A Witch in Time

of their country estates “indefinitely.”
“And you were always too busy to visit them regularly,” Eleanor added.
Reed knew his sister had no malicious intent to her words; no, she was merely stating facts. His life revolved around their business in London and he had scarce little time to journey up to Huntington Park on a regular basis, so instead, he and his father relied on messengers who made the long trip. Reed had not seen his parents in two months when they passed away.
He did not say anything which his sister took as an affirmative. “See? It could be possible that’s what happened right?”
“Perhaps Lady Winford has made a logical conclusion,” Jonasson said. “Of course, you could confirm it with a letter to our Alpha. It will take a while, and the journey back will be long. Maybe we can come back next spring, should you still desire an alliance.”
“Another year?” Eleanor said. “After you’ve journeyed for months to come here? Reed, surely you’re not going to turn them away.”
His wolf growled. I should send them home, he told his animal. How can we trust them? His every human instinct told him he should send them away. Yes, including her. The things she made him feel … it unnerved him. But he had a feeling this was two against one: both his wolf and Eleanor would never give him peace. “I suppose you could stay in London. For now,” he added in an ominous tone. As Alpha, he could ask them to leave at any time.
Eleanor clapped her hands together. “Splendid. Miss Anderson is the daughter of an Alpha, and I wouldn’t want to offend their clan if we sent her away.”
He frowned. That was the other thing that bothered him. “Why exactly did an Alpha send his daughter and niece without a proper chaperone across the sea?” The thought of Jonasson alone with Elise on board a ship with no one else for company made him want to break something. Even if the two women were not compromised, it simply wasn’t proper.
Jonasson spoke. “I am their cousin as well,” he explained. “Twice removed.”
“And your chaperone? Surely your Alpha would have provided a duenna for the two young ladies. An older aunt or paid companion with impeccable reputation?” If they were lying, he would catch them now.
“She died,” Julianna burst out.
“Miss … Lucinda Jones passed away right before we docked,” Elise said quickly.
“How awful!” Eleanor cried. “What did she die of?”
“Dysentery!” Julianna offered.
His sister looked like she needed her smelling salts. Dysentery? What proper young woman talked about such things in company? Elise, at least, had the decency to glare at the other woman.
“Truly terrible,” Reed said. “Where did you intend to stay in London?”
“We have just arrived from the port and will be looking for a suitable hotel,” Jonasson said.
“Hotel?” Eleanor exclaimed. “No, you shan’t be staying in some hotel! You’ll stay with us,” she declared.
“Eleanor—”
“If they had not traveled all the way here from America, William would be crushed under the hooves and wheels of that coach!” Eleanor got to her feet, her hands clasping together. “We have plenty of room and I will be an impeccable chaperone to the girls. It’s no bother, since Bridget will be arriving soon, and so will Grandmama, so all three ladies will have two women of irreproachable reputations guarding their virtues.” Her face brightened with recognition. “Oh, of course! Silly me. I’ve wondered why your Alpha would send two unmarried women across the pond. You’re here for the season, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, definitely. Totally. That’s it. Whatever you say,” Julianna nodded enthusiastically. “I—ow! Elise, why are you jabbing your elbow in my ribs?”
Elise’s pretty face went pale. “It’s not—”
“Oh, don’t you ladies worry,” Eleanor said, excitement tinging her tone. “I’ve already made a list of eligible Lycan bachelors since my cousin is also here for the season. This is so exciting. We’ve always made matches with nearby clans, but we might be making the first trans-continent alliance through marriage.”
“M-m-marriage?” Now it was Julianna’s face that drained of blood.
“Yes, Julianna,” Elise said wryly. “Like you said, we’re here for the season. London’s marriage mart.”
While the thought of Elise surrounded by a gaggle of beaux vying for attention made him feel like he’d been punched in the gut, the distaste in her voice made Reed’s anger lessen. Still, the emotions inside him were in chaos, a state his normally controlled self did not enjoy.
Eleanor’s lips pursed, and she tapped a finger on her chin. “Of course, you both are a little … older than most of the girls coming out for the season. You’re probably what … twenty-four? Not fresh out of the schoolroom, but not quite … of debutant age. Still, you’re both quite the catch, especially if you’re related to the Alpha of New York.”
Julianna opened her mouth, but Elise hooked her arm around her waist and pulled her back. “Thank you, my lady, you’re too kind.”
“I can have someone fetch your things,” Eleanor offered. “Are they still at the port?”
“We don’t have any luggage, my lady,” Jonasson said. “They were stolen.”
“Stolen?” Eleanor gasped. “By whom?”
“Pirates!” Julianna said.
“Robbers!” Elise added at the same instant. The two girls looked at each other in bewilderment.
“Well, which is it?” Reed asked impatiently.
“Both,” Jonasson said. “We were beset by pirates on the sea and then robbers had stolen our things when we landed.”
“How terrible!” Eleanor’s cheeks puffed up. “But it makes sense now,” she said with a laugh.
“Sense?” Julianna asked.
“Why, yes,” his sister tutted. “Why you’re dressed up in evening gowns and why Mr. Jonasson doesn’t have his coat. I thought it was a colonial quirk.”
“We’re dressed in … evening gowns.” Julianna sounded like she was asking a question and stating the obvious at the same time.
“You poor things. These gowns must be what those … those brigands left you with. You certainly couldn’t go out naked.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry, I have a few gowns you can borrow in the meantime. Good thing I’m