Cherished Displacement

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

…As soon as the sun began to go down, Lewis slipped out of the house and rode into London on his horse. It was going to be dark soon, and he hoped to reach the city before sundown. He also hoped that Mason would be there waiting for him. Maybe Mason hadn’t taken his offer seriously; maybe he was afraid. The streets were dark when he arrived. He got off his horse and walked, thinking he should hire a boy to lead him with a lantern. But he was feeling rather reckless tonight. Suddenly he spotted a lone figure at the end of the road, standing in front of the butcher’s stall. “Mason?” he called uncertainly. The figure walked toward him. “Lord Langley.” “Lewis,” he said breathlessly. They were both face to face now. Mason was exactly as he imagined, blond, with the face of an angel. “I forgot the chessboard,” he muttered, his gaze never leaving Mason’s face. “That’s all right,” Mason replied, his gaze fixed on Lewis as well. “I got the mud off my face.” Lewis smiled. “I see that.” There was something about Mason, something almost surreal. “Who are you? Are you an angel?” “What…what do you mean?” Mason laughed. “I’m hardly an angel.” “You’re like a dream.” Mason laughed again. “Have you been drinking?” “No.” Lewis also laughed. “Do I seem drunk?” “No. Where do you want…I mean, where—” “Anywhere. It doesn’t matter where we go.” And he meant that. As long as Mason kept looking at him like that, the place was without importance…

ALSO BY B Y D. J. MANLY Skipping Stones

AND BY D. J. MANLY AND A. J. LLEWELLYN The Driscoll House Fawnskin Fawnskin, Book 2: Frenzied Island Heat

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT BY D. J. MANLY

AMBER Q UILL PRESS, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT AN AMBER QUILL PRESS BOOK This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.AmberQuill.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. Copyright © 2011 by D. J. Manly ISBN 978-1-61124-042-9 Cover Art © 2010 Trace Edward Zaber

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To those who believe in love predestined. A special thank you to Katherine, who helped inspire the title for this book.

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 1 Nevada…July 10, 2014 The shrill ringing of the telephone woke Mason out of a dead sleep. He fixed his bleary vision on the alarm clock. “You got to be kidding me,” he muttered as he reached blindly for the phone. “Mason?” He sat up in the bed, the cobwebs falling in tiny pieces from his brain like paint from a flaking windowsill. He gripped the phone a little tighter, the same way he always did when his sister called. “Pamela? Pam? Are you all right? Where are you?” “I’m still on the base.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Can we meet?” Those three words sent shudders of foreboding straight to the 1

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

core of him. “I’ll meet you halfway,” he said as he got out of bed and reached for his jeans. Ten minutes later Mason was behind the wheel of his Ford Mustang. He headed for the E.T. Highway, the highway that would eventually bring him to a gravel road and Groom Lake. He could drive no more than about thirteen miles on that road before he’d start to see the numerous, large, and threatening signs that would tell him he’d arrived at the Area 51 border. It was there he would stop and wait for his older sister. If he put a little extra pressure on the accelerator, he’d get to their rendezvous place in time to watch the sun come up over the Emigrant Valley mountain ranges, and maybe even grab a few minutes of sleep to boot. Mason turned down the window and cranked up the radio. He’d just come off of a sixteen hour shift at the hospital and he was tired. In spite of the fact his sister, a physicist, had an excellent job with the Air Force, her job at Dreamland, a nickname for Area 51, had always concerned him. It had nothing to do with all the myths that surrounded the place, the talk of extraterrestrials and crashed spacecraft. He knew that was hogwash, a myth that some encouraged so as to attract attention away from the real mission. It was true that Groom Lake was not a conventional airbase. It was used for the development, testing and training of new aircraft. But it could be the target of spies and it would be a great place for terrorists to strike. That’s why he worried about his sister. He’d come from a military family. His parents had been high ranking officers in the Air Force. It was just assumed that he and Pamela would follow suit. His sister was eight years older, and had always been 2

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

fascinated with the military. She’d chosen to pursue physics and was already in cadets as a teen. Mason had shied away from the regimentation of it, and chosen to go his own way. He’d waited tables and pumped gas to pay for his tuition to medical school, wanting to do it on his own. He was still a resident at the hospital and, as a result, often worked long hours. The last three years had been tough. Pamela was only home on the weekends and his parents were now stationed on a base in Japan. He had no time to socialize or for a love life. He spent every second weekend with Pam, when he could get it off. Neither one of them were exactly what one could call social butterflies. During the week, Pam stayed on the base in housing called “The Ranch,” which consisted of a few shelters and trailer homes. And on the weekend, she shared Mason’s two bedroom apartment. Overall his sister seemed to love her job, although she wasn’t allowed to talk too much about what she was working on. A few times she’d told him she was nervous about some things, but she couldn’t tell him the details. This time, her voice had been different. She seemed…very tense, nervous…even scared. She probably wouldn’t be able to even tell him why, but he knew she took comfort in just having him to talk to. Mason went as far as he could on Groom Road, then pulled off to the side. He waited until the sun came up over the mountains, taking in the beauty of the sunrise, then closed his eyes. The next thing he knew someone was tapping on his window. He opened his eyes to see his sister standing beside the car. She was still wearing her white lab coat, her reddish blond hair haphazardly stuck on top of her head with a hair clip. 3

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason opened the car door. She immediately hugged him as if she hadn’t seen him in years. Her entire body trembled. “Pam?” He separated himself from her and studied her face. “What is it? What’s wrong?” She glanced back at her car, a rather battered PT Cruiser. “It’s taken a punishing on these gravel roads, hasn’t it?” she said absently, then looked around. “I can’t stay long, Mason. I told them I had a doctor’s appointment and I’d be back this afternoon.” “Where do you want to go? We can go to Alamo. There’s nothing in Rachel.” “Okay. I’ll meet you at the Del Pueblo truck stop on Highway 93,” she said. “I’ll buy you breakfast.” He narrowed his eyes and watched her hurry back to her car. “Pam!” He was really worried now. Something was very wrong. He got back into his own car and followed her. Alamo was about thirty-five miles west of where they were, and the place where annual conferences were held on U.F.O. activity. It was great for tourism. He turned on the radio and heard that it was going to be ninety in the shade, with high humidity. He closed the window and turned on the air conditioning. There was nothing but desert and sagebrush on either side of him, a particularly boring and unattractive stretch of road. He had the most terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. He hoped it was the result of no coffee and lack of food, but he doubted it. He felt it in his bones. Mason lost sight of his sister’s car a few times, then found it again. Less than an hour later, their cars sat parked side by side in front of a truck stop. They found a table and ordered a greasy breakfast of eggs, toast 4

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

and sausage. The waitress poured them thick, syrupy black coffee that could have stripped paint. He played with the food that swam in his plate, more concerned with what had put Pam into such a state than what this breakfast was going to do to his cholesterol levels. Mason reached over and took her hand suddenly, waiting. Pam looked directly at him, her blue eyes unreadable. “It’s all true,” she said suddenly almost under her breath. “What’s all true?” “I saw the spacecraft. And they’ve given me this project…I think it works.” He shook his head. “What works? What spacecraft, sis?” “Mason, do you know what it will mean if it’s possible? I didn’t tell them. I’m not going to. I made a decision last night. They can fire me. They can give the damn thing to some other physicist.” She ran a hand through her hair that was half falling out of the clip. “Damn it, why did they give it to me? I don’t want it.” Tears lit her eyes. “Pam. I don’t understand. What are you talking about? What did they give you?” She looked around. She took a sip of the coffee. Three loud truckers sat at a nearby table. They were laughing and talking about some movie they’d seen. “Someone could hear,” she said softly. He sighed and sat back. “I can’t give you advice if you don’t tell me what’s going on.” “I need you to do something for me.” “I’ll do anything for you. You know that.” There had always been the two of them. When Mom and Dad worked long hours, Pam was always there for him. 5

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

She reached into her pocket and handed him a large, bulky envelope across the table. Mason felt it in his hand. “Put it away,” she urged. He brought it under the table and placed it beside him on the seat. He was tense suddenly. “What in hell did you just give me, Pam?” The waitress came over and glanced at their plates. “Something wrong with your breakfast?” “No,” Mason said. “It’s fine.” She nodded and returned to the counter. Two more people walked in, a young couple. Pam looked at them, chewing her thumbnail, then back at Mason. “I’m not testing it on humans. I think it works but it’s not one hundred percent. I sent a rat somewhere. He never came back.” Mason’s eyes widened. “Came back from where?” “I don’t know.” She brought her face closer to his across the table, her voice barely audible. “I just don’t know. I only know I can’t leave it there in the lab. I’m going to tell them that someone stole it. I just came back from my appointment and went to…it was just gone. Don’t you see? The world as we know it could change. I don’t trust any of them. That kind of power…even in the hands of our own government…it’s too much.” “Pam,” he interrupted. “What in fuck is it?” He picked it up off the seat. “Don’t open it,” she urged. “Put it down. Put it down.” He lowered it under the seat again. “Just take it with you and hide it. Bury the damn thing, somewhere no one could ever find it.” “Before I do that, you’re going to tell me what in hell you just 6

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

gave me!” “Most people are familiar with the three dimensions of space right?” “Right, X, Y, and Z which represent the perpendicular dimensions of length, width, and depth.” “The fourth dimension, time, is perpendicular to the other three. The dimension of time is unique in that one can travel in only one direction through it—from past to future. But the dimension of time is not a straight line. It’s cyclical, overlapping itself in regular loops. Think of that Slinky you used to love to play with as a kid. The bottom of this spiral would represent the past, and the top would extend into the future.” Mason shook his head. “What are you trying to say, that you’ve found the key to time travel? Most scientists say it’s impossible…that we are traveling into the future naturally every moment we breathe but we can’t go faster than that.” “Yes, but the spiral appears as a circle, so dimension could be considered the temporal circumference. You follow me?” “I think so.” “Each time a new temporal cycle begins, the previous one becomes a temporal echo, or a parallel timeline. There is no limit to the number of unique timelines that may exist at a given time period.” “It’s a nice theory but—” “Mason, the aliens that crashed at Area 51 were light years ahead of us in time, and in technological innovation. They had developed a device that allowed them to travel forward or backward in time. They were testing it. That’s how they landed here. But the craft wasn’t built to travel at that speed for such a long period of time, so it crashed.” 7

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“And this is it, what you’ve given me? This is the—” “Yes,” she cut him off. “They’ve tried to figure out how it works. They gave up. Then my superior gave it to me. He wouldn’t even allow me to tell my team. He said to work on it alone. Last night, I found the right code. It’s like dialing a telephone. I put a test rat in a cage, dialed a code and he disappeared. I think it would have worked if the aliens hadn’t come by ship. It has the capacity to transport people, animals, but not craft.” “Shit.” “I was excited initially. I thought I’d discovered the world. I placed that rat on the device, dialed the code and it just disappeared. I held onto the device and let go just as the room began to spin. The device stayed behind.” “Are you sure the rat didn’t scamper off?” “Positive. I saw it disappear.” Mason was speechless. “Mason, imagine what a device like that could do if it fell into the wrong hands.” “Are you sure you should be giving it to me?” “You’re the only one I trust.” “They’re not going to buy that the device was stolen. They could do…terrible things to you, Pam. Best case scenario, you’ll lose your job.” “I know, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the alternative. Mason, it could change the very world we live in…it’s very dangerous. Put it where you will. I don’t want to know.” She sat back, a faint smile forming on her face. “Go figure, I find a way to make myself famous and filthy rich and I can’t do it.” She looked at her watch. “I want to get back.” “Pam. You realize what you’re asking me to do. This belongs 8

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

to the government. Whatever its capability, if you get caught, or I get caught—” “I know. And I hate to ask this of you but, Mason, trust me. This is important.” They walked out to their cars together. Mason was uneasy. She was asking him to destroy something very valuable, something belonging to the government. He had no idea what he was going to do with this thing, or if he should be doing it at all. Mason held her close to him before he allowed her to drive off. He wasn’t sure if he bought all this stuff about time travel, but he knew that what he had in his pocket was extremely explosive. He would try and do as she asked. She was his sister. He trusted her. However, he worried about her. She’d been entrusted with a top secret device and suddenly it was missing. As he drove back toward Vegas, he glanced at the sealed envelope that sat on the passenger seat. Aliens? It didn’t seem possible. He’d always thought it was a hoax. If there really was an alien spacecraft in Area 51, one would think they’d move it, given all the rumors. It didn’t matter where this thing had come from, or if it really worked. He’d dispose of it as soon as possible, like he’d promised. Now, he had to think of the best place to bury the damn thing. When he arrived home, he took the envelope upstairs and tucked it into the top drawer of his dresser. He shut the drawer, then opened it again, tempted to take it out and look at it. He felt it. It felt like a little box. He shook his head and put it back in the drawer. He was tired and hungry, not having found the breakfast at the truck stop very appetizing. He made himself some pancakes. He had to be at the hospital at seven and it was already four in the afternoon. 9

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He ate, dumped the dishes in the sink and went to lie down on the bed. He lay there for the longest time and tried to sleep, but he kept thinking about that device in the drawer, and Pam. She’d probably already told her superiors that the device had been lost. He glanced at the phone. If only she’d call him and tell him she was all right. He couldn’t sleep. He knew she was probably in trouble. The device in the drawer called out to him. He had to get rid of it. He jumped out of bed and opened the top drawer. He took the envelope, grabbed his keys and ran downstairs to his car. Once he was in the car, he opened the envelope and took it out. He studied it curiously. It was a small black square. It didn’t open. It had a little window on the upper left hand side, and a keypad below the window. He lay it carefully on the passenger’s seat and started the car. He’d take it out into the desert somewhere, dig a hole, and leave it there. It wasn’t much bigger than an iPhone. It would be easy to get rid of. As he drove around, considering the various places where he could put the damn thing, he suddenly realized he was being followed. The dark blue sedan was close on his tail as he drove down The Strip. It had been there for some time. The sun was down now and the neon signs flashed out their invitation. Mason turned the corner onto Las Vegas Boulevard. He drove past the ARIA Resort and Casino, and the car behind him still followed. He turned another corner. There it was. Shit. It wasn’t his imagination. Who in the hell was it, CIA? He took out his cell phone, and frantically punched in the emergency number his sister had given him. He was only supposed to use it in case someone died. But this was 10

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

close enough. This was a bloody nightmare. Mason glanced in his rearview mirror, his ear to the phone. “Come on, come on,” he muttered. He got her voice mail. “Pam, Mason. Please answer the damn phone. Are you all right? I’m being followed by someone. I don’t know what to do. Call me. Tell me what I’m supposed to do with this…thing.” He closed the phone and kept driving, perspiration dotting his forehead. This was unreal, like some frightening thing out of a movie. Who could he call? He couldn’t call the police. He was in possession of stolen property. Mason doubled back, sped though a few parking lots and toured around some of the casinos. He checked his rearview mirror frantically, and didn’t see the vehicle. Maybe he’d managed to lose them. He took another back street and headed toward one of the new housing developments. Only a few houses had sprouted up, most of them still under construction. He’d thought about buying a house here in Vegas but they were too close together. There was no room to breathe. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to practice medicine at the hospital here. His parents had lived here when he started medical school but he’d never been really fond of this city. He much preferred Vermont, where he’d spent at least part of his childhood. He checked the mirror again and weaved the car in and out of the partially constructed roads. He breathed a little easier when he noticed no one else on the road. He spied a place behind what looked like the foundation of yet another high rise and decided that he’d dig a hole and put the device there. He pulled the car to a stop and grabbed it. He dashed out of the car and ran behind the building, anxious to get rid of the damn 11

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

thing. It was then he saw the headlights. He froze, much like a deer would when caught in the middle of the road. He watched the two dark suited men slowly get out of the car. “There’s no reason to be afraid,” one man said, coming closer in the dark. “We don’t want to have to hurt you.” The other man held out his hand. “We only want what was in the envelope.” “Where is my sister?” “Your sister is fine,” the older of the two men replied. “Please Mr. Gardner. Give us the envelope.” They both took a few steps closer. Mason backed up a little. “If…if I give it to you”—he clutched it to him—“what are you going to do with it?” “It’s the property of the U.S. Government, Mr. Gardner. You need to hand it over now.” Pam’s voice played in his head. The conversation they’d had earlier. I thought I’d discovered the world, then I thought about what a device like this could do if it fell into the wrong hands…you’re the only one I trust…it’s a hell of a lot better than what that device could do…it could change the world we live in…it’s very dangerous… “I can’t do that.” He shook his head. He had promised his sister. The guns slid out of their pockets very casually. It was a frightening sight. This can’t be happening. Mason swallowed, and backed up a little more. He didn’t realize that he was backing up against the foundation of the building. He stumbled against the 12

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

concrete blocks, righted himself, turned and fell forward. He felt the device in his hand and he tightly held it against his chest. Then someone fell on top of him. If he was dead or dying, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that everything was spinning out of control and he was falling like Alice down the rabbit hole. There didn’t seem be an end to it. His stomach lodged in his throat. The neon lights of Vegas flashed in his head and it was as if the signs had suddenly all short circuited, one after another, electric sizzling, then blackness. *

*

*

London… July 10, 1572 The smell of smoke filled his nostrils. He felt nauseated and began to cough. When he could finally get his eyes open, he gasped, scrambled backward and crashed against the side of a tree. Where in hell am I? He tried to get up off the ground but found that his legs wouldn’t cooperate. He heard voices. They seemed to be speaking English but with bizarre accents. He could make out just every second word. He saw movement through the trees. Something was cooking over an open fire. It smelled putrid. Mason rubbed his legs. He checked to see if he’d been shot. Maybe he’d been wounded and that’s why he couldn’t walk. But there was no pain and no blood. Maybe he’d gotten away and found a place to hide from those men. If so, he must have wandered quite far because he didn’t recognize anything. He seemed to be out in the woods somewhere. That didn’t make any 13

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

sense. There were no woods in downtown Vegas. He managed to stand. He leaned on the tree for a minute. Cautiously, he began to walk out into the clearing. He paused. He saw a man and a woman dressed in strange clothes. They stood around an open fire with an old iron pot swinging above it. The man wore short trousers, and a loose fitting tunic. The woman with him had on a colorless dress in two parts with a bodice-like garment and a skirt, laced together. It looked as if it might have been made out of wool. On her head she wore a linen cap. They seemed to be as surprised as he was. They just stood there staring at him with their mouths agape. Mason cleared his throat. Someone had to say something. “Is there some sort of festival going on, or something?” The two people looked at one another, then back at him. They didn’t appear to understand the question. “I mean, your clothes.” He laughed. “You’re dressed like…” He paused, glanced around. There was nothing but a field and some woods. In the far distance, there looked to b a village. “What is that place over there?” he pointed. Still no one answered him. He began to panic. “You speak English. I heard you.” The man nodded. “Aye, sir. We do.” I’m not in Vegas. Shit. I’m not in Vegas. This can’t be happening. It’s a dream. “Where am I exactly?” he asked, trying not to show how stressed he was. “What is this place?” “London, sir,” the man answered. “London?” “Aye.” “London… as in… Lon…don, England?” “Of course,” the man said. 14

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“We are moving on, sir,” the woman said suddenly, her voice pleading. “We are not vagabonds. Please. We lost our farm to fire. We are looking for work.” Mason shook his head. He wasn’t sure why she was telling him this. “If I may be so bold, sir,” the man came a little closer, and looked him over, “what manner of dress is that you’d be wearing?” “Henry,” his wife hissed at him, “’tis not a question to be askin’ a complete stranger.’” Mason looked down at his blue jeans, red T-shirt and short black jacket. “That shirt…it’s red.” “Yes. I’m not from…ah…London.” The two of them nodded. Suddenly Mason looked around him. “Where is it? Oh God, where is it?” He raced back to the tree, and frantically scanned the ground. When he spotted a small black box lying on the ground by the tree, he breathed a sigh of relief. He bent over and picked it up. Mason held it in the palm of his hand. “I’ve gone through time somehow, Pam. How in the hell do I get home?” He looked back at the couple and slipped the little black box into his pocket. “Turnip soup with some barely,” the woman said. “You are welcome to it if you need to fill your stomach.” Mason shook his head. “Thanks but…I have to get to town.” “Be forewarned,” the man said as he blew on a piece of turnip, “if you be a beggar, and it’s your first time, they will whip you.” “Cut off ye ear the second,” the woman echoed. “And the third…” “They hang you,” the man told him. “’Cept if you’re a gimp. They’d probably stick you in the workhouse.” 15

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason’s eyes widened. “I’m not a beggar.” “What be you then, a foreigner?” the wife asked shyly. “With that kind of dress…you not be from around these parts.” “I’m a doctor.” “Aye, they need you then, what with the war and all. I hear they be giving the queen’s soldiers these new weapons…guns now,” the man said. Guns? Sixteenth century or later? “What year is this?” “Year?” the man echoed. “Why, the year of our Lord 1572. Don’t you know what year it be, squire?” Mason’s mouth fell open. 1572? “Aye, watch, here come the soldiers now!” the man hollered. Suddenly and he and the woman disappeared. Horses galloped toward him at great speed. Mason instinctively ran behind the tree. He waited until it was quiet, then slowly came out into the clearing. He looked down at his jeans and T-shirt. He pulled the Tshirt out of his pants and let it hang over his pants. Still, he knew he’d look out of place. He’d have to find something to wear, to blend in, until he could find a way to get back home. He looked around for the couple but they didn’t reappear. They’d even left their turnip soup behind. Mason slowly began to walk through the open field toward the center of activity with his heart pounding. Unbelievably he was walking toward sixteenth century London.

16

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 2 Lewis opened his eyes and stretched luxuriously in his four poster bed. The sun streamed through the opening in the heavy curtains that surrounded his bed. He supposed that his mother would give him her disapproving look when he came downstairs, telling him that she “hoped he didn’t require breakfast at this hour.” He smiled and got up on his knees, pulling the drapes apart. He fell back down onto the mattress again and studied the new tapestry the servants had hung on the oak paneled walls. Monstrous. But then so was going to confession when he had no intention of confessing. Last night, he’d met the most fascinating of creatures, not male, but not female either really. He never did know his…her…name? 17

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

However, he couldn’t stop looking at him. For a small amount of coin, he was allowed to kiss him. And maybe tonight, for a few quid more, he would touch him all over, while he lay naked on the bed. When the door burst open, he frowned. He hated when people just barged into his room. “Don’t you knock?” he demanded. It was Molly, the head housekeeper. She’d been his nanny growing up. “Do you have any idea what time it is, Lord Langley?” He chuckled and gave her his most appealing little boy smile. She only called him Lord Langley when she was perturbed at him for something. “No, my dear sweet Molly, I don’t have any notion what time it is, but I get the feeling you’ve come to tell me.” “Don’t think that charm of yours is going to work today on anyone,” she muttered. “Your mother is beside herself. The guests will be arriving today from Plymouth and you are not even dressed. What kind of an impression is that going to make on the young lady’s father?” Lewis studied Molly for a moment as she stood there in her light blue dress with the matching cap; a rotund little woman with a feisty disposition. When her arms were crossed, it was a sign she meant business. She could be tough with him but, unlike his mother, she could also be warm and loving. “I’d forgotten,” he said, his smile fading. He didn’t add that he’d probably done so deliberately. “They will be here anytime now,” she stressed. “So, what shall we wear?” Molly began to take his clothes out of the wardrobe and throw them onto the bed. “There is your white silk shirt and that waistcoat embroidered with fine gold thread. Wear these with the black breeches. You look nice in these. Miss Courtney will be all a 18

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

twitter. And don’t forget to wash up and comb that unruly hair of yours.” She scampered out of the room without waiting for his reply. Lewis rolled over in bed and groaned. Miss Courtney Price was about as stimulating as a peasant reading poetry under a snuffedout candle. He couldn’t imagine spending the rest of the summer with this woman, let alone the rest of his life. “She’s lovely,” his father had told him, when his impending marriage had been discussed. “And her family has business interests that are very compatible with our own. When you finish Oxford, she will come to stay with us for the summer, and you will marry her after you get to know each other a little.” Love was not important. Hell. He didn’t even have to like the girl. As long as it boded well for the family business, then it had to be done. He was no better than a prostitute for hire really, although at least the prostitute got to go their own way come morning. His parents thought him ungrateful, of course. “We don’t take our good fortune for granted,” his mother reminded him often. “Your great grandfather was a simple yeoman who began with a little bit of land. He worked alongside his men forging iron, and with the money he saved, he bought a coat of arms. Today, look at where we are, part of the nobility, welcome at the queen’s court. This is your legacy, Lewis. You must marry and pass this on to your sons.” He was twenty-three years old and since he’d come home from university, he’d changed. He wasn’t as ready to follow rules without question anymore. He’d read Plato and Homer, and explored the world. This was not all there was to life. “University has made you arrogant,” his father told him. “You think they’ve taught you everything but you haven’t even touched 19

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

the surface. And since you’ve returned, you do nothing except go out whoring all night and sleep all day.” He couldn’t argue with that. He did love the debauchery and unpredictability of London, with its dangerous narrow streets and endless possibilities for amorous adventures. It was true Langley Iron had made his family rich. He had to appreciate that. When over half the population of London was on the verge of starvation, to not appreciate his good fortune would be unforgivable. But this privilege came with a cost. He had obligations that he didn’t feel at all ready to take on, especially marriage to Courtney Price. As he came downstairs scrubbed and gussied, his glossy black hair combed neatly to his shoulders, he felt those obligations acutely. His mother stood at the bottom of the steps in a bright purple gown, one he knew must have cost a fortune due to the price of the dye alone. She looked stunning in it, her hair as black as his, piled high on top of her head with a fine gold comb holding it together. She held out her hand to him as he descended the oak staircase, a beautiful untouchable statue with ivory skin and blue, blue eyes. Lewis took her hand in his, kissed it, something she always expected him to do. “You look very handsome,” she muttered. Everything was about appearances when it came to his mother. As long as the surface looked good, it didn’t matter at all if what lay underneath was crumbling to pieces. “Come into the dining room. I asked the cook to bring you bread and cheese. You should eat a little something before they arrive. Dinner will be late this evening.” They walked together into the dining room. The clock above 20

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

the fireplace chimed three o’clock and he winced. He hadn’t realized it was that late in the day. The dining room table was set with flowers. The fixture in the center of the ceiling had been fitted with all new beeswax candles ready to be lit when the sun went down. This evening the servants would get out the gold and silver tableware. The balcony doors were open out onto the garden where Henry, the gardener, tended the roses. The sweet fragrance wafted in and tickled his nose. A servant girl rushed in and put freshly baked bread on the table. Lewis pulled out a chair and tucked into the hot homemade bread. His mother stood by the door and watched the gardener. “I do think he trims back the hedges a little too much.” Mother was always finding fault with something. It was in her nature. She’d never liked the idea of their home being so close to London. If she could have hid the house in vines, she would have. “The vines look perfect, Mother.” They had never talked about anything that wasn’t pure superficiality. Those were the only safe topics. She’d been married to his father at a young age, and come to live in this house on the eve of their marriage. He’d never seen his parents exchange so much as a tender look between them. Lewis would have liked to ask her if she was happy in this life, if she’d ever felt any love for his father. Of course she’d tell him “not to talk nonsense.” Grandfather Langley had given his son the house as a wedding present. It lay only a few miles outside of London, on a property adjoining his own. It was a grand house, but his mother had never liked being that close to the city, which she regarded as “a den of 21

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

sin and debauchery.” Grandfather Langley was a well-respected member of the nobility, a self-made man who had even taught himself to read and write. The last few years had seen him turn into somewhat of a recluse, however. He seemed to have grown more eccentric since the death of his wife a few years back. Like his own parents, his grandfather had also had only one son, Lewis’s father, Charles. Sometimes all the people around him appeared to be nothing but walking corpses. Tradition, obligation, duty…he’d come to hate these words. He wondered if he and Courtney would end up the same way, giving each other a chaste peck on the cheek in the morning, sitting in the parlor, he with his book and she with her embroidery, going through the motions. He shuddered to think of it. He drank his juice and watched his mother pace the floor. “I hope they like the accommodations. I’m sure they are used to far grander. Her family is in shipping you know. He started out as a wool merchant. He’s done well for himself and—” “It will be fine, Mother,” he said, cutting off her rambling. “Where is Father?” “He had some business. One of his tenants has not paid the rent. Your father is too soft on those peasants.” “Jones?” “Of course.” “He has a big family, Mother. It’s been tough. And the weather has not yielded a big harvest of wheat this year.” She stared at him. “Really, Lewis, use your common sense. We can’t be giving things away free based on the weather. That is not in our control. That is for God to decide. And he has decided for some reason not to grant a good harvest to Jones. Perhaps it is 22

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

punishment for all the time he spends in the drinking establishments. I hear tales.” “You shouldn’t listen to the servants gossip. And do you think God would want people to starve? What about the children? Surely they are innocent, Mother?” “God’s will is not to be questioned or known by us,” she snapped. “We are his servants. Everything happens for a reason.” There was no arguing with her about that. Everything was God’s will to his mother, good or bad. “It’s a wonder one can open their eyes in the morning without God’s assistance.” She scowled at him. “Really, Lewis. You shouldn’t mock God.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m not mocking God.” “Yes, you are,” she scolded. “I hear a carriage,” she said suddenly. “Molly! Molly,” she called, “get the staff together.” Mother grabbed her skirts and raced into the hallway. “Are you sure their uniforms are clean?” he heard her ask as he followed her slowly into the entrance. “Mother, you’d think the queen herself was arriving.” His mother gave him a stony look. They walked outside just as the carriage drove up in front of the house and came to a stop. His mother clutched his arm. “You’d think your father could have gotten back here on time. How very rude of him.” “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” The driver hopped down off the coach and put down the steps in front of the door. Then he opened it. Courtney’s father got out first, a tall gaunt man in white breeches and a black waistcoat. He nodded to Lewis’s mother, extended his hand to Courtney’s younger sister, Rosalie, and 23

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

helped her down, then to Courtney herself. Both young women were dressed in colorful gowns with wide skirts and matching bonnets. Courtney’s father, Oliver Price kissed his mother’s hand, then gallantly bowed to him. “Young man,” he said gruffly. “Congratulations on your graduation from Oxford.” “Thank you, sir,” Lewis replied. Oliver Price was a widower. His wife had died in childbirth shortly after Rosalie was born. His talent for building ships, now those with a double deck, was renowned far and wide. He’d come a long way from a wool merchant but still could not be considered a nobleman. His father saw this marriage like a merger, as a way to expand his iron trade and perhaps even dabble in wool, and Price, who was considered a gentleman of substantial means, sought greater respectability by mingling his bloodline with the nobility. It wasn’t necessary to have gone to Oxford to figure that out. Next Lewis was presented with Courtney’s hand while the younger sister curtseyed in front of his mother. He took Courtney’s delicate hand in his and kissed it. She blushed and withdrew. He repeated the gesture with Rosalie who, rather than blush, looked him boldly in the eyes and said, “How handsome you are, Lord Langley.” Lewis raised an eyebrow but he wanted to laugh. His mother was scandalized at the young lady’s brazen behavior, and Oliver Price tried to cover it up by saying that his “youngest could be rather impetuous.” Lewis liked her. In fact, if he had to choose one of them to wed, he would have chosen the youngest. She didn’t seem to be 24

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

hung up on convention at all, and Lewis admired her bravery. They all walked into the house, his mother explaining her husband’s absence in an apologetic tone. “Think nothing of it,” Mr. Price replied. The servants showed the guests to their rooms. As soon as they had all gone up the stairs, his mother expressed her strong disapproval of Rosalie’s behavior. “She’ll have to learn manners if she is to be part of this family. And to think that young lady will be a guest here all summer. My, I couldn’t take her anywhere in public.” “Mother,” he clicked his tongue, “what did she do that was so bad? She’s only sixteen years old.” “I was married at that age.” She lifted her head. “And I knew how to act like a lady. I will advise her father to put her in the convent. There is nothing like it to make a proper lady out of her. You do not look that boldly at a gentleman and say such provocative things. It only leads to trouble, given men’s natures. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must speak to the cook.” Lewis slumped down in one of the heavy wood chairs with a grin. Knowing men’s natures? Well, she might have had a point there. Now, if he was back at that place with that man he’d seen…um…maybe men were licentious by nature but Rosalie had nothing to fear from him. He ran his hands over the hand-carved arms of the chair. These chairs had belonged to his grandmother, and when she died, his grandfather had given them to his father. He presumed they’d be his one day. His grandfather’s house was sparsely furnished now. It was bizarre. He’d taken to sitting on stools like his servants. He even gave away the gold place setting his grandmother admired so. 25

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis was sure his grandfather had been slowly losing his mind, talking about strange things that didn’t seem to make any sense. He’d become somewhat of an embarrassment. His mother said that he was preparing to die. Nevertheless, he’d always been fond of his grandfather, who had indulged him far more than his father had. Lewis closed his eyes. He wouldn’t be able to go back to that place tonight, the one where that young man had been singing, dressed in scanty underwear. He smiled to think of it. A few years ago, he would never have known such things existed. But he longed to see him again, longed to touch him. He’d be less shy this time. He’d go back behind that curtain and watch him take off those clothes…and touch him in forbidden places. You can have him for a few quid. He’d been tempted, especially the way that fellow had been looking at him. You can do as you like with him, sir, save beat him. He didn’t want to beat him. He wanted to make love to him. He wanted to do unspeakable things. But tonight and perhaps for the next little while, he’d just have to exercise control. *

*

*

The sun had gone down completely by the time Mason reached the center of London. The wind blew off the river, assaulting his nostrils with the overwhelming stench of rotting food and some other disagreeable smells. Slowly he made his way down a paved street, his hand over his nose. It was dark and extremely narrow. A young boy stood on the corner with a lantern. “Light your way, sir?” 26

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He looked at him and walked past. It wasn’t free. Drunken patrons tumbled out of the various taverns as Mason pushed on, his feet covered in mud. Prostitutes catcalled to men from the alleys. The buildings on the street were bizarre, two stories high with their tops jutting out over the bottom. It made the street seem even narrower, kind of surreal. As he turned the corner, he ran into a stripped carcass of a slaughtered animal, which was hanging from a store stall. It was rotted and covered with bugs. He pushed it away with disgust and stepped into a pile of wet garbage that had been swept to the side of the street. Something dead lay on top of the heap. For a moment, he thought it was a cat, then he realized that it was a big, fat rat. He jumped back. “Jesus.” Just a few feet away, another rat fought with a cat smaller than it was. The rat was winning. He walked faster. A man came running into the street suddenly with a knife, another came after him yelling, “Thief, thief. Come back here! I’ll kill you!” Mason hung back and watched as they struggled and beat each other bloody. Suddenly a woman called to him from the corner, startling him, dragging his attention away from the scene. “Careful, luv, you don’t want to get into that. They’re brothers, do this every night. Come and see me.” She opened her dress and exposed her breasts to him. “I will give you a bargain.” Mason shook his head, then turned around to see a man squatting to relieve himself right in the middle of the street. There were no sewers or drains and everything just stayed where it was dropped. No wonder so many people had died of plague during this 27

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

time. Mason walked away quickly. He stuck close to the buildings, realizing that this was an extremely dangerous place. He turned onto another street. This one led to an open space. It looked like it could be some kind of public market. The muddy road was set up with stalls and pens for animals. He could feel rain in the air. He wondered where in hell he could go tonight. He couldn’t stay in the street. He had to find shelter, and some clothes that would allow him to blend in until he could figure out how that contraption worked. Let’s hope to hell there was a return ticket in that thing somewhere. Home. Would he ever get home? He was feeling quite desperate as he doubled back, attempting to shove the doubt away. Of course he would get home. When a horse drawn carriage came thundering toward him around the corner, he jumped quickly out of the way and swore under his breath. He almost fell in the mud. Suddenly the sky seemed to open up and the rain poured down. He made his way back to that street where the prostitute stood on the corner, slipping and sliding in the mud that was getting worse fairly quickly. She was still there, taking shelter from the rain under the roof of one of the buildings. Slowly he approached her. Maybe she could suggest a place for him to stay, although he wasn’t sure where that would be. He couldn’t pay. She grinned at him with blackened teeth as he got closer. “Ah, you do want to taste Hazel, eh? You can pay for it?” “I don’t want…I mean…” Tasting Hazel was the last thing he wanted. “Is there a place I can stay for the night?” “If you can pay, you can stay with me. I got a room with all the fancies you could dream about, up there over the tavern I do.” She 28

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

pointed above her. “I don’t want ah… I just need a place to stay and some clothes, men’s clothes. Think you can get me some somewhere?” She shrugged. “Men leave things behind you know. You can look but I’d have to charge you and…can’t just give them away. Nothing is free.” Mason reached into his pocket. He took out a fifty. “That’s fifty American dollars.” “I ain’t never seen that before. Can’t use that to buy me nothing. You got a quid?” Mason swore softly. He was soaked to the skin. “No. Look I’m in a bit of a spot and—” “I ain’t no charity, luv. You need to go to the workhouses for that. I have to eat.” Mason thought for a moment. “Look, I’ll give you my watch.” He took it off. “It’s gold. My sister bought it for my birthday. It’s worth a lot of money.” He handed it to her. Her eyes widened. “I never seen nothin’ like that before. Only people with lots of money have pocket watches.” “It’s not a pocket watch. It goes around the wrist. Here, let me show you.” He took her thin arm and wrapped the watch around it, fastening it. “See?” She looked at the watch with fascination. It hung on her like a bracelet. “Where did you get such a thing? Did you steal it from a prince?” He smiled. “I told you, it was a birthday gift. Now, it’s yours. Please, all I need is a place to stay until morning and some of those clothes you say your men left behind.” “Follow me.” 29

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

*

*

*

The room Hazel referred to as fancy consisted of a strawstuffed mattress that rested on ropes strung across a wooden frame. There was one stool, a small lopsided table and a battered trunk. Hazel lit a candle. It stank but not quite as bad as the street below. “What is that?” Mason wrinkled his nose. “A candle, silly.” She giggled. “Yeah, I know, but what is it made out of?” “Animal fat. These here are rush lights, rushes dipped in the animal fat and—” “They smell horrible.” “That’s ’cause you are a fancy man. I suppose you use wax of the bees. Anyway”—she removed her bonnet and lifted her fair head—“luck shined on me.” She closed the door and dragged the trunk over in front of it. Mason glanced around. That’s not what he would have called it. If this was lucky, he didn’t want to think what unlucky was. “I was a domestic for a gentleman who has a lot to do with the mines. Tin, he was into. His missus didn’t like what we were doing one evening so she puts me out in the street. Just like that. The cow! I come over here to the tavern and Jack gives me a room. I got to work in the bar and do a little extra on the side but…only one thing…I eat too much. I got to make a few extra quid unless I swipe it from the market. They catch you doing that, they put you in the pillory or the stocks, maybe cut off your hand. I needs me hand in this here profession.” Mason ran his gaze over her. From the looks of her, she wasn’t prone to indulgence. She couldn’t have weighed more than ninety pounds. 30

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

She stood there, admiring the way his watch hung from her arm. Mason swiped back his wet hair and listened to Hazel chatter on about Jack and the tavern. He thought about how he was going to get back home. He had the machine in his pocket but hadn’t the foggiest notion about how it worked. “What’s in the trunk?” he asked suddenly. She peered at him. “Oh, yes, I forgot. Take a look.” She examined him closely as he opened the lid. “I never seen anything like those you’re wearing. What are they made of?” “Synthetic materials mostly,” he muttered, pawing through the clothes. She got down beside him and picked out a gray smock. “This should fit. Don’t know if I have any breeches. Usually they have time to put those on before they go scooting out of here.” She laughed. Mason felt the smock in his hands. It was rough, made of course wool. “Got some hose here and here we go, some breeches…try ’em.” She turned to look at him as Mason stood and assessed the pants. “Not much to them.” “You wear the hose to the knee. What kind of shoes are those you wearing?” Mason looked down at his running shoes. “Ah…they’re new…imported.” She nodded. “Not very handsome.” He laughed. “No, I suppose not.” “Needs a buckle, or something.” “Buckle?” 31

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Go on now. I won’t look if you want to—” “It’s okay,” he threw off his T-shirt and slipped the loose wool tunic over his head. It was scratchy. She stared at him. “You’re a well put together fellow. Sorry I don’t have a gentleman’s shirt. They’re a little softer. The gentlemen don’t leave their things.” “It’s all right.” He unzipped his jeans. “What kind of contraption is that?” “It’s a zipper.” He pulled off the shoes and the jeans. “It’s real interestin’.” She came close and reached out for it. He let her hold his jeans as he slipped into the breeches, They were a little big but they’d do. He pulled on the hose. They didn’t go with the running shoes. He felt ridiculous. “Maybe I can find you something for your feet tomorrow. Where is it you come from again that they dress that funny?” “Across the river,” he muttered. “So, you want to…” She smiled at him. “I’ll throw it in for the watch. You’re not hard to look at.” “No,” he held up his hand, “that’s all right. You sleep and I’ll ah…curl up in the corner on the floor.” She laughed. “You are a strange bird.” Mason huddled in the corner. He watched the burning candle slowly fizzle out. He fingered the device in his pocket. There had to be a way to get back home. He’d have to figure this out one way or another. Damn it. He could be stuck here. He closed his eyes. He was awakened early by the sounds of people talking and moving around outside. The girl was gone. He felt exhausted. He scrambled to his feet and went to look through some openings in the wooden slats. 32

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

The scene below in the daylight was different than the night before. There were people, and livestock everywhere. It looked chaotic. Mason swallowed his fear. He didn’t know enough about this time to survive here, even with the right clothes. Well, until he could figure out how to use that machine, he was just going to have to learn in a hurry, and be careful not to draw suspicion to himself. He took out the contraption and stared at it. It obviously required a code, the code Pam had spoken of. But what was it? And how was he supposed to find out? How he wished he could talk to Pam, but that was impossible. The door opened suddenly and Hazel stood there. Mason shoved the contraption back into his pocket. Hazel held out a pair of shoes to him with funny buckles. “For you. They should be about your size.” “Where did you get them?” “I didn’t steal them off a dead man, if that’s what you think.” She seemed insulted. “I didn’t think that.” He took them from her. “Someone owed me a favor.” “Thanks.” “Don’t mention it. So what do they call you?” “Mason.” “Mason. That’s a funny name.” He grinned as he put on the shoes. “Yes, it is.” “So, whatcha gonna do, Mason? You got to have a job or they’ll arrest you.” “I’m a doctor.” “No saying. A real doctor?” “Yes, a real doctor. Thank you, Hazel.” He placed his hands on 33

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

her shoulders. “You take care of yourself, okay?” “I will.” “And do me a favor. Don’t tell anyone where you got that watch.” “You stole it then!” She hopped back. “They’ll come for me and—” “No, don’t worry. I didn’t steal it. It’s just that people around here might find something like that funny. Just like the zipper. It might get me into trouble.” She nodded. “I won’t say nothin’ about it. Promise” “Thanks.” He bundled up his old clothes and tucked them under his arm. He’d get rid of them when he had a chance. The street was bustling this morning and the sunlight rescued it from that threatening feel it had the night before. It still smelled horrible though. He walked into the public market and the sight of the food made him feel weak. It made him realize how hungry he was. People were busy hustling their produce. Butchers and farmers called out to the shoppers with their baskets. Wild turkeys fluttered around in pens, and farmers brought calves and goats and pigs to sell. In the distance ships were being loaded with coal while others were being unloaded with other trade goods. Mason knew that the American money he had in his wallet was useless here. He was going to have to find a way to make some cash fast, but he didn’t know where to begin. All around him beggars stood with their hands out, some blind or crippled, others only giving the impression they were when soldiers walked by. Mason watched as some were hauled off. He knew that he was 34

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

one step away from being dragged off himself if he just looked like he was wandering around without direction. He felt uncomfortable in these clothes. The pants were too large, and the tunic made his skin itch like crazy. He tried not to scratch as he watched people with fascination. It was a completely different world with rules and laws he didn’t understand. Fish wives and sailors wandered around, while others sold fruit and vegetables. Bakers had bread and cake, and some sort of hot dish that people ate right on the street. Suddenly he saw a man standing beside a cart at the end of the street. He was trying to lift off a particularly large side of beef, and straining under the effort. Mason dashed through the mud and offered the man a hand. He helped him carry the carcass over in front of his market stall, and lift it up onto the hook. “Thank you so much,” the man said, removing his wool cap. He wiped some sweat off his brow. “I lost my man last week. He just disappeared on me. I suspect he had a problem with the drink. What can I give you in return?” “Ordinarily nothing,” Mason said, “but I’m really very hungry. If you have some bread, I’d really appreciate it.” He eyed him. “Where you hail from, my good man? You have an unfamiliar accent.” “Across the river.” “I see. If you have no home, be careful. They’ve just toughened the law against vagabonds.” “So I hear, but I’m not a vagabond, really. I’m just a little lost.” He nodded. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. You help me get all of that meat hung up here, and I’ll give you five pence and a hot meal.” 35

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Let’s get started,” Mason told him. By the time the animals were all hanging on hooks, Mason was covered in blood, among other things. “Shame about your good clothes. You might want to wash them in the river.” Mason thanked him for the advice. “You wouldn’t know of a place I could stay for this…money you just gave me.” “Um. You looking for steady work then?” “Yes.” “Very well. You can sleep in my barn if you want. That’s where the last one slept, if you don’t mind the cattle. There’s a mattress in the back. It will keep you from ending up in the workhouse, or worse. Come on now. The missus will make us some supper.” The missus turned out to be a stoic woman with a high-necked dress and a stiff upper lip. But she could cook. Hot stew loaded with meat and big pieces of hot homemade bread with a pitcher of ale certainly hit the spot. The butcher and his wife, along with their three children, lived a few streets away from the shop in a sturdy little half-timbered house. The frame was timber filled with wickerwork and plaster. The roof was thatched and the butcher bragged about how he intended to put tile on the roof. “Better in case of fire,” he said. His wife chastised him for bragging. “The good Lord doesn’t appreciate boasting.” She shook her head at him. He chuckled. “Yes”—he looked at Mason—“yet, she goes on and on about glass windows.” “Glass windows…” She passed Mason more bread. “That will be the day when we have glass windows. They cost a fortune. 36

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

When old Mrs. Gravery died a few houses down, the son left the house to rot but he took out the two windows.” They all laughed. From that, he guessed that glass was expensive. *

*

*

James Bean and his wife, Cassandra, were good people, even if Cassandra was a bit on the stuffy side. James made a good living as a butcher. He bought and slaughtered the animals, then sold the hides and tallow before cutting up the meat for market day. The profession was strictly regulated. He wasn’t allowed to sell meat from any animal that died by natural causes. The meat had to be fresh, and everyone had to pay for their stall at the market, as well as their share of taxes. “James sometimes provides meat for the court,” his wife said proudly one night at supper. James lifted an eyebrow. She excused herself. “I forgot. That does sound a little like being boastful.” James and Mason laughed out loud and, after a few seconds, Cassandra joined them. Mason had been sleeping in James’ barn for almost three weeks. When he was alone, he took out the little black contraption and tried to figure out how he could get back home. Maybe if he dialed the year. He slowly plugged in the numbers. 2014. Nothing. Maybe he had to do it at the exact same time of day he’d arrived here, or there was some special code he didn’t know. He swore under his breath. The possibilities were endless. When he could no longer keep his eyes open, he would tuck the machine back into his 37

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

pocket and try to ignore the smell of the cows that were headed for their deaths in the morning. Often in the night, he woke to kill a rat or two that came sniffing around. He kept one of James’s cleavers nearby. Every day as the sun came up, he ate breakfast with James and his family, then helped James kill the animals and skin them, getting them ready for market day. It wasn’t a pleasant job. In fact, Mason had a hard time with the killing, but he had little choice. It wasn’t everyone who would have given a job to a total stranger who seemed a little odd. “You have real skill with that knife,” James told him one day. “A real steady hand and a good eye.” Mason thanked him. He didn’t tell him that he’d gone to medical school and had considered becoming a surgeon. It was too complicated. The less he said, the better. After a few weeks, Mason actually began to look forward to market day when people would come from far and wide to buy a whole host of things—meat, bread, wine, cheese, leather goods, clothing, candles and linen. The street would be a bustle of activity on that day. It was like being suddenly airlifted smack into the middle of a page out of a history book. In spite of the fact that he was worried about getting back home, he marveled at being given this look at the past, and when he was there, he almost forgot about his dilemma. He dreaded the possibility of being stuck here permanently, even though he’d told himself that he might have no choice. Maybe he’d never get back home, never watch television again, or email a friend, or use a cell phone. There were so many things he already missed, one of them being clean water. He’d learned quickly that the water was not drinkable. The common beverage 38

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

was ale and he’d never been much of a beer drinker. When Mason opened his eyes that morning of the market, James was already hard at work. When Mason came outside into the semi dawn, James chuckled. He pointed to a pile of clothes on the ground. “The wife put together a few things I don’t wear anymore. Thought you could use a change of clothes. And there’s a wool cap in there. You’re supposed to be wearing one.” “Thank you,” Mason said, not sure about the wool cap. “That was kind of her. Why do I have to wear a wool cap?” “We all do except the noblemen. It’s to support the wool trade, do our part I figures.” “This was nice of your wife.” He held up the clothes. “I’m tired of washing them in the river every night.” “I think she figures you’ll never find a woman if you wear the same breeches all the time.” He laughed. Mason smiled. He wouldn’t be finding a mate of any kind in this time. Being with a man was completely out of the question unless he wanted to feel a noose around his neck, or have his head cut off, and he was gay. He’d heard the town crier out in the street holler about some poor man… Sir Rodney Coleman being held in the tower…guilty of sodomy. Come and witness the beheading of a sodomite in ten days’ time… Even now a shiver went up his spine at the thought that loving another man could get him killed. “How’d you sleep?” James was asking as he sharpened his knife on the wheel. “I don’t remember closing my eyes really. I must have been tired. I didn’t even wake up to kill any rodents.” He laughed. “We’ll be overrun with them then. And here,” he held out a coin, “before I forget. It’s an advance so you can fend 39

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

for yourself.” “You don’t have to do this,” Mason told him. “Yes, I do. I owe you wages. I know you’ve fallen on hard times, Mason, but you’re smart. I can see that. And a good worker. Come on, man, change out of those things and get some food into you. We got some rounds to do, animals to finish off. Going to be a busy day.” Mason took the coin from him. “Thank you, James.”

40

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 3 Rosalie was laughing like a child as she ran out behind Lewis, clutching her long skirt in her hand. “Father is going to be livid. Not to mention your mother!” Lewis opened the door to the carriage and helped her inside, then jumped inside himself. He knocked on the top of the carriage with his fist. “To the market,” he called out through the open window. The driver snapped the reins, and the carriage began to move ahead. Rosalie reached over and took his hand. “Lewis,” she said, letting her head fall back against the back of the carriage, “why can’t you marry me instead of Courtney? We are much more compatible.” 41

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He squeezed her hand. “I want to be free. And you’d let me be, wouldn’t you?” “Yes,” he said. “I’d let you be.” “It’s so fun, getting out of that stuffy house. How do you stand it? Your mother is like a beautiful doll.” He grinned. “I was away at Oxford for a long time, remember?” She nodded. “I’ve never been to a public market. Oh, Lewis, I’ve never been anywhere. Did you finally wrestle the list away from Molly?” “I did. I had to put her on the floor.” Rosalie burst into laughter. “You did not. Good thing she adores you.” “Um, I’m sure right now she doesn’t. She wanted to go to market. She’s sure I’ll get everything wrong.” Rosalie fell quiet. She seemed content with looking out the window at the passing farmland. “If you could go anywhere, be anything, Lewis, what would it be?” She glanced at him, waited. “I don’t know,” he murmured. “I’d be anywhere but here. Sometimes I feel…” “What? Tell me,” she urged. “I won’t be shocked.” He took a breath. He’d never told anyone this. “I feel out of place, like I don’t belong here.” “In London?” “No…in this…world.” “Lewis, darling,” she said, touching his cheek. “You don’t want to…die?” “No,” he laughed, “nothing like that. It’s just that I’m at odds with everything.” “We are the same. I feel exactly like that…like I should have 42

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

been born a man. What was it like, at university?” “Exciting, stimulating. I wish I was back there, at least I could…express myself.” “I’d give anything to go to university. My education was so boring, stifling, painting and music and French. I want to know how the world turns, why there are stars in the sky, what makes us human. Do you understand?” He smiled. “Yes. I have some books from Oxford. Would you like to read them?” “Oh yes, as long as they don’t have anything to do with painting. And don’t tell father. He’ll say I’m wasting my time.” “It will be our secret.” “Thank you, Lewis. You are the only one who takes me seriously. Why can’t we marry? We’d be great friends.” “It’s not the way it’s done. Courtney is the older. She has to be married first.” “Who makes these stupid rules?” He grinned. “Stupid people I guess.” She nodded. “Yes, the same stupid people who decided that women couldn’t go to Oxford.” “Those are the ones. Shall we have them put in the Tower?” “Let’s!” “As my first duty as the newly elected official of London city,” he tried to sound older and dictatorial, “all stupid people who pass laws we don’t like will be beheaded immediately.” She giggled and put her head on his shoulder. “I love you, Lewis.” He stroked her hair. He knew it was meant in the friendliest way. Over the last few weeks, he and Rosalie had become like brother and sister. She was the complete opposite of her prim and 43

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

proper sister, Courtney. She liked to scoff at the rules, and so did he. That’s why today when Mother mentioned she needed things at the market and was prepared to send Molly, Lewis discreetly asked Rosalie if she wanted to escape to the city with him. She’d jumped at the chance. Sixteen going on thirty, that was Rosalie, and she was as trapped in this time as he was. At least for today, they’d throw convention to the wind and have themselves a good time. They’d face the consequences when they got home. *

*

*

The morning flew by as Mason helped James deal with the customers in the marketplace. For awhile, he almost forgot the reality of his situation. The noise, the laughter, the musicians and the jugglers provided a festive and colorful display. But then the harsh reality would suddenly rear up and remind him. People would talk in hushed whispers about the “sickness.” He knew the plague was all around him and he knew what the cause of it was. Still he dared not make any comment even when people threw their rotting food in the street. Then James told him about the “witch.” “Witch,” Mason scoffed. “There are no such things as witches, James.” “The old woman was practicing magic under the moon I tell you. Witnesses say she used potions, and caused a baby to die right there in her mother’s arms.” “Surely, you don’t…” Mason paused. He told himself to stay quiet. “What are they going to do to her?” “Hang her…burn her probably. That’s the best way. They don’t 44

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

come back.” Mason closed his eyes. “I see.” “And they’re beheading the sodomite today,” he added. “Sir Coleman. I would have never suspected him of that sort of thing.” “Do you watch them, the executions?” “No time. They take place outside the city. Many people go. It’s a big one later today. They tend to be more popular, the beheadings. Hangings are more common, for us folks.” Mason walked out farther in the street and wiped his hands on his bloody apron. He didn’t want to think about that poor man losing his head, or that old woman needlessly suffering for something that wasn’t real. When the carriage sped by him, he was forced to take a step back. It had been raining and the street was very muddy. He lost his footing and fell in the mud. He didn’t realize that his face and hair were covered in it until he heard James laughing at him. Mason wiped some of the mud from his eyes. “Damn it all to hell!” He glared over at the fancy carriage that had come to a stop nearby. “Bloody fool.” James grinned. “You look very fetching. That’s the Langley carriage. They must be having a dinner party. The young Lord Langley is due to get married I hear.” Mason trudged back to the stall. “My, look at that, it’s the young Lord Langley himself with ah…oh…a young lady. Normally they send Molly to purchase the supplies.” “Maybe he’s slumming.” Mason grunted, watching as a young man stepped out of the carriage and lifted a young lady over a puddle of water. They were laughing and carrying on. James didn’t understand what slumming meant. He gave him a 45

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

curious look. “Maybe he’s a what?” “I mean…never mind.” James chuckled. The young man approached with the lady on his arm. They were both well dressed, he in a beige brocade waistcoat and breeches, and she in a long blue dress with a floral design. In her long dark hair, she wore a blue flower. “Good morning,” the young man said. He was looking directly at Mason, a smirk on his face. The girl covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. “Oh my.” “Yes, oh my,” Mason replied. “Thanks to your driver,” he looked at the young man, “well…look at me.” “I am. I am looking at you. I see a dirty boy with a sour disposition.” Mason scowled, and muttered under his breath. But in spite of being upset, he couldn’t stop looking at this man. Beautiful. He was absolutely gorgeous, with a charming smile, and shoulder length black hair that looked a little unruly. Six feet tall or more, broad shoulders with a body that…well…demanded further research. He wore his fancy clothes like a glove. “You look a fright,” he said, still smiling. “Thanks to you!” Mason snapped. “What Mason means…” James began apologetically. Lord Langley put up a hand. “I do apologize for my driver, although it is not my fault if you have problems staying on your feet, sir.” Mason narrowed his eyes. “I do not have problems staying on my feet. Your driver…” He stopped when he realized that Langley was trying to contain his laughter. He was teasing him. 46

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

The girl hung off his arm. She glanced at the carcasses curiously and wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like them when they’re like that.” “I have a list.” Langley handed it to James, still looking at Mason. “I shall take the young lady here on a tour of the market then return…in let’s say…an hour?” James nodded as he glanced at the list. “Shouldn’t be a problem Lord Langley, sir.” “Very well.” Again he looked at Mason. “Shall I compensate you for your clothes? I doubt they shall ever come clean. As for your face…well”—he grinned again—“will that come clean, you think? Perhaps if you dunk your head in the river?” “Right, I’ll do that.” Mason frowned, trying to wipe at his face in vain. Cheeky bastard. The lady giggled as they walked away. James gave Mason a look. “What?” “You have to take care how you talk to them.” “Who is them?” “Langley is a nobleman. His family owns huge amounts of land. His grandfather got rich in iron. They’ve been to court.” “Court?” “The queen’s court, silly.” He laughed. “Now, help me with this list.” Mason took the paper. “James, can you read?” “A little,” he said. Mason smiled. “I’ll help you get started.” Unfortunately, there would be no time to wash his face before Langley returned for his purchases. 47

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

*

*

*

Rosalie examined the fine linen that was for sale at one of the stalls while Lewis stood nearby watching some jugglers with painted faces. He threw a few coins at them. They were quite good, never missing a ball. In the distance, he heard the bells tolling in the Tower. Suddenly he heard someone say, “That sodomite is losing his head today.” “Good riddance to him.” Someone laughed. “Snotty sort, that Lord Coleman.” Lord Coleman, a sodomite? Good grief, he thought. His family owned a lot of land in the area. He wondered how they caught him, what proof they had. He shook himself. Had Coleman visited that place, that brothel where the man wore women’s clothes? Had he done what Lewis had wanted to do? Rosalie was beside him suddenly. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you having a good time?” She took his arm again and they began to walk. “Of course.” He brightened. “I love it here, except for the mud and the stink. It’s exciting, so many people who don’t care about formalities.” He nodded silently, still thinking about poor Lord Coleman. He didn’t know him well but he felt for him. “I am sure he was handsome.” “Who was handsome?” “That young man at the butcher’s with all the mud on his face. I am positive he is very attractive under all that dirt.” “You are, are you?” He grinned. “A girl your age shouldn’t be 48

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

thinking of such things.” “I’m old enough. I think you are extremely handsome.” “I said you were young, not blind,” he teased, winking at her. She punched him. “Not to mention arrogant, too?” “Yes, that too at times.” “Oh, Lewis, let’s buy a bottle of wine, go off in the field, take off all of our clothes, and get wildly intoxicated.” His eyes widened. “What? Would you like to see me with my head lopped off perhaps?” “They wouldn’t do that to you.” “Your father would if we did that. Now, let’s go back to get the meat. I think we’ve been gone long enough to cause a scandal, wouldn’t you say, ma chère?” She bowed to him playfully. “Oui, monsieur.” Lewis took Rosalie to the carriage and told the driver to watch her. There were plenty of unscrupulous characters around and it was dangerous for a young girl who wasn’t used to this sort of thing. Besides, she didn’t want to see the side of beef hanging next to the stall. When he got back to the butcher’s, the young man was there, wiping his hand on his apron. Lewis was a little disappointed to see that he was still covered with mud. He would have liked to test Rosalie’s theory. “Hello again,” he said, seeking out his gaze. The young man nodded at him. “James is just getting your order together, sir.” He sure had a strange way of talking. “What’s your name?” He came closer. “Mason, Mason Gardner. I’d shake your hand but…” he trailed off with a shrug. “It’s all right,” Lewis replied. “Where are you from?” 49

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Not here.” “Well, that’s obvious you’re not from here. Where then?” “You don’t know it.” “Maybe I do. Try me.” “You don’t. Believe me.” He shrugged. “It’s a secret then.” “No, just ah…complicated.” Lewis met his gaze directly and held it. His eyes were blue, bluer than the sky. “Lewis,” he said. “My name is Lewis.” “Do you… ah… do you come here to the market often, Lewis?” “No. But I might come… more often. Tomorrow,” he said. Inwardly he swore. What in hell would make him say that? Did he want to be taken for a Lord Coleman? “I won’t be here tomorrow,” Mason told him. “Oh. So…where will you be tomorrow, Mason?” He smiled, a kind of a blush maybe, but it was hard to tell with all that mud on his face. He didn’t answer. “It’s just that I’m kind of stuck with a lot of women and…I like to ah…you don’t by any chance play chess, do you?” “Yes,” he said, “but badly. It’s not my favorite game.” “Good,” he announced, “it means I can beat you.” He waited. “You don’t have to play with me if—” “I have to work now but…after the sun goes down. I can if…I can meet you here if you want.” “Here you go, sir.” James came back suddenly and handed him a huge package. “Thank your family.” “I will.” Lewis leaned closer to Mason. “I will meet you here then at sundown?” Mason nodded. “Sure. I mean, if you like.” 50

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

*

*

*

Mason watched as Lord Langley walked toward the carriage with his package. He wasn’t sure what had just happened. All he knew was he suddenly felt euphoric. “What was that all about?” James asked curiously. “Lord Langley is looking for a chess partner.” James’s eyes widened. “He wants to play chess with the likes of you?” “I guess so. He asked me.” “It’s not done really. His family would be scandalized. But I’ve heard some things about that Langley boy.” “Like what kind of things?” Mason enquired. He was hardly a boy. “Well, he’s been being loose and wild with his morals since he returned from school. Think that’s why his father wants to tame him, get him settled down.” “What do you mean by loose with his morals?” “Visiting the brothels, drinking, and gambling. Don’t let him lead you down the path of unrighteousness now. A nobleman can get away with a lot more things than we can.” “Ah, don’t worry,” he said. But just for a moment, Mason thought about the possibility of being completely unrighteous with Lewis Langley, and he felt his cock stir in his pants. That night, Mason didn’t pull out the time machine and fiddle with it. He didn’t smell the animals, or hear the scurrying of the rats. Instead, he lay on his straw mattress and thought about the man he’d met today. Tall, dark, handsome, and sinfully sexy…there was something about him. It was his smile, or those dark eyes, or the combination thereof. He’d never known anyone 51

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

like that in any world. And he desperately wanted to know more. *

*

*

“Father, don’t chastise me as if I’m five years old,” Lewis protested. His mother stood a few feet away, sniffing into a lace handkerchief. She’d said nothing to him that night, leaving the job to his father the next day. “When you act like a mature man, I’ll treat you as such,” his father replied sternly. “Your mother was frantic, and Rosalie’s father… Well…thank heavens he had to leave on business. I think you owe him a written apology.” “An apology? What for?” “What for? For taking his daughter to the public market. That’s no place for a lady.” “She wanted to go.” “She wouldn’t have gone without your encouragement,” his mother blubbered. “Mother, she has a mind of her own.” “What does a sixteen year old girl know?” his father grumbled. “What does any woman know for that matter? Women have no sense. It was totally irresponsible of you.” “And you need to spend more time with Miss Courtney,” his mother chastised. “You are, after all, to marry soon.” Lewis stood. “I’m not marrying that girl. She’s a bore.” His father reached over suddenly and slapped him. Lewis blinked. He hadn’t expected that. Feeling the sting, he lifted his head. “You can slap me all you want. We’d be miserable together, Courtney and I. She doesn’t even like me, and I don’t like 52

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

her much either.” “You haven’t given it a chance,” his mother protested. “How dare you!” his father came closer. “After all we’ve given you. I regret sending you to Oxford. You’ve changed and not for the better. Be careful son,” he warned, “or I’ll make you work for a living. We’ll see how that suits you.” “If it means I won’t have to marry that girl, it’s fine with me.” Silence greeted his announcement. Lewis took the opportunity to leave the room. He walked down the hallway and outside. He strolled along the road and found a quiet place by the water. He sat under the tree and closed his eyes. Working for a living wouldn’t be so bad. At least he’d be free to be with who he wanted. Who was he kidding? No, he wouldn’t. He’d never be that free. He thought about the young man at the butcher stall, covered in mud. He had the sweetest smile and beautiful blue eyes. He imagined he was fair-haired. He closed his eyes and Mason reached out to him. Not before you wash yourself in the river. I’ll go now. With all your clothes on? No. Like this. No clothes. Will you make love to me, Lewis? Yes. Yes. I’ll make love to you. “Make love to whom?” Lewis’s eyes snapped open. He hastily moved his hand away from his groin. “Rosalie. You shouldn’t be here.” “Why not?” She plopped down beside him. “Your dress. It will be all dirty.” “I don’t care about my dress. Your parents think it is best that we don’t stay the entire summer. They are talking about sending us 53

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

home. I don’t want to leave, Lewis.” He turned his face to look at her. “It’s my fault. I should have known better.” “No.” She shook her head. “I wanted to go. I had such fun. Please, don’t let them make us regret it.” “I won’t.” “I’ll just die if I have to go home, back to my Latin and French, and lectures on how ladies are supposed to greet guests in the parlor. Hello, sir, lower your eyes and bow your head and act all shy and…” He suddenly felt her words. He pulled her toward him and hugged her. She held onto him. “Promise me something, Lewis.” “If I can.” “You have more freedom because you’re a man. Please yourself sometime. Don’t listen to them. And don’t get caught.” She giggled, and stole a quick kiss from him on the lips. He released her and shook his head. “Naughty girl.” “You only live once.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. He wiped them away, stood and extended his hand. “It will be dark soon. Come on. Let’s go back.” When they walked into the house, his father met them. “Lewis, given the circumstances, we think it’s best if the young ladies go home to their father soon. Courtney is very upset about what’s happened, and insists on going home. We’ll give it a bit more time and see if the situation improves. But when they leave, I’ve decided that you will accompany them.” Rosalie gave Lewis a desperate look, burst into tears and ran upstairs. His mother came into the hallway. “Do you know what an embarrassment this is to the family, to the Price family? I can’t 54

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

believe that you would do this to us.” She took out her hanky and began to sniff. Lewis rolled his eyes. “Oh, Mother, I’m sure Courtney’s father will find some other noble idiot to marry her off to.” “Lewis!” his father snapped. “This is not over. I will not tell Oliver Price that you have rejected his daughter, let alone insulted her. I will give you some time to think this over before you come to such a hasty decision that will affect your entire life.” “It won’t change anything,” Lewis said. “Whether they stay the rest of the summer as intended or leave today, I’m not marrying Courtney Price!” “What is wrong with you, Lewis?” His mother sobbed. “This is not the way we raised you. Do you know how humiliated and rejected Courtney feels right now? You spent all your time with her younger sister.” “I suspect she is more relieved than anything, Mother. I keep telling you, she doesn’t like me.” “When you behave yourself, and act like the nobleman you are,” his father insisted, “you’re perfectly likable. But sometimes, Lewis, you act like a damn scoundrel.” Lewis didn’t answer that. He just scowled. “I don’t understand you.” His mother sobbed louder now. Lewis sighed and walked upstairs. “No, and you never did.” “Soon, you will take those girls home,” his father barked after him. “Be prepared to leave when I give the word.” The last thing Lewis wanted to do was make the long trek to Plymouth, and then travel another five days to come back home again, especially since he wouldn’t be able to get to know Mason. He supposed it was his punishment. And perhaps it was his punishment for indulging Rosalie, but no harm had been done as 55

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

far as he was concerned, and he resented it. *

*

*

As soon as the sun began to go down, Lewis slipped out of the house and rode into London on his horse. It was going to be dark soon, and he hoped to reach the city before sundown. He also hoped that Mason would be there waiting for him. Maybe Mason hadn’t taken his offer seriously; maybe he was afraid. The streets were dark when he arrived. He got off his horse and walked, thinking he should hire a boy to lead him with a lantern. But he was feeling rather reckless tonight. Suddenly he spotted a lone figure at the end of the road, standing in front of the butcher’s stall. “Mason?” he called uncertainly. The figure walked toward him. “Lord Langley.” “Lewis,” he said breathlessly. They were both face to face now. Mason was exactly as he imagined, blond, with the face of an angel. “I forgot the chessboard,” he muttered, his gaze never leaving Mason’s face. “That’s all right,” Mason replied, his gaze fixed on Lewis as well. “I got the mud off my face.” Lewis smiled. “I see that.” There was something about Mason, something almost surreal. “Who are you? Are you an angel?” “What…what do you mean?” Mason laughed. “I’m hardly an angel.” “You’re like a dream.” Mason laughed again. “Have you been drinking?” “No.” Lewis also laughed. “Do I seem drunk?” “No. Where do you want…I mean, where—” 56

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Anywhere. It doesn’t matter where we go.” And he meant that. As long as Mason kept looking at him like that, the place was without importance. “Let’s take a walk down by the river.” “As you wish.” They began to stroll slowly, side by side. “You look different without the mud,” Lewis commented. “Thanks a lot, smart ass.” Lewis grinned. “Smart ass. I wasn’t aware that an ass had a brain.” “Cute.” “So, are you going to tell me why you talk so funny?” “You talk funny, too, so there.” Lewis laughed. “Touché.” There was silence. Mason patted the horse as they walked. “I’ve been to many places,” Lewis said, “and I have never heard such English.” “Not even at that posh university you went to?” “Posh?” “Fancy?” “No, not even there. You’re not really a butcher, are you?” “Does it show?” “A little.” “I do my best.” “But why? You’re educated. I can tell. Why slaughter animals when you could do something better?” “It’s a job, an honorable job.” “Yes, it is. Is your family from the upper class? Did they cut you off as my father is threatening to do to me?” 57

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“No.” Mason grinned. “Military.” “Your father is a soldier.” “Ah…an officer.” Lewis stopped. “You are a mystery.” “Do you like mysteries?” Mason stopped and tilted his head to one side, waiting for his answer. Lewis sucked in some breath. “I like this one.” Mason smiled. He glanced up at the night sky. “It never looks like this. It won’t ever look like this again.” “What do you mean?” Lewis moved up in back of him, as close as he dared. If he reached out and touched the man…could he…maybe Mason would recoil…report him to the authorities and he’d end up…without his head. “Pollution. Industrial pollution,” Mason said, turning around. They came face to face again. Lewis could hardly breathe. “The stars are beautiful.” So are you. Neither one of them moved. They stood staring into each other’s eyes for a few seconds. This was madness. Lewis put some distance between them when he couldn’t stand it any longer. They began to walk again. “Do you really play chess?” Lewis asked. “Yes. But like I said, I’m not very good. I haven’t mastered the moves yet.” “What else do you like to do?” Lewis figured this was a safe topic to pursue. Mason seemed to hesitate. “Ah…lots of things. I like to…listen to music, read. I like movies…I mean…theater.” “Really? Would you like to go with me?” “To the theater?” 58

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Yes.” “Maybe sometime.” He smiled. “What do you like to do?” “Get into trouble mostly.” He grinned. “So I hear. Is that why your father wants to cut you off?” “Yes. So…” He paused and looked at him curiously. “What else do you hear about me, Mason?” “That you enjoy the brothels and gambling. You like to drink also.” He chuckled. “Ah. You really pay attention. That’s very bad for my reputation, and why you assumed I was drunk.” “Aren’t you getting married soon?” “No.” “That was a resounding no.” “It didn’t work out, the girl they chose. She’s dull as a tack.” “You looked like you were having fun yesterday.” “She’s not the one I’m supposed to marry. That was Rosalie, her younger sister. My intended was Courtney. She didn’t like me much either.” “I can’t understand anyone not liking you.” Lewis glanced at him. “You can’t?” “No.” He walked on ahead. Lewis hurried to catch up. They were walking along the river bend now. The road was bumpy and uneven. “So you’d marry me then?” It was a joke, and after he’d said it, he regretted it. Mason stopped, quirked an eyebrow at him. “That was stupid,” he said, embarrassed. “It was a joke. Everyone knows men don’t marry one another. Men don’t…fall in love…or…make love or…” He sighed, turned away. “They do where I come from.” Lewis swallowed and turned around. “What did you say?” 59

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Never mind,” Mason replied, shook his head. “Forget it. And the answer is yes, Lewis. I’d marry you in a heartbeat. And I have no idea why I just said that.” Lewis stood there in the middle of the road, his mouth agape. Mason stopped and turned around. “Are you going to stand there all night with your mouth open catching flies, or are you coming for a walk with me?” Lewis ran again to catch up again. “Where are we going again?” “I don’t know. We could go for a swim. The river seems clearer down here.” Mason descended the bank. They were shielded by trees. Lewis grinned and stumbled down after him. The only light came from the moon. I’d like that just because I want so much to see you without your clothes. “You’re a strange man, Mason. I don’t know where you came from but I’d like to go there with you sometime.” Mason glanced at him. “Well then, come on.” Lewis watched while Mason stripped off his tunic and then stepped out of his shoes. “Damn thing itches like crazy!” He threw the tunic aside. “Hey, if I’m going to get naked, so are you, Lord Langley.” Mason walked up to him. He took the reins of the horse and tied it to a tree and then began to undo the buttons on Lewis’s waistcoat. “Wait,” Lewis cautioned, breathless. “Are you sure you know what…we can’t do this here.” He backed up a little. “Someone could see us.” “Is there a law against swimming?” “No, but…the two of us…without our clothes and…” “Lewis,” Mason said softly, “I think we both want the same thing. I won’t tell anyone if you won’t. No one will see.” 60

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Have you ever?” “Yes. Have you?” “A little…some…but…” He shook his dark head. “I wanted to do other things. I just…” He looked around again. “They just beheaded a man for sodomy, Mason.” “I know.” Mason took his hands away. “We can leave now if you want. We can…” Lewis shook his head. Suddenly he reached out and yanked Mason close to his chest. “Just one kiss,” he pleaded. “Please.” *

*

*

Mason reached up around Lewis’s neck and pulled his mouth down on his. Their lips opened to each other slowly and Lewis moaned against him. Mason clutched him closer, and pulled at the buttons of Lewis’s waistcoat, then yanked his breeches down to his knees. He lowered himself to the ground, his hands clutching Lewis’s ass. Lewis stiffened a little when Mason kissed the head of his erection, then licked up his shaft. Mason looked up at him. “Relax, Lewis, it’s all right. I want to show you pleasure. I want to give you pleasure with my mouth and my lips and… God, you’re so fucking beautiful.” He didn’t know what it was about this man, but he was addicted already. He wanted to ravish him. Mason sucked in part of Lewis’s hard cock, working his lips up and down the shaft as he fitted a finger between his ass cheeks. “Yes.” Lewis sighed, his hand in Mason’s hair. “Um, keep doing that. Oh, Mason, it’s magic. It’s like…oh God…deliver me…” 61

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

A few minutes later, Lewis came in his mouth and Mason began to lick the come from his shaft. Lewis seemed embarrassed and tried to pull away. Mason pulled him down to the grass. “Lewis, look at me. Never be embarrassed about pleasure. Your body is to be enjoyed. Don’t hide it. I want to do everything with you. I want to use your cock. I want you inside me. You are so beautiful. Your body is so beautiful.” Lewis’s chest was heaving. “The things you say. I’m…my body is reacting again.” “Say it,” Mason urged. He pulled back, took Lewis’s cock in his hand. “Say…my cock is hard.” “My cock is hard.” “I want to fuck you.” He laughed. “I want to…fuck you.” “Yes…now say it the way you’d say it…” Mason took off Lewis’s waistcoat, pulled his silk shirt over his head and tossed it onto the grass. He licked his nipples, suckled them, then kissed his broad chest. “Do you want me?” He fondled his erection in his hand. “You’re so big. I love your cock.” “Oh God,” he whispered. “I want to be…inside your body.” He kissed Mason’s throat, his chest, clutched his ass hard. “I want to fuck your ass…so hard.” “Um, I like that. That’s my boy. I like it a lot. Take me then. Come on, Lewis, please,” Mason pleaded. He lay down on the grass. “Lift my legs. You have to make me ready. Open me up and lick me.” Lewis met his eyes. “Does it…you’re not turned off…I mean…are you repulsed by licking me there?” 62

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He shook his head. “No, not if it pleases you, makes you want me.” “Oh, it will. And I already want you. Go on,” he urged. Lewis held his legs and lowered his head. After the first few minutes, he began to lose himself. He tasted Mason’s cock and balls and delved deep within him with his tongue. Mason was moaning, pleading with him to put something, anything inside of him. “Your finger first.” “Won’t it hurt?” he whispered, breathing hard. “Not like your cock. Go on, one, then two and three, deep.” Lewis had long fingers and he was gentle at the beginning. Eventually he began to really thrust with those fingers and all Mason could think about was his beautiful cock, and how much he wanted it there. “Okay, baby, baby, your cock. Put your cock inside of me.” He urged. “Now, Lewis, before…I can’t wait anymore.” After a few clumsy attempts, Mason felt the head of Lewis’s cock push past the first ring of muscles, then it was pure instinct. Once Lewis was inside him there was no stopping him. He was a natural, better than any man he’d ever had. Mason thought at one time that maybe Lewis had forgotten he was there. Lewis was using Mason’s ass, and possessing him completely with that thick cock of his. He went in deeper, slicing in at various angles to totally fuck him in a way he couldn’t remember ever being fucked before. It was pure pleasure. And Mason wanted more. When Lewis came inside of him with a shout, Mason clung to his hard body like a drowning man would cling to a piece of driftwood in a violent storm. “Don’t pull out.” Their sweat drenched bodies melded together as Lewis kissed 63

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

the top of his head and they rubbed their noses together. They both felt a little giddy. Mason’s fingers lingered on the smooth, hard muscles of Lewis’s chest and he lowered his lips to one nipple as Lewis’s cock slipped from his body. “Fuck me again.” “My pleasure.” He smiled. “But…” He looked down at his cock. Mason pushed him onto his back. “That won’t be an obstacle soon.” Mason began to kiss him, suckle his cock, lick his balls, and then he rolled him over and began to rim him. Lewis clawed the ground, muffling his cries into the grass. Mason rolled him over again. “Now”—he cuffed his big cock—“you’re ready.” Mason turned around and straddled his hips. He guided Lewis’s cock up inside of him and ground his groin down to his. On his knees, he fucked that cock with his ass until both of them were whimpering with release. “Lewis,” he sighed, dropping down into his arms, “that was so hot.” “It is rather warm,” he replied. Mason laughed and kissed his lips. “No, honey…hot as in…I don’t know…really, really fantastic…sexy.” He smiled. “It was incredible.” He hugged him close. “I think we’ve violated every rule and law under God and man, and I don’t care.” “No, baby.” Mason stroked his hair. “No God would deny us such pleasure. Trust me on that.” “Well, I’m not sure of what God you speak. But mine would. He would roast me in hell for that.” Mason moved his fingers over Lewis’s chest. “What if I told you that it wouldn’t be like that in the future? That people would 64

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

do away with those ideas and all kinds of love would be acceptable. Would you believe me?” “Right now, Mason,” he whispered, “you could make me believe anything. I am your slave. And if I am to fall under the axe for this on the block, it will be worth it.” Mason pressed his mouth against his and they kissed deeply. Lewis pulled him closer, wrapping him in his embrace. Mason had never felt safer in his entire existence. *

*

*

They lay there for the longest time, neither one of them speaking, just looking up at the stars. Then Mason reluctantly pulled away from him. “I have to go, Lewis. I have to get some sleep. Dawn comes early.” Lewis sat up as well. He didn’t want to leave him. “Almost dawn now.” Mason was already on his feet and pulling on his clothes. Lewis began to search for his. They were scattered here and there. Suddenly, when he picked up Mason’s breeches, something fell out. He bent over and picked it up, a little black box. “What’s this?” he asked, examining it. “Give me that,” Mason snapped and snatched it out of his hand. “I’m sorry, I…” “It’s all right.” Mason calmed. “I thought I’d lost it.” “What is it?” “I…nothing. Nothing at all. I got to go.” He pulled on his pants and slipped into his shoes. The sun was rising. “When am I going to see you?” Suddenly that’s all Lewis could think about. 65

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Soon,” Mason said. He pulled him close and planted a kiss on his mouth. “You’re beautiful, Lord Langley.” He grinned and then ran off through the trees. Lewis’s eyes widened a little, the kiss fresh on his mouth. Beautiful. He calls me beautiful. He chuckled. The man did and said the craziest things, and Lewis liked it. He liked it a lot. But damn it, he didn’t have the chance to tell him that, since at any time his father might make him leave for Plymouth. The thought of not seeing Mason for all that time suddenly distressed him. *

*

*

Mason ran along the river bank. He was never going to get back to James’s house in time for breakfast and he was starved, but he didn’t care. He was humming. He was high. He was going to be late for work. He began to laugh out loud. It didn’t matter, nothing mattered. He was happier than he’d ever been in his entire life. Lewis. The name was beautiful. His body was beautiful. He was beautiful. And he had the most incredible cock. In fact, he had a beautiful everything. The thought that he could fall in love wiped the smile from his face. That was impossible. He didn’t belong here. By the time he finally arrived at the house, Mason was a little melancholy. James didn’t seem angry. Instead he teased him about being out all night. “So what’s the lady’s name?” “Believe me,” Mason replied with a wink, “it was no lady.” There was nothing feminine about Lewis Langley. He was all man. Every night after that for almost three weeks, Mason met Lewis by the river. They talked about everything, life, family, and the 66

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

society in which Lewis lived. Mason was fascinated with the way Lewis spoke. Lewis was a man ahead of his time. He saw things that others didn’t. He questioned the rules, the authorities. He told him about Rosalie and how women’s talents were wasted due to men’s desire to covet everything. He told him how the poor were mistreated and discriminated against and how everyone should have the right to live well and not go hungry. When Lewis smiled, Mason melted. And the way he made love with so much tenderness and passion made Mason his slave. But he was afraid to tell Lewis the truth, even when Lewis took to questioning him. He was sure that Lewis would think he was insane, and he didn’t want to risk losing him, even if he knew this couldn’t be forever. He sometimes even forgot that they came from different worlds. He’d never felt so close to anyone. And he knew that Lewis took an incredible risk coming to him like that. Their love was against God and against law, punishable by death. It was hard for Mason to believe. But he had to. He wouldn’t have been able to stand it if something happened to Lewis. One evening as they lay together in the grass, Lewis said to him, “Wouldn’t you just like to sprout wings sometime and fly away from here?” Mason smiled. He kissed Lewis’s cheek, snuggling closer to him. “Yes. I suppose I would.” He wanted to ask him, if he could leave here, would Lewis come with him. “Someplace quiet and peaceful where…” He paused and swallowed hard. “Somewhere we could be together,” Mason completed his thought. He nodded. “Yes.” 67

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“We’re together now,” Mason said, rolling on top of him and kissing his mouth. “And there are so many things I want to do to you.” Lewis chuckled. “I believe you’ve already done them all, my dishonorable sir.” Mason sighed. “We have to go, don’t we?” “Yes.” He pushed Mason off of him and sat up. “Sun will be up. I’ll see you tonight?” “Of course,” Mason replied. “Mason, soon I will have to leave. My father spoke to me this morning. It could be in a day or two. I have to take Rosalie and Courtney back home to their father.” “Why can’t they go by themselves?” “Two ladies traveling alone? It’s too dangerous. But I will be back soon. Will you wait for me?” “Of course I will wait.” Mason kissed his mouth passionately. “I’d wait forever for you.” *

*

*

The next afternoon as Mason stopped to pick up some new tools for James, he bumped into a man in front of the merchant’s shop. The man was the one to bump into him, and it seemed quite deliberate. He didn’t excuse himself. The man was well dressed, with graying sideburns. He swung his walking stick a few times and looked at him for a moment. A big smile spread across his face. “You do look like a man of the future,” he announced suddenly. Mason’s eyes widened. “What…what did you say?” How in 68

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

hell could he know? He chuckled. “No need for alarm, my good man. I can tell that you’re not from around these parts, and a man of learning as well.” He held out his hand. “My name is Ernest Johnson.” “Ah, Mason Gardner.” He shook it. “Why did you…say that about me…that I looked like a man of the future? What do you know about that?” He regarded him for a moment. “Just a figure of speech. I wanted to warn you that able-bodied men like yourself who are just standing around with no employment…unless you are a member of the nobility of course…may be considered a threat to law and order.” “I have employment. I work for the butcher and I have to get back there now. He’s waiting.” “Are you a butcher really, Mr. Gardner?” “No. I’m only an assistant.” “What kind of skills do you have…ah…Mason?” “I’m a…a doctor.” “Don’t say. Doctor, eh? Well, I could use a fellow like you.” He took out his pocket watch and checked the time. “Can you spare just a few minutes? I will pay you, of course.” Mason hesitated. “James is waiting, and—” “I live nearby. It won’t take long. My carriage is parked down the street. I’ll take you wherever you need to go afterward. You won’t lose any time.” “All right, but what is it you need me for?” Mason trudged after him through the mud. “It’s my wife, you see. She’s tired all the time. And the tonic the doctor has given her doesn’t work.” “How old is she?” Mason asked. 69

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Fifty-two years,” he said. “And still lovely. Here we are.” He pointed to a handsome carriage. A driver jumped down and opened the door for them. Mason crawled in, and sat opposite him. “You have a strange accent,” he said as the carriage moved forward. The road was bumpy and the ride uncomfortable. They didn’t think of putting springs in these things. “Where do you hail from, Mason?” “Across the water. I…I don’t remember.” The man peered at him. “You don’t remember?” “I had a…an accident and I don’t…I can’t remember where I was when it happened.” “That’s unfortunate. Do you remember your doctoring skills?” “Oh yes,” Mason nodded. The house was a sprawling estate just out of the city center. Mason followed the man into the house, clutching James’s new tool. They were met by a servant girl, who bobbed her head at them and took the man’s cane. Ernest Johnson led him directly upstairs. “She’s in here.” He knocked lightly on the door then opened it. “My dear, I’ve brought a doctor.” When the door opened, Mason saw a woman with dark circles under her eyes sitting up in bed. She looked thin and pale. “Oh dear,” she said, “not another doctor.” “This one is not from…well…he’s from another place. Let’s give him a chance, shall we?” her husband suggested. “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.” He quickly left the room. Hesitantly, Mason walked over to her. This whole incident made him uneasy. He smiled at her. “Let me take a look at you?” She nodded. “Very well.” 70

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He held her wrist and counted her pulse. A little slow but nothing to worry about. “Mrs. Johnson, do you still menstruate…ah…bleed every month?” She looked at him, her eyes wide. “That’s quite an indelicate question to be asking a lady.” “I’m sorry.” He smiled. “It’s a doctor’s question, private between you and me. I need to know if you’ve been bleeding a lot or a little.” She looked embarrassed. “Sometimes it’s like a fountain. It won’t stop. Goes on for days. Other times nothing.” “It’s perfectly normal,” he said. “You’re going through the change of life. You are losing a lot of blood. Eventually you will stop for good.” She nodded. “I see.” “You probably don’t need a hysterectomy.” “A what?” “Your iron is low. That’s why you’re tired all the time and so pale. You need to eat liver and a lot of green leafy vegetables. You should try and get a little sun as well.” “Sun? The last thing I need is sun. I don’t want to look like some peasant woman.” “Right.” Mason smiled. “The liver is a must and lots of green vegetables. This should pass. How long has the heavy bleeding been going on?” “Four or five months. I thought I was for my grave.” “No. Don’t worry,” he said. “You need to raise your iron level, that’s all.” “Iron like in the mines?” “Not exactly.” He laughed. “Kind of. Now, get some rest when you need it but also take some exercise in the garden.” 71

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Yes, doctor.” “Eat the liver with lots of onions, it tastes better.” He grinned. A few minutes later he was coming down the stairs. “Doctor?” The man looked at him. “How is she?” “Fine. What your wife is experiencing is quite normal. She needs a change of diet. Have the cook make her liver with onions twice a day for a couple of weeks. It should bring up her iron count, after that twice a week should do.” “That is a rather unusual prescription, doctor, but a huge relief off my mind. What do I owe you, Mason?” Mason smiled uncertainly. “You know, I have no idea. How much does a doctor charge for a house call?” “Out of curiosity, how much would a doctor charge for a house call in your time, or do they still go to the house?” Mason’s eyes widened a little. “In…in my…time? I don’t understand.” “I think you do understand,” he replied. “Don’t worry, Mason.” Ernest Johnson put his hand into his pocket and pulled out Mason’s watch. “I’m going to try to help you.”

72

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 4 Nevada…August 19, 2014 Pamela glanced over her shoulder at the camera that slowly panned the room. She felt like she was working in a damn pressure cooker. She desperately wanted to communicate with Mason, but that was impossible. She had no idea where he’d ended up, or if he’d ever get home again. Oh God, things had gone so terribly wrong. She’d never intended for this to happen… regretted involving him in this in the first place. She’d panicked and wasn’t sure where else to turn. She never suspected that they were on to her. But at least the aliens had installed a safety feature. They’d put a guardian in each time zone to help those lost to find their way 73

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

back. She prayed they’d found Mason already. She stood by, watching the computer as the endless, nonsense codes glided up the screen and disappeared, only to be replaced by a whole other series of numbers. She’d been doing that for weeks, giving the appearance that she was hard at work on the problem. But if the truth be known, she was just stalling for time. She hoped that Mason would come home and contact her, that he had the machine, and still she would have time to get rid of it. “Ms. Gardner,” a voice spoke her name suddenly over the loud speaker. She stiffened. “Yes.” “Progress report, please?” “I still haven’t been able to exactly recapture the codes that were in the machine, but I haven’t tried every combination yet.” “We built the clone based on the pattern the aliens left. We need those numbers.” “I purposely didn’t want to write them down, sir. Security reasons.” “Yet you chose to give the original to your brother for safekeeping because you believed that it wasn’t secure here on the base?” She didn’t comment. “Find those codes, Ms. Gardner,” the voice demanded, “if you ever hope to go home again.” The speaker went dead. She sighed. She hadn’t been allowed to leave here since that night Mason had gone missing. And what worried her more than anything was that he hadn’t gone missing alone. *

* 74

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

London…August 19, 2014 “Drink?” Ernest Johnson offered. Mason shook his head as he stood tensely in the corner of the man’s living room. “Where did you get that watch?” “Someone told me that a woman called Hazel tried to sell it on the street.” “May I have it back, please? It was a gift from my sister.” “Certainly,” he said, “but I wouldn’t be showing it to anyone. People in this time are very superstitious. They could suspect you of witchcraft.” “That’s ridiculous,” Mason replied as he accepted the watch. “There are no such things as witches.” “No”—he shook his head—“to a modern educated man like yourself, but to the people of the sixteenth century, whose lives are filled with unpredictability, there are.” The man took a seat. “Please sit down, Mason.” Mason perched on the edge of a chair. “I was meant to find you. Jules had a dream about your arrival. Jules is going to try and help you get back home. Do you have something for me?” “I don’t know what you mean?” “A machine…a device of some kind?” Mason gasped. “Yes! Do you know how to make it work?” “Not exactly, but I think Jules will be able to figure it out.” Mason slowly drew out the little box from his pocket. The man got out of his chair, and walked over to examine it. “That’s it.” He looked up. “That’s exactly it.” “You’ve seen it before?” “Yes, but only in diagrams. There are only a few of us that 75

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

believe in time travel. You are the living proof. What century do you come from, Mason?” “The twenty-first.” “Twenty-first?” His eyes widened. “You have to tell me everything. But first, I must tell you a few things. There are rules you must follow religiously while you are here. You mustn’t do anything to alter the future.” “Meaning?” “Your actions can cause a fissure in time. It can literally alter what comes after. Try not to get involved with people too much. Casual relationships are all right, but nothing more. If you change someone else’s future… Well, you could prevent someone from being born somewhere. That person might have been important enough to make some big change in history. Do you get my meaning?” “Yes.” Mason sighed. I think I’ve already broken that rule in spades. “Can you tell me again how come you know about me?” “Jules is my best friend. He’s always known that there was something special about him, and he has always instinctively believed in man’s ability to travel through time. He had a dream. In the dream, they told him who you were, and that you were coming. They also said that he must help you to get home again.” “What are they?” “We’re not sure. It has something to do with Jules’s ancestors. He was left numerous drawings. One is of some sort of flying machine and there are the drawings of that contraption you hold in your hand.” Mason shook his head. “It’s…it’s astonishing.” “Yes, it is. Mason, I think it’s best if you come and stay here for now. I’ll contact Jules and let him know that you’re safe.” 76

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Tell me more about Jules? What’s he like?” “You’ll have to judge for yourself. He’s going to be very happy to meet you, Mason. These last few months, he has been acting very strange. Now I know why. He knew you were coming all along. He started giving away all of his things in anticipation. I think his family believes he is preparing for death.” “Why would he give away all of his things?” Ernest Johnson sat back down in his chair. “He told me he’d be leaving for the future soon. Frankly, I thought it was just senility setting in. But it seems he wants to travel forward with you.” “You mean I can take people into the future with me?” “Yes, I think so, but it depends on who, and there are rules. Jules can tell you more.” “Do you really think he can get me back home?” “I believe he’s your only hope. How did you come here anyway?” “My sister is a physicist working for the government. She didn’t want the machine to fall into the wrong hands. She asked me to hide it. I was followed and held at gunpoint. I fell and when I came to, I was here.” “I’m not sure I understood all of that.” “It’s not important.” “No, I suppose getting you home is the main issue now.” Mason nodded. “Mr. Johnson?” “Ernest.” “Ernest, if you had the power to change the future for the better, would you? If you knew that you could alleviate human suffering…” “I know of what you speak. I’m sure you see things here that are made obsolete in your time. But you can’t alter things, Mason. 77

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

That’s very important.” “But many people are going to die of…” Ernest put up a hand. “Think of it this way…perhaps if it doesn’t happen, we won’t learn. The best lessons are always the toughest, aren’t they?” Mason sat back in his chair, closed his eyes. “History can’t be changed, that’s what you’re saying.” “In a way, since really, Mason, you’re not meant to be here. You may alter one course of events only to embark on another, maybe worse.” “The plague, a mass disease, it will kill many people. What could be worse than that? And it’s avoidable. It’s the filth in the city, the rats and—” “And if you save all those people? Do you know that over fifty percent of the population now is on the brink of starvation? We are a society that doesn’t value human life. We entertain ourselves by watching people lose their heads. The city is already exploding. What if we just keep on growing?” “So the plague is a means of population control?” “That and war. Until we learn to be more humane, it will always be this way. It has to be.” “I don’t agree. We have only to limit the number of children we produce—” “Ah, but, Mason, you speak like a man of your century.” He smiled. “We know nothing of that. The poor breed like animals, without care of how to feed their brood. Children are not valued, not coddled or catered to. They must earn their way, or end up at the workhouses with their delinquent families. The men of ideas…the upper classes, they haven’t made the lives of the poor easier and, perhaps, with greed as a driving factor, never will. The 78

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

people who built that machine you hold understood that very well and, therefore, they made sure that if something went wrong, there was a way out. While you are here, you are not to affect anything. That would be a mistake.” He paused, then fixed him with his gaze. “Just like your involvement with Jules’s grandson is a mistake.” Mason’s eyes widened. “Jules’s grandson?” “Jules told me. He saw that in a dream also. He was concerned. You must be careful. They would condemn you to death for the act you commit with Lewis by the river.” “Shit! You’ve been spying on us?” “No. What would I be doing down by the river at that hour? I told you, it was shown to Jules in a dream, and only briefly. You must not go near him again. Lewis Langley will marry and have a child. This union will produce a very important scientist in future generations who will be instrumental in finding a critical vaccine in the nineteenth century. Trust me in this. It was foretold.” Mason stood and paced the floor. “I just want to go home.” “And we’ll try to get you there. But there is something else I must tell you, Mason.” “What’s that?” “When you came through time, you didn’t come alone.” *

*

*

Lewis opened his eyes around one in the afternoon, and noticed how quiet the house was. He washed up, dressed and came downstairs. He went to the pantry in search of food, not looking forward to his voyage. He found bread and cheese, and hunkered down on a stool in the 79

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

kitchen and started to eat. He couldn’t think of anything but Mason. How he wanted to see him, to touch him, to…fuck…that’s what Mason had called it…fuck him. So dirty, so enticing, that word. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. Fuck me, Lewis. Please. The things they’d done. He knew he was born to be with him, to make love to him like that. It was as if he’d only just come alive in his arms. These last few weeks had been the best of his life. “Lewis!” Lewis put down his bread and stood. “I’m here in the kitchen.” Grandfather? Suddenly Jules Langley filled the door frame. He’d always been a big man, broad shoulders, tall. And for his advanced age, he didn’t have a wrinkle in his face, only a shock of white hair. “What’s happened?” Lewis asked. There was something, a look on his face. “If you’re looking for Father, I haven’t seen him. In fact, it’s unusually quiet.” “They’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said. “I need to talk to you, Lewis.” He came closer. “Listen, Grandfather, if it’s another lecture, I really don’t need—” “It’s not a lecture. This is serious.” He looked him in the eye. “I want you to stay away from Mason Gardner. Do you understand me?” Lewis’s eyes widened. “I know all about it. I dreamed it. He’s not from…he’s not to be interfered with. He’ll be leaving shortly and while he’s here, he’s not to affect things. It could be dangerous for all of us.” “Leaving? He’s leaving to go where? And how could you…did you have me followed last night?” 80

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“No. Lewis, I know it’s hard to believe, but you have to trust me. In about ten minutes this house will be bustling again. Your destiny is to escort both young ladies home, and marry soon.” “I don’t want to—” “It’s your fate. You mustn’t let anything stop you. Mason was never supposed to be here. And if things go well, he will be gone by the time you return.” His grandfather placed a hand on Lewis’s arm. “There’s so much I never told you about your ancestors. I promise to tell you everything before I go…but only if you stay away from Gardner.” “Grandfather. You are not going anywhere. Stop talking about death.” “Who’s talking about death?” “You said before you go.” “Yes, but I’m not dying. I’m leaving. When the time comes, I’ll be leaving with Mason.” “What do you mean, leaving with Mason? None of this makes any sense.” “Just do as I ask. It’s very dangerous, and maybe it would be fine in the future…you and him… but not in this time. I’m sorry. I love you, Lewis, more than you know.” He reached out and hugged him. “I have to go. They’re back now.” Lewis watched his grandfather slip out the backdoor. “Who is—” “Fair time you’re up and about.” Molly walked into the kitchen. “What in the world are you doing out here in the servants’ quarters? Your mother would be scandalized.” Lewis just stared at her. “Where were you just now?” “Upstairs.” “No. You weren’t upstairs,” Lewis countered. He left the 81

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

kitchen and walked down the hallway. He could hear voices coming from the dining room. He stopped at the door. His mother and father turned to look at him. “Lewis,” his father said, “I’ve decided that you will leave this afternoon.” His father pointed at him. “I want you to know that I hold you responsible for all this. I think Rosalie is being difficult about leaving because she is sweet on you.” “Sweet on—” “Yes,” he said, “you sweet talked the wrong one. Furthermore, in spite of our talk, you’ve done nothing to endear yourself to Courtney at all. It’s like you ignored my advice all together. Now what are you going to do about Rosalie?” “I’ll speak to her.” He sighed. “But why today?” “I told you,” his father said. “I gave you a chance and you did not heed my warning. I’ve decided this can no longer go on. Talk some sense into Rosalie, then pack your things. The coach will be ready. Franklin will drive you.” I can’t go yet. I have to see Mason. I can’t leave here until I talk to him. Lewis turned the corner but instead of going upstairs, he quietly went out the front door. Mason would probably be working at James’s house. He’d have to see him there. He had to tell him about his grandfather’s bizarre behavior, and that he had to leave right away…and to wait for him. *

*

*

James was perplexed when Mason told him he was leaving. “But, Mason, I thought you liked it here.” “I do. I do, James, and it pains me to have to leave you, but Mr. 82

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Johnson’s wife is very ill, and he needs me to tend her. I do have doctoring skills. I won’t leave until I find a really good worker to help you out here, okay?” James nodded soberly. One of his children screamed as they played a game of tag nearby. “I’d appreciate that, but I’m going to miss you, Mason. I can raise your salary a notch and maybe get you a better mattress?” James was breaking his heart. “We’ll talk about it later. Let’s get to work.” When Lewis came galloping up the road on his horse a little while later, it was James who first spotted him in the distance. “Lord Langley. Now what could he possibly want here?” Mason froze. “Damn it.” “What happened, Mason? Did you get yourself in trouble with a nobleman? Do you owe him some gambling money?” “No. Look, just tell him I’m not here, all right?” Mason ran into the barn and closed the door. A few minutes later, Mason watched through the opening in the barn as Lewis jumped down off his horse and greeted James. “Good day. I’m here for Mason. Is he here? I need to talk to him.” “Ah…no, haven’t seen him. Sorry. Can I tell him something for you, sir?” “Yes. Tell him I’ve got to see him. It’s urgent.” “Yes, sir. He isn’t in any trouble, is he?” “No,” Lewis said, looking around. “Thank you.” So much had happened in the last little while. Mason’s head was spinning from it all. There seemed to be hope that he could get home now, but then Lewis’s grandfather was involved, and then there was the one who’d come with him…most likely that agent who’d pulled the gun on him in Vegas. 83

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

And then there was Lewis. God, he’d had the best sex of his life with this man…a man that could well be the love of his life…and he just had to be from another time. There were so many reasons why they shouldn’t be together, and even though he knew that, he also knew he couldn’t just let him ride off without even saying goodbye. Mason threw open the barn door, and called out his name. “Lewis!” Lewis slowed his horse and turned to look at him. “James,” Mason said, beginning to run down the road, “I’ll be right back.” James nodded and went inside the house. *

*

*

They walked a little, Lewis leading the horse. When he finally turned to look at Mason, his heart literally ached. “Mason?” Mason stopped a few feet away from him. “You shouldn’t be here, Lewis. We shouldn’t be together at all.” Lewis took another step in his direction. Mason put up a hand. “Please, I’m serious. We can’t be together.” “What’s going on, Mason? I don’t understand any of this. Is it that you’re scared someone will catch us? Let’s go somewhere private and talk. Please.” “It won’t do any good, Lewis. The less you know about me, the better.” “My grandfather…he knew we had been together…he told me that you’re leaving. Where are you going?” Mason’s eyes widened. “Your grandfather told you?” 84

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He nodded. “I don’t understand how he knew we’d been together, but he does.” “I have to go far…” Mason began. “Why?” “I just do.” “Then, I’ll go with you.” “I don’t think you can. I’m sorry, Lewis. I’m so sorry. If it had been…” his voice broke. “I can’t do this,” he whispered and turned to walk away. Lewis couldn’t just let him go. He followed and placed a hand on his shoulder. Mason froze. “Please, Lewis.” “Look at me.” “I can’t.” “Please, Mason. Look at me.” He turned. Lewis could see the tears in Mason’s eyes. “Please, if you go like this, and I…maybe I’ll never see you again. What we’ve shared…Mason, doesn’t it mean anything? Please, I beg you.” Mason glanced at Lewis, then away again. “These past few weeks together,” he swallowed hard, “it was a mistake.” Lewis grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him a little. “No. It wasn’t. Don’t say that.” Mason tried to move out of his grasp but Lewis held him fast. “It shouldn’t have happened. I didn’t realize…” “Realize what? Talk to me, Mason.” “I didn’t know that a few nights of passion could change everything. Our love could change the course of human history. You have to pretend you never saw me and I…” Lewis pulled him closer. Mason could hear his heart pounding. 85

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

For a moment he rested there, closed his eyes. “I think I love you,” Lewis said softly, kissing his hair. “I know it’s insane but…from the moment I saw you…I…God, Mason, I love you.” “Lewis, don’t say that.” He pushed away. “Please.” “At least, tell me this, how do you know my grandfather?” “I don’t.” “He called you by name, Mason. He told me you were leaving and for me to never see you again. He even said he’s going with you. Don’t tell me you don’t know him. I’m not a fool.” “Just…” He looked at him again. “Just know this. I’ll never forget you, Lewis. Even if it was just for a little while, our time…I’ll remember you always. Now, please…don’t look for me again.” Lewis said his name a few times but Mason started walking away back toward the house. This time, Lewis didn’t follow. *

*

*

When Lewis returned home, everyone was waiting, and of course his father was livid. “Where in the devil did you get to?” “I had to step out for a few minutes.” Lewis felt as if his entire world was falling around him. How could Mason just walk away like this? “You haven’t even spoken to Rosalie? She is still refusing to leave.” “I will.” He sighed. “I’ll do that right now.” The words sounded hollow. It didn’t matter what his father made him say or do. He just wanted to break something. He couldn’t believe that Mason would just throw it all away. He’d never been in love before. He hated it. He was finished with love. How could Mason 86

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

leave him and not even tell him where he was going? He’d used him. He’d never cared at all about him. He climbed the stairs with a heavy heart. He rapped at Rosalie’s door. “I’m sorry, Lewis,” Rosalie said, as soon as she opened the bedroom door to him. She rushed into his arms and seemed to be trying to hold back the tears. “I’ve upset everyone. I just didn’t want to go back there. It’s not fair. We were supposed to stay all summer. I didn’t…Lewis,” she said in frustration, “everyone is angry at me.” Lewis hugged her tighter. He closed his eyes. “To hell with them,” he muttered. “To hell with all of them.” Finally, Rosalie let the tears take her. He felt like joining her. He was so confused. His time with Mason had been incredible, yet today…today was so bizarre…his grandfather telling him to stay away from Mason, Mason telling him to forget about what had happened between them. None of it made sense to him no matter how he tried to think about it. “I feel your pain.” He kissed Rosalie’s head. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something…change things. But I can’t. At least,” he said, putting her away from him, and smiled at her, “we’ll be together for a few days since I’m escorting you home.” Rosalie nodded. “Um, yeah…but with Courtney.” She made a face. When Lewis didn’t laugh at her joke, Rosalie sobered. “Are you all right, Lewis?” “Yes. I’m fine. Why?” “You look really upset. Are you sure you’re not angry at me?” “I’m not angry with you, Rosalie. Everything is all right. Don’t worry. Get ready now. I’ll wait downstairs. We have to go soon.” 87

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

*

*

*

A half hour later, everyone stood in the entrance waiting for the Price girls to come down. Lewis looked up as Courtney made her descent, all dressed up in her traveling clothes. She paused at the bottom. “Lord Langley, Lady Langley,” she said stiffly. “I thank you for your hospitality. I’m sorry, Lewis,” she said, lowering her eyes after glancing at him. “It wouldn’t have worked out. We are just too…different.” His mother gave Lewis a hostile look as she clutched Courtney to her. Courtney began to cry. “You might have been my daughter.” Lewis stood back as the ladies cried or pretended to cry. He wanted to roll his eyes. He and Courtney hardly knew each other, and here she was going on about Courtney being her daughter. God, why was he always subjected to such nonsense? When he saw Rosalie coming down the stairs, he brightened a little. She was a ray of sunshine, and before it was over, they were to strip her of it, suck it all out of her. His father took Lewis aside suddenly. “I have written down the places you are to stop for the night. I gave them to the driver. You will stay in the inns that I have specified and the rest with relatives. Everyone is expecting you and will have suitable accommodations. I’ve taken the liberty to write the list for you as well so you can track your progress. You will be careful, Lewis. You know how thieves lay wait at these places for unsuspecting good people to come by, so that they can rob them.” “We’ll be fine, Father,” Lewis said, reviewing the list. “Do we have to stay at great Aunt Caroline’s?” “She is your mother’s aunt, and eager to see her great nephew.” 88

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis nodded. He remembered her vaguely from when he was a boy. She always grabbed him by the ear and nagged him. Courtney brushed past him. She lifted her head high and walked out the door. His father laid a hand on Lewis’s shoulder just after Rosalie said her goodbyes and followed her sister outside. “Mr. Price is owed an apology. I think you should do that as soon as you deliver his daughters safely.” Lewis thought about it. He’d done nothing wrong and neither had Rosalie. “I have nothing to apologize for.” “You will be a gentleman and apologize for embarrassing his daughter,” his father said sternly. “You must enter the Price family with a clean slate.” “As I told you, Father,” Lewis replied, “that won’t be necessary as I will not be entering that family.” Lewis walked outside and got into the carriage straight away. He sat opposite the two sisters. The driver put his bag on the coach. A few minutes later, Lewis knocked on the roof and the carriage moved away from the house. He didn’t look back. As the carriage bumped along, he glanced at Courtney. Her head was turned as she gazed out the window. She was giving him the cold shoulder. Rosalie sat sullenly in the corner, her chin on her hand with a book on her lap. She looked as miserable as he felt. And the farther away from London they rode, the more intense that feeling became. Mason? Will I never see you again? *

*

*

When Mason opened his eyes, the sun was streaming through 89

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

the window. He was sleeping on a comfortable mattress in a woodpanelled room. There were no animal smells and no rats to kill, at least none that he could hear scrambling about. A clock chimed somewhere. He counted two. “Oh my God.” He sat up in bed. It was afternoon. It was the first good night’s sleep he’d had in a long time. Yesterday, he had left James’s house. It had been sad but he knew that Ernest and Jules were the only ones that could help him get back to the future. He’d found James an able-bodied man in his twenties who seemed to want to make an honest day’s pay. He hoped it worked out. He’d never forget James and what he’d done for him. Twenty-four hours. It had been only that since he’d walked away from Lewis and it felt like twenty-four years. Lewis was the last thing on his mind before he fell asleep and the first thing he thought of as he opened his eyes. He crawled out of bed and pulled on some clothes. Slowly, he made his way downstairs. Mrs. Johnson was sitting in the living room. She motioned to him. “Doctor.” “Please, call me Mason. How are you feeling?” “I feel better.” She smiled. The black circles were gone. “But I’m already tired of the diet.” “Yes, well…I’m sorry about that but there’s nothing else…at this time.” He glanced around at the oak furniture and crystal chandelier holder. “Did you see the garden, doctor…I mean…Mason?” “No.” “I’ll show you after tea. You must be famished. I’ll have the cook make you something.” 90

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Thank you. I apologize for sleeping so late.” “Don’t bother yourself about that.” Mrs. Johnson stood. “I’ll have some sandwiches made up. Have a look at the garden. My roses are famous. Ernest is outside. I believe he’s with Jules.” That name caused him to pause. Lewis’s grandfather. “I’ll go on outside then.” He’d been anxious to meet him. Mason opened the backdoor and walked out onto the little path. The roses were beautiful, pink and red and fragrant. Ernest and the man who stood with him paused in their conversation as he approached. The taller man had a shock of white hair, but in spite of his advanced age, he was distinguished and handsome. He stepped forward immediately. “Mason Gardner. Jules Langley. I’m very pleased to meet you.” He took his hand. “How do you do,” Mason said, shaking it. “May I see it?” Jules Langley asked eagerly. “Mason knew to what he was referring. “Of course.” He took it out of his pocket. “I keep it with me always.” Langley took it in his hand and held it as if it were made of glass. As he studied it, with Ernest looking over his shoulder, Mason studied Langley. Yes, he could see the family resemblance. He could see Lewis. Lewis. “Any idea of how it works?” Mason asked. “There needs to be a code but I don’t know it.” “Do you know why you ended up here in this time?” Langley asked him, meeting his gaze. “No.” Langley looked at him. “Since there was no destination specified, it was random. But my guess is that the dates and the 91

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

days corresponded.” Ernest nodded. “Yes, like the day of the week had the same date. I’m sure if we counted forward, they’d correspond.” “So we only have a few months,” Langley murmured. “Why only few months?” Mason insisted anxiously. “When the year changes, the days and dates won’t correspond anymore.” Ernest shook his head. “If we don’t have the right codes for your time, we will have to find the key to the random system like the one that brought you here.” “So,” Mason began, “you mean that—” “Wait,” Langley said, still examining the system. “Something is missing.” “What do you mean?” Mason moved closer. “In the drawings, there is a little tab here.” He rubbed his thumb over the groove. “It’s gone.” “He must have it,” Ernest said. “He?” Mason insisted. “Whoever came with you,” Langley replied. “Without it, we can’t even institute the random system, can we?” Ernest asked. Langley shook his head. “Can we make another?” “Maybe.” “Wait,” Mason said. “Can you please tell me what’s going on? You have drawings of this machine and…what?” “It was passed on from my great grandfather. He got trapped and he never got out.” “How did he get here?” Langley pointed to the sky. “He flew?” 92

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“He said they dropped him from the sky.” “Are you trying to tell me that your grandfather was an alien?” “He never did quite express it as that.” “Then he had one of those.” Mason pointed at the machine. “He lost it. He was just a child when he got here and he couldn’t find it. But he became obsessed with traveling through time, and he drew these pictures. My father gave them to me when I was just a slip of a boy. My grandfather told me a lot before he died. I never gave up hope that…and then the dreams.” “Jules,” Mason asked, “am I ever going to get back home?” “We need to find the one you came in with. If he has that tab then maybe we can do it. Ernest says he was some kind of an agent?” Jules asked. “He was an agent that worked for the government. They wanted the device. My sister is a scientist…she found out how it worked and…she didn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands. She gave it to me to bury but they followed me. I fell with it and I think one of the agents fell with me. But when I opened my eyes in this time, I was alone. I didn’t see anyone else.” “He’s in this time,” Ernest mused, “but he ended up in another place.” “Um. We need to find him,” Jules commented. “Chances are he’s looking for you, too.” He glanced at Mason. Suddenly, Mrs. Johnson called out. “Doctor, your sandwiches are ready.” “Why don’t you eat something, young fellow,” Langley suggested. “When you’re finished, we’ll go to my house. I’ll show you everything I have.” Mason ate the sandwiches without tasting them. Aliens? Why was he surprised? His sister had told him they existed, but to 93

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

suggest that Langley’s grandfather was actually descended from one of them? It was a lot to digest.

94

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 5 “Langley?” The innkeeper stared at him for a moment. “Did you say Langley?” Lewis narrowed his eyes. He’d been traveling now for three days. He was exhausted. The ride was bumpy and dull. Their stay at a drafty old inn the first night had been uncomfortable. Not to mention the food wasn’t that fresh and Courtney refused to eat. But that was nothing compared to their stay at Aunt Caroline’s. She had given him a long lecture about family expectations and the role of a gentleman. Obviously his mother had written to her with the “news.” And to finally make the visit a resounding success, Courtney suddenly decided to break her silence and have a huge crying fit at the dining table. It began as a whimper and ended in a howl. Needless to say, it did nothing to endear him to Aunt 95

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Caroline, who fixed him with her most disapproving scowl right up to the time he crawled back into the carriage when she bellowed at him, “Shame on you, Lewis, making a lady cry.” Now this man was acting very strange, which did nothing to improve his mood. He didn’t need any more of this. “Yes,” he snapped impatiently, “my name is Langley. Is there a problem? Do you have the rooms ready, or not?” “I certainly do, sir. There is one for the ladies and one for you, right at the head of the stairs.” “Is there room for my servant?” “I can put him up in the barn.” “He can share my room.” “As you wish. And will you be requiring supper?” “Yes.” The man walked across the wood floor. “I will clear this table here in the corner, away from the drinkers. They tend to get somewhat…ah…a little loud, but they’re harmless. Good lads, but perhaps unsettling for the ladies. I’ll tell them to be on their best behavior. This is a respectable place, Lord Langley.” There was something a little odd about this innkeeper’s behavior. Lewis would have changed his mind about staying there if there’d been another inn nearby. “I’d like to see the rooms.” “Go on up, sir,” he urged, “first two on the left.” Lewis took the stairs to the second landing. The rooms weren’t fancy, but adequate. Reasonably clean, the bedding had been washed at least, and there was fresh water in the wash bowls, and candles. On the way back down, Lewis informed the man, “I’ll tell the driver he can bring in the bags. I’ll go and get the ladies now that I’ve seen the place.” 96

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He nodded. “Roast lamb and vegetables, sir. Will it suit?” “Yes. Fine.” He was hungry. Franklin came walking up to him now when he stepped outside. “Will we be staying here, sir?” “Yes. Bring the bags. Tonight you’ll share my room.” Poor man had been left outside in the barn at his aunt’s. She refused to have an unknown “servant” sleep in the house. “He could rob us blind,” was her response when Lewis asked her why Franklin was obligated to sleep in the barn. It was ridiculous. “How is Miss Courtney?” Lewis asked discreetly, as Franklin brought down the step and placed it on the ground in front of the carriage door. “Well, sir”—he gave him a wry grin—“Miss Courtney is…somewhat temperamental. She does not like waiting on anyone.” Lewis nodded, shivering a little as the wind whistled through the trees. Why bother to ask? The woman was impossible. Franklin opened the door and extended his hand to her. Courtney slapped it aside. “I can do it myself.” Franklin stood back. “Yes, miss.” Courtney lifted her skirt and got out of the carriage. She stopped in front of Lewis. “It took you long enough.” She sniffed. “I do not like to be kept waiting. I’m sure if it had only been Rosalie, you wouldn’t have left her out here so long. It’s cold.” Lewis bowed his head. “My apologies.” Rosalie poked her head out after her sister, looking sleepy. She stifled a yawn. “This is a lovely inn.” “Looks like a barn,” Courtney muttered, waiting for Lewis to open the door for her. Lewis offered his arm to both ladies. Rosalie clutched his 97

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

eagerly. Courtney walked on ahead, tossing her head to the side. Rosalie hugged him to her. “I wish we were alone. She ruins everything. We’d have such fun without her.” He smiled at her. They walked inside and the innkeeper rushed over and directed them to the table where he’d set out a pitcher of ale and glasses. He held out the chair for both ladies. Franklin came in with the bags and the innkeeper showed him where to take them. “I’m starving,” Rosalie said. “Are you sure it’s clean?” Courtney sniffed, looking around. “And, Rosalie, mind your manners.” “Clean enough.” Lewis sat back in his seat and drank a swallow of the ale. “What?” Rosalie demanded. “I’m not allowed to be hungry?” When Franklin reappeared at the table, Courtney gave him a hostile look. “He’s not sitting with us, is he?” she demanded of Lewis. “He’s a servant, Lewis.” Lewis went to say something, but Franklin lowered his head and replied, “I’ll just eat over at that table, sir.” When he had installed himself nearby, Lewis picked up his glass and stood. “You know, Courtney, you are a real snobbish cow.” Rosalie’s eyes widened as Courtney gasped. Lewis took his glass of ale and went to sit with Franklin. He heard Rosalie begin to snigger, and Courtney told her to “kindly shut up!” Franklin looked at Lewis. “If you don’t mind my saying so, sir, you just saved yourself a heap of trouble not marrying that one.” Lewis lifted his glass at him and grinned. “You’ve said a 98

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

mouthful, my friend. And now, where is that food?” *

*

*

That night Lewis had a hard time getting to sleep. Franklin snored something wicked for one thing, but that wasn’t the main reason. He was thinking about Mason, about all the strange things that had happened. Maybe he’d imagined it all, the discussion with his grandfather, and those nights by the river. He closed his eyes, trying to recapture the feeling of Mason’s mouth on his. Mason. He fell into an uneasy sleep, the lamb he’d eaten fighting down there with something else. When a hand clamped down over his mouth and something hard and cold pressed into his side, his eyes flew open. He began to struggle. “Lord Langley,” the voice said. “I won’t hurt you if you cooperate.” The accent was strange. He talked like…he talked like Mason. “Tell me you’ll be good and I’ll remove my hand.” Lewis nodded. The hand came away. He couldn’t make out the face. It was dark in the room but the man was large and imposing. “What’s…what is that pressing against my side?” “A gun, one like you’ve never seen in your pathetic little backward existence, Lord Langley. Now, where are the drawings?” “The…the what?” “The drawings.” The hard object jabbed him again. “Don’t fuck with me.” “I’m not…ah…fucking…with you…as you say. I…don’t know 99

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

what you’re talking about.” Lewis felt his temper grow. “If you’d just let me up so that we could discuss this properly like gentlemen…” “I need those drawings.” “What drawings?” “The drawings of the machine.” “What machine?” “Damn you, I’ll kill you right here and now.” He grabbed him by the hair and pulled him into an upright position. “Damn it.” Lewis pushed the man away. “Use that thing if you want. I don’t know what you want. Where is my servant? What did you do with…the girls, if you’ve hurt them in any way…” “Relax, your serf is out cold but he’s fine and I didn’t have to disturb the broads.” “Disturb the what?” “Ladies, ladies… Okay, Langley, I know you come from aliens. I know your kind made this thing. I have a piece of it…but…where is it? Does Mason have the rest? Where is Mason? Has he been in touch with you folk?” “My kind? Aliens? What are you—” “Yes, aliens.” He stood back. “From up there.” He pointed to the ceiling. Lewis glanced at the ceiling. “What are you, a moron? Space. From space, the sky, another planet.” Lewis’s mouth opened. This man was obviously out of his head. Before he could say anything more, the man grabbed his arm and dragged him to his feet. “You’re coming with me. We’re going to find Mason. He has the rest of that thing, and you’re going to show me how it works.” 100

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Wait.” Lewis struggled as the man started to drag him across the floor. “I just can’t leave the ladies. I’m their protector, their escort.” The weapon moved up against his temple. “Oh, we won’t leave them. We’re taking them with us.” “That’s not necessary. Let me revive Franklin, tell him to get the ladies home safely and—” Suddenly he heard some low moaning coming from the floor. The man released him. “He’s regaining consciousness. Get him to his feet and make sure that he’s ready to drive that carriage. Then we’ll go and get the women. Remember, I’ll kill him if you try anything, Langley, and I’ll kill those two broads, too.” *

*

*

Jules Langley’s house was sparsely furnished. There weren’t even any chairs to sit on, just stools. It was a big, old rambling house, with a huge unattended fireplace. “I got rid of the servants and I borrow my son’s driver when I need him. Franklin is a good fellow,” he said. “I figured I wouldn’t need any servants eventually.” Mason followed him through the house, glancing at the various portraits of ancestors. He stopped dead when he saw one who looked a lot like Lewis. “Who was he?” “My father,” he said. “He had… Lewis looks like him.” “Yes. He does.” He paused, smiled at him. “You love my grandson, don’t you?” Mason swallowed. He didn’t know what to say. “Maybe it’s hard for you to understand but—” 101

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He put up a hand. “I know that things move forward and I would like to think for the better in the future. Where you come from, would you and Lewis be…together…like my wife and I were?” “Yes. We could even marry if we chose.” The thought of that possibility brought a smile. To wake up every morning with Lewis beside him was…well…only a dream. Jules Langley seemed to consider that. “Things really do change then.” “Yes, but not all for the better.” “Tell me more.” “We pollute our environment. We wipe out certain species of animals. We continue to kill and destroy one another, and all in the name of profit.” He nodded. “It was foretold.” Mason met his gaze. “Some philosopher or—” “No, by my ancestors. Come into the study, Mason.” Mason followed him into a room with a huge library and an oak desk. Jules pressed on a drawer in the cabinet and a shelf turned. He took down a wide, flat box. He pressed in some numbers and lifted the lid. “Here are the drawings for the machine. And here are the instructions.” Mason’s eyes widened as Jules took out the blueprints, all etched in some kind of script he’d never seen. “Can you read this?” “Yes. My father taught me. It is their language, the language of the Sumartarians. But see”—he pointed to the drawing—“you are missing that little clip there. You must install it before you can go anywhere.” Mason sat on one of the stools. “This is incredible.” He examined the drawings again then looked at Jules. “How can we 102

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

find it?” “We have to find the man who came with you.” Mason sighed. “I have no idea where to start.” “If we don’t find him, we can’t go to the future.” “And you want to come with me?” “Yes. I want to come with you if I’m allowed.” Mason looked at him. “All this…it’s amazing.” “Yes. The Sumartarians were never here to harm anyone. They were scientists by nature. They thought that time travel would enable them to better prepare for the future, to head off disaster. But they never quite perfected the machine. And then they realized that it could do more harm than good, especially if it fell into the wrong hands.” “And now?” He looked heavenward. “Where are the Sumartarians now?” “Their environment could no longer sustain them. They were supposed to disperse all over the earth, vacate their planet. Some of them did. Others died there, still working on the machine, and trying to save themselves. There is a governing council still in existence that can communicate, but no one knows where they live.” “Did they pollute their home?” “No. It was a natural evolution, not unlike the ice age here on Earth. They saw it coming but…” He shook his head. “My grandfather said they tried to save the children. And they’d given them knowledge they thought they should pass on to people here. They also put people in each century in case something like this happened. They didn’t want to be responsible for anyone using the machine and causing time fissures.” Mason lowered his head. “I didn’t mean to fall in love.” 103

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Jules clamped a hand on his shoulder. “It is unfortunate but no great harm was done, at least outside the heart.” Mason glanced up. “Why can’t we take Lewis with us, if he wants to go?” Jules narrowed his eyes. “Mason, he must conceive a child. And that may be a little more difficult now, given that he’s refused to marry Courtney Price.” “I know. He told me he wouldn’t marry her.” “I can’t say I blame him not wanting to marry her, but he’s already perhaps altered the future, unless there is someone else.” “I didn’t tell him not to.” “You didn’t have to. But maybe if he hadn’t met you, he—” “I don’t think he would have married her anyway.” He grinned. “Perhaps not. Anyway, he’s paying for it. My son made him escort the ladies back home.” “I know.” Mason’s heart sank. “Will he be gone for a long time?” “He won’t be back for another week or more.” “You mean, I may not get to see him again before I leave?” “It would be better if you didn’t.” That night, Mason tossed and turned in bed. Tomorrow they would begin to search for the mysterious man who held the key to his departure. But there was a part of him that didn’t want to leave if it meant leaving Lewis. Lewis. Touch me. Warm lips touched his, a tongue moved around inside his mouth. He moaned, clutched the hard body against his. I can’t leave you, Lewis. I love you. You hardly even know him. How can you love him? I just do. Oh, Lewis. Where are you? Where are you? Come 104

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

back to me. *

*

*

When the morning came, Mason awoke anxious and tired. Ernest’s maid brought him his breakfast in bed, and he sat there, motionless, staring out the window. He thought about his sister. Pam. Are you all right? Please, I’ll give them the stupid machine, just don’t hurt my sister. He hoped nothing had happened to her. He was sure they blamed her for everything. If he only could get home and give them what they wanted, maybe all this would be over. If it wasn’t for Lewis, he’d leave without regret, but he knew his heart would ache over Lewis for a long time. They’d had so little time together. And it broke his heart to think that not only were they miles apart, soon they would be worlds apart, never to meet again. *

*

*

Ernest greeted him when he came downstairs. They took a walk in the garden, his wife joining them. She seemed to know little about what was going on and Ernest never spoke about it in front of her. “She looks so much better,” Ernest said as his wife left them alone. “Yes.” “Thank you, Mason. I won’t forget you.” He lowered his voice. “I’m working on something. If I can duplicate the pin, maybe…but I don’t have the right materials.” “It’s worth a try. Jules and I are going to look for that agent 105

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

today.” “I suspect he’s nearby.” “Why didn’t he land in the same place?” “Perhaps you were struggling with him during the transport?” Mason nodded. Jules arrived somewhat later and they drove to London in Ernest’s carriage. When they arrived, they took separate directions, agreeing to meet at one of the taverns later on. Mason asked everyone he met if they’d seen a mysterious man, who spoke with a strange accent, perhaps wearing a strange costume. Nothing. By the end of the afternoon, neither had gotten anywhere. Mason didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. He wanted to go home. He was worried about Pam. But at the same time he hoped he didn’t leave until Lewis got back. He needed to be with him one last time. In the tavern, Mason drank down some ale with Jules and they discussed their next move. “Even if we do find him, Jules, what if he’s not cooperative?” Mason asked. “He’ll have to be. He has one part, we have the other. He can’t go anywhere without us either.” “He would have killed me back in Vegas if I hadn’t fallen on the machine.” “Vegas?” “Yes, where I was living.” “What was it like, this Vegas?” “Bright.” “Bright?” “Filled with florescent lights that flash on and off all the time. Vegas is filled with casinos and shows, gambling places.” “An entire city devoted to gambling?” 106

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“More or less.” Jules shook his head. “What are florescent lights?” Mason laughed. “Lights that you turn off and on like the sun so you can see clearly even in the night.” “Without candles?” “You don’t need candles in my time. People still use them…they’re considered romantic.” “Romantic?” Mason grinned. “It’s hard to explain. I think in my time, things are too bright so people like to make them dim with candlelight.” “Very strange.” Mason nodded. “Yes,” he laughed, “it is, when you think of it.” “What a waste of candles.” “Well, I live in a world of waste. We are surrounded by possessions, things we don’t even need. Some things we store in basements and sheds and they just collect dust.” “Why would you do that?” “I’m not sure, Jules. Greed? We consume for the sake of consuming. We have lost our way. We are slaves to the marketplace and things, buying more and more.” Jules shook his head. “Incredible,” he said. *

*

*

“I’m scared, Lewis,” Courtney said. She’d changed seats and for the first time, was snuggled up close to him. Rosalie sat stonily beside the dark man with the steel weapon. The carriage pushed forward over the rutted roads and the man with the gun cursed every few minutes. “Damn it all,” he grumbled, “what fool built this thing?” When no one answered, he 107

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

grinned at Courtney. “You sure are a looker. How is she in the sack, Langley?” Lewis understood what he was asking even if he had a strange way of asking it. “I find your question inappropriate and repugnant.” “Is that so?” He sneered. “I’ll just ask the little lady myself then.” “I warn you.” Lewis met his gaze. “Watch your manners.” “I’m the one with this.” He leaned forward. Courtney gasped and put her face in Lewis’s shoulder. The man laughed and leaned back in the seat again. “How about you, sweetheart?” He looked at Rosalie, and placed a hand on her knee. Lewis made a move but Rosalie beat him to it. She slapped his hand away. “You’ll never know now, will you? If my sister and I had to choose which of you would be the recipient of our affections, sir,” she almost spat at him, “who do you think we would choose between you and Lewis?” Courtney lifted her face now and leered at the man. He lifted an eyebrow. “Oh I’m quite sure it would be the pretty boy in the fancy coat with the well chiseled features and the sexy bedroom eyes,” he mocked. Rosalie surprised the hell out of Lewis when she said, “You wouldn’t be so bad looking if you had a heart. Obviously you don’t.” “What would you know, girl? You haven’t been wandering around in this fucking time, trying to get home to civilization. So if I’m a little rough around the edges, bear with me.” “I don’t understand,” she said. “What do you mean?” “Your stud protector knows.” He glanced at him. “Don’t you, 108

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Romeo?” “Who is Romeo?” Lewis narrowed his eyes. “That’s right, it hasn’t even been written yet or if it has, you probably haven’t seen the play. You will.” They all stared at him. “Don’t you get it, ladies, I’m from the future. And he knows how to get me back there because he’s not a fucking human. He’s an alien.” Lewis’s eyes widened. “I’m a what now? Oh, this nonsense again!” “You’re descended from aliens. I tried to tell you that. You have the machine or at least the drawings. You’re supposed to help me get back home. Now, I know Mason has already come to you. Did you get him home?” Lewis just looked at him. “Is he still out there somewhere? Did you find a way to get that thing to work without this?” He took out a tiny black object. It looked like some sort of key. “What is it?” Lewis asked him. “You know damn well what it is.” “No, I don’t. I’ve never seen…” Lewis paused. My God, it looked like it was made out of the same material as that contraption Mason had, the one he picked up off the ground. “What is it? You know something.” The two ladies stared at the object. “Nothing,” Lewis muttered. “Like I told you, I never saw that before.” The man reached out and grabbed Rosalie by the arm. She let out a cry. Lewis made a lunge for the man and came up against the hard, cold gun. The man had it leveled at his chest. “Sit back, Lord 109

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Langley, or I’ll blow a hole in you the size of the Grand Canyon.” Lewis slowly backed up into his seat, while Courtney sobbed on his forearm. “Don’t hurt her,” he pleaded. “I’m not going to hurt her, unless you don’t start telling me what I need to know. Now, where is Mason?” “I don’t know where Mason is. That’s the truth.” “When was the last time you saw him?” “A long time ago.” “Where?” “I don’t remember.” Rosalie cried out again as he squeezed her arm tighter. “Goddamn you,” Lewis swore. “If you didn’t have that thing in your hands—” “Yes, I know what you’d do.” He reached up and knocked on the roof. “Stop this damn thing. I need to get out.” When the carriage stopped, the man got out and slammed the door shut. “Lewis, do something,” Courtney urged. “Don’t worry.” He patted her hand. “I’ll protect you. At the earliest moment—” “He’s doing the best he can,” Rosalie told her sister. “Where are we?” Courtney asked. “On our way back to London,” Lewis told her. “Surely he can’t expect us to travel without stopping,” she added. “It is inhumane. I refuse to go any farther. And what is this nonsense he’s talking about?” “I have no idea,” Lewis replied, trying to think. “Well, that man is definitely not English.” Her head shot up. “And where did he get that thing he holds onto. Why don’t you just take it from him, Lewis?” 110

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Lewis replied. “I think we could all end up dead. Please just be patient until I can get us out of this.” Lewis sat back in the carriage. He had two ladies with him, two ladies he couldn’t just abandon. Neither one of them would last long on foot. They had no food, no blankets. And their kidnapper had a weapon he’d never seen before. He had to find some way to overpower him, but that wouldn’t be easy with two women in the carriage. If the man started to use that thing, they’d all be in danger. No, he’d have to do it now. He took a breath and knocked on the side of the carriage. “Sir?” “What are you doing?” Courtney hissed. “Be quiet. Sir?” he called out again. “What do you want?” The man called back. “I have to relieve myself.” Courtney made a face. “Lewis, really.” “I’m sure you will not impose on me the indignity of…” Lewis began. The door opened. “Hurry it up!” Lewis stepped out and closed the door of the carriage. He looked up at Franklin and gave him a look that told him to “be ready.” Franklin sat up front, looking dismal and apprehensive, but he reached over and took the reins quietly in his hands. Lewis headed for the trees. “Where are you going?” The man followed behind. “Privacy,” he said. “I’m not going to relieve myself where the ladies can see me.” He kept walking. “That’s far enough,” the man demanded, reaching out for him. 111

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Go!” Lewis yelled and he whirled around fast, knocking the man off his feet. The gun in his hand went flying through the air. Franklin snapped the reins and the carriage took off down the road. The man shook himself but Lewis was already on top of him. He pressed the man to the ground, grabbed his neck just over the windpipe and tightened. “Now, there’s just you and me. And I’m really riled up. So, you’re going to tell me everything about Mason, and where in the hell you come from, or I’m going to make that face of yours look really ugly. Are you ready to talk or not?” Lewis raised his fist. The man nodded, choking a little. Lewis relaxed his hold. “We have to find the gun.” He coughed. “We’ll find it later. Talk. Now! Who are you, and what do you want with Mason? And start from the beginning.” “I can’t believe you did that. I can’t believe you let the carriage go. Now how are we going to get out of here?” “I guess we’re going to have to walk, aren’t we?” Lewis grunted, tightening his hold again. “All for a couple of broads.” He struggled to get loose. “Those broads, as you call them, were under my protection, and I take my responsibilities seriously, most of the time. Now, where do you come from?” “20…14.” Lewis’s eyes widened. “Say that again.” “2014. Mason and I came here together.” Together? Were they lovers? God, was he that possessive already? He was suddenly ashamed of himself. “Then…why aren’t you…together?” 112

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“We separated during the transport. The idiot went and fell on the machine. I have this,” he held up the little object, “he has the rest. And you…well…you can tell me how it works. You have diagrams.” “I don’t have any diagrams. I know nothing about this. Honestly. You’ve got the wrong man.” “Aren’t you a Langley?” “Yes. I’m Lewis Langley” “Your father, maybe he—” “I guarantee you that my father knows nothing about…” He stopped, released his hold on the man. He sat back on his haunches. “What?” He thought about his grandfather, but he wasn’t prepared to say anything to this man about that at the moment. “Tell me more about these people from the sky.” “Aliens.” He rubbed his throat. “They were the ones that developed the time machine. Your family is descended from another planet. Someone in your lineage was put in this time in case this would happen, in case someone would get lost here. They knew the consequences.” “Descended from another planet?” “Yep.” He got to his feet. “You’re a space boy.” Lewis shook his head. “This is unbelievable.” He rose to his feet as well, brushing off his clothes. “Yet, you do believe it, don’t you?” He was scouting the ground for that weapon. Lewis nodded. “Yes. Somehow I do. Now, I want to know something. I want to know what you want with Mason. I won’t let you hurt him.” 113

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I was hired to get the machine from him in our time. I don’t care about my job anymore. I just want to get out of this fucking pathetic century and go home.” Lewis met his gaze. “We need to get back to London, find Mason.” “And whoever it is in your family that has those drawings. And you know, don’t you?” “I have my suspicions, yes.” Lewis also hunted the ground. “Although I’ve never seen these drawings myself.” “So, who is it? Who is the guardian?” Lewis had no intention of being this man’s hostage again. His focus was on finding that gun before the man did. Suddenly, he spotted something in the grass and dashed over to retrieve it. “Careful with that,” the man cautioned, when he saw Lewis pick up the gun. He took a step back. “You better give it to me. It’s dangerous.” “I assume that. I’ll just hold onto it.” “It’s mine.” “Not anymore.” The man fell into step beside Lewis as Lewis began to walk away. He watched him tuck the gun into the pocket of his waistcoat. “So, how far are we from London?” “I don’t know,” Lewis replied, “on foot, days perhaps. So you might as well tell me your name since we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.” “Ken,” he said, “Ken Crawford.” “So, Ken,” Lewis said, glancing at him, “tell me everything, and don’t leave out anything.” *

* 114

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Nevada…August 25, 2014 Pamela knew that there was more going on than they were telling her. The place was locked up tighter than a drum. In the adjoining room to her lab, a team of experts worked on perfecting the clone from a series of drawings. Her commanding officer, Captain Derek Sterling, was very tense. She wasn’t sure what would happen to Mason if she handed over the formula and they managed to perfect the time machine. And she wasn’t sure what would happen if she didn’t either. They hadn’t actually threatened her, but she was being watched continually, even when she left the lab to visit the restroom or get coffee. And they still wouldn’t allow her to leave the premises even to pick up some things at her apartment or water her plants. This morning, as she stood sipping her coffee in the hallway, the door at the other end of the corridor suddenly burst opened. Derek Sterling entered, accompanied by three soldiers and a young girl. Even though they were a few feet away from her and walking briskly, she could see that the young woman had long dark hair and was barely out of her teens. The girl looked at her for a second before she was hustled around the corner. Her gaze seemed to pierce into hers for a moment. ::Mason is all right.:: Pam gasped, and her cup, still half full, fell to the floor. The girl had spoken to her in her head, forming no audible words. All morning as Pam fiddled on the computer, she thought about the girl. Who was she? What did she know about her brother? When Derek Sterling came to see her shortly after lunch, Pam wanted answers. “Sir, I am the one who can come up with the code for this machine. I need to know what is going on. I need to know 115

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

what’s happened to my brother. Who was that girl? She spoke to me.” “Can you?” He eyed her, crossing his arms. Derek Sterling was a man in his late thirties with green eyes and dark blond hair. He might have been considered handsome if he’d smile once in awhile. He had asked her to dance once at a Christmas party but it had never come to more than that. Other women who knew him said Derek Sterling was too devoted to his career to ever have a relationship. They described him as being “emotionally unavailable.” Right now, she was angry at him for keeping her in the dark. And the look on his face was stirring her anger even more. “What does that mean, ‘can you’?” “Well, Pamela, you’ve been farting around with these codes for several days and you’ve come up with nothing. I’m beginning to wonder if you have any idea what you’re doing.” “Maybe if you were a little less fucking military, and a little more human, I would be more…” As soon as she said it, she kind of regretted it. Talking to your superior like could get you drummed out of the military. He said nothing for a moment. “A lot of things are classified. We’re in a serious crisis, Pamela, and…” It was the first time she’d ever seen him show any vulnerability. “I apologize for my outburst, sir.” He nodded. “I understand that you are worried for your brother’s safety. You should have come to me, Pamela, instead of putting his life in danger like that.” That stung her with a pang of guilt. “You don’t understand why I did it.” “Yes, I do.” 116

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Her eyes widened. “You do?” “Yes. And your instincts were right on but we could have come up with a better alternative, hidden it, or destroyed it.” She was speechless. “Now with a civilian involved, it’s more delicate.” “Derek…” She rarely called him by his first name. “That girl I saw in the hallway. She spoke to me in my head. Who…or what…is she?” He came closer, took her elbow and turned her toward the computer. “I want you to show me,” he said loudly. Then he glanced at her, shook his head, and mouthed the words. Not here. Tonight in my quarters at 2100 hours. She nodded. “Continue on with your work,” he said and left the lab without another word. The hours went by slowly. Outside the window, various dignitaries came and went in armored vehicles, heavily guarded. Something was happening, something serious. Pam ate sandwiches in the lab, and at 2100 hours, made her way to Derek’s trailer home. When she knocked, he came to the door immediately. “Come in, hurry. I don’t want anyone to see you.” She stepped into the mobile home and closed the door behind her. He was still wearing the pants from his uniform but he’d removed his shirt. He wore only the regulation undershirt. His shoulders were broad, the muscles in his biceps and forearms impressive. “Come in and sit down,” he invited. The trailer had a galley kitchen with a small table, miniature 117

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

fridge, and microwave. In the living room area she saw a loveseat and television. And on the other side of the wall, a bed, with a small closet and a bathroom equipped with a shower. Her quarters were a little nicer, actually. She took a seat. “Do you want something to drink?” “No.” Derek paced a little. He seemed to be thinking about what he was going to say. Suddenly he stopped and looked at her. “I said your instincts to hide the machine were good.” He paused, looked at her. “It must mean that you have already figured out the code. Have you, Pamela, figured it out?” Pam balked. Suddenly she wasn’t sure if she should trust him or not. “Pam,” he urged, coming closer, looking down into her eyes, “this is very important. Don’t you see? Anyone could be in the sixteenth century with Mason. He’s in terrible danger. What if that agent is an imposter? What if he is an enemy of the United States and he gets his hands on the device… and… well… only God knows what will happen.” “Do they have any proof that he may not be one of ours?” This was worse than she thought. “We think he’s a mercenary hired by a terrorist organization in the Middle East.” Pam closed her eyes. He didn’t have to read her the possibilities in that scenario. “He will kill anyone in his path to get to that machine.” “Who was that girl?” “Her name is Vanessa Langley. She is descended from one of the aliens that crashed landed here years ago. The lone survivor, 118

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Carniva, made sure that there would always be at least one alien in each time who could help someone get back home as quickly as possible. It was a safety net; one Carniva never expected anyone would ever have to use because she asked our government to lock the machine away. She decided time travel was too dangerous.” “What happened to her, this Carniva? Do you know?” “The records say she died. Scientists had developed a special environment to help her breathe but she’d already sustained great injuries from the crash.” “She didn’t give us the code, did she?” “No. But she said that all the guardians would be able to recall the codes somehow when it was necessary.” “Why did the government decide to experiment with this machine again?” “I don’t know. The orders came from the top. “ Pamela sighed. “This Vanessa, can she get me to my brother?” “She can communicate only with her ancestors, and only one of them at a time can be the contact. She told us that Mason is with the contact now. And she seemed disturbed by something that wasn’t quite clear. She said she’d know more after she slept. Pamela, I need the code. I need to see if it will work with the machine we duplicated.” “And if it does, what happens next?” “I will go back to get your brother.” She thought about that for a moment. “How do I know you won’t just go in to get that suspected terrorist and leave my brother stranded?” “You know I wouldn’t do that,” he said. “I’ll give you the code on one condition.” Derek looked at her. “What is the condition?” 119

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“The person who goes into the past to bring them back is me.” “I could never let you do that, Pamela. It’s too dangerous.” “Well, I guess this conversation is over,” she said. “Withholding important information from the military is a court-martialing offense.” “I know that.” She stood. “Go ahead and try to prove that I have the code, Derek.” She met his eyes. He didn’t say anything. She walked to the door, paused, then turned to look at him. “I’m not sure what game you’re playing, Derek, but until I’m confident that someone is going to bring my brother back safely, no one will get the code.”

120

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 6 Mason stared at Jules for a second. “Are you sure?” “That’s what I dreamed.” “What else did the dream tell you?” Ernest probed. Jules sat at the table, frantically scribbling down a series of numbers. “I think I heard the code but it’s all a jumble in my head. She says I have it somewhere in my brain.” “Who is she?” “Vanessa. That’s her name. She kept telling me over and over to be careful. The man who is coming may be dangerous. We are not to trust him until we find out more.” “And she said to stay here, to wait, that he was coming to us?” Mason repeated. “Yes,” Jules confirmed. “Now let me alone to figure out these 121

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

numbers.” Ernest took Mason’s arm and they walked outside into the garden that was in disarray. Mason shook his head. “I’m not sure if we should just sit around. Jules is a little… Well, you know as we age…” “He’s of sound mind, Mason. Trust him. He saw your coming. How could he do that unless the dreams are real?” Mason nodded. “Should we be armed? If this man is…” Suddenly a horse came galloping up the road at full speed. Mason and Ernest looked at the rider in anticipation. Suddenly Ernest relaxed as he saw the man approach. “It’s only Jules’s son, Charles Langley.” “Good morning, Charles,” Ernest said. “Ernest.” He tore off his gloves. He looked quite flustered. “Is my father in?” “Yes. What’s happened, Charles?” Ernest asked. “You look upset.” Charles Langley glanced at Mason, then dismissed him. “It’s my son, he’s missing. Early this morning, Franklin returned to the house with the Price girls. The girls said they were taken hostage on the road by a strange man with a weapon. Lewis apparently got out of the carriage, attacked the man, and instructed Franklin to go on with him. Now my son is missing.” “Oh God,” Mason cried out. “Lewis! We have to find him. We can’t let anything happen to Lewis.” Charles glanced at him critically. “Who in the hell are you?” “Oh, Charles,” Ernest said, clamping a hand on Mason’s shoulder and signaling him to calm down. “Allow me to introduce my wife’s nephew, Mason Gardner, on holiday.” Charles bowed his head. “You don’t resemble your aunt.” 122

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I’m ah…adopted.” “I see. I need to speak to my father, excuse me.” He brushed past them. “Oh my God, Ernest, Lewis is in danger. This is all my fault. It must be him, and if something happened to Lewis, I…” “We don’t know that yet, Mason. Just try and be calm. We don’t need to involve Charles in all this.” A few minutes later, Jules came barreling out the door with his son. He rushed to the barn as Charles mounted his horse. Jules rode out on his horse at full speed. “We’ll use every resource at my disposal,” Jules called out. “We’ll find Lewis. I promise.” “Jules.” Ernest hurried over to him, Mason at his side. “What about the numbers?” “Keep at them. Maybe you can come up with something. I can’t think about that now, Ernest, my grandson is in danger.” “Jules!” Ernest yelled after him, but Jules was galloping up ahead of his son, heading in the direction of London. Ernest sighed. “He doesn’t have the health for this.” “We can’t just sit here, Ernest, while Lewis’s life is in danger.” “Mason, Jules can raise an army if he has to. He has the money. What we need to do while they’re gone is talk to the girls who were in the carriage with Lewis. They can give us a description of the man who took them hostage. Maybe we can figure out if it’s him or not.” Mason nodded. “Okay, let’s go.” *

*

*

They were tired. They both sat under the tree to rest. Ken seemed to be studying him. “So, what special powers do you have, 123

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Langley?” “Powers? I don’t have any powers.” “You have title, money, and that brings power.” “Um,” he nodded, “and obligation.” “So, they don’t speak to you.” “Who are they again?” “They call themselves guardians. They guard the gate to time. I was sure that you were one.” “Well, I’m not. And I’m not sure I even believe what you say.” “Wouldn’t you like to travel in different times, change history?” “Change history?” He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think any man should have that much power. That’s a script that civilizations write together through time. It’s no one’s place to interfere with that.” “Some people would say if the scripts written turned out badly, it’s because one people enforced their will on another through domination and terror.” Lewis leaned his head against the tree. “It’s always been like that from the beginning. If this machine gave you the power to change the direction of one over another, then it wouldn’t be fair because the other side could do the same. It would be the same war, only over a machine rather than over resources.” He nodded. “So, that woman in the carriage, the snotty one, is she your fiancée?” “No.” “But she was supposed to be?” “Yes.” “The other one was livelier. Why don’t you marry that one?” “She’s a child, for God’s sakes.” 124

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“A well developed child,” he pointed out. “And she was hot for you.” “Hot?” He smirked. “Means she wanted you to fuck her.” Lewis sighed. He remembered Mason saying that. “I find this topic of conversation in poor taste.” He laughed. “You would. So, is it just ladies you gents hop, or are you interested in the rougher sex?” Lewis stood. “Let’s move on now.” Ken was dragging a little behind as the sun began to dip in the sky. “I understand they put you to death for that here. You might be interested to know that they still do that in certain parts of the world in the twenty-first century as well.” Lewis stopped. He looked at Ken. “Mason told me that men got married in his time.” “Depends on where in the world you come from. Mason and I are from a part of the world ruled by a different set of codes. And love is love. No one cares.” “So what do you really want this machine for, Ken?” Lewis trudged on. “Simply to get home, Lewis. I give you my word.” “Um.” “You don’t believe me.” Lewis glanced at him. “The power of that machine just might be a little too tempting. And when you get back to your time, then what, you just hand it over, put it on a shelf somewhere?” “I don’t want anything to do with it.” Lewis felt the weapon in his pocket. “You’d best remember that.” “I remember that you have my gun.” He laughed. 125

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

They kept walking. “I do like you, Lewis. And if I thought you weren’t so hung up on Mason, I’d suggest we stop somewhere, go for a swim naked, and… I like both men and women. A lot of people in my time have sex with both.” “That’s not going to happen. What do you know about me and Mason?” Lewis turned and fixed him with his gaze. “I can hear it in your voice when you say his name. I was in love once. Her name was Crystal. She was a government agent, was killed protecting a dignitary.” “I’m sorry.” He shrugged. “That’s why I don’t care anymore. But you still care. You care about him. Doesn’t mean we can’t fuck. I find you”—he ran his gaze over him—“drop dead gorgeous…for a sixteenth century nobleman.” “The only thing I care about is finding Mason and making sure no harm comes to him. As for the fucking, and I assume you gave me a compliment on my appearance, I’ll be honest with you; I don’t trust you. I’m not about to fuck any man I don’t trust. So, keep walking and try to focus on more wholesome thoughts.” Ken laughed. “I’m beginning to see what Mason sees in you. You could drive a poor sailor out of his mind.” Lewis didn’t comment. This man talked even stranger than Mason did. But he was beginning to think that down deep, there might be something redeemable about him. That remained to be seen. *

*

*

Lewis’s mother was not in a very welcoming mood when 126

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Ernest showed up at the door with Mason. “Who is this young man, Ernest?” She looked him up and down as if he were a street urchin. “Perfectly respectable, my wife’s nephew, and a friend of your son’s, my dear,” Ernest said. “Please, we need to speak to the young ladies who were with Lewis. We think they can help us learn what happened to your son.” She lifted her handkerchief. “This is so upsetting.” “There, there.” Ernest patted her shoulder as they walked down the hallway. Mason looked around. This was where Lewis had grown up, surrounded by luxury and wealth. Everything oak and shining, glass windows and brightly lit gold candleholders. Lewis’s mother rang a bell and a servant came scurrying out. “Go upstairs and ask Miss Rosalie and Miss Courtney to come down to the sitting room please.” “Yes, madam.” She did a little bow and ran up the stairs. “Molly has been in her room most of the day, crying her heart out,” Mrs. Langley said to Ernest. “I don’t know what I’ll do if this keeps up. The other girls in the house slack badly when Molly isn’t around to keep them in line. I hope they find Lewis soon or I shall have to dismiss Molly and find another head of household.” Ernest made sounds of sympathy while Mason stood there in disbelief. He couldn’t believe the selfishness of this woman. Her son was missing, and all she could do was bellyache about her staff. Mrs. Langley led them farther down the hall to the sitting room, where they were invited to sit on fancy brocade sofas. The men stood again as the two young women entered. Mason remembered the younger one but it was the first time he’d seen the 127

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

woman who had been slated to be Lewis’s bride. They were both beautiful girls, but the younger had a light her sister lacked. Mrs. Langley presented them both and everyone sat again. “I don’t know what more we can tell you,” the eldest said, brushing nothing off her skirt. “The carriage went thundering off over a terrible road. I thought we were going to tip over. It was horrible. Just horrible and…” Mrs. Langley put a hand on her shoulder. “Poor dear.” The younger sister had tears in her eyes as she looked at them. “Lewis saved us from that hateful man. He sacrificed himself to protect us.” Tears ran down her face. “It was his place to do that,” Mrs. Langley commented. “Lewis was raised as a gentleman even if he didn’t always act the part.” Rosalie was looking right at him. Mason hoped she didn’t recognize him from the market. Of course, his face had been covered with mud then. “Is there any news?” “No,” Mason said. “Lewis’s father and grandfather are doing all they can.” “Rosalie,” Ernest said, leaning forward, “can you tell us about this man?” “Don’t, Rosalie,” Courtney muttered, and covered her face. “I can’t bear it.” “May I suggest the young lady retire to her room then,” Ernest said. Mrs. Langley nodded and stood. “Come, my dear, I’ll take you upstairs.” Ernest and Mason stood again. When the two women had left the room, Ernest reached over and took Rosalie’s hand. “Now, my dear, what can you tell me 128

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

about that man? What did he look like?” “He was about the same height as Lewis, tall, but wider…a little on the heavy side but not fat.” “All right,” Ernest said. “And what color was his hair?” “Brown, light brown and short but straggly…with brown eyes. Yes,” she nodded, “his eyes were brown and mean.” “Did he talk funny?” Mason asked. “Did he have a strange accent?” “Yes. That’s the first thing I noticed, and it wasn’t only his accent. He said strange things, words I didn’t know. Sometimes I couldn’t understand him at all.” “He had a weapon?” Mason asked. “Yes. It was silver and really hard. He called it a gun.” Mason sucked in some breath. “Did he tell you what he wanted? Did he want money?” “No. He wanted to go to London. He kept saying things to Lewis about drawings. Lewis said he didn’t have any drawings.” Mason and Ernest looked at each other. “How long did it take you to get back here after Lewis got out of the carriage?” Ernest asked her. She entwined her fingers. “I don’t know. More than one day and a night. We were a day past Lewis’s aunt’s house.” “They would have followed the river,” Ernest mumbled. “Sir,” Rosalie said, “is Lewis going to be all right?” “Lewis’s father and grandfather are doing all they can,” Ernest said. “Try not to worry. I’m sure Lewis will be fine.” “I love him,” she whispered. “One day, I’m going to be his wife.” Mason swallowed hard. He stared at her in disbelief. Ernest nudged him. “We need to go.” 129

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason stood. Rosalie stayed on the sofa, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please,” she grabbed Mason’s hand, “find him for me.” Mason gently pulled his hand away. “Good day, miss.” He wanted to scream at her. Lewis is not yours. He’s mine. But that would have been outrageous. None of this was her fault. He couldn’t blame her for loving him. He loved him, too. *

*

*

Nevada…August 26, 2014 It was tense at work that morning. Pamela dreaded the thought of seeing Derek after their exchange the night before. Everything in her told her not to trust him. It was late in the afternoon when they finally met. Derek walked into the lab and closed the door. “Pamela,” he said, his back to the camera, “we need to talk.” Pamela kept her gaze on the computer screen. “When?” “Come and see me tonight. Maybe we can come to some agreement. You do have the code, don’t you?” “Maybe.” He reached out and grabbed her arm. It hurt. “Don’t play with me. Do you, or not?” “Derek, if you don’t let go of me, I’ll scream.” He released her arm. “You can’t be serious about going yourself.” “I don’t trust you. I’m not leaving Mason’s life in your hands.” “Let’s talk later, please? I’ll write you a pass. We’ll work this out.” 130

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“There’s a motel about twenty miles from here. Do you know it?” “Is there a reason why I should know it?” She tensed. She didn’t mean for it to sound like that. He laughed. “Relax, Pamela. I’m teasing you. Yes, I know the place. Midnight,” he added and left the room. Pamela sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. Was there a reason why she shouldn’t trust Derek? She just wasn’t sure what his angle was. That machine represented a lot of power. Could anyone really be trusted not to use it for their own gain, including her commanding officer? *

*

*

Two hours later, Pamela was driving through the checkpoint, her pass in hand. “I have a family emergency,” she told the MP. The guard verified the pass and nodded. “Hope it turns out okay for you, Dr. Gardner.” She smiled at him. “Me, too,” she said and watched as the gate opened. With a wave, she barreled through it. She felt a little better once she was on the highway heading away from the base. She tried to swallow all the doubts that still existed somewhere inside of her. She had to trust someone. But what if when she gave him the code…he…no, she had to trust someone, to believe that Derek wanted to safeguard this thing. Mason. I love you, little brother. I’m coming to bring you home. *

* 131

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

London…August 26, 1572 Mason paced the hallway at Jules’s house. He told Ernest that he wanted to stay close by, wait for news about Lewis. “I’ll go home,” Ernest agreed, “and come back in the morning. If there are any developments, come and get me immediately.” Mason hugged him. “Thanks.” He stood in the doorway and watched him ride off. “Lewis, where are you?” he said out loud to the air. “Are you all right?” Eventually he went back inside and fell asleep in the chair. It was almost dawn when he heard footsteps. A door opened and closed again. Mason jumped out of his chair. “Jules?” When he saw Lewis standing in the hallway, he let out a cry and rushed into his arms. Lewis enfolded him in his embrace and kissed the top of his head. He looked rumpled and exhausted but he appeared to be all in one piece. Mason looked up at him. “God, I was out of my mind. Are you all right?” He smiled. “I am now.” Mason put his hands in his hair and pulled Lewis’s mouth down on his. They kissed deeply, Mason pulling off Lewis’s waistcoat. “Wait, wait.” Lewis laughed a little, separating from Mason. “We can’t…I have to have a bath. I’ve been in these clothes for days. When my grandfather said you were here, I came straight away. I haven’t even been home. Be patient.” “Talk to my cock,” Mason told him. “I’d love to. I’d have much to say.” 132

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason smiled. “Come on, is the river far?” “A ten-minute walk. You certainly are fond of the river when it comes to making love.” He leaned over and kissed Mason’s mouth again. Mason felt his knees weaken. He took Lewis’s hand and pulled him out the door. “Come on, we’ll take a walk to the river. You can wash and tell me everything on the way, then…no more talk, okay? You’re mine. I don’t know how much time we might have together.” Lewis seemed pensive. “Are you really all right?” Mason asked again as they headed down the road. “Yes, physically, but there is so much I…it’s incredible.” He stopped and looked down at him. “Are you really from 2014?” Mason nodded. “Did the other man tell you that?” “He’s from the same place. I am trying to trust him.” “Where is he now?” “The soldiers found us walking toward London, men my grandfather hired. I told them to arrest Ken, that he’d taken us hostage. He was angry, accusing me of turning on him, but…I didn’t dare let him free.” “You did the right thing. Until we know what his plans are…” “Mason…” They started walking again. “He has a part of that contraption you carry on you. You need that to get home, don’t you?” “Yes. And a code. Your grandfather is supposed to figure that out.” “Ken told me that I’m descended from…aliens. Is that true?” “I think so, yes.” “Then I’m not human?” 133

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“You’re human. You’ve just been transplanted…or your great grandfather was transplanted here.” “It’s strange.” “Yes, I know,” Mason told him, squeezing his hand. “Lewis?” “What?” “I love you. How strange is that? I didn’t mean those things I said before you left and…” Lewis smiled, shook his head. He quickened his pace, grabbing Mason and pulling him with him. “Don’t tell me, show me.” They ran through long grass and trees, down to the water’s edge where Lewis began to strip off his clothes. Mason took off his own clothes, and followed Lewis into the water. They splashed and laughed together. Lewis pulled Mason into his arms and kissed him again, this time deeper, with more intent. Mason moved his hand down Lewis’s flank, clutched his ass in the other. He closed his eyes when his hand came into contact with Lewis’s hard cock. “I’ve missed this. It’s mine and I want it again. Fuck me, Lewis, baby. Oh, baby.” He groaned as Lewis kissed his jaw and his chest, opened Mason’s ass in the water and plunged two fingers up inside of him. Mason humped Lewis’s thigh, his hands moving over his face, his chest, lips and teeth capturing both nipples. “Fuck me, up there on the grass.” Mason grunted. Mason sloshed up out of the water and up onto the bank. He fell on his back in the grass, and watched as Lewis walked toward him naked and dripping wet, his erection swinging between his legs, his perfect balls ready for Mason to suckle. Mason reached up and pulled Lewis down to his knees. He turned his body and dipped his head between his legs. He handled 134

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

his cock, lifting it, and applied his lips to his balls, sucking them both into his mouth. Lewis caressed his hair. “Oh, Mason,” he breathed. “God, that feels…so….good…ah…I’m going to…” “No.” He lifted his head, laughing, twirling his finger around the head of his leaking cock. He tasted it and smiled, licking his lips. “Don’t come. Fuck me,” he urged. He sat up, turned, and opened his legs. He ran a hand over his own cock enticingly. “Heaven help me, you’re so…beautiful.” Lewis lowered his mouth to Mason’s belly and then licked down the length of his shaft. “That’s my line.” Mason grabbed his head. “Suck it. Put it in your mouth. Damn it, Lewis, I love you. You’re so hot. Go on, go on…that’s it,” he cooed as Lewis opened his mouth and began to suck his cock. “God, baby, I’ve missed you so.” Mason leaned back, closed his eyes. He felt Lewis take him deeper into his throat and reach up and play with his nipple at the same time. “Lewis, you’re good… so good at that. And practice makes… oh… God… stop… stop… pretty baby.” He lifted his head, and smiled, wiping the come off his lips. “Pretty baby now?” Mason grinned. “You are…so pretty. And you’re my baby. Fuck me, gorgeous. Wait,” he said, laughing, reaching out. “Let me play with it a little, make sure it’s ready.” He ran his fingers over the shaft, caressed the leaking head, and squeezed his balls. “Mason?” Mason mouthed. “I know.” He reclined on his back and let his thighs fall open. “Lift my legs onto your shoulders and take me like that. Look at me, say my name.” Lewis smiled as he lifted Mason’s legs onto his shoulders. He 135

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

pulled his hips upward, positioned his cock, and looked directly into his eyes. “I love you, Mason,” he whispered. “Say you’re mine for always, for all time.” “I’m… ah… yes… shit.” Mason grunted as he felt Lewis inside of him. “I love you… oh… yeah… go… go on… fuck me hard. Hard. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!” When Lewis came inside him, he lowered his sweaty head and kissed his mouth hungrily. Mason clung to him. Fear. It was pure fear he felt now. He didn’t care about the machine, about going home to the twenty-first century. He was so afraid that this was the last time he’d hold him like this. It was Lewis who finally asked him if he was going to let go of him. Mason released him, not realizing how hard he’d been holding onto him. “I’m sorry.” He was sitting beside him. The sunlight played across his naked skin, cast almost dark blue highlights in his hair. “You are beautiful.” “A pretty baby.” He grinned. “A pretty large baby, don’t you think?” Mason grinned. “Yeah. I do. I don’t know why people started calling their lovers baby. Maybe because they cherished them in the same way as they do their child.” “Perhaps.” After a few minutes, he said, “I have to go. I should go down to see Ken at the jail.” “We need that piece he has for the machine if we’re going to get home.” “Well, come with me then and we’ll talk to this man, see what can be done. I’ll have to get him out of there as well.” They both dressed and walked back to the house. 136

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“We’ll take my grandfather’s carriage,” Lewis said, calling out to Franklin. Franklin came out on the front porch. “Yes, Lord Langley?” “Take us into London,” Lewis said. He grabbed the door to the carriage and tore it open and Franklin tipped his cap and got up front. Lewis jumped up into the seat and extended his hand to Mason. “Come on.” Mason allowed himself to be hoisted inside. Lewis shut the door and pulled Mason closer. He put his arm around him, kissed him softly on the mouth. “You think you should…” The carriage moved forward. “No one can see.” He pressed Mason’s head back against the seat and massaged his jaw. “My cock is hard again. I wish I could bury it in your luscious mouth.” Mason squirmed as Lewis’s hand massaged his cock. “Stop it, you. We can’t go into the jail with erections. It will show.” “I don’t give a damn,” Lewis murmured as he lifted Mason’s shirt off and threw it aside. Mason wrapped his arms around Lewis’s neck. “Then I’ll just have to stay here in this carriage with you forever.” Lewis’s brought his mouth down hard on Mason’s. He moaned as Lewis reached inside his breeches and fondled his cock, then moved past his balls. The other hand pulled him down in the seat, and slid his buttocks to the edge. “Lift your hips and spread your legs,” he urged. Lewis stripped Mason’s pants down to his knees. “Lewis,” Mason breathed. Lewis found his anus. He rubbed the tip of his finger over it, then pushed up inside. 137

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason stifled a cry and slammed his head back against the seat. Lewis’s finger went deeper. He held Mason back with one hand on his chest, tweaking his nipple hard and finger fucking him with the other hand at the same time. Mason whimpered, his cock pumping. “Stroke yourself.” Lewis licked his lips, his gaze moving over him. “Stroke your cock at the same time.” Mason wrapped his fist around his jutting erection. “It’s so hard,” Lewis whispered, his gaze caressing it. “So hard and…” He groaned. “Stroke it faster. Come for me.” Mason bit his lip and began to stroke it faster, from shaft to head. “It’s really turning you on, isn’t it?” “I’m… um… yeah… I love watching you. So… go on, Mason… finish it. I want the cream to spurt out of you like a fountain.” Lewis rubbed his other nipple, leaned down and tasted it as he drove his finger even deeper. “Imagine it’s my cock.” Mason felt himself coming. How could he not with the way Lewis was looking at him, with his finger moving like that in his ass. He felt so exposed, so on display. He’d never felt sexier. Mason let out a soft cry, his hand still on his cock, his head slamming the seat as his body felt the pleasures of a riveting orgasm that shook him to his core. Lewis removed his finger. He smiled at him, dipping his head down to taste the cream that coated his penis. Mason caressed his hair. “That was so hot.” Lewis lifted his head and laughed. “I’m beginning to understand this word hot…in this context.” “You are, are you?” Mason grabbed his jaw and kissed his mouth hard. “That’s because you are the definition of this word…hot.” 138

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He laughed and pushed his hand away. “Tuck yourself in, my boy, if you expect me to be on my best behavior for the rest of the ride.” Mason didn’t move. He lay back, his shirt off, legs wide. “Distracted, are you? I’d love to see you spread out like that. God, I think I’d rape you, lose my mind. Will you let me do this to you?” He chuckled. “Not now.” “How much longer is it?” Mason licked his lips. “We should have time.” Lewis laughed. “Sorry. Maybe…later.” He reached out and played with Mason’s cock. Suddenly Franklin slowed the coach and called out. “Lord Langley, your father is approaching on horseback, sir.” Mason quickly began to cover himself. Lewis narrowed his eyes. “Now what?” The coach came to a stop and Lewis opened the door. His father galloped up beside him. “Lewis, it’s your grandfather. He’s fallen from his horse. You have to come. He’s dying.” “What? Dying?” His father nodded. “Hurry.” “Turn the coach again,” Lewis hollered to Franklin, and closed the door. Franklin snapped the reins. “Lewis,” Mason put a hand on his arm. “Jules can’t die. We need him.” Lewis put his face in his hands. “This is my fault. The rescue was too much for him. He isn’t a young man.” Mason placed a hand on his shoulder. “This isn’t your fault. 139

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Please, stop. Maybe I can do something.” “You?” “In my time, I was a doctor, or almost. Medical science advanced a lot over five hundred years.” “You never told me that,” Lewis said. “There’s a lot I haven’t told you. I love you, Lewis, did I tell you that?” His eyes filled with tears. They’d known each other for so little time, yet it was there, strong and fierce. “I’d die for you.” Lewis’s eyes widened. “Why did you say that?” “I don’t know.” He laughed faintly. “I just…” He swallowed. “Nothing.” At that moment, he knew it to be true. He’d do anything for him. He loved him. He took Lewis’s hand, squeezed it. “Let’s just see to your grandfather.” *

*

*

The carriage slowed and stopped. Lewis jumped out and raced up the front steps. Mason followed. “Where is he?” Lewis demanded. Molly stood in the hallway. She’d been crying. “Upstairs. Oh, Lewis.” She began to cry again. “I’m so happy to see you and…poor Jules…he…” He gave her a quick hug. “I’m all right, Molly.” He kissed her cheek. “Come on, Mason.” He turned and looked at him. His mother came into the hallway at that moment but he ignored her when she called to him. Upstairs in the hallway, his father stood talking with Ernest. “Father, this is Mason,” Lewis said. “He’s a doctor.” “I can vouch for him. Charles, this is my wife’s nephew,” 140

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Ernest said. “He is a medical man. Go on, Mason. Go and see to Jules.” Mason opened the door and walked in, Lewis behind him. When his father walked in, too, Lewis turned and barred his way. “There are too many people in the room. Please. You can see him later, Father.” Lewis managed to shut the door amidst the protests. Mason stood over the bed. “Hello, Jules. How are you feeling?” “Like the devil. Lewis?” Lewis came over, smiled at him. “Are you all right, my boy?” “Yes. Thank you, Grandfather.” “I figured you’d walked enough.” He grinned. Lewis laughed. “Yes. I had. Thanks.” Mason held up Jules’s wrist and counted. “He’s weak.” “From the fall?” Lewis asked. Mason shook his head. “How many fingers am I holding up, Jules?” “Four. I’m not stupid, I can count.” Mason smiled and took Lewis aside. “He may have suffered a heart attack and that’s what caused him to fall off the horse.” “Heart attack?” Lewis met his gaze. “Yes, aside from a few bumps and bruises, he doesn’t seem to have sustained any major injuries from the fall.” Mason walked back to the bed, checked for broken bones, then looked at his head. “Do you remember what you felt before the fall?” he asked Jules. “Did you have pain in your chest or up your arm?” “Yes. Like I’d eaten some bad food. And I felt a little dizzy…I think that’s why I fell off the horse.” 141

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Did you fall on your back or front? Do you remember?” “Front, I think.” Mason looked at the scrapes on his palms. “I think you’re right. We need to clean those up properly.” He looked at Lewis. “I don’t have the right equipment or medicines to treat him with. If I could take him into the future, then…” Jules reached out to Mason and clutched his arm. “It’s leaving me, Mason.” “What’s leaving you?” Mason asked. “The voice, the dreams. I feel it slipping away. I’m not strong enough to…Lewis.” His chest heaved. “Relax,” Mason said, “try not to force too much, Jules.” Lewis took his grandfather’s hand. “It’s all right.” “It’s yours now,” he told him. “She told me that she would pass it to you.” “Mine? What is mine?” “You must open to it. She says…you must get Mason and the other fellow back home.” “Me?” He nodded, his chest heaving. “Jules,” Mason interjected, “you have to rest now.” He nodded, looking at Lewis. “She’ll visit you tonight.” Mason and Lewis walked out of the room. “What in hell does that mean? Who is going to visit me tonight?” Lewis muttered. “Let’s talk to Ernest.” Ernest and Charles Langley waited outside. Mason looked at both of them. “He has to have rest more than anything. I will need some clean water and bandages.” Charles nodded. “I’ll tell Molly. Is he going to be all right?” “I don’t know,” Mason said. “He had a heart attack. I’m not 142

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

sure how severe. The only thing we can do for him now is to make sure he rests. Sometimes the heart repairs itself. He shouldn’t get too excited.” “We’re talking about my father.” Charles smiled. Ernest laughed a little. “He’s tough. He’s a Langley.” Charles slapped Ernest on the back and walked off to find Molly. “Ernest,” Lewis said, “he told me some things in there. He said someone would visit me, a voice, a dream. I have no way of…” Ernest nodded. “Come on. We can’t talk here.” Ernest looked at Mason. “I need to borrow him for a little while.” Mason nodded. “I’ll see to Jules.” *

*

*

Lewis followed Ernest downstairs. He was surprised to see Rosalie standing at the bottom. “Lewis!” she cried out. He smiled and opened his arms as she came running into them. They embraced. She shocked him by kissing him directly on the mouth. “I am so happy to see you.” “I’m happy to see you, too. Are you all right? Is Courtney all right?” “We are perfectly fine.” She nodded at Ernest. “Except that maybe our bottoms are a little sore.” They both laughed. His mother appeared now. “Well, Lewis, you didn’t even care to greet the woman who gave birth to you.” “Hello, Mother,” he said. “I’m sorry, there wasn’t time.” “Your father said you were rescued—” He cut her off. “I’m here now.” 143

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Yes.” She took a step and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. When she stepped back, Rosalie went into his arms again. His mother looked disapproving. “We’ll be right back, ladies,” Ernest said. “I have a matter to discuss with Lewis outside.” He took Lewis’s arm and dragged him away from Rosalie. “Won’t be long, won’t be long.” Once they were outside, Ernest led Lewis down the stairs. They stood among the trees, a warm breeze blowing around them. “Son, your grandfather told me that there was always one, a Langley, since the time of his great grandfather, one in each time in case someone like Mason got lost. Communications come in dreams from one of your blood in whatever time zone the lost one comes from. Do you understand?” Lewis nodded. “I think so.” “Your grandfather could tell you this so much better than I.” He sighed with frustration. “You’re doing fine, Ernest. Go on.” “Since your grandfather isn’t well, the person will begin to communicate with you instead of Jules.” “Why not my father?” “I don’t know. Sometimes it skips a generation.” “How do I help Mason?” “You must be open to the communication, hear the voice. It could come in a dream or at any time.” “What if I don’t…” He stopped. How could he send Mason away to a place he knew he’d never see him again? “What is it, Lewis?” “You wouldn’t understand. Grandfather wanted to go with Mason.” “Yes, but I don’t think he can now. His health isn’t good 144

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

and—” “Can I go in his place?” Ernest shook his head. “No.” “Why not?” “Because you have unfinished business here…business that if left undone will have dire consequences for future generations” “What kind of business?” “You will marry, have a child. It’s very important that child be born. Otherwise, it will change things. Your descendant will be instrumental in discovering something which will save many lives.” “I won’t marry Courtney, Ernest, no matter what consequences there are.” “No, you won’t. You’ll marry Rosalie instead.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Rosalie? She’s too young.” “She won’t be in two years. That’s when you’ll marry her. Jules saw it in his dream. He told me.” “I’m not in love with Rosalie. I…” He broke off. “That doesn’t matter. It will be an amicable union, a union that will bring forth a child.” “I’m in love with someone else,” he said to the trees. “I know that.” Ernest placed a hand on his arm. “But it’s not to be, Lewis. I’m sorry. Not in this time.” Tears threatened. Lewis swallowed them. “When will I hear the voice?” “I don’t know. I’m going back inside now, and say my goodbyes to the family.” Lewis remained outside alone. He was going to lose Mason. That was a certainty. How could fate be so cruel, to give him the world and then take it away again? It would have been better if 145

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

he’d never met him, never kissed his mouth, never been inside him. He was destined to live out the rest of his life with only his memories, without passion. That was a worse fate than death. He swallowed his pain. He’d do what had to be done to get Mason home again. He couldn’t ask him to sacrifice his life and stay here with him. He’d always done his duty, no matter what the cost. And this would be the dearest he’d ever have to pay.

146

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 7 Nevada…August 27, 2014 Derek opened the door. A young woman stood behind him. Pamela narrowed her eyes. She looked a lot like the young woman she’d seen in the hallway, the one who’d spoken to her in her head, but there was something different about her. “Hello, Pamela,” Derek said. He poked his head outside a minute, looked around, then pulled her inside. She closed the door behind her. “You weren’t followed?” “I don’t think so.” She was still looking at the girl. “Let me introduce you to Vanessa Langley,” Derek said. “Vanessa, this is Pamela Gardner, the physicist I’ve been telling you about.” 147

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Hello, Pamela.” She came over and took her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” “Nice to meet you, Vanessa,” Pamela shook her hand. She didn’t remove her coat. What was she doing here? The other day, she seemed to be under guard and now here she was in Derek’s hotel room. “It’s a very brave thing you volunteered to do,” she said, “but it won’t be necessary.” Pamela looked at Derek. “We’re very close to bringing your brother home,” she said, taking Pamela’s arm and sitting down beside her on the bed. “We could never let you go there by yourself. It’s far too dangerous. Now, we need the code so that we can help your brother. You do want him to come home safely, don’t you?” “Of course,” Pamela said nervously. This woman was hanging onto her arm, and Derek was standing right in front of her basically giving her no way to escape. She suddenly regretted coming here. She tried not to panic but she knew that something just wasn’t right. “Then give us the code, Pamela.” Derek looked down at her, a tight smile on his face. “And we’ll bring your brother home,” the woman added, patting her hand. “And what about the other man, the one who followed him there?” “We’re going to leave him there,” Derek offered. “At least he can’t do any harm in that place.” “Oh, I see,” Pamela replied. That didn’t sound right at all. “And when Mason comes home, what will be done with the machine?” 148

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Just let us worry about that,” Derek replied tersely. “It will be taken care of. Now, what is the code?” Pamela met his gaze. “Where is the clone?” “In a safe place,” Derek replied. “First, do you have the code, Pamela?” “I ah…don’t have it with me. I wrote it down…put it in a safe place.” He sighed. “Let’s go and get it then.” He took a step back, allowed her to stand up. “Well…I can’t get to it tonight.” She shook her head. “She lying,” the woman said. Pamela turned and looked at her. She reached out and pulled at the long dark hair. The wig came off in her hand. “And you’re not Vanessa Langley.” *

*

*

London…August 27, 1572 “I want to thank you, Mason,” Charles Langley said, “for offering to stay here tonight to see to my father. How can I repay you?” “No payment is necessary,” Mason said. He looked over at Lewis, who stood in the entranceway. The only thing he’d ever need was there, languishing in that doorway, looking at him. Lewis. He’d never expected to be in love like this, in any century, and the fact that the very sight of the man made him quiver still had the ability to surprise him. “Molly has made up the guest room,” Charles said with a polite nod of his head. And if he could help it, he wouldn’t be sleeping 149

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

there alone. Lewis’s mother had excused herself earlier with a headache and gone up to bed. Rosalie and her sister were in the library. “Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me,” he said, “I think I’ll go on up myself. It’s been an exhausting day.” He paused before Lewis, placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m glad to see you home safe and sound, son. That was a brave thing you did for Price’s daughters. I’m proud of you.” “Thank you, Father,” he said. “And Franklin also deserves our gratitude. He’s the one who brought the girls back safely.” Charles nodded. “Yes. I have rewarded him. He will always have a home here with us.” He said goodnight, then left them. Mason expected Lewis to cross the room, come closer, but he didn’t. He stayed frozen to that spot at the door. “Lewis?” “Yes?” “It was very brave.” He laughed. “Thank you, Mason. I didn’t have much choice in the matter. We should go to the prison.” “Tonight?” Mason gave him an appealing look. “Why are you so far away?” “It’s better that way.” “Better for whom? Damn it, Lewis.” Mason stood. “Not here,” Lewis cautioned him. “We need to get that piece if you’re ever going to get back home.” “You want to get rid of me?” “Don’t ever say that.” He sounded cross. Mason crossed the room, searched his face. “I just…” He reached out. Lewis turned away and left the doorway. 150

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason followed him down the hallway. “Where are you going?” “To see Ken, to find out what he knows, and get that piece of the machine he has.” Mason placed a hand on his arm. He tightened his hold. “I’ll come with you if you want.” “No, on second thought, stay here in case my grandfather needs you. And it’s probably better if Ken doesn’t see you right now.” “I’ll be waiting for you in the guest room. Lewis,” he said softly, “I want you so much.” Lewis paused but didn’t look at him. “Lewis, you know that I love you,” Mason insisted. He nodded but still didn’t look at him. He pulled his arm away. “I’ll be back later. Don’t wait up.” “Maybe they’re not going to let you see him at this hour,” Mason called out as Lewis headed to the door. He wished that he’d stay. “Yes, they will,” he said over his shoulder. “I’m a Langley.” Mason watched helplessly as Lewis opened and closed the front door. When he turned around, he saw Rosalie. She looked a little stunned. “How long have you been standing there?” he asked her. God, what if she’d heard? “I…ah…” Mason took her arm and pulled her into the library. He looked around. “Where is your sister?” “She just went to bed.” “Rosalie, what you heard…well…it’s…ah…it’s not what it sounds like.” She just looked at him. “I was having a bit of fun with Lewis…a joke, that’s all.” How 151

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

he hated to lie about what he felt, but this was not 2014. If this was known, Lewis could be put on the chopping block. “It…you love him, don’t you?” Her voice was a whisper. “Like a brother,” he said. “I love Lewis like a brother.” She shook her head. “It’s all right. I won’t tell anyone. I promise. I’d never allow any harm to come to Lewis. He’s the only man who understands that I can’t be a slave. I have to be my own person, free. He would never enslave me. He gave me books to read, interesting things like philosophy and history. Don’t tell anyone.” Mason’s heart softened toward her. He’d forgotten about the plight of women in this time. Rosalie was spirited and intelligent. She wanted to be free from the expectations put on her sex. He smiled at her. “I won’t. You are in our debt, both Lewis’s and mine.” She hugged him briefly and nodded. “I’m going up to bed. Remember. Don’t say anything about the books, promise?” Mason laughed faintly. “No. And you about…” “Of course not.” She hugged him again and left him standing in the library. A few minutes later, Mason went to check on Jules again. He was sleeping comfortably. Then he made his way to the guest room next door. *

*

*

The jailer led Lewis down the stone stairs to the cells below. It was dark and dank there with several torches jutting out at various points to light the way down the damp corridors. “A little unusual at this hour, Lord Langley,” the jailer said. 152

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Somewhere, water trickled down the walls and a fat rat scurried across the way. Someone coughed, others moaned. Lewis shuddered, not even wanting to think about what it might be like to end up in a place like this, waiting for death. “I’m a bit of a night owl,” Lewis replied. “There you go, sir,” the jailer said, sliding the iron bar across the door. It creaked open. “I’ll wait here. Holler if you need me.” “It will be all right,” Lewis said, ducking his head and stepping inside. Ken was chained to the wall in the corner of the room. His clothes were tattered and it looked like he’d been batted around a bit. He looked up as Lewis approached. “A visitor,” he muttered. “I’d offer you a refreshment but…as you can see…” “I can get you out of here,” Lewis said, cutting him off. The man met Lewis’s gaze. “How?” “I’ll drop the charges. That’s all.” “And in return?” “I want that piece…the one that goes on the machine.” He laughed gruffly. “Even if I had it anymore, why would I give it to you? You’d leave me here to rot, you and Mason, and ride off into the sunset together.” “What do you mean…even if I had it? You don’t have it?” “I lost it.” “I’m supposed to believe that?” “They took everything from me when I came in here. It was small. I could have lost it anywhere.” Lewis narrowed his eyes. “You’re serious.” “Yes. Damn it, I’m serious.” “Do you think…” Lewis came closer, going down on his 153

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

haunches. “Do you think someone picked it up?” “Maybe. Even if they did, they wouldn’t know what to do with it. So you see, Lord Langley, my friend, I’m fucked. I have nothing to bargain with. But you’re even more fucked than I am.” “You care to tell me why?” “I will. I’ll help you if you get me out of here.” “Help me do what exactly?” Lewis met his gaze. “Get Mason home safely before they come.” “Before who comes?” “Can you even imagine the power that machine has? The person who controls it could change everything.” “I’m listening.” “The American government has been in contact with people from another planet for some time, the people you are descended from. The aliens want the machine returned to them. Negotiations have been going on behind closed doors for over two years now without resolution. The Americans don’t trust the aliens, and vice versa. Got it?” “I understand. And?” “The aliens threatened invasion from some other place. I’m not sure where. The American government decided to test the machine. If it didn’t work, there was nothing to fight about. It wouldn’t be a problem to return something that was junk. If it did, the ball was in their court.” “But it’s not junk.” “No. It’s not. And Mason’s sister, a physicist, found out that the machine could work, and she also knew what would happen if certain people got their hands on it. She gave it to Mason, who accidentally ended up here.” “And you followed him?” 154

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I was only doing my job.” “It’s a little hard to trust you.” “I’m sorry. I really am. I was a little rough on the ladies, and crude. I was frustrated, that’s all. I just want to get home. And I think the physicist is right. The damn machine should be destroyed. If it is destroyed, the aliens will back off. There won’t be anything to fight about.” Lewis nodded. “Lewis, I don’t even want to do this job anymore. When I get back, I’m going to resign. I don’t want to hurt Mason. I just want to get the hell out of here before they come after us.” “So who is the enemy, Ken? Who is coming?” “There are many who will kill for that machine. I suspected that there was one, a commander, that if he had the chance, he’d steal it for his own ends. Don’t trust this man.” Lewis stood, sighed deeply. “I’ll use my contacts and try and get you out. I’ll be back tomorrow. In the meantime, try and remember where that piece could be. Without it, no one is going anywhere.” Ken leaned his head against the wall. “Okay. Lewis?” “Yeah?” “Try to get me out of here soon. I hate rats.” “I’ll do my best.” *

*

*

When Lewis got back home and crept up the stairs to the second floor, he heard one of the bedroom doors open. Mason came out in the hallway, shirtless, his hair ruffled. He looked like he’d been sleeping. 155

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Lewis,” he said softly. “Is everything all right?” Lewis felt the weariness wash over him. He’d looked everywhere for that stupid little piece Ken had lost when he was apprehended. Finally, he’d given up and gone to the tavern to drink. “You’re drunk,” Mason accused, coming closer. “Yes,” he said. “I’m drunk.” “Did you see him, did you see Ken?” “Yes, but right now I don’t want to talk about him. I want to sleep.” Mason took his arm. “Come on, come with me.” He pulled him toward the guest room. “No, Mason. I can’t.” He shook his head. “Yes, you can. And you do it so well.” He pulled him close. “Even if you do smell like a brewery.” He chuckled. Lewis rested against him for a minute, breathing in the scent of him. He stroked Mason’s hair. “Oh God…this isn’t fair.” He rubbed his cheek against his. “This is insane. How can I let you leave me?” Mason pulled him into the room and shut the door. “Baby,” he whispered, kissing his mouth and taking off his coat at the same time, “I don’t want to leave you. I don’t want to leave you.” Lewis tasted Mason’s tears as he kissed his mouth. “Sweet, so sweet,” he whispered. He pushed him farther into the room toward the bed, tearing off the rest of his clothes as he went. Mason took off his own pants and threw them aside. Lewis went to the other side of the bed. He pulled Mason across it so that his neck bordered the edge. He looked down at him, massaged his jaw, and caressed his cheek. He let his erection slide over Mason’s lips, coating them with his come. 156

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason looked up at Lewis in the candlelight. “Um. You want to fuck my mouth?” “Yes,” he whispered softly. “Take it.” He grunted. “Take it, Mason.” Mason ran his fingers along the shaft, then searched under him for his testicles, which he took in one hand and fondled. Lewis opened Mason’s mouth, watching as the head of his cock disappeared. Mason closed his lips around his shaft, then opened them again as Lewis pushed deeper. “Mason. God, make love to it. Make love to my cock.” Mason was way ahead of him. He lowered his head back and down and drew more of his shaft into his mouth. It hit the back of his throat and his efforts increased. Lewis closed his eyes, his head back. His chest heaved and he stifled the urge to make noise. Mason was licking and sucking and devouring him in a way no one would ever do again. His fists clenched, tightening in Mason’s hair, as he felt himself coming. He pulled back and out, stumbling against the wall as his entire body felt the rush of release. “Oh God.” He grunted softly, turning to the wall. “God… God… um… yes.” Mason was behind him now, his erection jutting against his ass. He put his hands on his back. “Did you like that?” “God, Mason.” He pressed his face to the wall. “It was incredible. You’re incredible.” Mason pulled Lewis’s back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around him and planted little kisses on his neck. Lewis laughed softly. “That tickles.” Mason ran his hands over his chest, his belly, then caressed his 157

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

penis with the tips of his fingers. “I want you inside me.” “Mason, this is torture. Please.” “What torture?” He held him tighter. “You’re leaving me,” he whispered. “Stop thinking about that.” Lewis turned in his arms. “Don’t you?” Mason pressed his forehead against his. “Yes. But not tonight, baby, please. Just fuck me, okay?” Lewis kissed his mouth, his hands moving down his back to his ass. He massaged the firm roundness of his buttocks for a moment, his lips moving from his jaw to his chest. He licked and nibbled each nipple, then separated his ass cheeks and found the pleasure spot. Mason moaned softly as Lewis played his finger there and began to enter him with it. He smoothed his palm over Mason’s chest and Mason leaned away from him, making sure to rub his nipples as he did. The other hand now snaked two fingers into him. Mason’s cock jutted out and slapped Lewis’s thigh. He captured it between his own and squeezed a little. “Um, baby, yeah.” Lewis felt himself grow hard again. “I want you.” He withdrew his fingers. “Then take me, baby,” Mason urged. “Oh, Lewis, take me. I want your cock.” Mason scrambled away from him, crawling across the bed. He got up on all fours, glanced behind him, and smiled. Lewis got up behind him. He took a few minutes to kiss and caress him, and then he teased him a little, sliding the tip of his penis across his opening. “Lewis,” Mason whimpered, “you devil. Fuck me already.” 158

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis smiled and then reached down, grabbed him about the waist and nudged his legs open wider. He grunted. “You plan to fuck me deep, my love.” Lewis laughed. “Um, yes, deep.” He gripped his hips and pressed up inside of him. Mason’s entire body trembled. “You called me your love. Did you mean it?” Lewis closed his eyes. The feeling of moving his cock deeper into Mason’s inner core was making him weak. “Yes.” Mason grunted. “I…oh Lewis…yes…yes… fuck me… I meant it. I love you.” “And I’m your only love?” He began to pump into him. “Even if some other man fucks you like this in your century? You won’t forget me. Say it, Mason.” He hissed, pumping deeper. “Say you won’t forget me.” “I… I… could n… not… no other will ever fuck me.” Mason lowered his face into the pillow and took a mouthful of it in between his teeth to stifle the sounds of pleasure that were rumbling in his chest. So good…so…good…damn Lewis…you’re a natural. Damn you can fuck. I’d never forget you, babe. Never. My entire life will be spent remembering this moment. A few minutes later, Mason lay in Lewis’s arms, spent, his body satisfied but his heart aching. Lewis was practically asleep. He answered him drowsily with one word answers. “It doesn’t matter where I end up, I promise you this, no one will ever fuck me except you, Lewis,” he whispered, lying his head on his chest. “I couldn’t bear having another man inside me.” Lewis was asleep and not long after, Mason succumbed himself. 159

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

*

*

*

Lewis felt as if he’d just entered some sort of cave. He was finding it hard to breathe. He saw himself walking but he had no direction. Only blackness. ::Lewis.:: He blinked, rubbed his eyes. He saw a girl, young, not more than sixteen. She had long black hair. She came closer. ::I can’t stay long. They are watching me. Listen. There is one that is coming. They want the machine. You must never let him have it. You must get Mason and Ken home again.:: ::How?:: ::When you have the missing piece, you will know. The numbers are now implanted in your subconscious.:: ::Can I trust Ken?:: ::Yes, he’s seen the error of his ways. You must send them home, then destroy the machine so that no one again may use it for their own gain.:: ::But where is the piece that Ken lost?:: ::I don’t know but you must find it. Now wake, you’re about to be discovered.:: Lewis roused himself and sat up in bed. He heard footsteps in the hall. “Bloody hell,” he muttered. “Mason,” he nudged him, “wake up. Molly is coming in. I must hide.” Mason blinked. “Okay, where?” “Under the bed,” he muttered and quickly rolled down to the floor and under the bed. The door opened. Mason covered his head and made like he was sleeping. Molly opened the curtains. “These youngsters who sleep so late in the morning,” she murmured and walked back out 160

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

again, closing the door. Mason began to chuckle. He leaned over the bed and peered down at Lewis. “She called me a youngster. Wow, look what this youngster found under his bed, a gorgeous, naked hunk of man to play with. Lucky boy I am.” “Ha, ha,” he said. “Very funny.” He slid out, bumping his head and swearing. Mason chuckled again. “You think that’s funny, do you?” Lewis jumped on the bed. Mason grabbed him around the waist. “Yeah, I do. Whatcha going to do about it, beautiful?” They caroused and laughed for a few minutes, rolling around in the bed, then Mason straddled his hips and pressed his arms above his head. He looked down into his eyes. “I want you again. Can you feel how hard I am?” “Ride me,” he urged, his own erection jutting up against Mason’s ass. “Lewis,” he protested. “I…we can’t…everyone is up.” “Including me.” He lifted an eyebrow as Lewis dragged him down for a kiss. Mason melted into his arms. “Let’s go somewhere private.” “We can always take a carriage ride?” He lifted his eyebrow, then sobered. “We have to go to London and see if we can find that missing piece. I had a dream last night.” Mason sat back on his lap. “And? Was it the girl?” “She told me some strange things.” He ran his fingers over Mason’s chest. “We may be in danger, Mason. Someone is coming after that box. I’ve got to get you and Ken out of here as soon as possible.” “Ken, too?” 161

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He nodded. “I’ll have to try and get him out of prison.” Mason sighed. “I’ll go and check on your grandfather. We’ll have some breakfast and get going.” He climbed off of Lewis, then looked at him longingly, lying there naked. “I guess the only time we’ll have to be alone is in the carriage?” Lewis smiled tenderly at him. “Better that than nothing.” Mason nodded. “It’s my turn to do to you what you did to me.” Lewis grinned and got out of bed. “Then I’m looking forward to it.” *

*

*

Nevada…August 28, 2014 “She’s no good to us,” the woman with the short brown hair said. “She’s not going to tell us anything.” Pamela watched the two of them from where she sat in the chair by the bed. Her hands had been tied behind her and a piece of tape slapped against her mouth. “We have to get that Langley girl. She must know the code,” the woman said. “How can I get her? She’s too closely guarded.” “You’re a big shot. You should be able to get to her easy enough. It’s the only way, Derek.” Pamela’s eyes moved to the machine that sat on the bed. It looked exactly like the original. She couldn’t believe that he’d stolen it. By now someone should have realized it was gone. “I’ll grab a quick shave and go to the base,” he said. “I’ll see what I can do. Meanwhile, don’t let her out of your sight.” He looked at Pam. 162

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“What are you going to say about this one not coming to work?” “I’m her boss. I’ll make up something if anyone asks.” Pam kept quietly working the ropes around her wrists. If only she could get to that machine. She knew the code by heart. If she could get to it, then no one could follow. Derek left an hour or so later. The woman went into the bathroom to take a shower. It was her only chance. She’d worked the ropes loose enough to take out one of her hands. She slowly rose from the chair and made a dash for the bed. Pam punched in the number and then looked up as the front door opened. Derek stood there. He let out a yelp and made a lunge for her. She grabbed the machine and Derek tried to wrestle it out of her hand. “Pamela, don’t be a fool.” They struggled back and forth like two enraged animals, then darkness came over the room like a blanket. Everything began to spin like a top and Pam felt herself falling and falling and falling. *

*

*

London…August 28, 1572 “You’re not serious, Lewis.” Charles Langley grunted from across the table. “You are really going to get that…that criminal released from prison?” Lewis knew he was going to have to do some fast talking to make this sound logical. “He has a family. He needed money and he really didn’t hurt anyone.” “Use your sense boy. He’s not going to reform overnight. He’ll 163

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

try and rob some other poor unsuspecting people. When did you turn into a charity worker?” Lewis stood. “It’s my decision, Father. I was in the carriage, not you. Now, where is Mason?” “Upstairs looking after your grandfather.” Charles sighed and then brightened a little. “It’s amazing how Father is coming along. That young man is a bit of a miracle.” “Yes, he is.” Lewis smiled. “Why don’t you take Mason with you into London for the drive? Buy him something nice. Your mother and the young ladies will be back shortly. She took them for tea with Mrs. Carter. You can have the carriage.” “Excellent idea, Father. I’ll go up and see Grandfather and tell Mason to prepare. Alert Franklin when he returns, will you?” “Certainly. But I do wish you’d reconsider your decision, Lewis.” He turned in his seat and wiped his mouth on his napkin. “After what that man put you through, and the ladies…” He shook his head. “And like it or not, he is responsible for your grandfather being laid up the way he is.” “I’ll think about what you said on the way into London,” Lewis muttered and ran up the stairs. He didn’t want to think about anything right now but getting Mason in the back of that carriage. He knew their time now was borrowed, and at any point it could come to an end. He knocked softly on the door of his grandfather’s room, then walked in. Mason was sitting beside him, holding his hand. They talked together in a low voice. Lewis almost didn’t want to interrupt. He turned around to leave when he heard his grandfather say his name. 164

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He smiled and walked over to the bed. “How are you feeling today?” “A lot better, but my doctor here won’t let me get out of this bed.” “Not for a few more days,” Mason said. “Then we start slowly, okay?” “Yes sir.” He chuckled. “Imagine someone that young giving me orders.” Lewis reached down and smoothed back some of his white hair. “Do as you’re told.” He met Lewis’s eyes. “Any more word from Vanessa?” “I don’t want you to concern yourself with that anymore,” Lewis said. “Stop patronizing me. We have to get this boy home.” Lewis swallowed. Mason reached over for his hand and smiled tenderly at him. Jules Langley watched the exchange. “Mason was telling me about his century. Many things are different. You’d be all right there together I guess.” “It’s not perfect,” Mason said. “It’s getting better.” “It would be perfect,” Lewis said softly almost to himself. There was silence. Then Jules said abruptly, “I guess I’m never going to get my chance in the future.” “Why not?” Mason asked. “You can still go. There’s nothing holding you here, and at least I can check your heart properly in my time.” “Would he survive it?” Lewis asked. “It wouldn’t matter,” Jules said. “It would be worth it to me.” Mason looked at Lewis. “We’ll see,” he said to his grandfather. 165

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Jules smiled. Suddenly he sighed. “I really can’t go. I know that.” Lewis looked at Mason. “I’m waiting for the carriage to come back, then we can go to London.” “All right,” Mason said. Lewis winked at him and kissed his grandfather on the forehead. “I’ll see you downstairs.” *

*

*

Mason watched Lewis leave, then turned back to Jules. “He’s not telling me everything.” “I know that. He was visited again. If I knew what she told him, I could help you. She doesn’t talk to me anymore.” “Perhaps she knows that you aren’t well. I think Lewis doesn’t want to distress you with all this.” “And you,” he added. “He doesn’t want to distress you. He’s holding it together just like a proper Langley boy does, but it’s not going to be easy for him to let you go. But he must. And he must do it soon.” “That’s why we’re going to London, to find that missing piece and get Ken.” “Good,” he took his hand. “Mason, be happy in your life in the twenty-first century.” “I’ll try,” he said. How in the hell can I be happy when the man I love is here? “I hear the carriage coming up the road,” he said. “Tell me, are transport machines like the one you described that noisy?” “Sometimes worse.” Mason laughed. He’d been telling Jules many things about the future. “But they are a hell of a lot more 166

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

comfortable. You kind of bounce over the road on these springy things.” “Fascinating.” “And they pave the roads…fill in all the holes.” “Amazing this century of yours. Everything is different.” Everything except love and…passion. And thinking of passion, he couldn’t wait to crawl into that carriage. “Tell Franklin to take it slow,” he told Lewis with a smile as the two men walked outside a half hour later. “Am I in for it by any chance?” Lewis chuckled. “My turn, remember?” Lewis licked his lips. “Franklin,” he shouted, opening the carriage door for Mason, “we want to go slowly, no bumps okay, if you can help it?” “Yes, sir,” he replied. *

*

*

Someone was sponging her head. “There, there now, child, stay quiet,” a woman cooed. Pamela’s eyes flew open. She lay on a mattress stuffed with straw in what looked like a barn, but somehow she knew it was a house. The floor was dirt. There was a chicken strutting around the room, and a big cast iron pot hung over an open fire. An old table stood in the corner with a couple of stools. Somewhere, she could hear a cow putting up a fuss. “Where am I?” Pamela managed. “A little way from London. You hit your head. I found you by the water when I was washing me clothes. I took you for the grave, I did.” 167

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Pamela looked around her. “Oh no, where is it? Did you see it?” Pamela sat up amidst the woman’s protest. “It’s a black, plastic thing like a box…did you…where is it?” “I didn’t see nothin’.” The woman backed up. “I didn’t steal nothing either. You don’t look likes you got nothing to steal, all dressed in men’s breeches and that sheet like you are.” “Sheet?” She looked down at herself. She was wearing her lab coat and jeans. She glanced at her. “Do you have suitable clothes for me to wear? Do you know where I could—” “I might have something,” she said, “something that wouldn’t do after I had my babies and all.” “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I need to find my brother. And I need to get home. Where did you say you found me… ah…” “Sadie. Sadie Owens, miss.” “Sadie.” She tried not to show how panicked she was. She knew she was scaring the woman. But what if she lost that machine…or what if she came without it and they still had it, Derek and that woman who’d pretended to be Vanessa Langley? “Down by the river? That’s where you found me?” She nodded. “I’ll go have a look.” “I don’t think you should go, miss, looking like that. Let me get you me old dress from before the babies. Should suit you fine.” Pamela sat back down. She felt a little woozy. The chicken walked over and pecked at her once, then walked away. “Do you know any Langleys, Sadie?” “Langley? Yes, miss.” She walked over and handed her a plain and faded woolen dress with a laced up bodice. “Was pretty once. The dress, not me.” She blushed. 168

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I’m sure you were, too.” She took the dress. “Langley,” she repeated, taking off her lab coat. “The Langley family is… Well…Charles Langley is a lord, miss, lives a little bit out of London, a few miles or so. What would you be wanting with the likes of them?” “I just need to see them.” Pamela hoisted the dress over her head and began to lace it. “You’ll need a bonnet, miss,” the woman said. “I can fix your hair.” “Bonnet?” Pamela made a face as she handed her one. It was laced under the chin. “Sorry. Doesn’t go with the dress.” “You’ve been more than kind. I’ve got to go to the river now.” Pamela thanked her and walked out into the sunshine. I’ve got to find that machine. Please, please, let it be with me. She didn’t want to think about where she was. She wanted to find Mason and get out of here. *

*

*

Lewis stretched luxuriously in the back of the carriage as Mason made short work of stripping him of his clothes. “You’re teasing me.” Mason smirked, his gaze moving over Lewis’s naked body. “You’re hard and you’re teasing me. You will pay.” “How come you’re still dressed?” “I told you, your body is my playground this time. Put your hands behind your head, you wanton slut.” He laughed as he lifted his hands. “Now, spread your legs wide and put your feet on the seat, butt forward.” 169

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis was laughing. “You take me for a contortionist?” “You’re flexible enough. Do it.” Lewis sobered. He raised his knees and put his heels on the edge of the seat. “If we hit a bump, I’m a dead man.” Mason laughed. “You did tell Franklin to go slow, didn’t you?” He let his fingers trail down Lewis’s chest to his stomach and over his rock hard cock. Lewis seemed to shiver. “Means nothing to Franklin.” “Um, your cock is in bad need of attention.” “Most certainly,” he said. “How long do I—” “Until I tell you different.” “I’m cramping.” Mason grinned. “Big baby. Okay, you can rest your legs on the opposite seat but keep them wide open. Lay your head back.” Lewis let out a sigh of contentment when he lowered his legs to the seat. “You planning on having sex with me or permanently disabling me?” Mason ducked down between his open legs. “You are so hot.” “Yes, I know.” Mason licked his shaft, reached up and tweaked one of his nipples. As he licked his shaft, he began to tease his balls. “Mason, I won’t last long like this.” He grunted. “Suck it.” “Not yet. Push forward more. I want to get to your ass.” “I’m going to fall off my seat.” “No, you won’t.” Mason pulled him forward by the legs. “Hold onto the sides.” Lewis gripped the sides. “You’re ah…heart…less…God, Mason. Keep doing that.” Mason licked his cock, then took it into his mouth, sucking and licking while he inserted a finger up inside his ass. 170

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Um, deeper, deeper.” Lewis urged. He’d practically lifted off the seat now. Mason came off his cock and lifted one of Lewis legs. “Turn over.” Lewis took his legs off the seat and got to his knees, then turned halfway onto his stomach. Mason pressed his lips to one of the firm, round globes. “You have a perfect ass.” He slapped it once. “Ouch.” “You like that?” “No.” Mason laughed. He lowered his tongue and separated his ass cheeks. He moved the tip over his opening, then pressed in. Lewis let out some breath. Mason continued his journey, jerking and fondling his cock at the same time as he pleasured his anus. He inhaled the scent of him, trying to memorize how he smelled, how he tasted. This could all be over today. Right now could be the last time he ever touched him. “Mason? Mason?” He tightened his hold on his waist. His head lay on the small of Lewis’s back. “Mason? Sweetheart, I think you’re squeezing me to death.” Lewis began to struggle. “I can’t let you go,” Mason whispered, relaxing his hold a little, but still holding on. His eyes blurred with tears and he forced them back. “Mason.” Lewis grunted, turning around now in his arms. He sat up on the seat and pulled Mason with up there with him. He cradled him in his arms and for a long time they rode like that, not 171

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

moving, not speaking. Mason stayed close to his chest, listening to Lewis’s heart beat against his ear. “Mason, I’ve got to put some clothes on. I can see London in the distance. It won’t be long now.” Mason looked up at his face, burning it into his memory. He ran his fingers over the stubble on his jaw, traced his lips, and touched his nose, his cheeks. “I love your eyes. They’re like the ocean, so blue. I’ll never find eyes that blue again.” Lewis hugged him again, kissed his hair. “Yes, you will. I can’t be selfish, my heart. I want you to be happy, Mason. Forget me. Forget all this. And live out your life with someone who will…” He stopped, shook him a little. “Please?” Mason shook his head and pulled away from his arms. “What you ask is impossible. Get dressed. You’ll cause a riot.” He laughed. “I hope in a good way.” He reached for his pants. “Yeah, in a good way,” Mason whispered. *

*

*

The experience of going into a jail in the sixteenth century was not one that Mason wished to repeat. “What a hell hole,” he said to Lewis. “Granted,” he said. “What are prisons like where you’re from?” “Like ah…an inn…only nicer.” “Almost seems worthwhile to commit a crime.” “That’s why the poor folks do it, to get three squares.” “So people still starve in your time?” Lewis raised an eyebrow. “Yep. All over the world. It’s called greed.” “Looks like we don’t learn much.” 172

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“You said it,” Mason muttered. The jailer unlocked the cell, and Mason followed Lewis into a cell where a man was chained to the wall. Mason knew the man to be the one who came through with him but he’d never really had a lot of time to look at the guy. He was young, and probably handsome. But right now, he wasn’t faring too well. “Lewis,” he said. “You’ve come back. I thought you were going to…” He looked at Mason. “I know you.” “Yes. Mason. I believe we were on the same flight.” “We’ve got to get out of here.” “I’m going to try to do that today,” Lewis said. “I’ve started the procedure.” Lewis had stopped by the office of a legal advisor before they’d come to the jail. “You need to remember where you dropped the piece. Have you thought about it?” “I think I may have dropped it inside here…when the guards dragged me in here.” “That won’t be easy to find.” Mason shook his head. “I can hardly see anything as it is. Damn.” “While I go back to see if I can get Ken out of here today, you look around for that piece, Mason. When you came in, where did they take you? Did you come straight to this cell?” “Yes,” he said. “They brought me through the front, down a flight of stairs, down one corridor and then another.” Mason nodded. “Okay, that makes it a little easier, I think. I’ll meet you outside then?” he said to Lewis. “Yes. I shouldn’t be too long. Try not to call attention to yourself. If someone stops you, say you were with me, visiting Ken, and that you lost something, trying to find it,” Lewis called over his shoulder, then disappeared around the corner. Or I could say I was doing charity work. There wasn’t much 173

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

charity to be had in this place. It was dank and dirty with rats running all over. People behind the doors sounded as if they were dying. “Hold on, Ken,” Lewis said as he prepared to leave. “I’m going to get you home.” “Thank you.” He looked at Mason. “Good hunting.” They left the cell. The jailer locked it behind him and walked away. Lewis lifted a hand to him and headed up the stairs. Mason poked around outside the cell, near the door, leaning down at times to feel for objects in the dirt. He went slowly. Nothing. Damn it. Where was it? He moved slowly, tossing the dirt back and forth with his foot. It had to be somewhere. *

*

*

Pamela was almost in tears. Damn it. Where was the time machine? She walked aimlessly along the side of the river, her eyes scanning the ground. Maybe it was in the water, but she hadn’t been wet when she arrived. “Damn,” she swore aloud. It couldn’t be back there in the hotel. She turned around suddenly and gasped, her hand going to her mouth. “Hello, Pamela,” Derek said. He held the machine in his hand. “Looking for something?” “How did you—” “I came with you. Now, all I need is that code.” “No!” Pamela cried out, and then she began to run. *

* 174

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis walked out of the office with the papers he needed to get Ken released. He walked only a few steps when a vision appeared in front of his eyes. He stopped dead as a young girl with long dark hair walked toward him. Everything faded around him. ::Lewis. Help her. Help Pamela. You must stop him. It’s critical. He’ll change everything!:: Lewis put his hand in his pocket. He felt the weapon and was reassured by the cold hardness of it. He’d taken it out in the middle of the night after Vanessa had come to him in the dream. He’d figured out how to use it, and fired off a shot in the woods. He’d remembered to tuck it under the seat of the carriage today before they’d left for London. He’d figured that he might need it. ::This way. Hurry!:: Lewis ran down the street in the direction of the river. Everything seemed to swim and fade around him. He heard only one voice crying out and he rushed in its direction. He turned the corner. His feet pounded the ground, faltering occasionally as he slipped in the mud. He was amazed at his ability to remain upright. Then he saw her, a woman running in his direction, one hand clutching her long skirt as she tried to get away from the man who was chasing her. When she was within a few feet of him, she fell facedown in the mud. He ran to help her, putting out his hand to help her up. “Pamela.” She looked up at him, breathless. “You know me?” “Your name just came to me.” Pamela glanced up when he extended his hand to her. “You’re a Langley.” “My name is Lewis.” “I’m Mason’s sister.” She struggled to her feet with his help. 175

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I know,” he said but his gaze was on the man who had come to a full stop at the end of the street and was watching the scene curiously. “He has it. He has the machine,” Pamela told him. “He’s dangerous.” “There are two machines now?” “That’s a clone made in the lab. That’s how I got here. It works, Lewis. The damn thing works.” “And you brought him through?” “By accident. But Derek needs the code and that’s why he’s chasing me. Where is my little brother?” “He’s safe.” Lewis kept his gaze on the man. “Vanessa is talking to me. She’s telling me that he has to go back.” He looked at her. “You all do.” She nodded, her gaze on Derek, too. “I know. Is Mason all right?” “Yes.” “Does Mason still have the original machine?” “Yes, but we’ve lost a piece of it. Can you get home with that machine he has?” “I don’t know. I’m not sure of anything anymore.” Lewis stepped out in front of Pamela and called out to Derek. “I need to talk to you.” “Langley!” he called back. “Fuck yourself.” Lewis sighed as the man turned on his heel and began to run. “Here I go again,” he muttered. He glanced once at Pamela. “Look, you’ll find Mason outside the jail. Wait for me there!” “But…where is the…?” Pamela cried, as Lewis took off on a run after Derek. 176

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

*

*

*

What was Mason doing at the jail? Suddenly it dawned on Pam that she was in the middle of what would become downtown London. And it stank like hell. And so did she. She was covered with mud or something else she didn’t even want to think about, and Derek had come through time. Things couldn’t get much worse. She kept walking, looking around for something that could be a jail. She had no idea where she was going. There seemed to be some kind of a public market going on. Stalls were set up and vendors were selling a whole host of stuff. She stopped at a stall where a woman sold big jugs of ale. The woman rattled off some prices and Pamela shook her head. “Where do I find the jail?” she asked her. The woman pointed. “Jail is that way. Keep walking. You’ll see it. Don’t get yourself locked up in there, missy.” She chortled. Pamela shook her head and walked on. Livestock and freshly butchered meat confronted her everywhere. Fresh fruit and vegetables were also on display. There were so many people, not to mention jugglers in the street, and people singing with a hat out to collect money, she began to feel a little disoriented. She almost fell again. A hand reached out and caught her. She was about to thank the man when another voice said, “Pam?” “You know her?” the man asked. Suddenly nothing looked clear. She knew she was going to pass out. “Mason?” Her brother’s face swam before her. “It’s Lewis. Lewis is…”

177

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 8 The code was swimming in his head. He had managed to knock Derek to the ground. He was relieved that he didn’t have to resort to using that strange weapon. He held the machine in his hand, bathed in sweat. He’d chased this man for some time before he’d finally caught up to him. They’d struggled and Lewis had managed to get the better of him. He’d knocked him out, but it hadn’t been easy. The man was big and from the looks of his uniform, some sort of military man. He was in top physical form. Now he had to send him back. ::Put the machine in his hands. He must be touching it. Dial 56890314. Then destroy the machine.:: “Damn it, I never wanted this.” Lewis felt the perspiration run down his temples. He punched in a variety of numbers and knelt 178

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

down beside the man, who was moaning and slowly coming back to life. Lewis placed the machine on Derek’s chest and punched in the numbers again. “Come on, work, work, damn it.” Suddenly he froze as the man lifted his arm up and placed something hard and cold against Lewis’s side. “I’m not leaving without the machine.” The man grunted between clenched teeth. Lewis held tight to the machine and pulled it up against his chest. “Let it go, Langley. It’s not worth it. Punch in the code and give me the machine.” Derek sat up slowly, pushing Lewis back a little. He pressed the gun harder against his ribcage. For a moment, Lewis thought it was his gun but he still felt the weight of the one he carried in his pocket. Guess these things were easy to get a hold of in the future. “Hand it over.” He motioned with his free hand. Lewis glanced at the machine. The numbers were moving and changing in the little window, flashing faster than his eye could follow. He wasn’t sure what in hell was happening but he knew that he couldn’t give it to this man. “I can’t do that.” He met his gaze. Derek reached out and grabbed onto the machine. Lewis held on. “I want the code.” Derek gritted his teeth. “I don’t know it.” “Yes, you do. You just put it into the machine. Something is happening. It’s working. I know it works. Fucking…give…it to me.” Lewis tore the machine back to his chest and grabbed onto the butt of the gun. He tried to throw it aside so that he could take out 179

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

the one he carried, but suddenly everything started to spin. He heard a shot and suddenly he felt himself falling into blackness. *

*

*

When Pam opened her eyes inside the carriage, Mason was holding her hand. Another man she’d never seen before was sitting beside him. “Mason?” she said. “Pam? Are you all right?” Mason insisted. “I…I think so. I hit my head when I arrived here and…” Suddenly she clutched his arm. “Where is that Langley fellow?” “That’s what I wanted to ask you. Do you know where Lewis went?” Mason asked breathlessly. “I…he was chasing Derek.” “Who’s Derek?” Ken asked. “Derek is an officer at the base. He wants the machine for himself. Lewis took after him.” “Derek Sterling?” Ken gasped. Pamela nodded. “Who are you? How do you know these things?” “Ken was one of the agents who pursued me for the box. He came through with me,” Mason said. “Oh, so, you’re the one,” she said. He nodded. “I’ve made some mistakes. I don’t want anything to do with them anymore.” “Me either,” Pamela said. “How did you get here?” Mason asked her. “The lab made a clone of the machine. Derek managed to come with me. I didn’t give him the code. He can’t do anything without 180

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

the code.” “Oh my God,” Mason said to Ken. “We have to find Lewis. I’m sure that Sterling guy is armed.” He nodded. “Most likely. I knew that bastard was corrupt.” “He’ll kill for the machine.” Pam sat up. “You stay here,” Mason told her. “Which direction did they go, Pam?” “Toward the river,” she said. “But, Mason, you need to be careful. Derek is a military commander and well trained. He—” “Don’t worry,” Mason said. “I’ll go with him,” Ken said. “Thank you,” Pamela replied, feeling better. “I’ll tell Franklin to wait a while longer.” Mason hopped out of the carriage. As Mason and Ken hurried to the end of the street, all Mason could think about was Lewis. He hoped he’d gotten the machine, because he couldn’t find the missing piece in the prison. He probably never would. It didn’t matter anyway. All that mattered was that Lewis was okay. It didn’t take long to spot Derek Sterling. He’d seen him on several occasions at social functions with his sister, and he was quite conspicuous, dressed in his military uniform. He sat on the grass not far from one of the main streets, looking out over the water. Why wasn’t he hiding? Where was Lewis? Ken gave Mason a confused look. “Approach carefully,” he cautioned. “Derek,” Mason said. The man didn’t react. As Mason and Ken drew closer and could see his face, it was apparent that Derek Sterling was utterly defeated. “Derek?” Mason said again. He would have never guessed that 181

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Derek Sterling would have betrayed his command for personal gain. He suspected at one time Pamela had hoped something would develop between them. Thank God that hadn’t happened. Where in hell was Lewis? Derek looked up at them. “I’ve been a fool, Mason. Now I’m stuck here forever.” “What are you talking about?” Mason grabbed him by the shoulders, dragged him to his feet, and shook him hard. “Where is Lewis?” “Easy,” Ken said. “If you mean Langley,” Derek returned, “he’s gone, and the machine…well, the machine went with him. He wouldn’t let go of it.” Mason’s eyes widened. He was speechless. “Did you say Lewis is gone?” Ken asked. “Gone where?” “I have no idea, to the future maybe. I don’t know. He had the code. He wouldn’t give it to me, wouldn’t give me the machine. He knew it ’cause he punched it in and the machine went crazy. I thought…I only wanted…oh God.” He put his face in his hands and began to sob. “What have I done, Mason?” “You’re pathetic,” Mason said. He looked down for a moment and his gaze flew to the gun lying on the ground. He reached over and picked it up in his hand. It was warm. Mason grabbed Derek again. He was like a limp rag. Mason couldn’t detect any wounds except for a bleeding lip. He looked at Ken. “It’s been fired?” Ken reached over and touched the gun. He nodded in agreement. “Who fired this gun?” Mason shook Derek again. “Did you fire it?” 182

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“It went off by accident. I didn’t mean to hurt him.” “You didn’t mean to…hurt him?” Mason couldn’t breathe all of a sudden. “Hurt him? You shot Lewis? You bastard! I’ll kill you.” Ken was holding him back. “Mason…stop.” “I didn’t,” Derek protested. “We struggled for the machine and it…just went off, I tell you. And then, suddenly, he was gone, and the machine with him. He can get back. He’s the only one who can. He has the machine and the code. We have nothing. We have lost the only person who could have gotten us back home. We’re doomed, Mason. Doomed!” He fell to the ground again, crying like a baby. “What are we going to do?” Mason sank to his knees in the grass, too. The tears streamed down his face. Lewis was gone, most likely to 2014…and he was hurt, maybe even… No, he couldn’t let himself believe that. He wasn’t dead. Ken placed a hand on his shoulder. Mason suddenly reached over and grabbed Derek Sterling by the throat. He towered over him. Derek looked up at him with fear-filled eyes. “If Lewis dies, you won’t have to worry about your miserable life here in this century because I’ll kill you and end your misery. Do you understand me?” He clutched the gun in his hand. “Now get to your feet, you miserable piece of shit, and come on. You’re not going to draw attention to yourself and you’re going to stay where I can keep an eye on you until we can get out of this place. Is that clear?” He nodded silently, and wiped his eyes. “Now, take off that shirt and bury it over by the tree. You’ll wear the undershirt until we can get you some clothes.” 183

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Derek reached out and clutched his arm. “I…I don’t want to stay here.” Mason jerked his arm away. “Hurry up. Pamela is waiting, and I need to talk to Jules now.” *

*

*

The ride back to the Jules Langley’s home was very uncomfortable. Pamela glared at Derek all the way, while Mason stared out the window wondering where in hell the man he loved was. Please be all right, baby. He knew Lewis was strong. He was a brave man, and he would probably adapt quickly in his new world. Mason had told him some things about it already. But if he’d been shot…he could be laying somewhere bleeding to death. He was surprised when Ken reached over and patted his shoulder again. “It will be all right, Mason.” Mason nodded and tried to smile. “Thank you for saying so.” “Where are we going in this godforsaken thing?” Derek demanded. “Just shut up, Sterling.” Ken sighed. Mason knew that Jules would think bringing them all to his house was a good thing. The less contact they had with the outside world, the better. He just hoped that Jules and Ernest would know what to do. How do I bring Lewis back home? When they arrived in front of Jules Langley’s house, the sun had set. Mason let them all out of the carriage and herded them quickly into the house. He was glad that Jules had let all the servants go. There was no one there, except for Franklin off and on. Inside, Mason lit several candles and handed the gun discreetly 184

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

to Pamela. “You take care of this. Make sure no one does anything stupid or goes anywhere, especially Derek. You should be able to find some bread in the cold room.” “Cold room?” She gawked at him. “Franklin will show you everything.” “And what are you going to do?” Pamela clutched onto him. “Do you have the machine, the original one?” “Yes. But it’s not good. We lost the piece and we can’t find it.” “I know but maybe I can make one,” Pamela said. “Let me think about it.” “Someone else already tried and couldn’t do it. I’ve hidden the machine at the big house. I’ll bring it back but don’t say anything to Derek about it.” “I won’t.” She kissed his cheek. “Lewis will be all right.” “God, I hope so.” She searched his face, then her eyes widened. “Oh, Mason, how stupid can I be? You’re in love with this man, aren’t you?” He swallowed. “Yes, quite desperately in love, actually.” He winced. “It was doomed from the start. We can’t be together, but I need to know that he’s safe.” She hugged him for a moment. “He’s very handsome.” “Yes, he is. I have to go. I have to see Jules.” Franklin showed Pamela a few things, then walked outside with Mason to the carriage. “I hope Lord Langley is all right, sir.” Poor Franklin really wasn’t sure what was happening, but his concern for Lewis was genuine. “Thank you, Franklin.” “I like Mr. Lewis. He’s always treated me right.” “He likes you, too, Franklin. Now, let’s go.” Franklin cracked the reins as soon as Mason jumped back into 185

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

the carriage. When Mason entered the main house, everyone had retired. Torches glowed brightly in the hallway. Mason glanced up the stairway and, for a moment, he thought he was seeing a ghost. But as he came closer, he realized that it was Jules in his nightshirt coming down the steps. “Jules, you shouldn’t be out of bed.” His eyes were bright and intense as he looked down at Mason. “It’s Lewis, isn’t it? My grandson is in trouble.” *

*

*

Nevada…September 3, 2014 Vanessa awoke in the middle of the night, a scream in her throat. There were voices in her head, angry voices. “It’s not my fault,” she whispered. She could see his face, young, a handsome man with a shock of black hair and blue eyes. He was in pain. He was lost. He was here with her now. ::There can be only one.:: ::I know. Where is he? I can’t leave here. They won’t let me.:: Silence. A shiver ran down her spine. She lifted the blanket and got out of bed. She walked to the door, a door she knew was locked, an armed guard just outside. If you need something…Ms. Langley…just let the guard know. She had no ability to control people. And she certainly couldn’t overpower a guard. I can guide him from here if… if… if I can reach him in this world. 186

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Yes, if…if she could contact him at all. She laid her cheek on the door. It was cool, made of steel. There was silence on the other end. She’d known they were coming for her when the doctor had come to her room at the sanatorium two months ago. He’d seemed perplexed. “There are people here from the American government to see you, Vanessa,” he’d said. What could they want with her, a girl who’d been diagnosed psychotic at the age of seven? She’d been whisked away in the big car with bulletproof windows, whisked away to Area 51, but she knew what they wanted. They’d promised her freedom, promised that when all this was over she wouldn’t be sent back to the hospital. They’d find a safe place for her where she could live her life. Her life…it was only her life as long as the machine was locked away where no one could get their hands on it. But now, everything had fallen apart. Derek Sterling had been seduced by its possibility and the scientists had invented a working clone. The guardian for the sixteenth century was suddenly here, and he was fading from her. Was he dying? Could she possibly connect with the old man again? He had suddenly faded from her, too. Lewis was her one hope. He was young, strong and determined. He understood when she spoke to him, wasn’t confused or muddled like the older one. But now, he seemed too far away. They wanted the machines destroyed, but this government would never agree to that. She was sure of it. She could tell by the constant interrogations she’d been under since Pamela Gardner and Derek Sterling had used the clone to slip into the future. The original was there but somehow it didn’t work, and the clone was lost. 187

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

She didn’t tell them that the guardian back in time was now here in this time zone, or that he probably had the clone at one time. Was he alone? She didn’t know that either. The voices in her head plagued her tonight. She went to lie back down, wishing that she could just drown them out. ::The universe is in peril. Vanessa. You must find Lewis. Everything could change.:: She closed her eyes tight. “I’m trying,” she whispered. Lewis. Where are you? I can help you. Talk to me. The ceiling fan turned over her head in the darkened room with a dull, consistent clunking sound. Outside an army Jeep drove up outside her window. Someone got out and slammed the door. Sleep began to take her and her mind saw an image of sixteenth century London. There were no people, no market, and no activity. All she saw was a series of rubble where buildings had once stood. An entire city had just disappeared. *

*

*

London…September 5, 1572 Jules and Ernest had been with Pamela since dawn. They were still working on duplicating the lost piece. Mason watched them from the corner, his heart heavy. Ken had been a great help in preparing meals and chopping wood for the fire, and Derek was bending over backward now trying to be friendly, afraid he’d be left behind. They’d made several attempts to use duplicate pieces. Pamela would plug in the code and nothing would happen. “Damn it,” Pam said. She was sure her latest attempt would work. 188

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, my dear.” Ernest placed an arm around her shoulders. “I couldn’t do it either.” “It has to be the material.” Pamela took the piece out and stared at it. “The shape, the dimensions are exact according to your diagrams. Why in the hell isn’t it working?” No one spoke. Pam looked at Mason. “If it is the material, we’re screwed.” Mason stood. “All we can do is to keep on trying.” A knock came on the door. It was Derek. “Jules, someone here for you. He says he’s your son.” “We told you to stay out of sight,” Mason chastised Derek. “I had no choice but to open the door.” “Where is Ken? It will do no good for Charles to see him.” Jules clicked his tongue. “I told him he had left London.” Derek gave Jules a blank face. “Okay,” Jules muttered, “everyone, just stay here. I’ll handle my son. He probably wants to know where in the hell Lewis is.” He looked at Mason. “What will he believe?” Mason asked. “He’ll believe he’s gone a whoring.” He gave Mason an apologetic look. Mason smiled faintly. “It’s okay. I know all about that. Tell Charles whatever he’ll believe.” The all listened quietly from the other side of the door as Charles Langley demanded to know what was going on. “Lewis has been missing for days, Father… and you’ve… well you’ve been hibernating here with Mason, and up to God knows what. And who was that strange man who answered the door just now?” “A…my new driver. I can’t borrow Franklin all the time. I’ve got one of my own now.” 189

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I see. He’s a foreigner?” “Yes, from another place, can’t remember where he said.” “He must come from the same land as Mason. They talk alike. Where does Mason come from anyway? He never did say.” “I have no idea. It’s not my business. He’s a good doctor. He got me back on my feet. Now, son, if you’ll excuse me, I have things in my study I must attend to. Give my regards to the wife.” “That’s fine, but what about Lewis? Do you know where he is?” “You know Lewis… he’s a wild boy, likes to carry on like I did at his age. Maybe he met a woman free with her affections and he’s… ah…” “Spare me the details. But even if that were true, surely he wouldn’t spend days with this…free woman.” “He’s young.” Jules sniggered. “What’s days in the throes of ecstasy at that age? I had great stamina back then.” “Yes, yes, but no one has heard or seen of him, no one.” “Well, he’s a grown man now, Charles. You need to let him make his own mistakes, live his life. Now, go on home and…I’m sure Lewis will show up soon.” The conversation faded and then the front door closed. Jules came back into the study. “There, that’s fine for now but he’ll be back. Lewis can only be lost with a whore for so long.” “Jules…” Mason came closer to him and took his arm. “Has Vanessa spoken to you yet?” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, my boy. The minute she does, I’ll tell you. I promise.” “Even if it’s in the middle of the night, wake me up.” He nodded, patted his cheek. “I know that wherever Lewis is…he’ll be all right. I feel it in my heart.” 190

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason swallowed and nodded. Suddenly Ken walked into the room. “I hid in the barn,” he announced. “Is everything all right? I saw that man ride up, Lewis’s father, right?” “Yes,” Ernest replied, studying the drawings again. “It wouldn’t do for him to see you. Unfortunately he’s seen Derek.” “We need to be more careful,” Jules cautioned. He looked at Derek. “You are my driver if anyone asks.” “Of course. I’m sorry,” Derek replied. “Mason,” he said as Mason left the room, “I have been wanting to tell you, I hope Lewis is…I hope he comes home and he’s all right.” Mason met his gaze. “You better hope that’s true, Derek. I haven’t forgotten my promise. If Lewis dies, you die, too. I won’t care anymore. I’ll only want revenge. So don’t try to be my friend.” Mason walked outside and sat on the stoop. Maybe they were just going to have to accept the fact that they were stuck here permanently. And Lewis was stuck in the future, without him. What damage that would do, maybe only future generations would know. He closed his eyes. He was tired. He hadn’t slept much since Lewis had left. He woke up in the middle of the night and reached out, hoping to touch him. But he’d touched nothing. He put his head in his hands. Lewis was their only hope. And if he was…well…without him, no one was going anywhere. *

*

*

Nevada…September 5, 2014 A bright light shone into his eye. A bespectacled man peered at 191

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

him. “Hello there, young man. We almost lost you.” Lewis cleared his throat and looked around the room. He was lying on something firm. Everything looked white and bright in the room. Overhead, he saw strange illuminations, and big contraptions all around him, making strange beeping noises. There was something sticking out of his arm. He looked up to see two bags hanging overhead. One looked like blood. One was clear. He couldn’t speak. He felt stiff. There was some pain in his side when he tried to move. “What is your name, young man?” the doctor asked him. “Do you know your name?” “Lewis,” he managed. “Hello, Lewis. I’m Dr. Grey. Do you know where you are?” Lewis shook his head. “You’re in the North Vista hospital in Las Vegas.” “Las Vegas.” He breathed. Mason. Mason was from here. “Are you in pain?” “Some.” “I’ve given you something for pain in your drip. We operated to remove the bullet. Fortunately, there was no damage to your internal organs. You’re going to be fine. The police want to talk to you.” “Police? Authorities? Why?” “You were found in the desert, Lewis. You’d been shot. Do you know who shot you?” “No.” “You’d lost a lot of blood. You have no identification. Where do you come from?” “London.” “Ah. You speak with an accent. Are you Irish? My mother was 192

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Irish, spoke some like you. The accent is like a song really. I love listening to it. You sound Irish.” “No. I’m from London.” Lewis scanned the room. All the glass in the windows must have been expensive. The chairs were orange and blue and made from material he’d never seen before. “That’s not wood.” He pointed at one of them. “No.” The doctor peered at him again. “It’s plastic.” He bit his lip. ::Careful, Lewis, pretend you understand. Pretend you know.:: ::Vanessa?:: ::Lewis. Be careful. Get away from there as soon as you can. It’s dangerous for you. Pretend you understand.:: The doctor was still talking to him, asking him questions. “I’m sorry. I’m tired,” he said. “Do you mind if I…” “Of course not. You rest. I’ll be in to see you later.” “Doctor?” The doctor turned and looked at him. “Did I…when I was found…did you find anything…a black box?” “No,” the doctor smiled, “nothing like that.” Lewis’s heart sank. ::Damn it, Vanessa. Where is it?:: ::You must go back to where they found you and look for it. Hope they didn’t find it.:: ::Damn.:: ::Lewis. It’s all right. Don’t panic. I’ll help you.:: ::Where are you?:: ::They keep me locked up.:: ::I’ll come to get you.:: ::No. You must stay away from here. Just go back to where they found you, find the box and go home. Lewis. You have to get home. 193

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

They need you.:: ::I will.:: When it was quiet and the corridor was shrouded in darkness, Lewis sat up. He pulled out the tube which was connected to his arm and wiped at the blood with his sheet. They had him garbed in what looked like a dress with no back. He couldn’t go out like that. It must be some kind of uniform they made sick people wear. Quietly, he sneaked out of the room and down the corridor. He had to find clothes, and he had to find the way out. It was like a maze, everything white and shiny, no rats, no dirt. He read every door. Radiation, X-rays, Pharmacy, Records…then he turned the corner and stopped. Patients Locker Room. The door was ajar. He saw rows of clothing hanging in there. He was just about to go in when he heard someone coming. He hurried around the corner and ducked into someone’s room. A young man slept in the bed. His closet door was open and clothes hung inside. A little case sat on one of those plastic seats. Being quiet, Lewis took down the clothes. He checked the floor to find some shoes, and grabbed those, too. The man on the bed stirred, moaned a little and Lewis quickly left the room. He went into the next room he found. It had a picture on it that looked like a man. Maybe it was a place to dress. ::It’s all right.:: When he walked in, the room was dark. How did you get those things to go on that showed the light? Mason had told him about those. On the wall, you could just flip up this lever and it was like magic. Lewis ran his hand up the wall on one side and then hit something on the other side. Suddenly something flashed above him, light. His eyes widened. He laughed like a child. “Outstanding.” 194

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

He flicked the light off, then on, then off, and on again. After he lost his awe at the light over his head, he stared at the bowls with shiny handles. When he played with one, water came out like a pump in a well. He ran his hand over it. He opened each door on the other side of the room to see other bowls. This he quickly figured out. The ones in the wall, however, were a bit of a mystery, but he supposed they served some sanitary function. He held up the man’s clothes. The pants were thick and dark blue but rather faded in places. The knees were ripped and they were also rips in the back end. The pants also had a shiny silver thing at the groin that looked like it had teeth. The young man must have come from a poor family to have such shabby breeches. The shoes were white with all kinds of writing on them. And the shirt had no sleeves and you could see right through it. It had a strange orange gold hue and was stretchy. Lewis put on the clothing and it fit fairly well, but he wished he’d found some clothes from a wealthier individual. He felt some guilt about stealing from a poor man. He left the room and walked cautiously down the hallway. Suddenly, he heard a bell. He stopped and peered around the corner. Two doors opened by themselves and a person stepped out of a little room. The doors closed again. ::It’s the way out, Lewis.:: But where would he go once he was in that room? And was there any way out again? ::Go, Lewis. It’s all right.:: He would have preferred steps. Lewis walked up in front of the two doors and waited but nothing happened. Suddenly a woman dressed in a white coat walked up and stood beside him. “Going down or up?” she asked. 195

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I don’t know. Which way is outside?” She raised an eyebrow and laughed. “Ah…down to the lobby. That’s where I’m heading,” she said as she reached over and pressed the button that had the arrow pointing down. “Ah,” he said, “that’s it. It’s rational.” She smiled at him as the doors opened. She stepped inside and he did, too, raising his foot a little too high. She gawked at him, pressed the circle marked Lobby. “Are you all right, sir? Are you on medication?” He paused, smiled at her. “No. Maybe.” The little room lowered itself really fast and Lewis felt strange when it came to a standstill and the doors opened on their own. “Have a nice evening,” she said. He rushed out of the room and nodded. “Thank you. You have a nice evening, too, madam.” He saw a door straight ahead made entirely of glass. Doors made of glass? That was wasteful. There weren’t even glass doors in the queen’s court. A long table stood in the front with a little window. There was someone sitting there, something at their ear. They were talking into it. Lewis kept walking. When he was close to the glass doors, they opened for him. “Thank you,” he said. Then realized there was no one to thank. When he stepped outside, they closed again behind him. “Well, I know one thing,” he said aloud, “no one would need servants in this world.” *

*

London…September 6, 1572 196

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason was dreaming about Lewis. Lewis was kissing him tenderly on the mouth, stroking his hair, speaking to him. “I’m all right, baby. I miss you.” Mason ran his gaze over him. He was sitting beside him in the bed, naked. He’d never seen anything more beautiful. He traced the muscles in his arms, his chest. He moved his lips down to his thigh and licked him there. Fuck me, Lewis. I miss you so much. I want you inside me. Please, come home. Come back to me, Lewis. I’ll do anything…anything… “Mason, Mason, wake up. Wake up. You’re dreaming.” Mason opened his eyes. He could feel the dried tears on his face. “Oh, Jules,” he said, “it was so real. I could feel him like he was beside me and…” Jules perched on the edge of the bed. “Vanessa came to me last night.” “Oh God,” Mason said, clutching Jules’s arm. “What did she say? Is he all right? Is Lewis alive?” He smiled, nodded. “Yes. He’s alive.” Mason threw his arms around Jules and sobbed out his relief. “Thank God, thank God.” “Listen, son, he’s in danger. He left the machine in the desert and he is going to try to find it. Vanessa is helping him as best she can but everything is new to him. He’s a bit confused.” Mason nodded. “That is understandable. Was he hurt badly?” “Yes, but they saved him. He woke up in a place for that.” “Hospital.” “They did some magic and took the bullet out. If he can find the machine, he’ll be back here soon. Then we send you all home 197

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

and destroy both of those things.” Mason nodded solemnly. *

*

*

Nevada…September 6, 2014 Lewis had never seen anything like it in his life. Was everything in this century so bright and vivid? He walked down a street called the Strip. Buildings rose to the sky, with flashing lights and messages that blinded you. ARIA Resort and Casino, Mandarin Oriental, Vdara Hotel and Spa, The Veer Towers, places where people drank and listened to strange music. And there was someone called Elvis who moved his hips in a seductive way and sang songs like “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Love me Tender.” Lewis rather liked him. People spent their time eating enormous amounts of food and betting, playing machines that came up with fruits, and throwing down various circles on round tables and getting more of them in return. It was the strangest thing he’d ever seen. And as he tried to find his way back to the desert where he’d been found, he was distracted by the noise, the smells. There were bars where men came out hand in hand, like Mason had said, kissing each other in the open without being apprehended by anyone. People shrieked and catcalled and laughed. If he closed his eyes, it sounded a bit like home. But when he opened them, it was unrecognizable. Lewis wandered the streets. He knew he was lost. And when he’d ask people directions to the desert, they laughed at him. 198

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

As night fell again, he was hungry, and the pain in his side was bothersome. He wasn’t sure how he was going to be able to get any food. Maybe he’d have to offer his services to someone. He stood outside one of those places where men kissed each other, fascinated by the fact that there were so many of them and that no one cared. He decided to go and offer his services there in one of those taverns, in exchange for lodging and food. Surely he could do something useful. He walked through a big empty space where various colored machines sat. He had been entranced watching these machines move when people closed themselves inside. Mason had told him about these fast carriages. He pulled opened the door to the tavern, and a blast of music hit him. The music seemed to engulf him, coming from everywhere in the room. Half-dressed men danced seductively together to the music. He watched them for a few minutes, and smiled. He could see himself dancing with Mason here. But it would be nicer if the music was a little slower. He would have loved to hold Mason in his arms, danced close to his body. He missed him. Here he was in his time, and Mason was in his. It didn’t seem right. He saw a man behind the bar pouring drinks and figured that he was the innkeeper. He walked over and leaned across to him. “Hello. I was wondering if you could help me.” “Hello, beautiful. What will you have?” Lewis smiled at the endearment. Mason had called him that, beautiful. “A job please.” “A what?” He was wiping a glass on a towel. “A job. I need to earn coin so that I may have food and 199

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

shelter.” “Baby, are you high?” “High?” He glanced down at his feet. “No. I was high before I took the little room that moved. Now I’m low. This building is not like the sick place.” The bartender’s eyes widened. “The sick place, eh? Well, sweetie, I suggest you go back there to the sick place. But damn it, too bad you’re nuts, you’re really hot. All the hot ones are nuts, you know? How come you talk with that accent? You English?” “Yes. I’m from London. I haven’t eaten. I can do anything you need.” “Oh, sweetie,” he chuckled, “that’s quite an offer. Look, I’ll give you a bag of chips for now. If you hang around, I’ll take you for some grub later and maybe you and I can get to know each other better, okay?” “I don’t understand. Do you have a job for me? I want to earn my food.” “Sweetie, I’ll ah…make you earn it on your knees, don’t worry.” He reached under the bar and tossed him a bag. “Salt and vinegar, that’s all we got, babe. On the house.” Lewis took the bag in his hand. He stared at it a minute. “This is food?” “Well,” he laughed, “I promise better later. We don’t serve food here, honey, except for snacks.” Lewis glanced around. There was another man at the other end of the bar with the same thing. He watched as he tore open the top of the bag and then ate what was inside. Lewis did the same and gobbled down the chips. He couldn’t say he was enjoying them that much, but at this point he would have eaten just about anything. 200

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis thought about the bartender’s job offer. He doubted by the way he was looking at him that he was serious, and he didn’t relish working on his knees for his keep. He suspected it was sexual in nature, what he wanted him to do. Various men came up and said odd things to him. He got bored there and left the tavern. The lights in this place fascinated him, and he couldn’t get enough of looking at them. Sometimes he’d stand transfixed, just watching as one of those huge things flashed on and off, or even changed its picture. ::Be careful, Lewis.:: He sucked in some breath. The hunger reminded him that he needed to find another place to offer his services when a car pulled up beside him. Two men in uniforms got out. “I’m Officer Adams, and this is my partner, Kevin Nepal,” one man said as he walked toward him. “You’re going to need to come with us.” “What for?” Lewis regarded them suspiciously. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” “You’re wanted for questioning.” The officer took his arm and pulled him toward the car. “Watch your head,” he said and pushed him inside. When the vehicle started moving, Lewis was amazed at how smooth it was. Mason had called them cars. What would it have been like to have been born in this time? He could imagine himself here with Mason, everything so shiny and clean. ::Tell them nothing, Lewis.:: ::I won’t. This is trouble, isn’t it?:: ::Yes.:: The police took him to a busy place where a lot of strange people were arguing and struggling with uniformed men. He was whisked down the hallway and put in another room with glass and 201

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

white walls. He sat there alone, a police officer watching him from the other side of the room. Lewis smiled at him politely. “Is this the jail?” “Nope,” the officer said. “There is a holding cell but the jail is in another place.” “Oh.” The door opened suddenly and Lewis sat up straight. This man wasn’t wearing a uniform. He wore blue pants and a lighter colored shirt with a funny tie. “Lewis,” he smiled, “my name is Detective Storm. It’s nice to meet you.” “It is? Why am I here? Did I break the law?” “We’re not sure. You were found in the desert, shot…you almost died. You had a weapon on you.” “It’s not mine.” “Who does it belong to?” “I’m not sure.” “It’s government issued. Why did you leave the hospital?” “I felt better.” “How did you get a government issued gun?” “I don’t remember.” “What is your last name?” “Price,” he lied. It was the only thing he could think up fast. He didn’t dare say Langley. ::Good move.:: “And you’re from London?” “Yes.” “What year were you born, Mr. Price?” “Ah…1978.” He’d had to think fast but as soon as he said it, he knew it wasn’t right. 202

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“So, you want me to believe that you’re thirty-six years old?” ::Damn. Lewis, you should have said 1988.:: “Yes. I look young for my age.” “Why don’t you have any identification?” “I forgot to bring any.” “Driver’s license?” ::What in hell was that?:: ::Say you didn’t bring it.:: “I didn’t bring it.” “What do you do for a living, Mr. Price?” “My family is in ah…in metals. And I work for my father in exports.” “Metals?” He nodded. “He exports metal.” “In London?” “Yes.” “So what were you doing in the Nevada desert with a government issued gun and a bullet in your side? I take it you’re not an American. Do you have a passport?” “Like I said, I left everything at home.” “Including your passport.” “Yes.” “How did you get into the United States without a passport?” He was stumped. He looked down at his hands. ::Say it was stolen.:: “Someone took it.” “All right, Mr. Price. Let’s get back to the desert. Do you remember how you got shot?” ::Make up something.:: “Ah…well…I was on…holiday and I had a bit of a wild night. 203

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

I was drinking ale, lots of it and…I blanked out.” “Ale? Beer?” He nodded. “Yes.” “Do you have a drinking problem, Mr. Price?” “Yes,” he said hastily. “When you drink too much like I do, detective, sometimes things are lost to you. My father is rich. I really don’t have much else to do but to go whoring and drinking. I remember gambling. I owed some money to a gentleman. I had none to pay him so he shot me.” He hoped to hell this story was applicable to this time as well. ::Good job.:: “And this man’s name was?” “I have no idea. We never exchanged names.” “Wait here, Mr. Price. I’ll be right back.” Lewis sighed heavily. How in the hell was he going to wiggle out of this? ::Vanessa…did the authorities find it?:: ::No.:: ::Will I be able to find it?:: ::Yes. But get out of there and go back to the desert. Get it before someone picks it up.:: ::Easier said than done.:: ::Think of something. So far, you’ve amazed me.:: Lewis sighed. By the time the detective had returned, Lewis knew what he had to do. He leaned across the table and in a hushed voice, he said, “If you take me back to where I was found, I’ll show you something that might interest you.” “And what’s that?” “I can’t tell you here. But you have to come with me alone.” “Mr. Price,” he sat back in his seat, “there is no record of you anywhere, no record of your flight. What flight did you come in 204

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

on? When did you enter the country?” “Flight?” “Yes, your flight. What plane did you take?” Again he looked down at his hands. “I assume you flew across the ocean!” “Flew?” He looked up at him now. My God, people could fly now! Mason had never told him that. “What’s going on? If you tell me, it will be far easier.” “I’ll tell you everything if you take me back to where I was found.” Lewis met his gaze. “You won’t regret it.” The detective heaved a sigh. “Okay. It doesn’t look like we’re getting anywhere this way. Come on, Mr. Price, let’s go.” *

*

*

As they sat in the carriage with the motor, Lewis watched the detective make the carriage move. He went through several steps and pushed down on a pedal of some kind. “Fascinating,” Lewis said. “You’re a strange one,” the detective looked at him. Lewis smiled. “Detective, do you have a family?” “Yes. I have two children and a wife.” “That’s nice. Tell me about your children.” “Well, they’re both smart. One is in ballet, the other plays the drums. They’re on the honor list every year. They grow so fast. Annie wants to be a doctor. And I think Grace is going to be a historian. She loves history.” “Mason is a doctor.” “Who is Mason?” “Just someone I know. It’s a nice place for women now, isn’t 205

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

it?” “Better than it was in my grandmother’s time.” Lewis was thinking about Rosalie. He’d seen the freedom women had now, walking alone on the street, doing all kinds of jobs. The argument that women weren’t as capable as men was a lie. But he’d always suspected as much. He felt bad for Rosalie. She was a woman born ahead of her time, held back by ignorance and the need for men to have control. “What about you, Lewis, got a family?” “No. I’m supposed to have a child.” “Supposed to?” “That’s what I’m told, in the future. She’ll do wonderful things, or at least give birth to future generations who will do wonderful things.” Lewis watched the traffic go by. The lights, the roads the way they twisted and turned, fascinated him. Everything was so orderly. “You know all this, how? You shouldn’t waste your money on those psychics.” Lewis shrugged. The ride in the car was thrilling him. Everything was going by so fast. The detective turned down a road and then stopped. “You were found over there,” he said, pointing. Lewis opened the door and got out. He began to run. The detective got out as well and chased after him. “Hey, come back here, Price. I was trusting you here.” Lewis stopped suddenly, looked around him. “Where is it…where…where…” And then suddenly, he saw it, half buried in the sand. He ran over and picked it up, grateful. “Put it down,” the man said. He had a gun pointed at him. “No, don’t you see? I’m not from here. I have to go back. I 206

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

have to put things right, get rid of these things. I’m sorry, detective.” Lewis began to punch in the code. “It was great meeting you.” “Stop, Price, I can’t let you…” The spinning began. Lewis clutched the machine to his chest. He was falling, falling and then….nothing.

207

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 9 London…September 7, 1572 Lewis brushed the hay out of his hair and opened his eyes. “Damn it,” he said. Why did he have to end up in someone’s barn? A baby calf nudged him as he stood and he laughed. “Hey there,” he said softly and petted its nose. Suddenly a man walked into the barn, a pitchfork in his hand. “What are you doing in my barn?” “I’m sorry, sir. I’m Lewis Langley.” He clutched the machine to his chest. “I guess I had a bit too much of the drink last night.” The farmer peered at him. “You’re not Lewis Langley. What manner of dress are you wearing? You get out of my barn, you crazy…before I stick this fork…” He raised the pitchfork 208

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

threateningly. Lewis started to run. The farmer chased him for some time, then gave up. Louis looked down at his clothing and laughed, breathless as he slowed his pace. No wonder the farmer didn’t believe he was Lewis Langley. Lewis laughed aloud as he took the path along the river. It was good to be back, even if there were no doors that opened by themselves or people who could fly. There was fresh air, and things he knew. And there was Mason…at least for the time being. And he couldn’t wait to see him. ::It’s all right now, Lewis. Send them home, destroy the machines and this will end. The aliens will be content and there will be no threat of war.:: ::What about you?:: ::I’ll go back to the hospital maybe. I don’t believe they’re going to release me. They say that but they won’t.:: ::I won’t let them do that, Vanessa.:: ::You can’t help me.:: ::I will. I promise. Somehow I’ll get you free.:: *

*

*

Mason raced out of the house and ran down the road. Jules had told him that Lewis was on the way on foot. He’d seen it in his dream. When Mason finally spotted Lewis in the distance, he let out a yell. “Lewis! Lewis!” It was like a miracle. He ran hard, his heart burning. He just wanted to touch him, to hold him. As he got within a few feet of 209

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

him, he slowed his pace. Mason narrowed his eyes. What in hell was he wearing? Mason reached out for him, half laughing, half crying. Lewis held him tight. “Mason.” His arms around him felt like heaven. “Are you all right?” Mason whispered, pressing his lips to his cheek. He couldn’t stop shaking. “I’m fine,” he said, stroking his hair. “It’s all right now.” They stood there a long time in each other’s arms, then Lewis loosened his hold and stepped back. “Someone could see.” “I don’t care.” Mason hugged him again, then forced himself to back off. Lewis was right. They couldn’t risk it. They began to walk. Mason was trying to get his heart rate to return to normal again. He kept looking at Lewis. He was afraid to stop looking at him, afraid he’d suddenly disappear. “I have it,” Lewis said suddenly. Mason knew what he was talking about. He wanted to hold his hand but he didn’t dare do that either. He didn’t want to think about the machine. “I hate this century. What kind of a place would deny me the simple pleasure of holding the hand of someone I love?” He sighed. “What was it like for you in the future?” “A little frightening. I felt like a fish out of water, so to speak. You didn’t tell me people could fly. Do they have wings like birds?” Mason grinned. “No. Didn’t you see any planes when you were there, big machines in the sky?” “Yeah. Oh,” he said. “I feel stupid.” Mason laughed. “You don’t have to. In my time, people get into those things and we go up in the sky and travel everywhere. 210

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Would you like to try one someday?” “Yes,” he said. “But I never will.” Mason looked away. “I did ride in a car. Far more comfortable and faster than a carriage.” “I’m glad. And I’m glad you’re all right. You look great by the way.” He ran his gaze over the tight designer jeans and tight orange tank top. “You like it?” He looked doubtful. “Well, it’s ah…different. Your ass looks great in those jeans. Wow.” “They are not made to hide anything. Unfortunately I stole a poor man’s clothes. I feel a little guilty about that. The poor man couldn’t afford to…” “Honey,” Mason said with a smirk, “it’s the style. Those jeans probably cost four or five hundred dollars…a lot of money.” “Style? Why would someone rip clothing on purpose?” Mason laughed. “I come from a strange time.” “Um, I’ll say. Doors open for you, little rooms move up and down, and the buildings…are so high off the ground.” “Yes, to make more room.” When they approached the house, Jules came out to meet them. He hugged Lewis to him. “I’m so glad you’re all right. You have to tell me everything.” “You look well.” Lewis winced a little. “I have a good doctor.” He winked and the three men walked back inside. “Looks like you could do with one.” *

* 211

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis was surprised to see the man who had shot him sitting in the living room with Ernest, Ken and Mason’s sister, Pamela. “What’s he doing here?” He looked at Mason. “Lewis,” Derek came forward before Mason could respond, “I want to apologize. I didn’t mean to shoot you. The gun went off by accident. I did wrong, and I want to make amends.” “He’s trying,” Pamela offered. “It’s good to see you, Lewis. Thank you for what you did.” He nodded at her. “You look like you had quite a time of it,” Ernest said, surveying his clothes. “They’re in style.” He beamed at Mason, who laughed. “Did you fall on your knees?” his grandfather asked. Lewis shook his head. “It’s the way they’re made, Grandfather.” “Very unusual,” Jules mused. “Are you hungry?” He shook his head. His side was hurting him after the long walk. “I need to rest.” “Are you in pain?” Mason asked him. He nodded. “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll check your wound,” Mason said. Lewis gave Mason a sad smile. He wanted nothing more than to go upstairs with Mason, and stay there with him forever if he could, but it was better if they didn’t. He took the machine out of his pocket. “There’s no time. I’ll be all right.” Derek came forward. “That’s it? We can go home. Lewis, can you send us home?” Lewis held up his hand. “I will.” Mason met Lewis’s gaze. “Right now? Why do we have to…” Mason trailed off. 212

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“We have a few minutes.” His heart was breaking but he figured it would be worse if he waited. Plus, he couldn’t risk waiting too much longer. “Mason, give me the real one. I have to destroy that one too after I…” He couldn’t say it. “It’s hidden upstairs,” Mason said softly. “Go and get it, please.” “Come with me, please?” Mason reached over and took his hand. “Well, I don’t know about you,” Jules announced suddenly, “but I need some food, come people. Let’s have some bread and— ” “I don’t want any fucking bread,” Derek snapped. “I want to go home now. Come on, Lewis. I’ve been stuck here long enough.” “Of your own doing.” Lewis glared at him. “Don’t push me, Sterling, or I’ll leave you behind. I promise.” “Derek,” Pamela said, grabbing his arm, “let’s give them a minute.” “Fucking soap opera,” he grumbled, jerking away from Pamela. “There’s no time for this love shit. I vote we bring the original back where it belongs to our time.” “Why is that, so that you can appear to be a hero to the government?” Pamela scoffed. “Not on your life.” “Why should he keep both?” Derek countered. “It belongs in our century, not his.” “Listen, you.” Lewis gritted his teeth. He reached for him, but Mason grabbed his arm and held him back. “You’re not in any condition for this, Lewis.” “Derek, back off,” Ken told him. “Or I’m going to vote you stay here in this time. Lewis will do what he has to do. You don’t have a say. Just shut up and wait until Lewis is ready to send you 213

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

home.” Ken shoved Derek out of the room. This time he didn’t protest. The rest filed out behind them. Lewis went to look out the window. “There’s a lot of glass in your time. I guess it’s not as expensive.” “No, it’s not…Lewis,” Mason said softly. “How can I leave you? Come with me.” “I can’t. You know that. Don’t ask me.” He kept his gaze on a bird in the garden that was busy drinking from the fountain. He wished he could just fly away right now. “Then I’ll stay here with you.” “You can’t. Mason, go and get the other machine. Please,” he pleaded. “Lewis.” “If you ever loved me, Mason, go and get the machine. Don’t make this any harder than it already is. I’m mustering every ounce of strength I have right now not to keep you here with me. Please, I’m pleading with you. Help me.” When he heard Mason’s footsteps retreat across the floor, he closed his eyes in relief. ::I’m so sorry, Lewis.:: Vanessa’s voice was suddenly a comfort. ::Vanessa. Stay with me. Help me to do this, to send him away. Give me the strength.:: ::You can do it. You’re strong, Lewis. You’re a Langley. You know it has to be this way, don’t you?:: ::Yes. I know.:: *

* 214

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason sank down on the bed and stared at the machine in his hand. The moment that he’d both dreaded and longed for had arrived. He was going home. He’d return to his residency, his job at the hospital, and his empty bed. Before all this, he’d actually liked his life. Now, he couldn’t imagine going back there without Lewis. Lewis, how am I going to live without you? He held back the tears as he came downstairs with the machine in his hand. He had to be strong for Lewis. He’d promised. Jules met him at the bottom of the stairs with a sad smile. He put a hand on his shoulder. “Everyone is waiting with Lewis in the study. They’re ready to go home, Mason.” “You’re not coming after all then?” “I’d like to. In fact, that’s all I’ve ever dreamed of. But I belong here. It wouldn’t be right. We don’t know what repercussions it could have. Besides, Lewis is going to need me.” Mason sniffed. “Take care of yourself, okay? Take care of him.” “I will. Try and be happy, Mason.” Jules grabbed him and gave him a hug. Mason swallowed hard and walked into the study. Lewis stood there with the machine. He looked up as he walked in. His eyes were dry. He was a lot better at this than Mason. Maybe it was because he was British, or because of the century from which he came. Ken, Pamela and Derek stood around him in anticipation. Ernest waited near the door. “I wanted to say goodbye, Mason.” He put out his hand. Mason shook it, and they hugged briefly. “Goodbye, Ernest.” “Thank you for what you did for my wife. She’s a changed 215

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

person.” “My pleasure. If you see James, can you tell him goodbye as well. I meant to see him but…” “I will. Have a nice trip,” he said to everyone, and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Pamela reached out for Mason’s hand as he approached. She squeezed it, trying to comfort him. Mason stood next to Lewis. Lewis glanced at him briefly, then away. “Everyone… hold hands,” Lewis told them. “Mason, grip the machine but not too tight. When I tell you to let go of it, let go.” Mason nodded. He was breaking down, tears flooding his eyes. He tried to hold them back but they were coming on their own. “Here is the original,” he managed, handing him the machine. Derek’s gaze settled on it as Lewis took it and placed it on the table behind him. “Okay.” He held out the other machine to Mason. “Mason, hold onto the machine and hold tight everyone to each other. Are you ready?” “Lewis?” Mason said urgently. Lewis didn’t look at him. He took a deep breath and began to punch in the code. Mason held onto the edge of the machine, wondering what would be so terrible if he just let go and stayed behind. He closed his eyes. “Lewis,” he whispered. The room began to spin. Lewis…I love you…I love… Abruptly, he felt the pressure of Lewis’s mouth on his. The words… “Goodbye, my love,” echoed in his head. He wasn’t sure if he’d said them, or Lewis had. He could still taste the sweetness of Lewis’s mouth on his when his eyes snapped open. “Lewis!” 216

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis’s face swam in front of him as the room turned round faster and faster. Mason…let go! Let go now! *

*

*

Lewis stumbled back against the table, the machine still clutched against his chest as he wrenched it out of Mason’s hands. He was alone. The room was empty. The other machine still sat on the table behind him. It was over. The door to the room flew open. Ernest and his grandfather came rushing in. They looked around. “You did it! You did it, Lewis,” Jules announced. Never in his life had he ever felt so empty, so totally alone. He’d done it all right. He’d just sent away the only man he would ever love, forever. *

*

*

Nevada…December 16, 2019 “What should I buy for Mason?” Vanessa asked. “It’s his birthday on the weekend.” Pamela settled onto the sofa with the newest novel from her favorite romance writer and stretched out her legs. “I told you, hon. He’s the man who has everything.” Vanessa came and plunked down on the sofa beside her. She was practically sitting on her legs. “Except love.” Pamela put down her book. “Oh, honey,” she said softly. She opened her arms and hugged the girl to her. “I know. I know.” 217

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Vanessa looked up at her. “If I could give him anything, it would be a message from Lewis. But I can’t anymore. As long as the machines have been destroyed or are put in a secure place, I have no power to do that. The way Mason looks at me sometimes, as if he thinks Lewis will speak out of me… Pam, it breaks my heart.” “And you don’t want to have the power to do that anymore. You’re free now. It’s behind you.” “Thanks to you, and Mason, and dear, dear Lewis, of course.” She sat up. Pamela looked at her. What a beautiful, sweet and affectionate girl she was. The thought that she’d been locked up all those years was such a horrible thing. It had taken some doing to carry out what she’d promised Lewis she would do on the day they left his century. But with Mason’s and Ken’s help, she’d kept her promise to him. Vanessa was now free. Pam remembered clearly the day they left. Lewis had taken her aside when Mason was upstairs, and said, “You have to get Vanessa Langley away from your rulers. They’ll lock her away to keep their secrets. Please, Pamela. Promise me.” She’d nodded at him. “I’ll do what I can.” He was satisfied with that. He’d hugged her. She was amazed at how he had the ability to think of a girl he hardly knew from another century when his heart was breaking the way it was. He was so sad. She had felt it radiating out of him. “A new doctor’s bag,” Vanessa said suddenly jarring Pam back to the present. “His is all banged up.” “I think he likes it like that.” Pamela grinned. “Let me give it some thought, okay?” 218

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

She nodded, got up, and wandered into her room. Vanessa had been living with her and Ken for three years. Her parents wanted nothing to do with her. And finally, with some papers signed, swearing everyone to secrecy, after months and months of negotiations and lawyers, they had let Vanessa go. Pamela had gone to work for a private company and, a year later, she’d married Ken, who’d turned out to be a real nice guy. Neither one of them wanted any more to do with government work, or Area 51. Ken started his own security company and loved it. Derek Sterling went back into the military, with no questions asked. She hadn’t seen him in years, and was glad of it. They had all agreed on the same story. The machines had been destroyed in the sixteenth century. It was over. They were all sworn to secrecy, and allowed to live their lives. Mason had devoted himself to his medical career. He’d bought a condo and finally decided, at Pamela’s urging, to remain in Las Vegas, especially when Vanessa decided to enter medical school as well, and take up residency at the same hospital in the field of psychiatry. Mason had grown extremely close to Vanessa, who had Lewis’s dark hair and blue eyes. And although Pam hated to say it, it was Vanessa’s connection to Lewis that had created the bond. That girl was all Mason had left of Lewis. And that was too sad to even think about, so she tried not to most of the time. Mason had been on fewer than three dates in the last year, and that was after they had pressured him to go. Before that, he’d spent his time with them or alone in his apartment. It was rather pathetic. And although he never mentioned Lewis’s name aloud, Pam knew in her heart he missed him every single day. 219

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Both she and Vanessa hoped he’d find love, but Pamela sincerely doubted that was ever going to happen, no matter how many men anyone set him up with; none of them were Lewis, and that was the problem. Pam sighed and returned to her book. Ironically, it was a romance set in the sixteenth century. Historical romance was back in style. And as she read about the young woman going to her new position as a governess in the house of a nobleman, she hoped that Lewis was happy with his life. *

*

*

London…December 15, 1575 Molly pulled Anna by the hand and marched her out into the garden. “Lewis!” Lewis turned around and looked at Molly, then down at his three-year-old. Her chubby little face was covered with cream, and so were her hands. “She’s been into the pastry again,” Molly grumbled. “Look how grubby she is, and I just gave her a bath and put on her brand new dress.” Lewis scrunched down and held out his arms with a smile. Anna came running into them like a cyclone. “Daddy!” she cried, getting cream all over his shirt and in his hair. He kissed her, then picked her up in his arms and hugged her tight. “What mischief is my little girl into now, eh?” “You indulge her too much, Lewis.” Molly shook her head but there was a faint smile on her face. “She’s spoiled, loved too much. I told her not to get into things and—” 220

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Oh, Molly.” He laughed. “It’s not a serious thing.” He rumpled his daughter’s dark hair and kissed her chubby cheek, bouncing her in his arms. She squealed. “Come on, scamp, let’s go and get you cleaned up before old Molly here has a fit.” “I’ll do it, sir,” Molly said, holding out her arms. “No, no, that’s all right,” Lewis replied, hoisting his little girl up over his shoulder. She was laughing as he carried her off inside and went upstairs to the bowl of water he kept in his room. He put her down, dampened a cloth and began to sponge off her hands and face. She was the joy of his life, the only thing really he still cared about. Seeing her smile at him each day kept him going. Rosalie had died a year after Anna was born. She’d gone into London to administer to the poor, and caught a strange fever. No one could save her. Her father blamed Lewis for “not taking her in hand,” screaming at him at her grave side. “Why did you let your wife go and work among those…those people? You killed her. You killed my daughter.” Because it made her happy. And he would never have stopped her from doing what she loved. He worried about her, warned her to shield herself from disease, but Rosalie was a free spirit. Mason had told him about the disease that could be caused by the filth and rats in the city. He gave her advice on how to avoid falling sick, but she was Rosalie. She thought she was immortal. On her death bed, she’d told him, “Lewis, don’t be sad, my love. I’ve never been happier since you made me your wife. I’ve tasted freedom. You allowed me to be a human being and I…there was no greater gift. You always treated me as your equal…and it didn’t matter if your heart belonged elsewhere…I always loved 221

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

you.” He’d cried when she closed her eyes in death. He’d held her hand until the undertaker urged him to let her go. She’d understood him, and although he’d never been passionately in love with her, he’d loved her dearly. And she knew that. She had given him Anna and, for that, he owed her everything. Now there was only Anna. He was the head of the household. His father had died shortly after Rosalie. His mother swore he caught the fever from Rosalie, and blamed him for that as well. He managed the family’s business and devoted himself to his daughter. His mother pressed him often to take another wife. “Isn’t natural for a man to nurture a child the way you do,” she told him. “She needs a mother.” “I am both mother and father to her, and that’s the way it will stay,” he’d told her. “Courtney is still unmarried and has always had great affection for you.” “Her father hates me, blames me for Rosalie’s death. Do you really think he’d give me his daughter’s hand in marriage?” The last person he wanted to marry was Courtney Price. He’d sooner marry Molly. His heart belonged to only one, and always would. The only time he allowed himself to think about Mason was late at night, when he crawled into bed alone. It was then he would recall his touch, his smile. He’d feel his cock harden as Mason’s image came to his mind, and he’d whisper, “I love you, Mason,” in the dark before he closed his eyes to sleep. But he was so far away…so very far. *

* 222

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Nevada…December 25, 2019 Mason sat in the cafeteria eating his sandwich and thinking about the turkey Ken was going to cook for Christmas dinner. Not very many people ate turkey at Christmas anymore but this year they’d decided to go the traditional route. Last year, they’d had seafood. It was good but it didn’t seem like Christmas, not the way it was when he and Pam were kids. Pam always took out her fruitcake, regardless. It was filled with rum, and she’d make it months before and let it ferment. It was filled with cherries and nuts. It made his mouth water. Their parents were going to be there for Christmas as well. They had taken an early retirement from the military and had settled back in Vermont. It was going to be good to have the whole family together. When his pager went off, Mason stood, wrapped up his sandwich and slipped it into his pocket. He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and raced down the hallway. The pager indicated that it was an emergency, and he was the only doctor on the ward tonight. He’d volunteered to work Christmas Eve because he had no children, like some of the others. Pam and Ken were invited to a party at Ken’s folks, and Vanessa was going out with her new boyfriend. Mason had nothing else to do but work. When he got as far as the front, Anita, the head nurse, was there to meet him. “What is it?” he asked, following her down the hallway. “We have this young boy who was brought in. We can’t figure out what’s wrong with him and we can’t settle him down. He’s irate.” 223

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

When they got to the room, Mason saw four nurses holding down the boy, who was literally bouncing up and down on the stretcher. He couldn’t have been any more than ten years old. Two nurses moved aside to let Mason through. Mason took his light and tried to look into the boy’s eyes. It wasn’t easy. “Do you know if he took anything? Are there any discernible wounds?” “No,” Anita said breathlessly as she pressed down on the child’s chest. “They found him in the desert. He’s isn’t saying anything that makes sense.” The boy was mumbling, thrashing back and forth. Mason hung back, sighed. “Let’s get something into him to calm him down.” He looked at Paul and rattled off a prescription. “Could you get that please?” “Yes, doctor,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” Mason observed the boy as the others held him down. He narrowed his eyes. The boy had on a wool tunic-like shirt. He wore strange pants, pants you would find in the…no…it couldn’t be. Was this a joke? “He was found in the desert?” Mason asked Anita for confirmation. “Yes. The police brought him in. He was wandering outside the city. An officer is still in the waiting room.” Mason nodded. He felt his chest heave as he backed against the wall. He was on the verge of hyperventilating. Vanessa would know. If someone came through…but how…Lewis was supposed to have destroyed those machines. How could this kid have gotten hold of a time machine? And how would he have known what it was for? 224

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Suddenly, he went to the bed again. He grabbed the boy by the shoulders and held him still. “Who are you?” he demanded. “Where do you come from? Do you know Lewis?” Hands were on him, pulling him back. Anita and Paul pulled him to the door as the others stared. “Are you all right, Mason?” Anita asked while Paul kept a hand on him as if he was afraid he’d bolt. Mason pushed his hand off. “I’m fine. Administer the shot. I need some air. I’m sorry. I’m not myself.” Paul held up the tiny bottle with a syringe. “I’ll give it to him right away.” Mason nodded. “I’ll be back to check on him in a little while. Assign him a room.” He turned and walked off down the hall. Everything felt surreal. The hallway seemed narrow and confining, and he was having trouble breathing. An hour later, Mason sat beside the young boy in his room. They’d taken his clothes and put him in a hospital gown. He was sleeping quietly. Mason just stared at him. It couldn’t be. Maybe the boy was an actor in some theater production. The sun suddenly was shining in his eyes. Mason hadn’t moved from his chair. He was still looking at him, as if suddenly he’d sit up and tell him the answers he so desperately had to know. He’d quizzed the nurses about what they’d heard the boy say when he was brought in, but none of them could make any sense of it. They all said one thing however. The boy had a strange accent. At around eight o’clock in the morning, Mason got out of the chair. He was stiff from sitting. He went to get some coffee. While he was waiting for the coffee, he called Vanessa. He got her 225

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

answering machine. He hoped she wasn’t sleeping with that new guy. He didn’t like him but, then again, it wasn’t his place to choose her lover. Pamela had advised him not to be so overprotective of Vanessa, but it was hard. She was connected to Lewis, the only thing he had left really. Whenever he saw those blue eyes and dark hair, it made him smile. “Van,” he said into her answering machine, “it’s Mason, call me when you get this, please. It’s important.” He hung up and went back to the boy’s room. When he got there, Clay Mancini was there. He was the doctor on call. “Hey, Mason. What’s wrong with this boy? I read your report.” “Nothing that I can see. I think he may be in shock.” “I’ll come back and check on him once he wakes up,” he said. “Happy Holidays!” “You, too,” Mason said. *

*

*

Less than five miles away from the hospital, Vanessa bolted upright in bed and gasped. “No, no, no.” She shook her head. “Not again. It can’t be.” She got up and washed her face. Outside the bathroom window, the birds sang unaware that anything had changed. Her phone was flashing. She knew who it was. She pressed redial. On the second ring, Mason picked up. “Van, did you have a dream?” “Yes. How did you know?” “He’s here in the hospital.” “Who is he?” 226

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I don’t know, but I’m sure he’s from the past. Can you communicate with Lewis now?” “I don’t know. Maybe. Damn it, Mason. How is this possible? Lewis promised to—” “Just see if you can contact him. Please. Oh, Van, if this is true maybe I can get a message to Lewis.” Vanessa sighed. Her heart ached for him. “Mason…I…don’t get your hopes up.” He hung up the phone and looked down at the boy in that bed. “How in the hell did you get here?” Hope. It had been a long time since he’d even dared to dream that he’d hear from Lewis again. But he tried to keep it at bay as Vanessa advised him. If it was a false alarm, he didn’t think he could bear it. He didn’t know how it was possible, given that Lewis would have destroyed the time machines, but he didn’t care about that. He just wanted it to be true so badly. At two in the afternoon, the nurse came to get him in his office. “Your sister is here,” she said. Mason stood just as Pam walked in. “What is it?” “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “Stop this, Mason. I can’t bear it. You should be home now.” “What…what do you mean?” “You know what I mean.” She looked him in the eye. “You are never going to see Lewis again.” “How do you know that?” “You’ve got to move on. This is a fantasy.” “I’ve never…really lost hope.” “Mason, you need to find someone else to share your life with.” “Pam…I…Vanessa said she had a dream.” 227

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I know. She told me this morning. But it’s probably nothing.” “This boy in the hospital…Pam…he…” “Mason.” Pam came up to him and hugged his neck. “It’s Christmas day. You need to leave here. You’ve had no sleep. Ken is cooking turkey and—” A knock came on the door. “He’s awake, Dr. Gardner,” a nurse on day duty said. Mason skirted past his sister and ran down the hall. Pamela was on his heels. When Mason got to the room, he asked everyone to leave. He ushered in his sister and told her to close the door behind her. *

*

*

Pam looked down at the boy in the bed. She looked at Mason. “He’s a child, Mason.” Was her brother finally losing his mind? This wasn’t healthy. Mason waved her comment away and looked at the boy. “Hello,” Mason smiled, “my name is Dr. Gardner. Do you know where you are, son?” “Doctor? No. Where…where am I?” He looked around. His eyes were frightened. Pamela narrowed her eyes. He had the accent. She’d recognize it anywhere. “In a hospital in Las Vegas.” “Where is…is that?” “How did you come here?” Mason asked him gently. “I don’t know.” His gaze was on the window. “Where were you before you came here?” “At home, on my farm.” 228

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Did you see a box, a funny box before you came here?” That was Pamela. She was beginning to believe there was something here. “Easy,” Mason warned her. “Don’t go too fast. The nice lady just wants to know if you ever saw a little black box when you were back on your farm.” She raised a hand to her mouth when the boy nodded quietly. She saw her brother grip the bed sheet in his fist and take a breath. “Can you tell me about it? Where did you get it?” “I was playing,” he said, “down by the river. There was something sticking out of the sand. I…well I dug it up and…suddenly I just…everything…it was…” He gulped. “I was spinning…spinning and…” He was getting irate. Mason stroked his hair and said some soothing words. “It’s all right. You’re safe here. What’s your name?” “Oliver. Oliver Whitfield.” “Do you know where the box is now? Did you have it with you when you—” He shook his head. “I got scared. I dropped it but…I…” “It’s all right.” Mason stood. “You rest now. I’ll be back to see you real soon, Oliver.” Pamela had bitten her bottom lip so hard she tasted blood. They left the room quietly and stood frozen outside in the hallway for the longest time. Finally Pamela gathered enough saliva in her mouth to form words. “Lewis couldn’t have destroyed it, at least not both of them.” Mason placed his hand on the wall to steady himself. “He must have buried one with the code already in it, but why?” He met Pamela’s gaze. 229

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Pamela stroked his cheek. “In case he couldn’t bear it without you. Maybe he wanted to come through, or…thought maybe in the future…” “Vanessa has to reach him, let him know what happened. How in the hell are we going to get that boy back home now?” Pamela took a breath and looked into her brother’s eyes. “Lewis will just have to come and get him.”

230

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER 10 Las Vegas…January 10, 2020 Oliver sat at the counter drinking his milk. He’d adapted very well so far. There was so much for a child his age to love. He loved the television and the Internet, and Vanessa had a wonderful time showing him all the electronic games. Oliver was an orphan, so that made it even harder to think about sending him home. He’d been taken in by his father’s brother, who already had seven children of his own. He didn’t get any affection, had no fun, no schooling. He just worked on the farm from sunup to sundown like a slave. They’d already fallen in love with him. Vanessa was in a perpetual state of frustration. As hard as she 231

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

tried to communicate across the centuries, she couldn’t. “I can’t reach Lewis,” she told Mason in tears that night. “But you said you had a dream.” “I did. I had a dream that someone had uncovered the box. But I didn’t see Lewis. I can’t even sense him. Mason,” she said gently, clutching his hand, “he could be—” “Don’t even think that!” He snapped. “Lewis is not dead.” “Why do we have to send Oliver back? What harm would it do to keep Oliver with us? He loves it here. We love him.” “I know.” Mason sighed. He placed an arm around her and pulled her down with him on the sofa. They could hear Oliver playing a video game in his room. He lowered his voice. “But he’s not from here. We don’t know what it could do to…you know what I’m talking about?” “Chances are, it won’t do anything, Mason. He’s an orphan with no future back there. He’d probably die really young. The plague is coming. He’s poor and unloved.” Mason sighed. “I know that.” “Pam and Ken want to keep him. And you love him, too. Let’s not send him back.” “It’s not even the issue, Van. We can’t send anyone anywhere anyway!” He got up and paced a little “We don’t have a machine. I’m worried. What if someone else finds the machine? Everything could start all over again.” “But I’d know. If the machine was vulnerable, I’d probably be able to communicate with Lewis. Remember, as long as the machine is not exposed, I have no powers. Apparently, everything is fine.” Mason closed his eyes. He literally ached for some news from Lewis. What if Van is right, what if Lewis had died? No. He was 232

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

alive and well and…Lewis, please, speak to her. *

*

*

London…March 18, 1576 Boy disappears… mysterious object found in his place…boy disappears… mysterious… “What’s the matter, Papa?” Lewis had stopped dead in the middle of the street when he heard the newspaper vendor holler out the headlines. Mysterious black box found… boy disappears like puff of smoke… read it here… get your paper here… Lewis squeezed Anna’s hand reassuringly and hurried over with his change. “I’ll take one of those,” he said, and put the change in the boy’s hand. He pulled Anna to the side of the street and read the story on the front page, his heart hammering. A nine-year-old farm boy who disappeared some time ago not far from his uncle’s abode was described as vanishing into nowhere. Authorities found an unknown object at the site where the boy was last seen. Witnesses say he was “standing there one minute, and vanished like vapor the next.” Lewis dropped the paper in the mud. “Papa…you dropped it,” his little girl said, bending over to pick it up. The paper separated into pages and fluttered away in the cold 233

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

breeze. He thought he’d hidden it well. Oh God. Apparently, he hadn’t hidden it well enough. He had to get that machine back. Molly was somewhere around shopping. He picked Anna up in his arms and scouted the market for the older woman. He spotted her standing in front of the vegetable stall. “Molly,” he said breathlessly, “I need you look after Anna for me. I have something I need to do.” She glanced at him. “Leave her with me then. You want Franklin to wait for you?” “No. I don’t know how long I’ll be. Tell him to take you home and then come back.” “All right,” she said, grabbing Anna’s hand. Lewis bent down to kiss her, and straighten the hat on her head. She smiled that little smile at him. “I love you, Papa,” she said. “I love you,” he whispered and then turned on his heel and ran through the muddy street. He tried to reassure himself as he went. They wouldn’t know what it was. When his grandfather had died last year, he’d taken all the drawings and hidden them in a strong box under the floorboards in his room. And if that boy had gone through time, the code would have been wiped out. Anyway, it wouldn’t matter what he’d have to do. He’d steal it if need be. But he had to get it back. Suddenly, he slowed his pace. His heart beat wildly. He should have destroyed it like he did the duplicate one. But when the time came, he couldn’t do it. Its destruction meant the possibility of ever seeing Mason again was gone forever. But he never thought in a million years someone would dig it up. The first person Lewis thought of seeing was a magistrate named William Porter, a long time family friend. Luckily, he was 234

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

in his office, and agreed to meet with Lewis right away. Lewis held out his hand. “Hello, William, how are you?” “Just fine. Lovely to see you, Lewis. Please, come in. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?” Lewis followed him to his study. “Sit, please. Can I have my maid get you something?” “No,” Lewis said. “William, I need your help.” William sat across from him. “Certainly. Anything, Lewis. Your father was always supportive of my career. How is your mother?” “Fine. William, you’ve heard of that black box that was found?” “Yes, the one connected to the disappearance of that poor orphan lad.” “Well, it belongs to me. It belongs to the Langley family. In fact, it’s been in the family for quite some time. I need to get it back.” He sat back in his seat. “I see.” “Where is it now? Do you know?” “Lewis, what exactly is it?” “It’s ah…a trinket box.” “Trinket box? It doesn’t open.” “Then you’ve seen it?” “Yes.” He narrowed his eyes. “It’s not in my possession.” “Then in whose possession is it?” Lewis insisted, trying to keep his voice calm. “It’s in the hands of a man appointed by the church.” Lewis’s eyes widened. “The church?” He folded his hands together. “Why in the world would the church be interested in a trinket box?” 235

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Lewis, there has been a lot of…well…activity lately. People are talking about supernatural occurrences…witchcraft.” “Witchcraft?” Lewis laughed. “Surely, you, as a man of learning, don’t believe such drivel?” “There are witnesses. There are people who say that the boy picked up that box and disappeared in thin air. Reputable people, Lewis. Now you tell me it’s your box. If you know something about this box, you’d better say.” Lewis stood. He’d made a big mistake coming here. “I know nothing about witchcraft. I only know that box belonged to my family and that it was considered a trinket box.” “It doesn’t do anything, Lewis. It has a strange window in it and buttons you can push. The numbers come up in the window like magic. Since that boy disappeared, there has been a lot of death. Three people have died on that road near the river.” “That has nothing to do with the box!” God, people were punching numbers into it. There was no telling what could happen. “Listen, the streets run with disease. There are rats everywhere. Improper drainage makes people sick. A box can’t do that.” William stared at him. Lewis cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you now. Thank you for your time.” When he got outside, he closed his eyes and leaned against the building. It was far worse than he’d thought. Oh God, what have I done? *

*

Las Vegas…April 12, 2020 236

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Vanessa woke up screaming. When Pamela and Ken rushed into her room, she was clutching her throat. It took a long time to get her to calm down. Oliver was there now. He’d crawled onto her bed and was hugging her. Vanessa held him, while still looking straight ahead. “What is it, Van?” Pam urged. “Are you all right?” She seemed to come back to the present. She looked at Pam, then at Ken. She kissed the top of Oliver’s blond head. “Ken, take Oliver back to bed. I need to talk with Pam.” “I don’t want to leave you,” Oliver muttered. “It’s okay, Ollie, I’m fine,” she said. “Go on now. You have school in the morning.” Ken came over and picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. Oliver laughed with delight and they left the room. “Pam,” Vanessa said, “what I’m about to tell you, you can’t tell Mason yet. You must promise?” Pamela nodded, afraid. “What is it? Is it bad?” She nodded. “I don’t know if what I saw was true or if it was just a dream…but it felt so real. It was Lewis. He was tied to a…tree…a rope around his neck…there was fire all around him.” She placed her hands over her face… “It was so hot, so hot. I could feel the flames.” She started to cry again. “Oh,” she covered her mouth, “I can’t say it.” Pam hugged her. “Oh God, why? What did he do?” “They think he’s…a…a witch.” Pamela sat back. “A what?” “A witch. I don’t know how. It has to do with the box. That’s all I know. The only thing is, I don’t know if it’s happened already or it will happen. I can’t…he won’t talk to me. I’ve tried.” “It’s your powers. They…are they back?” 237

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Yes.” She sighed. “The box is vulnerable. I should be able to talk to him but…it’s Lewis. He won’t talk to me. I don’t know why. I can’t help him if he doesn’t talk to me.” Pam sighed. “Keep trying okay?” She nodded and lay back down. “I need to sleep. My head is so tired. Maybe I can find him there in a dream.” Pamela kissed her cheek and left the room. She’d heard of these witchcraft burnings, and it had even happened in Salem. People had been accused of witchcraft without any evidence to prove it. But if someone had that machine and figured out what it could do…and if they’d connected it with Lewis…well… they would most likely connect it with the supernatural. Poor Lewis. Why hadn’t he destroyed it? Pamela paced the floor awhile. She thought of Mason. If something happened to the man her brother loved, she’d have to tell him. Now, how in the hell was she going to tell him that Lewis was about to be executed as a witch? *

*

*

London…April 13, 1576 Ernest was the only one he could talk to about this but Ernest was frightened. He was an old man, his health failing. All this talk of witchcraft was not good for him. “I should just steal it,” Lewis said. “And the authorities would be on your doorstep in a heartbeat.” Ernest shook his head. “They’d know it was you. You should have never identified the thing as belonging to you. You could have just 238

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

stolen it and…they would have never known…unless you were caught.” “I never imagined they’d think it was the work of the devil. It’s insane!” “Anyway, those morons will never figure out what it really is.” Ernest placed a hand on his shoulder. “You have a daughter to think about, Lewis. As long as there is no danger, let it be. This talk of the supernatural will blow over.” Lewis stared down into his glass of ale at the warm, little murky puddles on top of it. He looked at Ernest. He wasn’t sure that it was going to blow over. “I wish Grandfather was here. He’d know what to do.” “Yes. He always did. He’d give those fools the what for.” He laughed a little. Lewis stood. “I’ve got to get home. I’ll see you soon.” “Be careful, Lewis,” he warned. When Lewis got into the house, his mother was waiting for him. She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the parlor. “What is it, Mother?” “What is all this talk? People are saying that you’re a witch. There are people on their way here. They want to question you about some box you have. Lewis, what did you do?” Her expression looked frantic. “Nothing. I didn’t do anything.” “There is a priest with these people who hunt…my God, witches. And they are talking about Rosalie.” “They won’t touch my daughter. Those bastards won’t touch my daughter,” he shouted. “I want you to pack up your things and Anna’s. You and Molly are going to go to your sister’s and stay there until I give word for you to come home again. Is that clear?” 239

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“But Lewis,” his mother protested. “Just do what I say, Mother. You’ll leave tonight. I’ll go speak to Franklin.” No one was happy about leaving, especially having to travel in the dead of night. Thankfully, Anna was half asleep and didn’t kick up a fuss at having to leave him. His mother complained all the way to the carriage about the cold and the dark and a thousand other details. Lewis didn’t pay attention to her. When they were inside, he leaned down and kissed his daughter’s chubby cheek while she lay sleeping in Molly’s arms, wrapped in a warm blanket. “Remember,” he whispered, “your father loves you. He’ll love you forever no matter what happens. And nothing you hear about me was ever true.” His mother looked at him. He pecked her cheek and also Molly’s, who was crying, and got out of the carriage. He looked up at Franklin. “Take care of them. Get them there safely. I know I can depend on you.” Franklin nodded. “Of course, sir. And you, sir, come with us.” He shook his head. “You’ve been a good friend, Franklin, and a good employee. Go now.” Franklin tipped his cap and snapped the reins. Lewis waited until he could no longer see the carriage and then turned around and went inside. He ran upstairs and took out the gun that Mason had left behind. He hoped it still worked. ::Lewis…hear me!:: Lewis stopped. He’d heard Vanessa before but he hadn’t answered. He couldn’t burden Mason with all this. If he was going to die here, he would make sure the machine was gone before he 240

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

did. He blocked out the voice and ran back outside. He went into the barn and walked out his horse. If they wanted him, he was coming. He tucked the gun safely into his coat and jumped up onto his horse. ::Lewis? Please. I have to talk to you.:: The cold night air whipped his hair back as he rode, stinging his face. ::You must talk to me. Please. My head hurts so much.:: ::I’m sorry, Vanessa. There’s nothing you can do for me. Stop trying.:: ::I saw your execution.:: Suddenly, he slowed his horse as he spotted the men riding toward him. It was them. ::Anna. Did you see Anna, Vanessa? Please tell me nothing happens to Anna.:: ::Who is Anna?:: ::Good. She’ll be all right then.:: ::Get the machine and travel here where you will be safe.:: ::It’s too late for that. I can’t.:: ::I don’t see why you can’t. What you were supposed to do is done now. You can be with Mason. You want to be, don’t you?:: Tears stung his eyes. He wanted that more than anything. ::I hear your heart, Lewis. Please. You don’t have to die. You know the code?:: ::Not anymore.:: ::I’ll give it to you when the time comes.:: ::I can’t leave here.:: ::If you don’t, you will die, Lewis.:: ::My daughter. I can’t leave her, not even for Mason. She 241

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

needs me.:: ::I’m sorry, Lewis. She will lose you either way.:: He brought his horse to a standstill. He was surrounded. ::It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s too late. They’re here.:: He took out the gun. *

*

*

“Lewis? Lewis?” Vanessa said aloud. She pounded her fist on the table. She was alone in the house. She’d cut classes altogether. Her head was aching and she’d constantly bombarded Lewis with messages hoping that he’d get fed up eventually and answer. Now she wasn’t sure what was happening. She couldn’t see anything and Lewis had stopped talking. It felt like a concrete wall stood between them. Mason had been quizzing her lately about her mood. “You’re so sullen, so quiet. What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” Pamela had sworn her to secrecy. “If Lewis is going to die, Mason must never know. I think the thought of Lewis living, even if it is in another time, keeps him going.” “But it’s not fair to lie to him,” Vanessa complained. “It’s not a lie. It’s just a…” “It’s a lie, Pamela,” Vanessa said. “And I don’t think you’ll have to worry. If Lewis dies, Mason will know.” “Oh I don’t believe in…” “He’ll know, Pam,” she said. “That’s a little bit of romanticism,” she replied. “Yes,” she said and walked away. 242

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

*

*

*

London…April 15, 1576 The man had the strangest eyes, black and bottomless. “Lord Langley,” he said, “Lewis. So far I’ve been fair with you. I haven’t had you tortured. I haven’t put you on the rack. I only want the truth. The evidence has been stacked up against you.” “What evidence?” Lewis shouted at him. He was sitting on a hard stool in a dirty cell, his wrists and ankles manacled together. “You have no evidence.” He was tired. The man who called himself a God appointed priest with the power of exorcism had been questioning him half the night. “Let me go over it again, Lord Langley. Your former wife died of a mysterious fever, did she not?” “Many people died of this fever, including my father. So what?” “She was described as a strange woman with strange ideas. Was she not a woman of breeding and wealth? And she married into a family even more upper class than her own. Yet, she chose to dwell with the dirty and diseased, the bums and criminals, more man than woman. She knew men’s sciences and rode her horse like a man. Maybe she was a man.” “Don’t be ridiculous! She was an intelligent woman, a free spirit. And I resent the way you are speaking against my late wife.” “That’s only one thing, Lord Langley.” He loomed closer. “Your grandfather…a recluse, who one day dismissed all his servants, servants who were never heard from again.” “They went to different employ, that’s all. Don’t be ridiculous.” 243

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Some say he spoke of other worlds, traveling in the future.” “He was speculating, imagining. There is no crime in that.” “And then there is the matter of your frequent visits to an unspeakable place in town where men dress like women and spread their legs in invitation to depraved and unspeakable acts. This alone would see you hang, Langley.” It was true that after Rosalie died, when he was so lonely he could hardly stand it, he had visited this place on several occasions. “A young whore who is neither male nor female admitted under torture that you had been his lover.” Lewis closed his eyes. You bastard. And he is a man. “Do you deny this?” “My activities in the bedroom have nothing to do with witchcraft.” “Let’s talk about this box,” he said. He held it up in front of him. “Now, I’ve asked you several times to tell me in your own words, what is it? Why is it that when that child touched it, he was sucked up into nowhere? Where is the boy, Lewis? With the devil?” He screamed at him, his face close to his, “Is that poor lad with the demons? Tell me!” “No! Goddamn it all, no. There are no demons. You’re out of your mind!” The man backed away, brushing off his long black gown that swept the dirt. He smiled. He took out the gun that Lewis had on his possession. “And if we need any other evidence, we have this, a weapon clearly not of this world.” Lewis closed his eyes. A weapon that, when it came to being useful, refused to fire. “You are going to burn, Lord Langley. You are going to burn 244

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

slowly. May God have mercy on your soul.” Lewis let his head hang forward as the door slammed shut and locked. He was exhausted, defeated. He thought of that poor young man who’d brought him such comfort in the middle of the night and wept bitter tears for him. Mason. Oh Mason. I love you so much. This is the end. I don’t see any way out. “Please,” he looked at the ceiling, “if there is a God, don’t hurt my daughter. Take me but leave her. And please, don’t let her be tarnished by her father’s sins.” *

*

*

Las Vegas…April 20, 2020 When Mason came running into the house, Vanessa knew. She’d known all along, if something happened, he would feel it. She’d felt sick most of the day. When she saw Mason’s face, she said, “Lewis won’t talk to me anymore.” “He’s in trouble,” Mason said, his face ashen. “What’s happening? Why in hell didn’t you tell me you’d been communicating with him?” “Pamela made me promise…” “Van, what is happening with Lewis? I feel him, something clawing at me. God, I can’t take this anymore.” “Sit down, Mason,” she said, taking his hand. “Now listen to me. He’s still alive but”—she took a jagged breath—“they’ve condemned him to death.” Mason gasped. “No. Oh no. We have to do something.” “Only he can do it. If he can get to the machine, I’m waiting for 245

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

him. I can give him the code but…” “But what?” “He’ll be leaving his daughter behind.” “But he’s going to die!” “That’s what I told him. Anyway, I think he understood, but he may not be able to get to the machine. If his hands are tied or—” “Oh God, oh God, how did this happen? It doesn’t make sense. Why didn’t he destroy the machine?” “He couldn’t.” Vanessa shook her head. “It felt too final I think. He always thought that as long as the machine existed…” “…he could come to me.” Mason began to cry. “Yes. Oh Mason.” After a few minutes, after he’d recovered, Mason pleaded, “And that’s why I never gave up, because the machine was out there and…Vanessa, can I talk to him?” “Not directly. But I can give him your message.” “Do it. Do it now.” Vanessa concentrated. ::Lewis. Where are you?:: ::In front of a tribunal. It’s ironic. My family made this man’s career and he is going to burn me at a stake.:: “He’s rambling,” Vanessa said to Mason. “I feel his defeat, his exhaustion. He hasn’t eaten or slept.” “Tell him I love him. Tell him he has to find a way to come to me.” ::Lewis. Mason is here beside me.:: ::No. Don’t tell him.:: ::I didn’t. He knows. He is connected to you. He loves you. He told me that you must find a way to come to him.:: ::It’s too late for that.:: ::No. Where is the machine?:: 246

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

::With my accuser.:: ::You must get it.:: ::I can’t.:: Vanessa looked into Mason’s anxious face. “He’s not talking anymore.” “Did he hear you?” “Yes. He heard. Mason, I don’t think he can get to the machine. I’m going to stay here, quiet, for the next few days in case he talks to me. If he does, I’ll do everything I can to get him here safely.” “I’m staying here with you.” She nodded. “Of course.” *

*

*

Pamela and Ken came home from work and they all had supper together. Pamela didn’t question why Mason was staying the night and she took away his untouched dinner plate without comment. She just fixed up the guest room. Ken helped Oliver with his homework and then played a game of cards with him at the table. Later they all sat to watch a movie on television and Pam made popcorn. Mason thought maybe he was dying inside but he tried not to let it show. He smiled appropriately, answered politely, and even tried to laugh at the right spots in the movie, but everything rang hollow, as if he were moving in slow motion. Lewis was in trouble and he was so far away. Mason was helpless to do anything and it was killing him. “It’s not right,” he finally said after Oliver went to bed. “He had to stay in that century, why, just to die?” Pamela moved closer to him on the sofa and hugged him. “He 247

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

had to sire a child. He’s done that. It will be all right, Mason. Vanessa will get him here.” “No, it won’t be all right. I need to be with him, to help him.” Vanessa got up off the floor where she was sitting and took Mason’s hand. “Keep the faith, Mason. I’ll do everything I can.” He nodded silently “I’m going to take a bath,” Vanessa announced. “I need solitude, to rest my mind.” Mason stood at the window and looked outside. It was a serene evening, with no wind. The trees outside seemed to wave at him like they were mocking his pain. ::Lewis. Please. Come to me.:: Pamela and Ken finally convinced Mason to sit back down and watch the evening news with them. Just as the announcer began to read the headlines, the smoke alarm went off and Vanessa began to yell. He and Pamela ran to the bathroom, and Ken ran to get Oliver. Mason wrenched open the door, and thick smoke wafted out into the hallway. Vanessa stood there in her bathroom, coughing violently. “What is on fire?” Pamela demanded. “My God,” Ken cried out, coming back with the fire extinguisher. “Someone call the fire department!” “No fire.” Vanessa put up a hand as Ken tried to get into the bathroom. She stumbled out into the hallway. “Lewis,” she managed. Mason walked into the bathroom, then let out a cry. There, standing in the middle of the floor, was Lewis, his skin black, his clothing half burnt off. In his hands, he held the machine, which looked virtually untouched by the flames. Lewis looked right at him. “Mason,” he mouthed, holding out 248

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

his hand to him, then he dropped the machine and crumbled to the floor. “We have to get him to the hospital,” Mason said as he and Ken lifted Lewis and carried him to the living room sofa. His skin was burned badly and some of his hair on the side of his head. “What kind of people could do something like this?” Mason shook his head, tears running down his face. His heart was hammering in his ribs. “Pam, call an ambulance. Tell them to hurry! I can’t do anything for him here.” “Lewis, Lewis, Lewis,” he said over and over again. He wanted to touch him but he didn’t want to hurt him. “Open your eyes, baby. Open your eyes.” He took his pulse. It was there but it was faint. Vanessa rubbed Mason’s arm. “He’s going to make it.” Mason couldn’t speak. The ambulance arrived twenty minutes later. Mason stayed with Lewis in the back, shooing the technicians aside and hooking Lewis up to fluids himself. In the emergency room, the doctor on call, Rita Montana, convinced Mason to let her take care of Lewis. “You know this man. You’re too emotional. Let me look after him, Mason. Go out in the waiting room with your family.” Mason finally allowed Pamela and Ken to drag him out into the corridor where Vanessa and Oliver waited. Oliver ran to him and hugged him. “He’s going to be all right, Uncle Mason,” he told him. Mason rubbed his head and nodded. “Thanks, kid.” “Come on,” Pam said, pulling Oliver away. “I’ll get you a chocolate bar.” Mason looked at Vanessa. “You saved him.” 249

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“He saved himself,” she replied. “What in the hell happened? I can’t believe he’s here. It’s really him, isn’t it?” “Yes. It’s really him. I was just getting out of the bath. I saw Lewis as clearly as anything, looking at me in the mirror. He was in such pain. He said, ‘Give me the code now.’ I rattled off whatever came to my head, not even sure it was the right one, and suddenly I was overcome with smoke. And you know the rest.” “They threw the machine in the fire with him, didn’t they, the bastards?” “Yes. Lucky for Lewis. And he had to wait for the fire to burn some of the rope from around his wrists so he could pick it up. He almost died.” She went into Mason’s arms. “It was horrible. I felt like I was there with him.” Mason hugged her tight. “Poor sweetheart. If he dies, I…” “No,” she looked at him, “he’s not going to. He’s strong. But his daughter…” She trailed off, meeting his gaze. “What about his daughter?” Mason sucked in some breath. “That poor little girl. Now they are convinced that Lewis was a witch. They saw him just disappear, and the machine, too. Lewis sent Anna to his aunt, along with his mother and the housekeeper. The little girl is in great danger. In a few days, they will hunt her down.” “Oh my God, no. What about her bearing children that will discover great things in the future?” “The only hope of that is if she bears children in this century, Mason. They’re going to kill her.” Mason punched the wall. “How can these people be so blind…and so ignorant…to burn an innocent little girl alive? Van, I can’t let them do that.” He shook his head. 250

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“I have to go and get Lewis’s child.” “You have a few days.” “Lewis never has to go back, right? He can stay now?” Vanessa smiled. “Yes.” “And he’s going to be all right?” “He’s going to make a full recovery.” “Then you’ve got to send me back one more time. Can you?” She paused, smiled a little then nodded. “Yes.” He swallowed. “I’m going to get Lewis’s daughter.” *

*

*

London…1576 It was frightening being back, but at least Mason knew what to expect, or he thought he did. He’d gone to a costume shop before he left and chose the right clothes. He had only one goal—to find Lewis’s little girl and bring her into the twenty-first century. The first person he needed to see was Ernest. He could tell him how to find the child quickly, and perhaps lend him a carriage. When he landed in London, this time it was smack dab in the middle of a busy street. He looked around to make sure no had noticed. Luckily people just hurried on their way. The machine was tucked inside his pants, and when he was ready, Vanessa would help them get home. It was market day, and that’s why it was so busy. As he headed toward Ernest’s home, he spotted James selling his meat at one of the stalls. The man that Mason had chosen to work for him was still there and they seemed to be laughing and talking together very 251

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

amicably. Mason wanted to say hello but he thought it might be better if he didn’t. It was a fair walk to Ernest’s home, and it was already dark by the time he got to his door. The servant answered, and announced Mason’s arrival to Ernest. Ernest came on the run. He gasped when he saw him and then enfolded him in his embrace. “How? When? What are you doing here, Mason?” The servant walked away. “Is your wife at home?” Mason asked. It would be better if she didn’t see him. “No, come in the study. My wife is visiting her brother for a few days. Please,” Ernest said as Mason followed him down the hall, “tell me why you’re back. It has something to do with Lewis, doesn’t it?” “Lewis is in my time, Ernest. Vanessa helped him get back. They put the machine in the fire with him.” “And it wasn’t burnt?” “No.” “Is he all right? I knew something had happened. The papers said he’d just disappeared. They found no remains.” “Now his daughter is in danger. Do you know where they went? Vanessa said Lewis sent her away with his mother and Molly.” He nodded. “Yes. I will lend you my carriage and my driver. But, Mason, are you sure that Mrs. Langley is just going to let you take her grandchild?” “She’s going to have to.” “Everything is changed. I guess you can’t appear in another 252

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

time and not alter things.” Ernest shook his head. “Perhaps she was meant to give birth to children in my time, Ernest?” “Yes, well…she’s going to die if she remains here. Come, let’s get the carriage.” *

*

*

Westminster was not so far away from the city, but by the time he arrived, it was after midnight. He got down from the carriage and told the driver that he could return. “You won’t need me, sir?” the driver enquired curiously. “No,” he said, shivering a little. Quickly he hurried up the path to the great stone house. The moon appeared to grin full at him overhead and the stars were very bright in the sky. He lifted the knocker and smashed it down on the wood door several times. “Come on,” he said under his breath. He lifted the knocker again and kept pounding with it until finally a male voice called out, “Who goes there?” “My name is Mason Gardner. I need to speak to Mrs. Langley. It’s a matter of life and death. Please, open the door.” Mason heard the lifting on a cross bar rattle across the wood. The door opened a crack. “I’m the husband of Mrs. Langley’s sister. What is this matter?” “It’s concerning Lewis’s daughter. The authorities will come for her in a few days. They want to burn her as a witch. Please, I must take her away from here.” “What is it, Charles?” a female voice asked. “A man here says he knows something about Anna.” “Let him in,” another voice said suddenly. 253

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason recognized the voice of Lewis’s mother. The door creaked open. “Lewis?” Mrs. Langley looked at Mason. Her mouth trembled. “Is my son alive?” Mason nodded. “Yes. But Anna is in danger.” Mrs. Langley drew closer. “How has all this come to pass? Lewis was never a witch and his little girl is…” Mason placed a hand on her shoulder. “I have to take Anna, now, tonight. Please. She’ll be with Lewis.” “But where is Lewis?” “I can’t tell you that. Please. There is no time to waste.” Mrs. Langley seemed to hesitate, then she nodded. She turned and walked up the stairs, while the man and his wife stared at him curiously. Mason stood awkwardly in the corner. All he wanted was to get out of here and go home. “No,” he heard suddenly. “Please, Mrs. Langley.” Mrs. Langley came down the steps with a sleeping little girl in her arms. Molly came running after her. “Please, don’t do this, Anna needs to stay here,” Molly cried out. “She’s all I have left of Lewis.” Mrs. Langley ignored Molly, who stood sobbing at the bottom of the steps. “Molly,” she snapped as she handed Anna over to Mason, “pack her things.” “It’s all right,” Mason said, looking down at the beautiful little girl, “there’s no time.” He melted when he saw her. She was Lewis’s all right, same dark hair, same nose. “She’s beautiful.” “Of course,” Mrs. Langley said, backing away. “Please, tell Lewis I love him, and to never come back here.” “I will.” Mason turned and walked through the open door. 254

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Where is he taking her, there’s no carriage?” the man demanded. “He can’t take a child out in the middle of the night. This is outrageous.” “Close the door,” Mrs. Langley said. Mason ran down the path and headed to a patch of trees. He clutched Anna tightly, and fished in his pocket for the black box. ::Vanessa?:: ::I’m here. Ready?:: ::I am so ready. Get us out of here, please.:: ::56903667.:: Mason hoisted Anna over his shoulder. She was beginning to stir. He punched in the code and shoved the machine in his pocket, clutching Anna for dear life. In front of him, everything began to spin. He saw the river. It made him think of making love with Lewis for the first time. He smiled, and the earth turned and then everything went black. *

*

*

Las Vegas…2020 Lewis opened his eyes. He was hooked up to machines, the process of hydration well on the way. His skin was swollen and red, and he was in quite a lot of pain, but the relief he felt in arriving in the future was enormous. When Mason walked into the room, he tried to say his name. His throat and lips felt parched but he was breathing normally now. “Don’t,” Mason whispered, “don’t speak, my love.” Lewis smiled at him. “I want to touch you so bad but that will have to wait. Lewis, I 255

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

want to show you something, okay?” He nodded. Mason left the room and when he returned he had Anna by the hand. Lewis let out a muffled cry, tears forming in his eyes and flowing down his dry face. “Daddy,” she squealed, but Mason held her back. “Honey, remember…we can’t touch Daddy yet. You can look at him though.” She drew closer to the bed, still clutching Mason’s hand. “I love you, Daddy.” “I love you,” he whispered, the tears not stopping. “Thank you, Mason. I love you, too.” Mason wiped his tears on the back of his hand, then turned to one of the nurses. “Can you take Lewis’s little girl to the cafeteria for some chocolate milk?” “Of course,” she said with a smile, reaching for her hand. Mason wet a tissue and blotted gently at Lewis’s tears. “You went back for her,” Lewis said hoarsely. “Yes. She was in danger. She’ll stay here with us now.” “Thank you…thank you, my love.” “Now, try not to talk.” Mason adjusted his pillow and then took a seat. “Try to sleep now.” Lewis closed his eyes. He had everything now, his baby girl, and the man he loved. Everything was going to turn out just fine. *

*

Las Vegas…July 1, 2025 256

*

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Mason came up behind Lewis and wrapped his arms around his slender waist. Lewis looked good enough to eat with those jean shorts on and that sleeveless sunshine yellow T-shirt. “Um, let’s forget the barbeque.” Mason kissed his neck. “How about I eat you instead?” Lewis turned around in his arms and grinned at him. “Sounds promising…but you did invite the entire city for dinner.” “I did not.” Mason laughed, slapping him on that gorgeous, round little ass of his. Lewis had turned into a real gym bunny lately. God, his body was a work of art. “Not the entire city.” “Twenty-two people, Mason. That means twenty-two hot dogs, twenty-two hamburgers…and…” Mason laughed. “And three hours until they arrive.” He raised his eyebrows a few times. He grabbed his hand and pulled him off the deck and into the house. Lewis put down the tool he was using to clean the barbeque. “I thought we just got out of bed?” “God that was ages ago.” Mason pulled off Lewis’s T-shirt. Lewis laughed and pretended to struggle. “Try two hours and forty-five minutes ago. You are insatiable.” “If you weren’t so damn hot, I’d behave.” Mason chuckled and reached for Lewis’s zipper. “You need to lay off the gym. Those abs are driving me nuts.” “Sure, blame me,” he teased. Mason pushed him down on the sofa and stripped off his jean shorts. “See, no underwear. What do you think is going to happen, you slut!” Lewis grabbed his arm. “Slut, eh? We’ll see who the slut is, babe.” Mason fell on top of Lewis and they went rolling off onto the 257

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

floor, laughing. Mason straddled him and pinned down his arms while he hastily dragged off the bathrobe he was wearing. Mason kissed Lewis’s mouth tenderly. “I love you.” “I know that.” “Considering how far I had to travel to get you…you better know that.” Mason licked down his chest and captured one of his nipples between his teeth. He felt Lewis’s cock lift and nudge his thigh. “Mason,” he protested with a moan. Mason looked up at him. “Leave your arms above your head. Spread your legs.” He lifted off of him and moved to the side. He ran his gaze over his body, slid his hand over his flat abs, to the base of his cock. He licked his lips. He could still see the scars from some of the skin grafting but they were a lot fainter now. To think he’d almost lost him, to think of the pain he’d endured to get back to him. Lewis still woke up in the middle of the night, yelling, and struggling to breathe. Mason fondled his cock, cupped his balls, and took his time touching him. “Mason, damn,” he pleaded. Mason chuckled. “Patience, my old world man. Lift your knees.” Lewis planted the soles of his feet on the carpet. “Keep them spread open. God, you’re beautiful. What a beautiful man.” Again he moved his cock from side to side, then dipped his head down and sucked his balls into his mouth. Lewis let out a sigh. Mason moved his finger over Lewis’s leaking cock and then skewered his finger up inside of him. “Um, yeah.” 258

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Remember our carriage ride?” Mason whispered. “I fucked you good with my finger…so beautiful your ass, oh Lewis, my love.” He pushed his finger up to the knuckle while his other hand stroked his cock, handled his balls. Lewis swallowed, licked his lips. “Mason, you’re killing me here.” Mason chuckled. He removed his finger. “Roll over, stud, and let me kill you some more.” He laughed. “Thanks.” When he was on his stomach, Mason rubbed his buttocks and then kissed each globe. He ran his finger down his crack and opened him. His tongue went next and then his finger, one, then two, then three. In and out and hooked until they found the spot. Lewis let out a cry and Mason brought him to his knees. He ran his hands over his back and fucked him with his fingers, his own cock eager to be inside of him. “Mason, Christ!” Mason smiled and kissed his spine. “I want your ass.” “Then take it, man, and stop jawing about it.” Mason got behind him. “You’re going to pay for that.” “’Bout time.” Mason was laughing as he pushed inside of him, sobering only when he felt himself securely encased inside his luscious ass. “I love you…oh Lewis…God…yes…yes!” They both fell together as they came, rolling around on the floor, sticky and happy. Lewis pulled him close, kissed the top of Mason’s head. “You’re a bad boy.” “Me?” Mason grinned. “You’re the one who wasn’t wearing underwear.” 259

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

Lewis kissed him deeply, rolled over on top of him and ran his hands over him. “My turn to fuck that ass of yours,” he muttered, his mouth moving to Mason’s cock. Mason turned on his stomach. “Go to work, stud.” “What an invitation.” Lewis licked down his back. He hooked one leg over Mason’s butt and rubbed his cock there, a cock getting harder by the minute. Suddenly, just as Lewis was about to enter him, they heard. “Uncle Lewis! Uncle Mason! Open the door!” “Dad! I got to pee!” Mason grumbled. “They’re early. I thought Oliver was taking Anna out for the entire day?” Lewis laughed. “Probably ran out of money. Great timing those kids have got.” He reached for his shorts. “Coming.” “Um, you wish.” Mason rolled unto his back and ran his hand seductively over his erection. “Oh, you…” “Keep that in mind while you try to get that cock of yours to behave.” “Doctor Mason, I’m surprised at you.” He winked. “Put some clothes on.” “Dad!” Anna cried. “I’m going to pee my pants!” Lewis opened the door to see Oliver and Anna standing there. Anna ducked under his arm and ran for the bathroom. “You guys at it again?” Oliver raised an eyebrow and sauntered into the living room like he owned the place. Lewis clicked his tongue. “What do they teach you at school, anyway?” “Nothing really,” he said. “Why are you so early?” Lewis followed him into the living 260

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

room. “I thought you and Anna were spending the day at the theme park?” “Ran out of cash,” he said. “Told you.” Mason grinned. “Someone left his shirt on the floor.” Oliver chuckled, plunking onto the sofa. He switched on the television and began surfing the channels. “And you guys got to pay me more to take care of the brat if you want to get dirty in the living room in the middle of the afternoon. Really!” Mason cuffed him good-naturedly on the head. “What are you now, the moral police?” “I heard that brat comment,” Anna complained. “Dad, tell Oliver to stop calling me a brat.” “Stop calling her a brat,” he said, not really paying attention. “Yeah, that’s going to it, Daddy.” She made a face at him and he opened one arm. She snuggled up against him. “I’m hungry. When are we eating?” She was so like her mother sometimes. Lewis smiled. “Didn’t Oliver feed you?” “Yeah,” Oliver said, “she eats like a horse.” Anna disengaged herself from her father and pounced on him. “Hot dogs…that’s it. He’s cheap!” Lewis picked up his shirt. He looked at Oliver and Anna, shaking his head. They were like that all the time. One would never know that Oliver and Anna weren’t from this world. “We should get cooking,” he said to Lewis. “I tried,” Mason mouthed and blew him a kiss. Mason laughed. “Guys,” he said to the younger ones, “guess what you’re doing?” They both looked at him. “Nothing?” Oliver said hopefully. 261

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Think again.” Oliver sighed. “Okay, but I’m not chopping anything.” “I’m not doing onions,” Anna chimed and they both scrambled off the sofa to join Mason and Lewis outside on the deck. Mason watched Lewis every once in awhile, the way he talked with the kids, horsed around with them. Mason never regretted his decision to leave the hospital that night with Vanessa and go and get Anna. The minute he saw her, he loved her. She was part of Lewis, and there was nothing of his he didn’t love. When he’d first arrived back with Anna, she was confused, and frightened. She’d never seen Mason before. Mason reassured her that soon she would see her father. Later, when Lewis asked her if she liked it here in this place, she told him, “Yes, Daddy, they have cream doughnuts.” They all laughed until they cried. The future had been altered. They were all aware of that. Mason and Lewis could only hope that Anna herself would do great things in this time. The machine itself had changed the future for all of them, but they were confident that it was in a good way. Mason looked over at Lewis now, who ate his hamburger while talking sports with the neighbor, and smiled. Lewis had really adapted well to this world. He enjoyed sports and the theater. He’d taken a job as a personal trainer. He liked his job. He liked this century, and they were madly in love. Oliver and Anna liked being here, and Pamela and Ken had adopted Oliver as their own. The barbeque had been a success. The only disappointment was that Vanessa couldn’t be there. She was working at the hospital. 262

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

She had almost finished her residency and was living in her own apartment. Since Anna had arrived here, over five years ago, Vanessa’d had no dreams and heard no voices. The black box would stay right where he and Mason had put it, locked away, where it couldn’t be tampered with by anyone. In the end, neither one of them could bear to destroy the thing. It meant too much to them. It was a symbol of their love, of finding each other across time. Lewis glanced over at Mason and smiled when he caught him staring at him. Right now, the only thing Lewis was thinking about was that he couldn’t wait to get Mason alone. He wanted to pick up where they’d left off when Oliver and Anna had interrupted them. The image of Mason in that seductive pose on the floor was etched in his mind. It was now making him so hard, he couldn’t think of anything else. He licked his lips at the thought of fucking Mason, as Pam and Ken finally dragged Oliver away from the Movie Channel and said their goodnights. Anna hung around a little, helping to clean up some, and then kissed them both and went off to bed. It was after midnight. The second that Lewis heard Anna close her bedroom door, he threw aside his dishtowel. Mason walked into the kitchen. “Can I help you?” “Yes. You can help my cock find its way to your perfect ass.” Mason pretended to be shocked, but he was smiling. “We need to do the dishes.” “To hell with the dishes.” Lewis dipped down like a football player and hoisted Mason onto his shoulder. Once in the bedroom he dumped him onto the bed. “Strip!” “My, you are so masterful, Lord Langley.” 263

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

“Look at my cock,” he demanded as he unzipped his shorts and took them off. “I’m looking, I’m looking.” Mason licked his lips as he undressed himself. “Do that pose again.” “You mean this?” Mason laughed, fondling his cock and lifting his hips. “Good enough,” he said and crawled onto the bed, bending Mason’s knees. He wiggled in between, and lifted his legs onto his shoulders. “I’m going to fuck you good and hard, and deep.” He reached to the bedside table for lube. Condoms were now obsolete as everyone was inoculated against every possible disease. Lewis smeared some lube on his fingers and went up inside Mason’s ass. Mason squirmed. “Um, deeper, deeper. God, you are a magic man.” He laughed. “Stay tuned for my magic cock.” Mason let his head go back and he moaned deeply as Lewis pushed up inside of him. “Oh yeah. God, so good, Lewis. I love your…cock!” Lewis held Mason’s legs tight and began to pump. He closed his eyes. This was heaven, a heaven that had been a crime in his time. There was nothing criminal about this except maybe for the inordinate amount of pleasure it gave them. He pumped harder and faster, grinning as Mason shouted and pleaded and finally came. Lewis came inside of him shortly after. He kissed Mason’s cock and up to his chest, then settled his head there. Mason stroked his hair. “My angel,” he whispered. Lewis chuckled at the endearment. “The things you say,” he 264

CHERISHED DISPLACEMENT

said against Mason’s skin. “I assure you, I am no angel.” Mason hugged him tighter. “You called me that once.” “I did? Was I drunk?” “No,” Mason punched him. “You weren’t drunk. I thought you were.” Lewis closed his eyes, and chuckled softly. Mason snuggled up against him. He never intended to let him go. There was a time he’d thought Lewis was lost to him forever, but some miracle had brought him back to his arms. Whatever or whoever had done that, he was eternally in their debt. Mason’s plan was simple…to keep on loving this man for the rest of his life, no matter what century he and the beautiful Lord Langley found themselves in.

265

D. J. M ANLY

D. J. Manly says, “I write not only for my own pleasure, but for the pleasure of my readers. I can’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t written and told stories. When I’m not writing, I’m dreaming about writing, doing something wild and adventurous, or trying to make the world a better and more open-minded place to live in. I adore beautiful men, and I know I’m not alone in this! Eroticism between consenting adults, in all its many forms, is the icing on the cake of life!” To find out more about D. J., visit the author’s website at http://www.djmanlyfiction.com. *

*

*

Don’t miss Skipping Stones by D. J. Manly, available at AmberAllure.com!

Leo wants nothing more than to leave Paris, the City Of Love, to escape the memories of a disastrous affair. The artist is soured on love and down on his luck, and he doesn’t even have the money for a plane ticket. Leo knew his best friend Mark understood heartbreak. When he phones Mark with his sad story, the man offers Leo the money to

return to the U.S. and asks him to help out at a resort he co-owns with his own former lover, Reed. Although Leo has never met Reed—the poster boy for heartbreaker of the century—he feels like he knows him, given the letters Mark wrote over the years, pouring out his heart about Bad Boy Reeds’ lecherous adventures and insensitivity. And Leo also can’t help but resent Reed. Not only had the guy repeatedly broken Mark’s heart, but he’d stood between Leo and Mark, preventing them from ever being together. Now, Leo is convinced that he has Reed all figured out, but when the gorgeous, red-hot computer engineer unexpectedly comes home, Leo is completely unprepared for the man who supposedly raked Mark over the coals. And soon, everything gets turned upside down, which might make Leo’s recovery from a broken heart impossible this time around, plus destroy a long-time friendship in the process…

AMBER QUILL PRESS, LLC THE GOLD STANDARD IN PUBLISHING QUALITY BOOKS IN BOTH PRINT AND ELECTRONIC FORMATS

ACTION/ADVENTURE SCIENCE FICTION

SUSPENSE/THRILLER DARK FANTASY

MAINSTREAM

ROMANCE

HORROR

EROTICA

FANTASY

GLBT

WESTERN

MYSTERY

PARANORMAL

HISTORICAL

B UY D IRECT AND S AVE www.AmberQuill.com www.AmberHeat.com www.AmberAllure.com