Page 45 of Forever My Lass

“Yes, I probably wouldn’t be—” Madeline came to an abrupt halt as the memories pushed hard to escape the dark recesses of her mind where she’d buried them. Lady Starling made a small sound of regret.

“Forgive me. I’m certain it must have been a traumatic experience.”

“You’ll get no argument from me with that statement.” Madeline nodded.

In an empathic gesture, Lady Starling reached out and gently squeezed Madeline’s hand. Almost immediately, the woman stiffened. At the viscountess’s reaction, her heart skipped a beat at the glazed expression on the other woman’s face.

“Lady Starling, are you all right?”

Madeline’s concern grew when the woman didn’t respond. Hoping she would see Iain standing outside with Lord Starling, Madeline glanced over her shoulder toward the manor. Not spying either man, she jerked her head toward the paddock. Angus and Ainslie had disappeared, and Madeline debated whether she should run for help, but she didn’t want to leave the other woman alone. Suddenly, Lady Starling drew in a sharp breath of air and she stared at Madeline in wide-eyed amazement and horror.

“Dear Lord,” the woman whispered. “You’re from a different place and time.”

The woman’s revelation made Madeline go rigid. How could the woman possibly know that? She shook her head and tried to act puzzled by the viscountess’s observation. The dismay on Lady Starling's face made Madeline’s stomach lurch. God, how could the woman know she was from the future? When she remained silent, the viscountess sighed and shook her head with regret.

“Madeline. May I call you Madeline?”

The woman waited for her response with a hesitant, yet hopeful expression. After a brief moment, Madeline responded with a slow nod. Relief lightened Lady Starling’s sweet features as she released a sigh of what sounded like genuine relief. It also possessed a note of fear and regret.

“Then you must call me Anna. It’s what my friends and family call me, and I’d like very much for us to be friends. Having a friend can make life easier to face at times.” There was an earnestness about the woman’s manner, which made Madeline relax slightly.

“All right.” Her voice was little more than a whisper, and it caused a small smile to tip the corners of the other woman’s mouth upward.

“No, that’s not the correct answer.” Lady Starling shook her head, her reply a gentle chastisement. “You’re supposed to say, yes, Anna.”

“Yes, Anna.” Her voice more energetic this time, Madeline found it impossible not to smile at the satisfaction that settled on the viscountess’s face.

“That’s a start, but we definitely need to work on your enthusiasm.” Anna’s disgruntled tone and expression of disappointment made Madeline laugh.

“Yes, Anna,” Madeline said firmly and with quiet amusement. “Is that more to your liking?”

“Oh, that’s much better.” Anna’s satisfied expression faded and became somber. “Now then, I need to explain my reaction a moment ago.”

The viscountess nibbled on her bottom lip as she looked back toward the manor. Hesitation reflected in her eyes as she turned back to Madeline, then the other woman shrugged slightly.

“Sebastian will not be happy with me when he learns what I’ve done.” Anna leaned forward the moment Madeline jerked in dismay and squeezed her hand reassuringly again. “You have nothing to fear. Even if Sebastian didn’t love me as much as he does, he would still not betray my secret. The idea of scandal is abhorrent to my dark angel, and my ability would most definitely cause a scandal.”

Madeline’s level of fear dropped significantly at the viscountess’s reassurance. For some unknown reason, she trusted the woman. There was something about the viscountess’s manner that said she was someone who would never betray a friend. When she remained silent, Anna drew in a deep breath as if steeling herself for something unpleasant.

“As mad as it might sound, I have the ability to see things others can’t.” The soft words made Madeline jerk slightly as she met the other woman’s gaze.

“You can see the future?” Madeline’s quiet question made Anna eye her with surprise. With a shrug, a slight smile tugged at Madeline’s mouth. “Where I’m from, there are some psychics who are quite popular.”

“I’m not actually a psychic, though,” Anna said with a small shake of her head. “I don’t communicate with the dead. I simply have visions or a sense of knowing. Like I just did with you.”

“Something that made you believe I was from the future?” The question made Anna nod then look away from Madeline. As she studied the viscountess’s profile, she saw a look of dismay on the woman’s face.

“Normally, Sebastian is nearby and all I have to do is look at him, and he knows to come lend me his support…” Anna swallowed hard then looked back at Madeline. “I was so startled, I spoke without thinking.”

With a nod of understanding, Madeline turned her head toward the empty paddock. Uncertain what to say in response to Anna’s revelation, she stared sightlessly at the fence that enclosed the large area of grass. Beside her, Anna remained silent for a long moment before she touched Madeline’s hand.

“You know you cannot go back, don’t you?” Anna’s quiet words made Madeline turn toward the viscountess in stunned astonishment. At her reaction, the viscountess swallowed hard. “I thought you…I thought you understood.”

“Understood what?” Madeline fought to suppress the tide of fear threatening to overtake her senses. “How do you know…why can’t I go back to my own time?”

“Because…” An uneasy emotion darkened Anna’s face, and the viscountess was clearly struggling with her words as she caught Madeline’s hands in hers. “There’s only one of you, Madeline, and you’re here…at Muchalls Hall.”

“But that doesn’t tell me why you think I can’t go home.”