Page 2 of Forever My Lass

“I don’t understand. How could you possibly meet my granddaughter in the past? A granddaughter I don’t have?”

“It’s difficult to explain, but I know you will have a granddaughter named Madeline.” Anna hesitated, trying to explain without revealing exactly how Madeline had landed in the distant past.

“This makes no sense at all. I think you are teasing me, Lady Starling.” Amelia shook her head and smiled, clearly believing Anna was joking with her.

“I understand it makes no sense, but Madeline will cross the boundaries of time, where she will be the governess to Baron Glenburnie’s twin daughters.” Anna sighed at the dismissive look of disbelief on the younger woman’s face. The American’s eyes narrowed on Anna.

“Are you telling me you think I’m going to have a granddaughter who’s going to be a time traveler?”

“As I said, it requires a leap of faith to believe what I’m telling you.” She eyed Amelia steadily. “But even if you cannot take that leap, you are still important to Madeline’s survival.”

“Survival?” The young American’s dubious expression strengthened, and Anna inhaled a breath of frustration before blowing it out harshly.

“I did warn you that you would think me a delusional old woman.”

“Yes, you did, and while I don’t think—”

“Amelia, listen to me,” Anna said in a low, sharp voice as she caught the young woman’s hands in hers. “You do not have to believe anything I’m saying. But you do need to listen, and listen carefully. Your granddaughter’s life and happiness will depend a great deal on you.”

Amelia eyed her with uneasiness and obvious misgiving. The moment the young American glanced across the room at her husband, Anna squeezed the woman’s hands tightly. Immediately, Amelia winced and jerked her head back toward Anna. With a shake of her head, the young woman frowned in dismay.

“Let me find Emma for you, Lady Starling. I think—”

“You do that,” Anna snapped, as she waved her hand in a sharp, dismissive gesture. “Go. Find my granddaughter. Emma knows I do not open myself up to ridicule unless it’s absolutely necessary. She will tell you to listen to me.”

Anna turned away from the woman, her gaze searching the room for her granddaughter. A hand lightly touched her arm, and Anna arched her eyebrows in her best imitation of Sebastian’s most arrogant look as she eyed the young woman beside her.

“I’m sorry, Lady Starling. I will not lie when I say what you’re telling me sounds farfetched.” Amelia winced with regret at the soft snort of disgust Anna made. “But I will listen to you, and if I have a granddaughter, as you say I will, then I will remember what you tell me this evening.”

Anna remained silent for a long moment. Then, with an abrupt nod, she eyed Amelia sternly.

“From the time she’s a young girl, your granddaughter will have dreams of a man standing on a cliff overlooking the North Sea. There is a terrible storm, and a ship is fighting dangerous waters to reach a small inlet. Madeline will be on that ship.”

“You’ve seen this?” Amelia stared at Anna in amazement and a touch of fear.

“No, Madeline shared her story when we met years ago. She was convinced your words saved her life.” Anna narrowed her gaze at the young American woman, knowing she couldn’t tell Amelia how well she’d come to know Madeline over the years. “Madeline said you warned her several times not to be afraid to let go. She said you’d reassured her several times he would be there to catch her, and she should just let go.”

“I don’t understand…” Amelia shook her head in confusion.

“Nor do I, Amelia. But Madeline is not the first woman I’ve met in the past that was out of place.” Anna paused as she remembered her friend Victoria. “All I know is that Madeline said your words saved her life. Words that you must memorize and share with your granddaughter when the time is right.”

Anna reached out to squeeze the woman’s hand as Amelia stared at her in dismay and fear before the young woman nodded slowly. It pained Anna to know what the woman’s future held, but she was certain Amelia would do whatever it took to save Madeline.

Chapter 1

Present Day

The icy rain bit into her skin like tiny needles stinging with each drop the wind flung at her. Overhead, the dark sky worked to snuff out the last remnants of daylight. With something close to desperation, her gaze swept across the rugged landscape until she saw his tall figure. He stood on the edge of the cliff staring out at the ocean, while the harsh wind made his long, black overcoat flap wildly around his legs.

Although she wasn’t close enough to hear the sound his coat made as it slapped against his legs, she could hear the sharp cracks in her head. Something familiar swept through her as she studied the isolated figure against the backdrop of the storm. Slowly, she turned her gaze to look out at the vast stretch of water he was watching so intently.

The storm was in full force, and jagged flashes of quicksilver streaked through the black clouds hovering close to the turbulent ocean. Giant waves opened huge crevices in the water before crashing closed with a deadly savagery that made her heart crash into her chest as it continued to pound at a wild, frantic pace. Fear streaked through her, making it difficult to breathe, while panic made her stomach churn.

It was then she saw it. The ship pitched wildly upward, then downward with each raging wave that hammered at its hull. It was a large ship, and despite its size, she could tell it was struggling against the churning water. She drew in a sharp breath of fear as the ship disappeared, then a second later shot up and over the tall wave that had hidden it from view. A white sail at the top of one mast was the only thing to indicate a ship was fighting the raging sea as the ship vanished beneath another high wave.

Almost as if the ocean were spitting out an unpalatable morsel, the ship surged upward into view. This time, it was closer to the shore and seemed to be headed for the cliff where the man stood. She looked down to see a narrow inlet and its small stretch of sand. If the ship could find its way through the massive rock formations on either side of the natural harbor, it would be safe.

Once more, the ship dropped out of view before it shot back up to sit high on the water. It was now close enough to the shore to see men fighting against the raging storm to keep the ship on course toward the narrow path to safety. Another wave crashed over the top of the ship’s deck, followed by a wave that surged up beneath the ship and tossed it toward the natural harbor.