Threads of Time

www.elizabethjaynebooks.com

Chapter 1

Julianna was very excited as she packed for her trip. She had taken her courage in her hands and booked a holiday to England. Just herself, nobody to travel with her. This time being single was not going to stop her.

Her family had not been thrilled at the idea. Her mother urged her to take a friend along. You have never taken a trip anywhere on your own before, not even a few hours away up the coast. How can you manage a trip to the other side of the world? Take one of your friends, you will have a lovely time. Young girls should not travel on their own. Just think of the dangers! she had cried.

Mum, I will be perfectly fine. I’ll be joining up with the tour group and travelling with a busload of people. I think that constitutes safe.

Her mum still wasn’t convinced. Besides, there was the flight over there and all those hours between arriving and the tour starting! Julianna did her best to convince her she would be safe but doubted anything she said would help at this stage.

Why don’t you take your sister? mum pushed.

I don’t want to go to no fusty country! exclaimed the sixteen year old who was more interested in boys, makeup and fashion put together from the op shop than travelling with her oldie sister.

It will do you good to experience other cultures, her mother told her firmly.

Julianna stepped in to diffuse the argument brewing. Nobody is doing anything. I have already planned and booked this, mum. I have taken enough precautions and I will be fine.

She glanced at her sister who was happily chewing gum now that she wasn’t about to be forced into an unwanted trip away from her friends. Julianna was thankful she had been able to curb her mother in this case because, while she was very fond of her younger sister, the last thing she wanted was to be dragging a rebellious teenager around the english countryside. Julianna had gathered her handbag and keys and turned to her mother.

I promise I will call when I arrive and won’t go anywhere on my own.

Her mother gave her a quick hug. You have a great time, then, she told her trying to control her concerns. And be safe! she had added as Julianna headed to the door.

Julianna waved as she drove away from the house and breathed a sigh of relief, glad that was over. It had been the same almost every time she had seen her mother since booking the trip and she knew her mother would not rest easy until she was safely back home again.

Now the day had arrived and in a few hours she would be heading to the airport. Her stomach flipped with excitement. Everything was packed and all she had to do was have a quick bite to eat, throw out anything left over that might start growing and multiplying in the fridge during her absence, put the rubbish out for collection and she was done.

She dragged her bags out of her room and did a last check of the apartment. All was secure. She stepped outside and pulled the door to, ready to face her new adventure as the taxi pulled up at the kerb.

The airport was busy and Julianna dodged trolleys and children as she searched for her check-in line. She was relieved to find there wasn’t a long queue waiting and in no time at all she was checked in, bags spirited away on the luggage belt and now all she had to do was wait for her flight to board. She was jittery with excitement. A cup of tea was what she needed. She almost laughed out loud at the thought. Tea was so english.

Julianna’s heart beat fast as the announcement came for her flight to board. She made her way to the gate trying not to let her excitement show too much but it was hard to hide it and she couldn’t help but give the flight attendant a big grin as she boarded the plane.

She was seated next to the window and carefully stowed her small bag beneath the seat. It was going to be a very long flight and she had come prepared with a book, magazine and, of course, the necessary munchies. Although, she doubted she would be able to focus on her book. She had never felt this excited about anything before. Passengers began to fill the plane and two elderly ladies took the seats beside her. They all smiled at each other and settled in as the captain announced their flight details. Julianna gripped the armrest as the plane taxied to the runway. It had been so long since she had flown and she was nervous. This on top of her excitement was making her stomach do all kinds of crazy things. The lady next to her patted her hand and uttered soothing words. The plane made its final turn and now stood on the runway, its engines starting to rev up. The plane started forward, engines roaring, gathering more and more speed until she felt herself pushed into her seat as the plane rose into the sky. It was frightening and exhilarating at the same time. Julianna couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped her.

She was on her way.

The flight was long but Julianna was too excited to manage more than a few intermittent hours of sleep. As the sun was rising in the sky, the plane touched down at Heathrow airport. Julianna joined the throng of passengers making their way off the plane and through customs.

Gathering her bags from the baggage carousel, she searched the airport for her ride. A courtesy bus had been arranged as part of her accommodation to take her to the hotel. She would have two days to get over her jetlag and do a little sightseeing on her own before the tour began.

The hotel was cheap but clean and cosy and she plonked herself on the bed taking stock of the room and what she was about to do. Her family had been totally surprised at her decision to take a trip on her own. This was such a big step but she had stopped herself from doing things for several years because she didn’t want to go anywhere on her own. But she realised if she wanted to see the world or do any of the things she dreamed of then she just had to accept the fact she would be a single traveller. Joining a tour was the best way she could travel because, even though she was on her own, she would be travelling with a group. Much better, not to mention safer. Besides, she had no idea where to start with all these old places and this tour sounded just the thing. They would be visiting houses of many styles and periods and travelling to visit some really grand old homes. Julianna couldn’t wait to see them all.

She slept most of the following day but the day after that she felt wide awake and took a walk around the town. She was in a small town outside of London and the street held some quaint little shops and cafés. She entered a café to sample a typical english morning tea that her brochure had mentioned. Tea and scones with jam and cream sounded just the thing. She was glad to have a table by the window so she could watch the people passing by as she ate. It didn’t look much different to being back home but she still felt excited because she knew that she was in a completely different country. Across the road was a little shop with a postcard stand out the front and figurines and souvenirs in the window. This was her next stop after the delicious morning tea and she found a couple of postcards as mementos of her trip so far. She continued to walk around the town, enjoying her first real taste of England.

The little hotel she was in did not have a restaurant but the nice lady behind the desk had given her the names of a couple of restaurants close by that were inexpensive with good food. Also, there was the local pub which served a very good meal. Julianna tossed up her dinner options and then decided she would see what a typical english pub looked like. Walking in was a little daunting with so many men standing around drinking but she thankfully saw a sign to the bistro and hurried through. Everything was timber with large paintings of scenery on the walls. It was busier than she had expected but she found a seat easily enough. The whole time she was eating her steak and chips – ordered because it sounded so english – she took in the sights and sounds around her. One excellent thing about this country was that they spoke the same language as her and she was loving the accents she could hear. Some of the people looked her way, probably because she was on her own Julianna figured, but she was otherwise left to herself. After dinner she made her way back to the hotel making sure she didn’t linger in the street. It was one thing to go on this trip by herself but she wasn’t about to tempt fate by wandering the streets of a foreign country all by herself. She went to bed that night filled with anticipation for the tour to begin.

There was a large group of people in the foyer waiting for the tour bus the next morning. As Julianna looked around she noticed that the ages were very mixed from young girls in their early twenties to several elderly men and women. Most people were chatting away, all excited about their trip. Their tour guide entered the foyer and quickly gathered everyone together, shepherding them to the bus like a flock of sheep. Julianna didn’t mind at all being a sheep when the outcome was a seven day tour of England.

She was seated next to a woman who was travelling with friends who were sitting on the other side of the aisle. All three included Julianna in their conversations and opinions on their surroundings as they travelled along.

First stop was a Georgian home. Julianna had seen pictures and, like most people, had seen movies or TV shows depicting such houses but to see it firsthand was fascinating. They were given a tour of the house and shown everything from the tiny rooms of the servants’ quarters to the grand rooms that the family spent their daily lives in. Julianna imagined herself living in such a house, the bustle of people coming and going, servants everywhere seeing to the family’s needs.

All too soon it was time to move on. They were travelling to Bath and Julianna was interested to see any old homes in a town she had heard so much about. Her aunty loved period english novels and had tried to describe in detail all that Julianna could expect to see.

The town was everything she had imagined and more and she took in as much information as possible. They explored old homes and the old Assembly Rooms where debutantes attended balls back in the old days to apparently catch a husband. The outside of the building didn’t look much different to other buildings but Julianna was surprised to see just how grand the inside was with columns and ornate ceilings and the largest chandeliers she had ever seen. She felt goosebumps as she imagined attending a ball in these very rooms so long ago.

All the old buildings were fascinating as were the stories of people going to something called a Pump Room and drinking the water. It sounded just a little odd to Julianna but apparently it was quite the thing to do in those days. From all accounts the water was warm and didn’t taste very nice but people swore it healed whatever ailment they might have. Each to his own, she thought.

They left the historical city and spent their first night in an inn in the country. Julianna was impressed with how green everything was and could feel the peace and history of the countryside seeping into her bones. She slept like a log and woke up feeling very refreshed.

The tour continued and Julianna loved all the houses they saw during the next few days but she was really excited about the stop they would make the following day. A huge mansion of a house, judging by the brochure and the picture. Just like in the movies, she thought. She imagined walking through it and couldn’t wait for the morning to come.

The day was sunny and clear as they travelled to their destination. The morning would be filled with a tour of the house and grounds then a lunch would be served on the large expanse of lawn. As the bus approached the old stately home, Julianna caught her breath. It was grander than she could ever have possibly imagined. Four stories high with sweeping stairs leading to the front door. The stones shone golden in the sun and as Julianna stepped out of the bus she stood still and let her eyes wander over every inch of the building. She turned her gaze to the gardens. She had never seen such elaborate gardens before. How could they possibly explore it all in just one morning!

The tour was beginning and she joined her fellow travellers gathered at the top of the steps. As they entered the house, the black and white tiles that stretched out across the floor echoed with their footsteps and they all gazed in wonder at the very high, ornate ceilings and antique tables that bordered the large hallway. At the end of this, a staircase rose to the next floor and arched off to each side. They walked through halls, stepped into bedrooms and sitting rooms, gazed at dozens of portraits and were completely overwhelmed by the sheer wonder of such a mansion. They had walked around for almost two hours and had still only managed to see a portion of it.

The gardens were extensive and, after a brief history of them, the group were given a map and allowed to wander at will amongst the blooms. Everything was neatly trimmed and colourfully planned and it was a joy to walk through. Several tall hedges formed a maze and they all had fun working their way from one end to the other. Lunch was plentiful and everyone chatted about their experience of the mansion and agreed it was certainly a magnificent place.

Julianna turned her head towards the building and caught sight of someone standing at a window high up on the top floor. This floor had not been included in the tour and she assumed it was one of the family looking down at them. She continued to look until the person turned away. What would it be like to live in a place like this?

Following lunch, they were given a tour of the outer buildings including the stables and barns. These had been modernised but they could still see the remains of old machinery and tools used in the early periods with photos and paintings slung on walls showing what work and conditions for the stable hands would have been like. Julianna found it all very interesting.

All too soon they were climbing back onto the bus. Julianna took one last look at the mansion and let out a sigh. It drew her and she made a mental note to visit this place again before she returned home.

They all enjoyed a quiet dinner back at the inn that night and then Julianna went to her room. She settled down in her comfortable bed, images of the mansion floating clearly through her head. She couldn’t wait to visit it again. She fell asleep and, as she expected, her dreams were filled with life in a mansion, gardens stretching as far as you could see. She smiled in her sleep, feeling content and relaxed.

The sun blinking through the curtains woke her the next morning. Julianna stretched and felt extremely rested. They were travelling quite far today and would visit a stone village that afternoon. The village was centuries old and she thought it would prove interesting. Although, nothing could top the place they had visited yesterday, she thought as she swung her legs out of bed. She frowned slightly as her bare feet hit the cold wooden floor. She could have sworn there was carpet on the floor but then they had been travelling for several days and it was easy to get confused. She padded over to the bathroom and stopped in her tracks when she came to the wall. Julianna rubbed her eyes, making sure she was fully awake. She was getting all the inns mixed up. This inn probably had a communal bathroom. Her eyes took in the bare furnishings of the room as she wrapped her robe around her. Something just didn’t seem right but she didn’t think too much about it while her brain was still foggy from sleep. Stifling a yawn, she put her toiletry bag under her arm, gathered her clothes and stepped out into the hall.

And that’s where she stood for several minutes while her brain tried to figure out what was going on.

Gone was the carpet that she absolutely knew had been there last night and she was certain of it because she had been counting the diamonds on the pattern as she went to her room. Instead her feet were planted on floor boards. Gone were the paintings that lined the hallway. And she knew they had lined the hallway because she had spent some time the previous evening looking at them! In their place were small pictures of the countryside and people. A noise on the stairs caught her attention and she watched as a young girl stepped onto the floor. She was dressed in an old fashioned dress that covered her from neck to toe with an apron tied around her waist. She held a pitcher and bowl in her hands. Julianna had seen this style of pitcher and bowl before. Her mother had one with painted flowers on it that sat in her room as an ornament. But this one wasn’t painted. It was just white and didn’t look like an ornament.

The girl stopped when she noticed Julianna and looked at her curiously.

Miss, can I help you with something? she asked.

Julianna shook her head. The girl continued forward and cautiously walked around her. Julianna watched as she knocked on the door at the end of the hall and announced that she was the maid with the bathing water. The maid? Of course, the inn would have maids. Julianna told herself she was just confused about which inn she was in and continued down the hall in search of the bathroom. She couldn’t see anything that looked even remotely bathroom-like and turned back around to find the maid staring at her strangely.

Miss? Are you lost, miss?

No, I am just looking for the bathroom, Julianna explained.

The bathroom, miss?

The girl looked puzzled. And that made Julianna confused. Yes, the room where I can take a shower, or a bath.

Oh. The maid’s puzzled look left her and she said, If you are wanting to bathe, miss, I will bring you a pitcher of warm water right away.

A pitcher of water? Don’t you have a bathroom here?

Sorry, miss. We are not as grand as the London inns but I could bring two pitchers if you would like? she offered.

Julianna stared at the girl in disbelief. She nodded to her, a pitcher of water was better than nothing, and slowly returned to her room. No bathroom. No carpet. No bedside lamp. What was going on here?

The water arrived and Julianna gave herself a quick wipe down. She would find the other tour members then everything would be alright. She put on her jeans and a warm jumper over her shirt and left the room. At the foot of the stairs she encountered the young maid again.

Oh, excuse me but could you tell me where the ladies is? Julianna asked her. She really needed to use that room before she went much further.

But the maid was staring at her aghast, her mouth open as she gazed at Julianna.

What is it? Julianna asked.

What are you wearing?

Just my jeans. Look, I know you are busy but I really need to find the ladies room. Can you tell me where it is?

The ladies room? she asked absently, not seeming to be able to take her eyes off Julianna’s clothing.

Yes. You know, the toilet, she added quietly.

The girl looked confused. Julianna was getting frustrated.

Look, I need to use the toilet before I make a mess on this floor. Can you tell me where it is or not?

Oh, you will find the chamber pot placed beneath your bed in your room, the maid uttered as realisation dawned. But miss…..

Yes?

Excuse me for saying so, miss, but you cannot walk the halls dressed like that.

What is wrong with the way I am dressed? Julianna asked, looking down at her clothes. They were perfectly good jeans and jumper.

Why, miss, it is indecent!

I beg your pardon?

Sorry, miss. I know I am speaking out of turn but women around here do not dress like that. In fact, I have never seen a woman dress like that. The owner will likely throw you out if he sees you dressed like that.

That’s crazy!

Crazy he might well think you, miss, dressed as you are.

Julianna stood for a moment looking at the girl. She was busting and had to find the ladies room quickly because there was no way she was squatting over a chamber pot in her room! However, it looked like she would get no directions unless she changed. What kind of place was this anyway? She didn’t remember having trouble with the way she dressed last night.

She started up the stairs to her room but turned back to the girl. What would you suggest I wear? she asked, her frustration almost getting the better of her.

Why, a dress of course, miss. Like ladies generally wear. She pointed to a painting on the wall as she spoke and Julianna stared at the image of a woman dressed in a gown that flowed to the floor.

Is this a period costume inn or something?

Period costume, miss?

Yes. Why else would you walk around dressed like that?

It is the fashion, miss. It is the way most women dress. The maid was beginning to look at Julianna as if she were slightly insane and took a step backwards.

Julianna looked at the painting then back at the girl. A sense of misgiving filled her. The fashion?

Yes, miss.

And if I don’t have a period costume with me?

I am not sure what you mean by a period costume but if it is your gowns you are missing then … well, miss, to be perfectly honest with you, I am not sure I would venture from the room until the gowns arrive.

Julianna swallowed. This couldn’t be right. She was still asleep and dreaming. If she went back to her room and laid on the bed, she would wake up and everything would be as it was. She turned back up the stairs feeling dazed. Speaking over her shoulder, she said, Can I get room service and have some breakfast brought to my room?

Room service, miss?

Julianna felt herself groan and hurried up to her room. She closed the door and leaned against it. Noises from the street below drifted in through the window and she hurried over to it.

Her heart almost stopped.

Below her, no cars travelled along the tarred road. No teenagers in jeans sauntered along listening to music, no boys scooted past on skateboards.

Below were carriages pulled along the cobblestone street by horses and the people she could see were dressed in the same period style as the maid.

Oh my God. Oh my God! Julianna stepped back from the window. This can’t be right. A knock on the door startled her and she pulled it open. The maid stood before her holding a dress.

Excuse my forwardness, miss, but I thought as you had no gowns with you this gown might be of use to you until we find your lost baggage, she explained as she entered the room.

Julianna shook her head, unable to believe what her eyes were telling her. She could barely get the words out but she had to know. What year is this?

Excuse me, miss?

What year is this!

It is the month of February in the year of 1814.

The maid watched helplessly as Julianna fainted.

Chapter 2

Julianna moaned. Her head was pounding. She raised her hand and gingerly touched the tender spot above her ear. She must have fallen and hit her head but she couldn’t remember. She tried to open her eyes but the light was too bright and she quickly closed them. She could feel the soft mattress beneath her and became aware of voices murmuring nearby. A hand held her wrist and touched her brow.

She is waking. She should be well enough but I will leave a draught for her to ease the pain, a male voice said quietly.

This is not a sickroom, doctor. Who is supposed to look after her? queried an impatient male voice.

She is obviously troubled. You only need to look at her clothing to see that. I will try to arrange for her to be taken to a suitable place but, in the meantime, someone here will have to keep an eye on her.

Julianna couldn’t understand what they were talking about but obviously there was a doctor with her. She licked her dry lips and whispered, Doctor?

She heard some shuffling as he returned to the bedside. I am the doctor, the male voice replied.

Did I have a fall? she asked softly, trying to get her bearings and open her eyes.

It appears you have fallen and hit your head. I have left a draught to ease your pain, he explained.

A draught? Julianna had no idea what he was talking about. Could you alert the rest of the tour group? I don’t want them to leave without me.

Beside the bed, the doctor looked speakingly at the innkeeper and the maid. He turned back to Julianna and told her to rest, then left the room followed by the innkeeper. The maid stood near the door watching Julianna cautiously. The innkeeper had not been happy when she ran to inform him of the lady’s fainting spell. And when he saw how strangely and indecently she was dressed, he demanded to know how anyone as insane as that woman obviously was had been provided with a room in his inn. He grudgingly called for the doctor, determined to have her removed at the earliest possible moment. Now the young maid stood by wondering what would become of their guest.

The innkeeper returned and gave instructions to the maid to look after the sick woman until the doctor sent a nurse. The nurse would remove her to an asylum and they could wash their hands of her.

Julianna’s ears pricked up at his words. She struggled to open her eyes. She had to know what was going on. The innkeeper watched her warily as she turned her head to look at them.

I am very sorry to be so much trouble. If you could just let the tour guide know what has happened, I am sure he will look after things.

I do not know who you are referring to but a nurse will arrive shortly to take you to a place that can help you.

But I don’t need to go anywhere special. The ladies from the tour will look after me. She sank back on the pillows. The ladies were caring and friendly and they would have her feeling fine in no time. She looked back over to the two standing by the door and was puzzled by the fact they hadn’t moved. Has the tour bus left already? she asked anxiously.

Tour bus? echoed the maid.

Yes. I was on a tour of nineteenth century english homes and manors. We are going to the stone village today.

The maid glanced at the innkeeper and Julianna became worried. She had somehow fallen and hit her head and then had the most horrid dream. All she wanted to do was take something for the pain and get out of this strange place. But these people were acting very weird.

"Look, if you could just go to the room two doors down from me,