9
William was feeling hungry and cold; the ride to the Byronville home was longer than he would have imagined. A part of the day was missing from his memory. He knew that he had been at the Natural Bridge with his family early in the morning and that only a few hours had passed since he had first encountered the men at the bridge, yet it was already dark. William summarized that it must have taken some hours for him to be transported from his time to this one.
Not another word was said between the time they left the horsemen and reached the Byronville home. William did not want to volunteer any information regarding his earlier encounter with the men nor did Thomas and Rachel want to know at the moment what ties, if any, William might have to Bulow.
The Byronville home was every bit a mansion. William had the feeling they were entering an old established country club. The mansion resembled an English Tudor castle. William noticed that there was no outdoor lighting, and the pathways were cobblestone. As the carriage came to a halt at the large double-arched front doors, a team of servants emerged to greet them. To William, they seemed like a pit crew as everyone had a role, no one spoke, and no one inquired why someone new was in their midst. Outside it was still too dark to make out individual faces. Thomas escorted William into his home. The pride he had for his castle was visible even in the candlelight.
“Rachel, please see to it that dinner is prepared forthwith. Let the servants know that my cousin is here with us and he is to be treated as I am treated.”
“As you wish, Thomas.”
“William, please join me in my quarters.” Thomas spoke as if he knew he had the full audience of his servants listening to his every comment. William followed Thomas up a marble winding staircase, wide enough for six people to walk up side by side. A large chandelier with fifty or more candles in the center of the entrance lit up the house. “Right this way.”
Thomas led William into his private bedroom. Fascinated, William was occupied by the finishes in the room. Everything was detailed in a way that seemed priceless to him. Everywhere he looked, antique treasures were displayed. Realizing that his surroundings were not antique to his host, he dropped in disbelief onto a chaise-lounge.
“William, please make yourself at home. The room next to mine, to your left when you exit, will be yours. It seems that we wear the same size clothing, so you will find clean undergarments and outerwear as well as shoes in the armoire. I will explain to my chambermaid that your luggage went missing during your journey. She will see to it that everything you need is transferred into your room during dinner.”
“I don’t know what to say, your kindness overwhelms me. “William noticed he was falling into step with a speech pattern similar to Thomas’s.
“This evening we will eat, and then rest. I will make sure you are allowed to sleep for as long as you wish. Tomorrow you and I will spend some time in the gardens away from my servants so that I can understand you and your origins better. During dinner we will limit our discussion to current politics and the weather.”
“Current politics! That should be fun, history was my worst subject.”
“Simply amazing, my whole world has changed, William. I do believe you. If you have come from another time then anything is possible.” Thomas turned, walked toward the door and added: “Please feel free to join us as soon as you are dressed in more proper attire. Given our tardiness, dinner must be ready, we will wait for you before we commence our meal.”
William found all the necessary clothing he required to blend in with his surroundings. He joined his hosts for dinner; the meal was unlike anything he had ever tasted before. Absent were the manmade preservatives or chemicals used in his modern day food. Everything tasted pure and strong flavored. The dinner was a repeat performance of their arrival, with more servants than dinner guests, everything handled by awaiting human statues reacting and anticipating every requirement.
William was amazed that not a word was said to the staff. It was as if they did not exist. But they did and Thomas’s speech was carefully delivered for their presence. Thomas did most of the talking during dinner. Rachel joined in when addressed. William from time to time agreed with Thomas’s comments by adding general gestures and safe phrases.
After dinner, the group exchanged pleasantries for a good night’s rest, and Bentley escorted William to his room. The candles in the chandelier had burnt down a lot. Still slightly disorientated and confused by the day’s events, William had no sense of what time it was in the present. He only knew that he was feeling extremely tired and wanted to sleep forever. Before he fell asleep, he recalled slipping his borrowed shoes and outerwear off and climbing into a very high bed. Naturally, his last thoughts were about wanting to see his family again and hoping to awaken back in his own time.