Free Forgotten Time (Ravenhurst Series, #1) A New Adult Time Travel Romance by Lorraine Beaumont Page A

known better, she might think he was jealous. How in the hell could he be jealous when he only just met her? Okay, so maybe they had a moment earlier in the room, but really, it was only for a moment. Besides, it was not as if he couldn’t call her at some point. A date would be nice. He seemed familiar too, but she could not place her finger on why yet. What if he was delusional? He was dressed in period attire, for goodness sake. What sane person does that? Great, this was just her luck; he was off his rocker. She looked about the room, which was an exact replica of a Victorian library. Maybe he was just a crazy eccentric.
    Her overactive imagination was in full swing now. She went to a party, got sloshed, and woke up where? What were the odds she happened upon a delectable man, dressed as if he should be in some kind of reenactment troupe, yelling at her because he thought she was another person?
    She watched him run his hand through his thick black hair, making it stand on end. She wanted to fix it. The muscle in his jaw was tight; he looked upset. What if he was convinced she was this other girl? If he thought that, then she must be her twin. And, if she was her twin, what happened to the real girl? She gulped the rest of the drink down; this time welcoming the burn.
    “May I have another?” she asked, shakily extending her glass out to him.
    He inclined his head and took the glass, walking over to get another.
    Katherine sat warily back into the chair, watching him from across the room. She was finding it hard to believe he was insane. Maybe after a couple of nights in Bedlam, he would be right as rain.
    Ned once told her that was where Victorian gentlemen liked to put women when they were suffering from premenstrual syndrome. Luckily, Bedlam was not an option now. If she were actually around during Victorian England, she probably would have been sent off on a one-way carriage ride in the not too distant future. She really needed to get the hell out of here. She looked around the room. There was no phone, television, or even a computer. What was with these people? The chandelier was gas lit, if she were not mistaken. She knew, of course, there were certain people who liked historical accuracy, but this was really too much.
     
    Sebastian walked slowly back towards her, scrutinizing her movements. Her eyes darted around the room; she looked like she was about to bolt straight out of her seat. He wondered if she would run, and if she did, what could he do to stop her? He would be damned if he let her go before he got what he needed, which was a bride, and not just any bride.
    Only she would do, thanks to his aunt and that damned codicil. He controlled his emotions, trying not to frighten her overmuch. The last thing he wanted to do was tie her up, but if it came down to it, he would. Of this, he was certain. He handed off her drink to her and resumed his silent vigil in front of the fire.
    He really had no idea what came over him just moments before. It was not like him to lose control so quickly. He was better than that. She was acting strange, though. He smiled into the flames; the last time he saw her, he thought the very same thing.
    Mayhap the blow to her head made her invent things that had not really happened. He read that head injuries could cause all sorts of hallucinations, waking nightmares and the like. He also knew people were sent to Bedlam to recover from their maladies, but had yet to hear of one person who actually returned. He certainly hoped that would not be the case with Marguerite… or did he?
    Now that was a thought; he could marry her and send her off to Bedlam! Why not? It would take care of his problem, would it not? Now that was something to ponder.
     
    Katherine stood slowly, eyeing him warily. His head was turned just enough to watch her every move. She lowered her lashes, trying to keep an eye on him without being obvious. She walked over to the window by the desk, and lifted the curtain