meant it was time for me to continue with the schedule.

Meeting with the crew, train, eat, exercise Jane, train (unless I had to go into the field) eat, take Jane out, then settle in for the night with a book, and finally sleep.

And I loved it.

What I didn’t love was the gentleman from the past tossing a metaphorical wrench in my well-oiled machine.

The walk to the main house was quick. I’m glad Gerry let me stay in the guest house after Jason. She always took care of me, and I owed her for that. Being so close meant I was already ready to jump time. The other field agents were still close by but it wasn’t the same as being on the property.

Some would say I needed to separate my home and work life, but I liked what I did. It made me happy and I was damn good at it.

I never failed at my job.

Until that fucking guy followed me through the portal.

“Damnit.”

I cursed, taking the steps to the entrance two at a time.

I’d spent all morning thinking how to fix my mistake. But there wasn’t anything I or any of the others could do right now. Time travelling at will wasn’t a thing. We relied on the DNA of monsters and unless a monster appeared the exact moment that jerk left, he was stuck.

The quiet halls gave no evidence to the trouble brewing in the boundaries of these walls.

Then I rounded the corner to the dining room.

Iris and Miles were loud and chatting up a storm over our new guest.

The weapon’s engineer wore a set of overalls, and a pink crop top. It was not a look I could pull off without looking like a toddler. But with her thick curves, and rich brown skin, she looked hot.

Miles wore the same outfit and  suddenly I felt the urge to break out into dance like I was on stageof a 90’s boy band concert.

Miles noticed me first and pushed back the blonde hair out of his face. “Liz! We were just talking about you.”

Iris nodded, her curly afro shaking with the movement.

“Oh, whatever about.” I said with sarcastic smile.

Both geniuses weren’t letting me get away with playing dumb. As I made a cup of tea, they looked at each other.

Most meetings started like this, they would pile mountains of food from the variety laid on the table by Mrs. Wills and her second-in-command house manager slash husband. Miles and Iris would gossip or bicker. Sometimes we called them the twins because they acted more like siblings than co-workers.

In another five minutes, 8 A.M. on the dot, Gerry would walk in with the paper, and cup of coffee. We’d all talk about our plans for the day, unless there was something juicier happening.

After Mr. Darcy passed out, Mr. Wills and I carried the nearly two hundred fifty-pound limp man to a spare bedroom. I told Gerry more details about the monster and the happenings in 1811. I doubt she’d told Iris and Miles yet, that would be the topic of today’s meeting for sure.

I was surprised the twins waited until I sat down before demanding the details.

“Spill the tea.” They said in unison.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. “Gerry will update you in thirty seconds.”

Miles whined. “But you have the opportunity to tell it with flair. You used to love telling us all the juicy details.”

His words shouldn’t bother me, but he choice of “used to” stung. Iris elbowed him in the side and his eyes widened.

“Liz, I’m sor-“ He didn’t get to finish apologizing Gerry entered the room.

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

“Hope everyone is well rested, caffeinated, and fed. We’ve got serious conversations ahead and need clear minds to do so.”

The boss wore high waisted, tight overalls, and high heels. Then I glanced at the others. Did I miss the on Wednesday we were pink with overalls email?

She sat at the head of the table and I sighed. I didn’t envy her job. Sure, she had money, and cool historical items all over her house, but the fate of the timelines rested on her shoulders.

Gerry sipped her coffee and looked at each of us, eye to eye. “As you all know, we have a guest from the past.”

The twins nodded.

 “Our agency firmly stands on preventing such incidents from happening, but there was always a possibility. I’m grateful this is our first and hopefully only time guest problem.” Her blue eyes darted my way and my gut clenched. We both knew it was an accident, and we both knew it couldn’t happen again.

Miles raised his hand and the boss’s lips tilted up. He didn’t need to do it, but Miles was a gentle soul and didn’t want to straight interrupt her. “Do we know who he is?”

My finger’s gripped the cup handle a little tighter. The boss smirked in my direction, and I didn’t need to look at her to know it.

So what if a girl had hobbies? I like to read in my quiet time.

So what if Pride and Prejudice was my favorite book? Sue me.

The timing of the gentleman and the name was coincidental.

“His name is Fiztwilliam Darcy.”

Do not make an expression or sound, Liz.

Miles looked at me first with a big smile. Why did I have to get the man into reading? We used to be part of a book club, and he knew all my favorites.

Iris tilted her head to the side, ignoring Miles’s stare in my direction. “Like from that movie, the one with the zombies?”

That broke the subtle tension in the room. Iris was more of a movie, tv, manga kind of person.

Gerry answered with a smile. “ Same name, yes, but that is all we have to go on right now.” She set her cup down and took a deep breath.

“We’ll have to gather more information from Mr. Darcy and keep him under our care until we figure out how to get him back to his time.”

Miles raised his manicured hand again. “But we can’t do that. I’ve done the math. Time travelling at will isn’t possible. The bridge to the monster’s planet is our only key source.” He would have rambled for hours but Gerry held lifted a finger to stop him.

“It is not something we must figure out in the next five minutes.”

Because that was impossible.

“I’ve already set out Arnold’s notes in my office. We’ll look through them together.” Gerry’s face softened with the mention of her late husband. They’d fallen in love during college, became historians, and obsessed over the concept of time travel.

Unfortunately, they figured it out, but in doing so connected our planet and the monster’s planet through some sort of time rift. I wasn’t a historian like Gerry, or a science nerd like the twins. I was a grunt. A soldier that stumbled into a job where I got to fight monsters in cool timelines.

When are they and how do I kill them? That was all the information I wanted.

“Ah, Mr. Darcy, please have a seat and help yourself to as much food as you’d like.”  Gerry spoke and my head whirled around to see Mr. Darcy entering the room wearing the same clothes as yesterday.

Despite already telling the others his name, Gerry stood and gestured toward Mr. Darcy. “Everyone I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Darcy.”

His face was unreadable as he scanned the room and the others observing him. Then his gaze landed on my face. His jaw tightened but he moved forward, choosing the seat across from me.

He coughed to clear his throat before nodding toward Gerry. “Thank you, Madam.”

“Of course, you are our guest Mr. Darcy.”

I really hated hearing that name right now. My whole body tightened and shivered at the same time. It was an odd uncontrollable reaction and I didn’t like it.

Gerry spoke in an overly calm and enunciated manner. “Allow me to introduce my other wonderful employees, Iris and Miles.”

Why was she talking like that?

The room was dead silent afterwards, which Iris was allergic to. “Hi, sorry you’ve been through a lot. Those pancakes will make you feel better though. Sometimes I swear they’re orgasmic” She beamed and I froze my face. This was a gentleman from the 1800’s, did they even have sex beyond to procreating? When was the word orgasm first used?

“Thank you.” He mumbled and remained still in his chair.

“Mr. Darcy, I have unfortunate news, and it mustn’t wait longer.”  Gerry spoke like someone from his time. I wonder if that was on purpose. The gentleman watched her, calmly, and patiently. She pushed her silver hair behind her ears.

“This is not 1811 and we are not in England. That vortex you followed Liz through was a time portal.” The more Gerry spoke, the more pinched his eyebrows became.

“United States in the twenty first century.” He repeated her words aloud but softly. Like he didn’t even know they left his lips.

My stomach churned, and the twins both squirmed in their seats. This was a hard conversation, and the whole room felt uncomfortable from it. Then Gerry finished with the harshest truth of all.

“And we don’t possess the ability to send you back.”

Mr. Darcy instantly looked at me, his gaze staring into my eyes. Looking for hope? For some tell that showed lies? I wasn’t good at lying, and my poker face was shit.

His eyes darkened, and his jaw tightened again. If he wanted to see anything other than the truth, and gravity of his situation on my face, he wouldn’t find it.

“Until we do figure it out, you will be stuck in this time.”

Chapter 6

The gentleman stood abruptly and bowed his upper half. “Excuse me.”   

He left without another word.

Miles looked around and flailed his hands around. “Uh, what was that?”

I don’t know what that was. Shouldn’t he have yelled, paced, or told us we were crazy?

Gerry pressed her fingers against the sides of her head. “Maybe he needs to marinate in his thoughts. A true gentleman of his time wouldn’t yell in company like this.”

Iris nodded like she understood, and I had to bite back a snort. Iris had no issue telling her thoughts. The twins bickered and yelled all the time.

“We should get him a journal.” She added and Miles was already a step ahead. He lifted his phone with Pride and Prejudice journals to show us he could add it to the online cart.

I finished the rest of my tea and stood. “Ya’ll are killing me. If our meeting is over, I’m gonna go train.”

This whole ordeal settled triggered my nerves to go haywire. Like I needed to run and fight to get this quivering sensation that moved beneath my skin out.

Miles waved and Iris promised to have new sword for me to play with later. I loved new weapon days.

“Liz,” Gerry halted me with her voice before I could leave.

I waited for orders, and that quivering feeling moved to my throat, all the way down to my gut.

I wasn’t a mind reader, but I still knew what she was about to say.

She sipped her coffee the leveled me with the boss lady stare. “You’re on babysitting duty. He’s from your job. Make sure he stays out of trouble.”

Fuck.

I didn’t want to do that.

So far all my interactions with the man were poor. He wouldn’t leave me alone in the past when I asked him to. Based on that era, he would totally be a misogynistic pig. Which again, his actions have proved thus far.

The words almost left my mouth, but I was a dedicated soldier. I’d do as I was ordered. Gerry would remain the host, taking care of his general and financial needs. I would be his handler and bodyguard if needed.

“Understood.”

Time to find my charge.

He wasn’t in the spare room we’d left him in last night. Nor was he in the other twelve bedrooms in the mansion. I was beginning to think he’d figured out how to use the elevator to the portal room when I noticed a brown-haired man wearing black pants tucked into knee high boots, and a dark blue coat on the beach.

I hustled down the stairs, past the pool, and down the stairs to the semi-private beach. 

Women wearing bikinis smiled at the lone man as they walked by and I’m surprised he wasn’t scandalized by their nearly naked bodies. Wasn’t that a sin or something to him?

The waves crashed against the shore, and I watched the birds run along the waterline. I loved living by the water.

I coughed as I neared the gentleman, and when his head tilted in my direction spoke. “Excuse me, Sir.”

He bowed his head like we hadn’t seen each other ten minutes ago. Must be an etiquette thing.

Maybe I missed judged him and he wasn’t an ass.

“Pardon me, Madam. But I wish to be left alone with my thoughts. The severity of this situation of which you have stranded me in is intolerable. Your unruly nature has destroyed all that I know, and I have much doubt you understand what is to lose everything as I.”

Ok, so my initial impression of him was spot on. He was an ass.

That was clearly a fuck off statement, albeit more wordy and polite to start. He watched me with piercing brown eyes and a locked jaw.

I didn’t know what it was like to lose everything? Get fucked, Mr. Darcy.

“You don’t know anything about me, so listen up.” I stepped closer and pressed a finger to his chest.

“I’m here to do a job, you are now part of my job. So stay out of trouble until we figure out how to send you home.” I seethed with a cold stare of my own.

“I-“ He opened his mouth but I was done hearing him talk and I wasn’t done.

“I wasn’t done. Gerry will house you, feed you, clothe you, and make sure you have what you need to be comfortable. Very fucking nice and I get this sucks but some gratitude goes a long way. Anything else…”

I stepped closer, glancing up at him, my nose close to his chin. I wasn’t intimated by his size, and we both knew I could kick his ass.

“You come to me. Got it?”

He didn’t answer, but his tightened face softened just a bit. His lips parted and we breathed in each other’s breath.

“Good.”

I stepped back and pointed toward the walls of the property by the dunes.

“See that wall, that is the boundary of the property, stay within these walls, and we won’t have a problem. Leave and I’m not above tying you to your bed to keep you out of harms way.”

My stomach fluttered, and he continued to watch me without a word.

Could he stop with the staring?

“I’ll have Miles get you a phone and show you how to use it. My house is right there, just knock if you need something. But most of the time I’m in the main house training” My words didn’t have as much bite to them and it was all because of those fucking eyes.

I wanted out of here.

“Sort your thoughts out.” I said and walked away.

I knew his gaze followed me up the stairs and I didn’t like the way my body swayed a little more than usual.

I also knew he stayed on that beach for another then went to his room for the rest of the day.

Chapter 7

“Why aren’t you with Mr. Darcy?”

I pulled an earbud out and faced Gerry.

Wiping the sweaty hair out of my eyes, I managed to get a word out between heavy breaths.

“What?”

She stood at end the treadmill with her arms crossed over her chest. Today she looked like a pirate from those old movies wearing a striped blue and white shirt, high wasted pants, and boots.

I managed to wipe the beading of sweat off my brow when she answered.

“Mr. Darcy is your charge, why are you not with him?”

Mr. Darcy this.

Mr. Darcy that.

Pride and Prejudice was my favorite book. I’ve reread it at least a hundred times. Same with the tv show and movies. They’d helped me escape during the hardest moments in my life.

Now  I could go the rest of my life without hearing that name.

“He’s been in his room this whole time. Mrs. Wills will alert me whenever he needs something.” I was just grateful he wasn’t getting into trouble. He’d been ordering modest portions of food including eggs, bacon, veggies, tea, and pork chops.

There was a large bathroom attached to his suite, and I’d been told he’d got directions on using the shower, and bathroom necessities he wasn’t familiar with.

While the people of his era had decent hygiene practices, I could understand how a vibrating toothbrush, and fancy shower heads would be distressing.

Gerry  stepped back as I hopped off the treadmill and stretched.

“I see.” She said and I waited for more to come out. She wouldn’t be here if she thought I was on top of things.

I wasn’t on top of this was I?

“He left didn’t he?”

She nodded. “I’ve got Finn trailing him.”

Mrs. Wills had a huge mansion to run, I shouldn’t have expected her to watch his every move for me.

 I fucked up again.

Gerry watched the limited range of emotions process through my expressions and knew I wouldn’t mess up a third time.

“Finn has him for now. Shower first.”

Right, because I’d just ran five miles and was slick with sweat. She walked away, and I drank the final remnants of my water bottle before jumping into the training room showers.

It was a thorough but quick rinse before drying and getting dressed. The whole day had gone by in a daze, like I’d been on autopilot.

When was the last time I actually enjoyed a shower or bath? It felt like months, maybe longer.

Just as I finished tying the strings of my boots, Finn texted.

Finn- He’s at Samson’s Ale.

He walked a mile up the road to the beachy sports bar. That wasn’t too bad.

Liz- On my way.

I thought about grabbing my motorcycle but considering I may have to drag the gentleman out of the bar, it would be best to place him in the company SUV. That way he wouldn’t fall off and I could lock him in.

The parking lot was fairly empty, but that wasn’t anything new for this time of day. Locals were working, and the snowbirds were either hunting shark teeth, shopping, golfing, or playing canasta.

Come five P.M. in two hours, this parking lot will be slammed.

I walked in and immediately noticed Finn’s carrot top head. He was at the bar chatting with Mr. Darcy who barely touched his beer. At least he wasn’t drunk. I assumed he’d want to drink his sorrows away.

Finn gave me a hello nod and flashed a smile toward the bartender. “Put his drink on my account.”  I slid into the empty space next to my ward.

“Excuse me, Mr. Darcy.”

The gentleman flailed.  His broad body nearly fell off the barstool to find his feet, and face me. Uh.. what?

“Right. Um, let’s get you out of here.” I gestured for us to go and Mr. Darcy’s throat bobbed.

I took a step back as someone else approached the bar behind me.

“My bad. Sorry about that.”

My head shifted, and I eye the man for any danger. Not that there should be any threats at this hour, but you never knew.

The blonde-haired man snapped his fingers then pointed at me. “Oh hey, Liz, right?”

“Do I know you?” I asked while stepping back, the heat from being sandwiched between two broad bodies was too much.

Blue eyes lingered on my face for a moment when a muscular arm draped over my shoulder. My elbow was two seconds from slamming into someone’s gut when I noticed bright orange hair out the corner of my eye. Finn leaned closer and nodded to the blonde-y.

“Hey Wicks. Good seeing you man. I’ll catch you at next weeks sermon.” Finn steered me away from both “Wicks” and Darcy. Which I had a problem with.

My hand gripped his wrist and I tossed it off.

I had a job to do and Finn knew better. “Mr. Darcy, if you’d follow me please.”

Said man, watched each of the other’s with a curious gaze. His hands flexed at his side and the tension in his jaw ticked.

He looked poised to fight, and that was so not happening. I’d hate to beat all their asses and get banned.  I stepped closer to the gentleman, my face taking up most of his view. “Fitz, please.” I said softly.

His mouth parted, and his head tilted slightly as the weight of his stare landed on me. Three heart beats in the eerily silent bar stretched before he nodded and lifted an arm for me to take.

Chapter 8

Gerry put me in charge of Mr. Darcy, so if I was gonna do this, I was gonna do it my way.

He’d ventured outside the boundary I’d instructed. He’d seen cars, people in modern clothes, television, and more. If the gentleman was to temporarily assimilate in our time, he’d need some clothes, and maybe a hobby.

What did men like him do in his time?

I glanced at him out the corner of my eye then focused on the road. He’d been unsure about the SUV but quietly got inside. He hadn’t moved from his rigid upright position, but his gaze roamed everywhere. 

Should I grab him anxiety meds while we’re out? He looked on edge.

We had about 10 more minutes until we reached the shopping mall and I could manage small talk, so that’s what I did. “What do you  like to do for fun?”

“I read.”

He reads.

Alright.

I pressed on the gas petal a little harder. “Do you do anything else?”

“I work.”

He works.

“Truly, I understand this situation sucks, but it would help if we didn’t snarl at each other every time we interacted. Which will be a lot by the way.”

He scoffed.

The gentleman scoffed.

“Time travel is not common here. Miles cannot get you home tomorrow. You could be in our time for months, years, or permanently. Thankfully my boss is rich and will make sure you’re taken care of until something changes. You could try to be a little, I don’t know agreeable.”

“I do not need to be taken care of.”

I rolled my eyes as he coughed and continued.

“I own a wealthy estate.” He said and while I originally opened my mouth to argue, his whole posture had softened during our conversation.

I took a deep breath and pushed the conversation forward in a more productive manner.

“Tell me about it.”

My demand lingered in the air between us. Jury was still out on him being the inspiration behind Austen’s novel, sifting through the details would help.

But I didn’t get any more by the time we parked.

Fine.

Operating as strictly business was better for me anyways. First, I unbuckled myself, then him, and opened the door. “Let’s go.”

He muttered a thank you as I let him out of the vehicle. A group of women walked by with large bags swinging from their hands and gazes lingering over Mr. Darcy. One of them said something to the others and winked before they moved on.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

My hand shot out to grab his to tug him along but I stopped short. Women didn’t just grab men’s hand in the past, truthfully, they shouldn’t do it now without asking.

Mr. Darcy noticed my frozen hand and lifted his arm for me once more. My stomach fluttered before I swallowed and squished that sensation.

“This way.” I said and dropped my hand.

The store I’d chosen had tall men’s clothing, and I pushed the memory of the last time I was in here out as we walked inside.

I waved at the aisles without looking at him.

“Pick whatever you like. If you need help, I’ll find someone. And no mentioning the time travelling thing, that’s very important.”

“A tailor.”

“Excuse me?” I faced him and he stood a little higher.

“I request a tailor.”

Right, because he was used to tailors making his suits. Not that Gerry couldn’t afford a tailor to make his clothes, I figured this was a good start. He could be Mr. Fashion later.

A man with a gray beard dressed in a business casual outfit stepped up to us with a smile. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Yes, this gentleman lost everything recently. So tragic, and he needs a whole new wardrobe. This will be on the Well’s account.” I said and the salesman’s eyes brightened. The select men in our agency had unlimited budgets with this store and boy did they spend a lot.

I wasn’t sure if the government knew about Gerry’s operation, and I never asked. But if they did, I hope she claimed all these shopping sprees on her taxes.

“My name is Lawrence. I will assist you, Mr?”

“Mr. Darcy of Pemberly.” The gentleman bowed his head.

Lawrence bowed his head then lifted his hand outward. “Pleasure Mr. Darcy. If you will, please follow me so that I may acquire your taste in fashion.”

Brown eyes flicked my way and I waved him off.

“I’ll be sitting on that couch, go get acquainted with the newest fashions for a gentleman.”

The men left, and I plopped onto the waiting couch that was conveniently near the dressing rooms. Not that I suspected Lawrence was a threat but needed to be near my charge just in case.

Three chapters finished on my ebook and an hour later, I wondered if we’d ever make it out of this store. I don’t think I’d ever taken this long for clothes.

“Ms. Johnson, what do you think?”  Lawrence called from the dressing room entrance. I looked up, and my jaw dropped right as my ward stepped into view wearing a modern three piece.

Chapter 9

The ride back to the mansion sucked.

Mr. Darcy left the store with five large bags of clothes and five suit bags. And I’d seen him in majority of those outfits.

It had been a while since I found someone attractive. Even when I first met Jason. I thought he was cute, but it was his personality that won be over.

Watching a very uncomfortable Mr. Darcy walk out of the dressing room looking for my reaction each time was unsettling. I was a soldier so freezing myself so as not to squirm was easy, but that only made my body more sensitive. It needed release. A run, a fight, or an orgasm.

The gentleman in slacks and button up was handsome, but it was the henley shirt, and dark jeans that I was drawn to most.

Which is why the ride back to the mansion sucked.

I hated this feeling and it took everything in me not to panic.

The passenger princess carried all the bags, not letting me lift a finger, then proceeded to be in a grumpy mood. He’d stare out the window, flex his hands over and over. Then he’d glare my way before starting the cycle all over again.

I snapped. “What is your deal?”

“Pardon? What deal are you-“

“Ughhh, that’s not what I meant. Your mannerisms display agitation and it’s making me edgy.”

His gaze narrowed at me.

“Please advise me, what are appropriate mannerisms of an angered gentleman in a complex time scandal such as this?”

I looked at him with a glare of my own as we pulled into the driveway.

Thank goodness we were back.

Space, I needed space. Someone else could babysit and give me a moment to regulate myself.

Mr. Wills emerged from the front door, so we didn’t finish our spat after exiting the car. Which was probably for the best. The gentleman and I had a moment of calm, but it was doomed to turn sour quickly. We were oil and water.

Mr. Wills brushed his mostly brown with a sprinkle of gray hair back before opening the SUV hatch.

“Liz, you’re requested in the portal chambers. A signature is forming.”

Perfect, I could use a good fight right now.

I didn’t ask if Mr. Wills would take over babysitting. I figured that was implied since fighting monsters in another time would be contradictory of that duty.

By the time I made it down the elevator to the portal room, Miles had locked onto the monster.

Gerry stood by Mile’s desk, watching him work. “You and Finn are up, level four monster.”

Iris walked over, her green shirt had glowing blue smudges scattered over the front. That meant she’d created a new monster killing weapon from the DNA I provided from the last mission.

Sweet.

“When are we heading?” I ask while taking steps to the wardrobe closet connected to the portal room. I always found it strange calling it a closet since the room was bigger than the pool house I lived in with four dressing rooms for privacy. Gerry had attire for almost every year of existence for many body sizes and types.

Finn walked out wearing tight black jeans, and a red leather jacket. Based on the look and the gelled red hair it didn’t take a genius to know the when.

He twirled around and struck a pose. “The eighties, baby!”

Gerry popped into the dressing room while I stood in the appropriate time section and handed me a green leotard and pink spandex tights.

“It’ll give you the most freedom to move.”

I grabbed the clothes and jogged to the nearest curtained off changing room. “Thank you.”

“I also had the dress you picked out for your mother’s masquerade sent to your room.”

“Thank you again.”

There was a moment of silence between us before she brought a certain gentleman.

“How did our guest do with shopping?” she asked on the other side.

The tights were hard to get one but a few grunts and wiggles, I managed to secure the elastic band at my waist.

“He got clothes. Seemed agitated but hasn’t escalated.” I said while the leotard rode up my ass. How did people wear this all the time? Even my bathing suit stayed on my cheeks better than this.

“It’s not easy feat to be thrust into a different time and process that you cannot leave.” She didn’t need to tell me that, I understood.

“I know. But something about his attitude makes me wanna dish it right back.” There was something else bugging me but that was the only answer I’d admit.

“I’m not surprised.” She didn’t elaborate. When I pulled back the curtain, I scanned her face to decipher what she meant. Her expression gave nothing away. She stood there holding a bright pink scrunchie in her hand.

I grabbed it and readjusted my existing ponytail to sit higher on my head per eighties style. “Do we know any more about him?”

Gerry walked over to the wall of shoes and picked out a set of white sneakers. She handed them over while glancing toward the portal room entrance.

“Darcy is a real surname but I’ve found no evidence of a Mr. Darcy of Pemberly existing outside fiction. It is a puzzle I am working on while Miles does his job to return the gentleman.”

That wasn’t the answer I assumed she’d give. Gerry was an expert on finding out people’s histories. Since his arrival, I expected her to know what he ate for lunch that day, his father’s mistress’s name, or where in his house did he drink his tea.

 I stretched my legs, readying for a fight. “So he exists in fiction but not in real life, yet he’s real.”

Gerry tilted her head and lifted a hand for me to exit the wardrobe closet.

“It would appear so. Only time will give us the answer.”

Yes, time.

Our greatest hope and enemy.

“The connection is strong, portal opening in ten seconds.” Miles called out while lifting two thumbs up. Iris stood with Finn on the platform with knife in her hands for me. I was wearing head to toe spandex, where did she expect me to hide it.

She rolled her brown eyes like I should have known better to doubt her, even if it was only my face that said it for me.

“Wear this belt. It fits inside and no one will know.” She handed me a large pink belt, and I secured it with a snap. She folded the six-inch knife and stuck it inside. Interesting.

“Good luck.” She trailed off when the portal count down hit two seconds.

Finn nudged me with his shoulder and I felt calmer already. Finn had my back, and I’d get to take the edge off. “Ready to kick monster ass?” he asked.

“Let’s do this.”

Chapter 10

Fighting and sleep took the edge off.

Which is why I stood in front of Mr. Darcy’s door and knocked.

 Today was stressful enough with my mother’s 70^th birthday ball. I didn’t need tension with a certain gentleman added to it.

He opened the door wearing jeans, and well… nothing else.

His face was impassive as he bowed and greeted me. “Ms. Johnson.”

“Just Liz.” I corrected.

Was he embarrassed? Wasn’t this improper or something?

“Was there something I can assist you with?” He rose and my gaze got stuck on his chest. The man was big and broad and for lack of a better word, stalky. The hair on his chest and happy trail wasn’t overly thick but just enough to run your fingers through.

This gentleman did not indulge in his time. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I’d say he walked a lot and chopped wood or something physical.

Each expansion of his lungs lifted and flexed his chest, and muscles in his abdomen. He didn’t have a six pack, but he looked like he could lift me… someone…. weights…

“Miss Liz?”

Shit. What did he say?

“I wanted to see if there was anything you needed. My mother’s birthday bash is tonight, and Gerry offered to host it in the mansion’s ballroom. So, I’ll be around, but Miles or someone else will likely be taking over assisting you.” Although using my babysitting duty as a way out of tonight was an option.

I mulled it over before deciding it wasn’t worth it. Mama would stomp around in her fancy dress to find me and drag me to the party.

“I am fine, thank you.” He said softly, standing there watching me.

I shifted from foot to foot. “Right. Um I’m not sure if Gerry invited you, but you’re welcome to come if you don’t create trouble. It’s a masquerade, very fancy, ball gown, and tux type of event.” It would be easier to keep my eye on him if he was there.

He didn’t answer or say anything, so stepped back.

“Cool. I’m gonna go back to my house for a bit but if you need anything let me or one of the other’s know.” I turned to leave and got a few feet away before Mr. Darcy blurted out.  “Are you well, Miss Liz?”  My head tilted to the side and my eyebrows pinched together as I faced him.

“I assume you bested a creature yesterday.” He’d stepped further into the hall, bare chested, and all.

I had to clear my throat.

“Yes. I’m fine. Finn and I took it down easily.” And by easily I meant I had to chase it into kid’s party central building. Thankfully, it was after hours because Finn cut off its arm in the middle of the roller rink beneath the twinkling disco ball. And I closed the deal in a ball pit.

But he wouldn’t know what any of those words meant.

Silence stretched on for another minute before I waved. “Thank you for asking.”

He didn’t say anything else and I left.

That interaction stayed with me throughout the day.

While playing frisbee with Jane outside my house, I swear I noticed him watching from a window where his room should be. But when I actually looked and not just from the corner of my eye, he wasn’t there.

Even as the caterers and florists arrived to decorate for the party, I felt a gnawing in my gut to go apologize. We’d both been jerks, but him asking how I was after a fight was considerate.

I was attempting to sneak a cupcake from the display when someone said my name. “Hey, Liz.”  My hand froze and I spun around calmly, full of innocence.

It was the guy from the bar. Finn called him Wicks.

“Hi.” I said politely.

He smiled and brushed his blonde hair away from his eyebrows.

“You don’t remember me huh?”

Nailed it.

I shook my head.

“Sorry.”

He shrugged and looked around.

“No worries, I’m George Wicks. Most people call me Wicks. I’m part of the security detail tonight. Finn and I did a tour together.” Then he likely knew Jason too. I steeled my face, not giving anything away.

No one knew about the real happenings within this house. We didn’t need extra security, and no one truly knew how my husband died outside the mansion walls.

He kept going, perhaps noticing I’d frozen up or not. “We met a few times at the bar’s poker nights.” Ah, that makes sense.

Jason and Finn used to drag me out to play poker on Fridays. But instead of playing cards, I’d be out wiggling on the dance floor. I loved to dance, and by the time I was ready to go, the games finished. If we chatted years ago, it wasn’t about much because I didn’t stay at the tables long enough to talk.

“Gotcha.” I said, a vision of eloquence for sure.

His smile lifted further, finding me amusing perhaps?

“I’ll let you get back to your thing. Maybe we can say hi on purpose at the event.”

My stomach fluttered and I didn’t know what to say. I should be flattered and say, “it’s a date” right? I wasn’t involved and he was attractive. So that’s what I did.

“It’s a date.” I blurted before my mind over-complicated things.

Wicks pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. He tilted his head while those blue eyes darted to my lips. Those flutters moved up to my chest and I panicked.

“You better get going, don’t wanna get you in trouble with your boss.”

He waved the words off with a scoff.

“I’m pretty well ignored, I’m not one of the boss’s son’s frat brothers. You’re either one of them or you’re of little importance.” Well, that sounded shitty. He noticed my frown and tried to smooth his harsh words over.

“It’s a good deal. Nice part of no one paying attention is that you can sneak off to talk to a girl you’re had a crush on for a while.”

He waited, beaming for my reaction.

Thankfully, someone called him over and that tightness in my chest relaxed.

“I’ll see you tonight, Liz.”  He ran off and I swiped a cupcake while everyone was focused elsewhere.

As I licked the chocolate frosting, the reality of what just happened hit me.

I had a date tonight. First one in four years.

My mom going to think this was the best birthday gift ever.