My latest version of Chapter 1.

Chapter 1

Carolyn was jerked out of her delicious clichéd dream- a handsome gentleman approaching her across a crowded ballroom- by the sudden halt of the cab.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” her grandmother teased as she paid the driver.

Shaking the mental cobwebs out, Carolyn alighted on the pavement in time to grab both small bags that constituted their luggage.

“Shouldn’t we bring more?” Carolyn had asked her grandmother when she was told to pack only one case.

“I thought we could treat ourselves to a shopping excursion in Regent Street this year.” This was an unusual reply for a woman so tight with her money.

Carolyn looked up at the stately townhouse in front of her. It was four stories and according to Catherine the outside appearance had changed little in the last two hundred years. The pineapple door knocker was original as were the shutters painted green to match the front door. The original teal painted wrought iron had been replaced and was now black. The stucco on the exterior had recently been redone but was still the cream color Carolyn remembered from other visits to the house.

The front door opened and a tall elderly man greeted them.

“Mrs. Richards, Miss Richards, the family is waiting for you in the drawing room.”

“Thank you, Gibbons.” Her grandmother started up the staircase as Carolyn placed their cases on the marble floor of the entrance hall and quickly followed.

When she saw the gentleman standing on the landing above her she cried out in delight, “Uncle William!”, and ran up the stairs for an affectionate hug. William had been her father’s best friend and Carolyn had called him ‘uncle’ since her first visit to London when she was five years old.

“Goodness, Carolyn.” A female voice said from beside her. “William is certainly glad to see you but you may want to temper your greeting a bit.”

Carolyn disengaged herself from her uncle and turned to greet the short rather plump woman critically taking note of her appearance. “I’ll try to behave myself, Aunt Thea.”

She stood silently as her aunt took in her bisque t-shirt, beige cargo capris, and sandals. Althea had given up trying to coax her into a dress but still looked askance at her choice of clothing. Her aunt was always perfectly dressed and groomed. Carolyn could tell Thea’s dresses were expensive. Was farming in England that profitable?

William and Thea welcomed her grandmother and Carolyn paused a moment to really look at her aunt and uncle.

“Are we going to a costume party?” She laughingly asked while she studied her uncle’s clothing. Her Uncle William was wearing a jacket, shirt and what she thought was a waistcoat. As for his pants -- could they be breeches? Together with an intricately knotted white cloth around his neck he looked very elegant. He appeared more at ease in this costume than he had in the ill-fitting suits she usually saw him wear. Aunt Thea wore a green gown with lace at her throat and cuffs. Her hair was not in the usual chignon at the back of her head, but plaited into a braid that was coiled about her head and she wore a cap on top.

Carolyn looked at the drawing room doors next to her. In all the years she had come to Bailey House she had never seen those doors closed. Uncle William reached out and turned one of the door knobs to the left and the other to the right. He then turned them the opposite direction. Her uncle swung the doors wide.

Aunt Thea put her hand on William’s arm and smiled reassuringly at Carolyn. “My dear we have a special guest we would like you to meet.”

As Carolyn followed her aunt and uncle in to the room she was aware of her grandmother hesitating behind her. She heard her voice quietly say, “Go ahead my dear. I am right here.”

Carolyn had barely taken in the words when she became aware of her surroundings. Was she in a dream? This was not her Uncle’s drawing room, but yet it was. There was the same furniture but the antiques now looked new. The curtains on the two front windows were of a different color and there were no lamps in the room. Numerous candelabrum were placed about the room but the candles were not lit due to the light from the large front windows. The furniture had much the same placement with a low table in the center with settees on opposite sides. Carolyn looked at the woman sitting on one of the settees.

That woman slowly rose and put out her hand. “Come to me, granddaughter.”

With her mind reeling, Carolyn slowly approached the woman. Her ‘grandmother’ looked to be in her mid 50’s. She was dressed in a long black gown and the cap on her gray hair was black. She still had the look of beauty about her face but it was tinged with a deep sadness. Carolyn put out her hand mechanically and the older woman grasped it.

“I have waited a long time to meet you, my child. My name is Matilda. Your father Edward was my only child.” The voice was melodic and soothing.

“I don’t know what to say. What to-to ask.” Carolyn stuttered. “Why is this room different? Is this some elaborate hoax? Why am I just meeting you now?”

Matilda looked to Carolyn’s other grandmother, Catherine, then back to her. “You have your father’s eyes. Your lovely hair reminds me so much of your mother. Look at your parent’s portrait above the fireplace. I see both of them in you.”

Carolyn walked to the fireplace across the room and looked up at the full length portrait over the mantle. Her parents were wearing period clothing. Her mother was seated with her father behind and slightly to the left. His left hand rested on his wife’s shoulder and both her parents were looking down at the baby in Rebecca’s arms.

The breath caught in her lungs. Carolyn had never seen a picture of herself as an infant.
“Is that baby in the portrait me?” She asked in disbelief. “When was it painted?”

“Yes, Carolyn that is you and the portrait was finished when you were six months old." Matilda answered calmly. “The year was 1796.”

Carolyn looked wildly about her and her gaze rested on Althea. “What year is it in this room, Aunt Thea? Tell me this is one of my daydreams.”

“It is not a dream. The year is 1818.”

Carolyn rushed to one of the large windows facing the street and peered out. What she saw left her speechless.

Instead of blacktop the road was lined with cobblestones. Where many businesses had stood on Upper Grosvenor Street all she could see were town houses like the one she now stood in. An open carriage went by and the gentleman holding the reins was dressed in the same manner as her uncle. The modern streetlights were gone but there were a few lamps on the road that would contain oil. Carolyn could not see down the street very far but she knew that even if she could, the U.S. Embassy and Roosevelt Memorial would not be there.

Her thoughts were a jumble. If this were real it would explain a few things. Like why Thea and William spoke in such an old-fashioned manner and rarely ventured outside during her visits to London. Carolyn had always thought it was strange to have a butler and housekeeper for such a small house but now it made sense to her. The house was run the way it would have been two hundred years ago.

“Explain this to me.” Carolyn turned from the window and addressed the room at large. “How can I be born in a different time than I grew up in? What time were my parents from?”

“Sit with me my dear.” Matilda sat on one of the settees. She inclined her head towards William, Thea and Catherine who were still standing. “Come. Sit. I may need your help with this. Please pour Althea.”

It was then Carolyn noticed the tea tray and she walked back to the settee and sat down next to Matilda. Once everyone was settled with their tea the older woman turned soft gray eyes on Carolyn.

“Your mother can explain the story better than we can. She kept a diary since the day she found out about the mysterious drawing room. She always said if anything happened to her Catherine would know the right time to give it to you.”

“This is the diary.” Aunt Thea reached into a reticule and handed Carolyn a small brown book. “We have not read it. After the accident it would have been too painful. As the years passed our memories have been enough.”

Carolyn took the book. Looking down she slowly ran her hands over the brown leather while trying to regain her thoughts.

“I think you should retire to your room for a few hours.” Catherine stood and touched Carolyn lightly on the shoulder. “I could definitely use a rest. Thea, would you be kind enough to have a maid sent to me at 4 o’clock.”

Thea murmured her agreement as Carolyn, still struggling to take everything in, slowly rose to her feet.

Uncle William got to his feet as well and bowed to the ladies. “We shall see you at 5 o’clock for dinner.”

With a distracted smile and a nod to everyone in the room, Carolyn followed her grandmother out of the drawing room.

Catherine did not speak until they were standing outside Carolyn’s room. “Read your mother’s diary. If you need anything I am next door. We can discuss what comes next after dinner.”

Carolyn impulsively hugged her grandmother. There were many questions she wanted to ask but she settled on just one. “How did you know it was time?” She asked softly.

“Your mother always thought education was very important and she wanted you to have the option of choosing between the past and present. I think that now you have completed your degree you will not lose from either world you decide to live in.” Catherine gently pushed her towards the door. “Go now. You need to read that diary and reflect on all that has happened. The more you learn about your parents the better prepared you will be to make your choice.”

“Make my choice?” Carolyn echoed blankly.

“Yes, my dear. As to whether you will live in 1818 or return to the year 2008.”


Carolyn proceeded into the bedroom she called the yellow room. The curtains, coverlet and wallpaper were different shades of yellow. The bedding was new, but Althea had told her the furniture dated from the early 1800’s. The elegant dressing table was Carolyn’s favorite piece in the room. Almost two hundred years earlier and there was no electricity and the linens were not the same. The adjoining bathroom was gone and in one corner of her room stood a dresser with a pitcher and basin.

There was a thin robe on the end of the bed. There was no central air in 1818 and Carolyn felt hot and sticky. She quickly removed her capris and shirt, donned the cooler garment and placed her folded clothes on a chair in front of the fireplace. Sitting on the four poster bed, she closed her eyes and slowly opened them. Yes, she was still here. She pinched herself.

“Ouch! I guess this isn’t a dream.” Carolyn looked at the small book in her hands. The only thing on the cover was the inscription DIARY in big block letters. In anticipation she opened the book. “All right, mom, I’m ready.”

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Feb 12th, 1974

I found a really cool book today in the library. It is a journal but there is no name in the book to let me know who the author is. It says there is a way to go back in time if you use the drawing room. I can’t understand some of the words but it is telling me I can only go through to another time certain days of the year. I have to find out when.
Rebecca

Feb 17th, 1974

My new school here in England is much harder than my old school in the states. I’m also busy with the Lacrosse team. I did find time to read more of the journal today. Whoever wrote the book tried many times to go through the doors but found you can only go back in time 10-14 April. I can’t believe I have to wait almost two months to find out if someone is having a joke on me!
Rebecca

April 9, 1974

I can’t believe time has passed so quickly. Tomorrow is the big day! I have read the entire diary. It doesn’t say when it was written or how far back in time I will go if this is all real. I will leave this diary along with the other one in the top drawer of my dresser. If I never return home then my mother will know what happened. Goodnight, diary. I need my rest.

Rebecca

April 10, 1974

I can’t believe this is happening! It worked! I went back to 1784 today. I met two boys named Edward and William. They are 12 years old. William’s father is a viscount and owns Bailey House. Edward is his friend and his father is an earl. The boys didn’t believe I was from the future so I had to take them through the doors. As soon as we went through my mom was sitting in the drawing room! I think we scared the heck out of her. We told her the whole story and she told the boys to go back and try to come through the next day after 9 a.m. Mom wants to make sure my father is at work and the housekeeper is busy. I can’t wait to see the boys again! Edward is so cute!

Rebecca


###
Carolyn tried to remember if she thought boys were cute when she was only ten years old. She didn’t think too many were cute at the ripe old age of twenty-two.
###

April 13th, 1974

I haven’t written the last few days because I have been so busy! Part of the time I have been in 1784 and part of the time I have been in 1974. Edward and William know all the hiding places in the house so they can show me around and we aren’t seen. The boys have come through the doors every morning. William tells his mother that the boys are out exploring and they have lunch with mom and me every day and then I go back with them. William brought me a maid’s dress and I wear that with some boots and a cap over my hair. He is so kind to me. I wish he were as cute as Edward! Edward treats me like an annoying little sister and it was his idea to dress me as a servant. I know it’s supposed to be a disguise but I think Edward thinks it’s funny to see me dressed like this. Today is supposed to be our last day together so we had a lovely picnic by the garden shed. I truly don’t think this will all end tomorrow.

Rebecca

###

Althea twisted her hands in her lap. She looked at her husband and then focused her attention on Matilda. “Do you think we did the right thing, Matilda? Maybe we should have let things go on as they always have.”

“I have myself wondered if we should not have told her sooner.” The other woman smiled sadly. “It has been very hard not to see my grandchild all these years. If it were not that I feared that my husband would have tried to take the child, nothing would have kept me away from her.”

William let out a sigh. “You had to stay away from her. Old Henry had you followed anytime you were out of his sight. I’m just glad he never thought to have a spy inside this house whenever Thea and I were in town.”

“Only your oldest retainers are here during the week you go through the doors. None of them would tell tales.” Matilda thought a moment and then observed, “There was no love lost between any of the servants that had dealt with the old earl.”

“Do we tell her about her name being in Debrett’s Peerage?” Althea asked.

“Catherine and I have discussed it and she is the one who found the information so I leave the decision to her.” Matilda spoke firmly. Then her eyes took on a faraway look and her voice softened. “I can only hope she decides to stay with us. She is the only family I have left.”

Carolyn had finished reading a long entry where her mother did indeed find that she could not go back to Edward and William the next day. She had tried turning the door handles many different ways but the drawing room was always stuck in 1974. Grandmother had comforted her and reminded her a year wasn’t really so long a time to wait.

A year is an eternity to a child, Carolyn thought to herself.

The next entry was not until December, with Rebecca describing her first Christmas in England.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” Carolyn called distractedly, still intent on the diary.

“I’ve come to help you dress, miss.”

Carolyn looked up, startled, as she had expected her visitor to be Catherine. A young girl no more than eighteen stood by the door and bobbed a small curtsy.

“I’m Alice, miss. Mrs. Bailey would like me to be your maid if that suits you.” She did not move from her place by the door, evidently waiting for Carolyn’s response.

“Oh, yes… That would suit me very well.” Carolyn struggled to appear as if she was used to having a lady’s maid.

Alice smiled. “The dowager countess told me you don’t know much about our ways being from America and all and I should help you with any questions you have.”

The dowager countess? That must be Matilda. That would mean her grandfather was an earl! Where was he? Carolyn knew these were not appropriate questions to ask Alice but resolved at the first opportunity to get more information from Matilda about her newly discovered family.

Alice was pulling a beige satin dress from a wardrobe. “I’ll just air this out while you’re in your bath, miss.”

Another knock at the door and a maid entered carrying two large buckets of water. Another maid followed with a small hip tub. The women filled the tub and with a slight bob left the room.

Alice started to help Carolyn to undress, quite to Carolyn’s dismay. She thought quickly, “Lemons! I need lemon juice to rinse my hair.”

“I will ask cook for some after you are in your bath, miss.” The maid moved to help Carolyn disrobe.

“No!” Carolyn smiled at Alice, “I think you should get some now. I can manage the rest on my own. I prefer to wash myself.”

Alice looked unsure, but replied, “Yes, miss, I will find some lemons.”

After the girl had left, Carolyn hurriedly removed her satin panties and bra. She added the clothes from the chair and shoved the pile under the bed. There was a bar of soap and a cloth on the dresser near her tub. These were a far cry from her usual shower gel, expensive shampoo and conditioner. The soap was coarsely milled but smelled of lavender- one of Carolyn’s favorite scents. She took off the robe and stepped into the warm bath water.

By the time Alice returned with a bowl full of cut lemons Carolyn was safely in the tub.

“Thank you, Alice. I think I will not use the lemons after all. The soap smells of lavender and I do not think I should mix the two scents.”

Alice just nodded and kept her face neutral. She set about rummaging through drawers and a stack of clean underclothes was accumulating on the bed.

As she made to rinse the soap from her hair the maid intervened and used the water from the pitcher on the dresser to help rinse away the suds. The water was cold and Carolyn yelped.

“A cool rinse will help your hair shine.” Alice explained.

Carolyn decided it was better not to say what she thought of the cold water as Alice held out a towel to her. She was not used to anyone seeing her nude, but she would have to get used to Alice’s presence. Carolyn then waved the girl off; she could dry herself.

Alice handed her a clean robe and bade her sit on the chair at the dressing table. The young girl chatted constantly as she brushed Carolyn’s hair until it was dry.

“You have the loveliest hair, miss. Like spun gold it is. I have never seen anything like it.” The younger girl continued on in this manner while Carolyn was only half listening.

Every year she came to London in April to visit her aunt and uncle and this year was no exception. Carolyn had graduated from college last year and worked in a research position for one of her professors. If her boss hadn’t been on a leave of absence she knew she wouldn’t have been able to get away. It might be some years before she could make her next trip to London. Her uncle only travelled to London from Norfolk in April.
Now that Carolyn thought about it, it wasn’t that Uncle William only came down during the month of April. He only came to London specifically between April the 10th - 14th. Her uncle was a gentleman farmer so she had always thought it had something to do with his crops. Thanks to her mother’s diary she now knew the significance of those five days in April. If she were to believe the diary she had but a few days and the decision to stay would be out of her hands for another year.

Alice stopped her brushing and moved to the bed where the satin dress and undergarments rested. There was an old-fashioned slip with ribbons for the straps. She saw two thigh high stockings and two garters. Next to the garters nestled a pair of cream colored slippers that looked like they were made of soft leather. There was one other item Carolyn could not believe she was seeing.
“Is this a bustier?” Carolyn held up the article of clothing. It was made of cotton and resembled a wrap around bra.
Alice looked confused at the word Carolyn had used. “That is a short corset, miss. It goes on over the chemise.”

Carolyn blushingly let the maid help her don her finery. She had large breasts and was thankful for the support of the corset. Carolyn put on the slippers that felt heavenly on her feet and sat at the dressing table. Alice coiled her hair on the top of her head and pinned it with pearl tipped pins.

There was a light tap at the door and Catherine walked in. She was dressed in a dark sapphire gown with lace at the throat and wrists.

Carolyn stood and lightly kissed her grandmother on the cheek. “You look well rested.”

Catherine searched her face and seemed to be satisfied with what she saw. “And you look to have come to terms with the revelations of this afternoon. Did the diary help?”

Aware of Alice’s presence, Carolyn chose her words carefully. “It is hard to believe all this is really happening, but I am happy to learn more about the past through my mother’s words.”

With a brief nod to Alice her grandmother swept from the room.

“Thank you.” Carolyn called with a smile to Alice as she hurried to keep up with the older woman.

As they descended the staircase Carolyn looked enquiringly at her grandmother. “Are you used to dealing with servants?”

“I have gone back and forth through the drawing room doors many times. I even spent the first year of your life living with Rebecca and Edward.”

“You did? Where was grandfather?”

“He stayed in Pennsylvania,” Catherine smiled. “I told him I was not going to miss seeing my grandchild. No matter that I had to stay in a time and a place I did not know.”

The ladies entered the drawing room to see the others already there. Matilda was sitting on a settee next to Althea and was still dressed all in black. Uncle William stood next to a cherry wood console and had a decanter in his hands.

“Ah, ladies, you look lovely this evening. Might I interest you in a glass of sherry?” He bowed slightly as he said this.

“You know I enjoy a nice glass of sherry, William. I also think Carolyn should try some.”

Catherine sat on the settee across from Matilda and Althea. Carolyn felt too restless to sit and wandered over to where William stood. Her uncle handed her a beautiful cut glass goblet with a dark liquid in it. The glass was small but exquisite with beautiful etched glass.

“Thank you.” Carolyn sniffed the liquid as William took a tray of glasses over to the low table by the settees. Taking a small sip she found it was not too awful

Matilda patted the empty space beside her. “Come along, Carolyn. I am sure there is much you would like to ask me.”

Carolyn tried to think how to phrase what she wanted to say as she took her seat. As usual it came out all wrong.

“Is my grandfather an earl and where is he?” She blurted out.

“Your grandfather was indeed an earl but he is now deceased. The title has passed to a distant cousin. I was granted a small yearly settlement but all of the estate assets have gone to this relative.”

“When did grandfather die?” She asked hesitantly.

“Five months ago.” Matilda seemed to glean some of Carolyn’s confusion. “I wear black as it is custom to do so for at least six months. But I do not mourn the loss of a man or a house I never loved. My son and I only truly felt part of a family when we were with William and his father here at Bailey House.”

Matilda went on to explain that William’s mother had been her best friend at school. The girls remained close even after their respective marriages. William’s mother, Mary, died soon after his third birthday and Matilda had felt responsible to see William was raised as Mary would have wanted. She and Edward spent school holidays and one month each summer at Bailey House. The earl did not seem to care as he had his heir and had no desire to spend time around Edward or his mother. He only berated and chastised the boy when he did speak to him so Matilda did not begrudge her husband his amusements elsewhere.

“Didn’t you want other children?” Carolyn guessed the question was improper due to Althea’s quick intake of breath.

Matilda smiled sadly. “I lost two babies before I bore your father. His birth was difficult and the doctor told me I should have no more children. The earl wanted his spare but I held my ground. Sometimes, when I was younger, I hoped he would set me aside and then I would be free.”

Just then a gong sounded and Gibbons announced that dinner was served.

The meal was like none Carolyn had ever experienced. There were so many courses she lost count. She had barely tasted a dish before a footman whisked away her plate and gave her another one. The soup and vegetables were very good but she could not try the boiled fish. She was halfway through the peacock pie in the second course when she found out what she was eating. She didn’t know how she found room for the dessert course, but Althea raved about the lemon curd pudding so she did try some.

The conversation consisted of the latest gossip in London apparently for the ears of the servants. When the meal was finished Uncle William declared that as he was the only male in attendance he would join the ladies in the drawing room.

A young maid brought in a tea trolley, curtsied and left the room. Carolyn was so full she couldn’t imagine drinking tea but she accepted the cup Althea gave her.

Wandering the room Carolyn paused to look out a window. The oil lights were on outside and she saw carriages driving by. She was entranced by all she saw. She had read everything she could about the Regency period in England. Everything about England and the monarchy fascinated her.

Her thoughts came to a screeching halt. She turned and strode purposefully towards Catherine.

The ladies were seated in the corner of the room this time. There were various chairs grouped together. Uncle William was at the other end of the room reading a book.

Carolyn seated herself in a chair near Catherine and put her cup down on a side table. Squaring her shoulders she looked Catherine in the eye.

“Grandmother, you brought me here because you know what my future is.”

Althea looked startled but Matilda and Catherine held their composure.

“Whatever do you mean?” Catherine asked simply.

“I do not believe you could not have been curious about what would happen if I returned to this time. I have read a lot about the peerage in England and now I find out I am the granddaughter of an earl. There is a book that would tell me if I remain here or not.”

All were silent as Carolyn took a breath and continued. “You can tell me now or I can go back tonight and find out myself.”

Catherine looked to Matilda who only nodded.

Catherine looked hesitant. “I should not have looked. Your grandfather told me not to. He never wanted to know if you would leave us. When you started college I just had to know what would happen. I had heard of Debrett’s Peerage from a documentary I had seen. I used the internet at the library and I found what I sought.”

“What did you find?” Carolyn could barely sit still she was so agitated.

“Miss Carolyn Hutchins was married to Lord Tristan Stanstead, the Earl of Hampton, in 1818.”