BROUGHT BACK IN TIME?

Amelia's glance went to the table where a wedding ring shone in the glow of the candle. For an illusion, the flame seemed very real. She felt that if she reached out, she would feel its heat. And yet she was sure it was a dream. 

She suddenly felt dizzy from the potent mixture of knowledge and confusion swirling through her. She knew much about Katherine, but was aware she hadn't completely taken on this new self. Inside she was Amelia Smith, the second daughter of Sandra and David Smith. That was why she was sure it was all a dream. She must have read all this in one of the historical romances she couldn't get enough of, or maybe seen it in an old movie, and now her subconscious was recalling it in this weird dream.

Well, whatever it was, it all felt strange that it was creeping the hell out of her for it was so real. She needed to get a grip on herself. The real Katherine must have been dead by now considering the wedding ring on the table. 

To her astonishment, a voice interrupted her thoughts. " Your grace? " A young woman asked with uncertainty. She was twenty-seven or twenty-eight and petite. Her clothes were poor, a white apron and a hairband or cap of some sort. She was probably a maid.

Amelia just stared at her, not certain of what to say or how to react. Was she referring to her as Your Grace? 

" You have finally woken up! I knew you would wake up. Thank goodness! I was so scared something bad might've happened when the physician said he didn't feel any pulse. Are you okay? " Her voice was very English. She looked relieved as she said those words which made Amelia wonder what might have happened to Katherine for she never read any of this part in the history book.

Who was this woman? Was she Katherine's maid?

She knew she was waiting for her to respond, but she didn't know what to say. In a situation as incredible as this, the cat had more than gotten her tongue!

Her silence perplexed the woman. " Did you hear me, Your Grace? "

" Yes. I did. " Her voice was no longer modern Now York, but British and reserved. What the hell. It was her voice.

" I would go and inform His Grace that you're awake. " 

" N..no, wait. What happened to me? "

Amelia was curious as to what happened to Katherine, but referring to herself as Katherine made her feel weird.

The woman was stunned, but replied with a bow. " Show me mercy, Your Grace. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have left your side. The guards found you in the lake and rescued you. " 

" The physician checked your pulse but you had none. Everyone thought you were dead because you didn't wake up for a whole day. "

Amelia raised a brow. " And I woke up now? " The woman nodded her head.

Katherine committed suicide by drowning which means…?

" What year is this? " She blurted out the question and the woman raised her head to look at her in confusion. 

" Two years after Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat at Waterloo. " 

" 1817? " Amelia muttered. " What is your name? "

" I'm Abigail Walker, Your Grace. " Abigail replied even if the questions her master was asking her came as a shock to her. Is it possible that her master had lost her memories due to the fall in the lake?

"Her surname is Walker? As in, Noah Walker's great grandmother. What the hell! " Amelia thought. There was a slight resemblance between the woman and Noah.

Almost immediately the sound of a carriage disturbed the night. Amelia looked to the window and saw it pull up at the end of the lane. It was a gleaming maroon vehicle drawn by four greys, and its lamps shine brightly through the darkness of the poorly lit Street. The door was flung open, and two gentlemen stepped down.

Both were in their mid-thirties, and dressed in formal evening clothes. One was tall, with brown hair and then walked swiftly toward the castle. Amelia saw him to be Doctor Henry Benard, the illegitimate son of the family and possessed an elegant townhouse facing the castle. He was a much respected man, and one of the few men Dane trusted.

Her gaze moved to the other man who she supposed was Katherine's husband. He was tall and arrestingly handsome, with thick black hair and a penetrating glance she could perceive even from a distance. His lean, athletic physique was perfectly suited to fashion day. Amelia's heart tightened within her as she gazed at him, for the feelings that surged through her now were unlike anything she'd ever known before.

He walked towards the courtyard, and the closer he came the clearer she could see his eyes. They were gray, and there was something in them that hinted at dark secrets, something immeasurably exciting. He was the perfect hero, with looks to melt the hardest female heart, and s commanding air she found both arousing and frightening. Each step he took brought desire closer to her. Why was she feeling like this?

Everything about Sir or Duke Dane Barnard drew her like a pin to a magnet.

He reached the courtyard and from nowhere a woman with black long hair and dressed in a white silk satin gown walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek. He held her waist and smiled lovingly at her.

Amelia didn't know why but she felt a pang of hurt in her chest.

" That is Lady Caroline Baker. I'm sure you don't know her. " Abigail smiled, as if reading her thoughts.

" I've heard about her. " Amelia blurted out unknowingly and her eyes widened after realising her mistake.

" It's very simple, Amelia. Solve the puzzle. That is the woman His Grace is in love with. " Abigail said quietly.

Amelia glanced swiftly around. " You know my name? "

" Of course. I do. You're surprised? "

" But this is a dream, isn't it? " Amelia asked, unsure of things. Something about the intensity of the woman's eyes suddenly conjured thoughts of sorcery or maybe ancient magic. Amelia shuddered.

Abigail grinned. " You were brought back in time for a reason. Don't look for answers now, Your Grace. "

Brought back in time? Is this a joke or something?

" If I am Katherine now, I'm supposed to be dead. " Amelia pointed out swiftly.

" Let me put it in a simple way. For a few hours or days, you're Amelia Smith in Duchess Katherines body. Dane never loved Katherine, everyone has a different perspective of her, but they all don't know the truth for certain and that's when you come into the picture. "

" What do you mean? " Amelia asked, turning around to look out the window. 

Dane and Caroline were still talking. Her gaze remained on Dane and he seemed to sense she was at the window, for he raised his and looked directly up at her. The hint of latent power surrounding him was like a beacon in the darkness, and when their eyes met, she couldn't look away. She was conscious of the electrifying spell of his gaze. It was as if he knew her thoughts,  because his face immediately went expressionless. 

" Katherine left a bitter legacy. Her love was never returned and I think you both share almost the same faith. Just be yourself in Katherine's guise and solve the puzzle, that is all you need. Your life might even become a romance. " 

Amelia looked at her with disbelief. She was stunned? This is impossible! How could she possibly travel back in time into Katherine's body who was supposed to be dead right now? If this isn't a joke, then what is it?

To be continued...