Kirsten Osbourne [Osbourne - The Traveling Teacher

Taylor went to book club wearing a Regency dress. She knew the others would look at her strangely, but she didnt care. In the gargantuan tote bag over her shoulder was everything she could think of that shed need in the nineteenth century. She had her Kindlefilled with hundreds of novels she hadnt yet read, as well as a few favoritesand a solar charger. There were some modern medicines in her bag. Along with Tylenol and Advil, she had some antibiotics and some other random things she was worried she might need.

When she got to the back of the bookstore where everyone was waiting, she heard a gasp from Rory, who was staring at her with surprise. Youre doing it, arent you?

I am. Schools out. Ive resigned my position, and Ive even talked to my parents.

Rory grinned. You told your parents youre going back in time to the nineteenth century? How did that work out for you?

Taylor couldnt help but snicker as she sat down beside her friend and fellow lover of Regency romance. Well, since my parents are hippies, they said, Do what makes you happy. Right on, Taylor! Taylor shrugged. I know its not the typical reaction, but I kind of liked it.

Rory laughed. Sounds good to me. So no one is going to be looking for you. Well, except us, and we know where youre going. She reached for Taylors bag, flipping through it to see how shed prepared herself. How many bottles of hand sanitizer does one woman need?

Taylor blushed, shrugging and snatching her bag back. I want to make sure my hands are clean. What if I have to use an outhouse?

Good point.

They both looked up as Dr. Lachele, the newest member of the Guild of Godmothers, sat down at the table. She was looking at Taylor. Youre going today, I take it?

Taylor nodded. School is out. No one expects to see me for a very long time. Its now or never.

Dr. Lachele nodded. I think its great. Regency? Her eyes swept up and down Taylor, taking in her beautiful teal dress and her hairstyle. Taylor knew she looked odd. She usually went to book club in jeans, because she had to dress like a teacher all week. Who wanted to dress like a teacher all the time?

Yes, Regency. Im not as picky as Rory. I just want to be in a position to marry a gentleman. I dont care if hes a duke or not.

Thatll sure make my job easier. I cant have all of you marrying a duke during the Regency era, now can I?

Taylor shook her head. She loved the idea of going back and meeting the one man who was right for her in all time, but... it was hard to steady her nerves. This was beyond her realm of realityor anyone elses for that matterso knowing just how to prepare was difficult. I think it would be best if we didnt. Think of all the disappointed debutantes in town for their first season.

Dr. Lachele threw back her head and laughed, a deep laugh filled with gusto, which totally belied her sweet-as-sugar voice. Before club or after?

Taylor tilted her head to one side, considering. I think I want one last book club to say goodbye to everyone, if you dont mind.

Of course I dont mind. Its your fantasy, your wish, and your future. Or is that your past? Im started to get confused about our fluid timeline. Dr. Lachele grinned. Im not going to have to take you tacos back in time, am I?

Taylor shook her head. Im going to need some Dove chocolates when you check on me, though. Three or four cases should be enough.

Dove? What do you have against Godiva?

Not a thing. Im just in a Dove mood.

Dr. Lachele grinned and nodded. Ill see what I can do.

Thank you.

The book club started then, already down eight members from where theyd been back in March when all the excitement had started. They all talked about their favorite book from the past two weeks, and everyone went around the table saying goodbye to Taylor.

Taylor taught high school English, and it had been her dream to leave teaching for a very long time. It wasnt that she didnt love the childrenbecause she did. With everything inside her. No, it was the fact that she always had to teach to the tests. It didnt matter if her students learned as long as they could spout out useless information on their year-end tests. She was done, and she was sure the others understood.

After the meeting, a couple of the others hung around to watch her leave. Theyd all watched Gemma leave a couple of weeks before, and it had been fun. Why not watch more? It was like having a Superbowl party without the snacks, the game, ormaybe it wasnt like a Superbowl party after all. But it was still fun to watch people poof into the air.

As soon as the meeting was over, Taylor took a deep breath and picked up her bag, clutching it to her chest. She looked at Dr. Lachele, who smiled back.

You have to say the words, sugar dumpling.

I wish to go back to Regency times and find a gentleman who will want to marry me and who will be my true love for all eternity. Taylor had worked out exactly what she wanted to say and how she wanted to say it. Shed practiced saying the words a dozen times when she was teaching and she wanted to throw a dry erase marker at a students head.

Dr. Lachele twitched her nose, and the world went dark around Taylor.

* * *

Harry did a quick constitutional walk around the grounds of his country estate, his twin sons following along behind him. Henry and James were six, and they were already known throughout the county as being hellions. Harry had just lost his fourth governess in six weeks. How could a man lose so many teachers in such a short period of time?

He sighed, shaking his head. Hed find someone else, despite the fact that the agency had told him that his sons were unteachable and they would never provide another woman to be abused by his headstrong progeny.

He stopped short, almost tripping over someone lying in the grass in front of him. Was she even alive? He stooped down and put his finger against the pulse that beat strongly on her wrist. Miss? Miss? In the back of his mind, he wondered if she could possibly be a teacher who would take on the responsibility of his evilno that word was too strong for six-year-oldsactive boys.

She blinked twice, staring up at him. Where am I?

Have you hit your head, miss?

Taylor swallowed hard, feeling all the blood rush to her head. This must be the man Dr. Lachele had sent her to marry. How on earth was she possibly going to be able to keep a cool head? No, sir.

Can you sit up? he asked.

Taylor noticed two young boys standing behind him, one with light hair and one with dark. I think so. She struggled into a sitting position, annoyed that her beautiful Regency dress that shed spent a weeks salary having made was going to be covered with grass stains. Im Taylor. Taylor Bally.

Its nice to meet you, Miss Bally. As always when he was nervous, Harry fell back onto the manners that had been drummed into him since he was a small boy.

And you, she said quietly.

Harry thought he heard a bit of an accent in her voice, but he didnt ask. Im Harry Twigg. Lord Harry Twigg.

Taylor did everything she could to keep from smiling. She knew she was meant to be his bride, and she just had to wait for him to ask. Its nice to meet you, Lord Twigg. She felt the excitement bubbling up inside her, and she wondered if he could feel the connection between them. Surely, he knew they were meant to be together.