The Wayfarer: A Time Travel Romance (The Wayfarer Series Book 1) by Jennifer L. Hayes

Author:Jennifer L. Hayes [Hayes, Jennifer L.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2016-06-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

A Distraction

Isobel and I made plans to go shopping in town later that day. With breakfast finished, I retreated to my room in an effort to avoid Lord Henry.

Isobel’s troubles over William hit a little too close to home. I couldn’t quite make sense of the feelings I had for Lord Henry. Therefore, the easiest course of action was to avoid dangerous territory completely. A budding friendship with Isobel offered a welcome distraction. It felt nice to be myself without being scrutinized or judged. Just like Henry, she wore a mask around her family and behaved as she was expected to, hardly ever showing any kind of displeasure.

There was a knock at my door, but before I could even answer, Isobel came fluttering in with her arms full of garments and gowns.

“What’s all this?” I asked, not sure if I was in the mood for a fashion show.

“We have to find you something beautiful to wear for the ball tomorrow.” She heaved the massive pile onto my bed and turned to size me up.

“Am I supposed to be there?” The truth was I had no desire to be part of the festivities and rather hoped that my inclusion would be overlooked.

“Well, of course you are. I checked with Mama and she insists.” Isobel looked happy to have me as her charge and I didn’t want to disappoint her.

“Oh, yeah, a ball, just like Cinderella.” I mimicked enthusiasm.

“I love that story. You’ve read the Grimm Brothers then? I much prefer the original French version, Cendrillon.” She snapped her fingers and spun around. “So I shall be your fairy godmother,” she said and we both laughed.

Isobel picked up the first dress on the top of the pile. It was a peach silk with dark lace trim and a gazillion ruffles. She held it up to herself and danced around the room. “What do you think?”

Then she lifted an oyster-colored dress to her chest and when my eyes didn’t light up she tossed it down too and picked up the next one.

“You should try this one on. I think it would accentuate your eyes.” It was a light green chiffon. My eyes were considered hazel but when I cried or wore certain colors they turned green.

Not wanting to be Debbie Downer, I stripped off. I was halfway out of my clothes when Isobel gasped. “What is that?” She sounded intrigued.

I looked down to my navel and realized that she was referring to my tattoo. It had been a part of my body for so long now that I hardly ever remembered that it was there. “A bird,” I said, feeling uncomfortable under the microscope. She came a little closer to inspect it.

“I can see it’s a bird, but I’ve never seen such a thing painted on a woman’s body.” She looked at it like a child examining an exotic bug for the first time, with wonder and amazement.

“It’s called a tattoo and it’s not really painted on. They use small needles filled with ink so that it doesn’t wash off.

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