“The road is flooding even more behind us,” I murmured as I peeked over my shoulder.
“It’s also getting colder,” Maggie agreed as her teeth clashed together.
Lucian turned the heating in the car up and glanced at Maggie and me. Worry was present on his face, which matched Daniel’s. I knew they were troubled, but the constant sniping at each other didn’t help matters. Minutes ticked past as the weather seemed to worsen.
“Is this magical?” I asked, and Lucian stiffened.
“I don’t think so,” he replied.
“The weatherman said this was the Storm of the Century,” Daniel added.
“He also claimed it appeared out of nowhere.”
“We weren’t exactly shy about our travel plans,” Daniel drawled, and for once, Lucian agreed.
“No. We should have been more careful,” Lucian declared without any smugness.
“Possibly, but too late now. We need to find somewhere to hole up and ride this out,” I replied as I gazed into the darkness.
“There are lights ahead,” Lucian announced, peering into the shadows. He pointed something out to Daniel, and Daniel drove towards it. A huge mansion appeared, and I gaped and frowned.
“What on earth is that doing here?” Maggie muttered.
“No idea, but the whole thing gives me the heebie-jeebies,” I confessed, staring at the terrifying house.
“There are cars ahead, three of them and people in them,” Daniel said as we pulled up next to another car. A woman stared out at us, looking puzzled as we gazed back at her.
“What now?” I asked after several moments.
“I don’t know,” Daniel admitted.
Car doors swung open, and passengers got out. The men wore jeans and long-sleeved Henleys, along with what I recognised as a motorcycle club cut.
“We might be in trouble here,” Maggie muttered.
“Ya think?” I snipped, and Maggie sent me a quelling look.
Other car doors opened, and more people climbed out. After exchanging a glance, we did too and were soaked within seconds.
“Who are you?” Daniel demanded, approaching.
One of the men turned to us. “Who the hell are you?” he pushed back.
“I’m the Marquess Blackwood, and this is my wife.”
I sent Daniel a sideways glance, and he sighed. “You may call us Daniel and Sabine. This is the Earl of Castleton and his wife,” Daniel replied, and we received several stunned stares. Daniel stared at Lucian, who grumbled.
“You can call me Lucian, and this is Maggie.”
“On your way to a fancy dress party?” one of the men asked, nodding at our attire. We wore clothing from Daniel’s time. It prompted a lot of looks and comments, but we were all comfortable in it. Let people say what they wish!
“Drake, shut up!” a woman snapped. She turned to us and dropped a small head bow and smacked the man called Drake across the stomach.
“I’m Phoenix Michaelson. This is my husband, Drake. You can call me Phoe,” Phoenix pointed to the fellow who’d spoken. “My lord, I’ve heard of you. I still keep up to date with what’s happening in England, even though I live in the States now. This is Chance, Drake’s cousin, and his wife Clio, Calamity and his wife Rosie, and that’s James Washington with his wife Kate and Inglorious and his old lady Nanci. I’ve no idea who they are.” Phoe turned to the pair she hadn’t introduced.
“Hello, we know you. We met and discussed motorbikes once,” the woman who hadn’t been introduced said with a smile. Phoe had been looking at her.
“Emmaline?” Phoenix drawled, appearing to rack her brain before smiling brightly.
