Shocked by My Vixen: Linked Across Time Book 14 Read online

  Shocked by My Vixen

  Linked Across Time Book 14

  Dawn Brower

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  Acknowledgments

  About The Author

  Also by Dawn Brower

  Excerpt: Smitten with My Christmas Minx

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Excerpt: Lady Pear’s Duke: First Day of Christmas

  Chapter 1

  Excerpt: The Vixen in Red

  Dawn Brower

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Excerpt: Shocked by My Vixen

  Dawn Brower

  Prologue

  Excerpt: Smitten with My Christmas Minx

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Excerpt: The Vixen in Red

  Chapter 1

  Sometimes you heart need more time to accept something your mind already knows, and sometimes it is the reverse. I hope everyone enjoys the struggles both Christian and Scarlett face, and forgive them as they fumble through it all. Love is hard, but worth it with the right person.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Shocked by My Vixen Copyright © 2020 Dawn Brower

  Cover art and edits by Victoria Miller

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  Prologue

  Summer 1835

  Lady Scarlett Lynwood stared out the window of the library at Weston Manor. She shouldn’t be there. Not the library, the Weston estate… Something inside her told her she’d regret allowing her mother to bring her there. Her premonitions never steered her wrong, not once since she realized she could sometimes predict the future. She may be five and ten, but her otherness often made her feel ancient. This time was no different.

  “Why are you in here alone?” a gentleman asked.

  She turned to meet Christian Kendall, the Marquess of Blackthorn’s gaze. He was a couple years older than her, and he remained a complete gentleman. That might be because this was his family home, and one day he’d be the duke, or it could be his demeanor. She wasn’t certain either way, or why it mattered to her at all. Scarlett shrugged nonchalantly. “There’s nothing of interest outside this room.”

  Christian, she couldn’t think of him as Lord Blackthorn, it seemed to impersonal and formal, tilted his head to the side. “But there’s something entertaining in here?”

  “Of course,” she replied and gestured toward the shelves. “There are numerous stories on the shelves that could take me to different worlds anytime I choose.”

  He smiled. “I suppose that is true.” Christian moved closer to her. “Do you have a favorite book?”

  She shook her head. “I’d like to read some of the books my mother speaks of,” she began. “You know, from her time.”

  Christian’s smile fell. Did he not like to speak about time travel? His mother, Alys, the Duchess of Weston, had journeyed from the same time as Scarlett’s mother had. This was not a secret either woman had kept from their children. Scarlett had eavesdropped on several of their conversations over the years. They reminisced about how easy moving from one place to another was, mobile phones, and something called a hot shower. They all sounded interesting, but Scarlett doubted she would ever encounter them. She liked to think she was brave, but doubted she possessed the courage to travel to an unfamiliar time.

  “I’m not sure I understand your meaning,” Christian said carefully.

  Scarlett shook her head and lifted up the corner of her lips. “Don’t pretend you do not understand my words. It doesn’t become you to play ignorant of our mothers’s pasts.”

  He lifted a brow, almost arrogantly. “We don’t discuss these things. They’re best left unsaid.”

  Scarlett sneered. He was a fool then. “Perhaps you should remind the ladies that brought us into this world of that fact. I do not believe they’ve received that particular message.”

  Christian sighed. “You’re right, of course.” He stood in front of a large mirror and stared at his reflection. He was a rather handsome young man, and would probably become more gorgeous through the years. He wasn’t for her though. She didn’t know her future, but she did know she would not be a future duchess. That fate seemed atrocious, and she refused to believe she’d fall in love with a man destined to thrust her in the middle of societal expectations. She would much rather do as she pleased without taking any of that into consideration.

  “Do you know how time travel works?” he asked, still staring at the mirror.

  “I do,” she answered. “Well, not completely, I understand its possible, and that my family has certain gifts that allow us to bend time to our will, but I don’t know how they make it work.”

  Scarlett stared at the mirror. There was something unusual about it, and she was drawn to it. She wanted to touch it, but that meant moving closer to Christian. Before she realized what she was doing, she walked over to it and stood directly next to him. His hair was a little lighter, almost sun-kissed, and hers… a darker shade of red. Their reflections stared back at them, almost taunting both Christian and her, to reach out and what? Step inside? That didn’t seem right. She closed her eyes, and she could envision it. The two of them walking hand and hand right through that reflective glass.

  “It’s speaking to you too, isn’t it?” Christian asked in a hushed whisper. “It talks to me all the time, and some days I almost want to give in to it.”

  Was that what it did? Spoke to those with abilities and lured them to the other side? Is that what had happened to her mother? Scarlett had never asked her how she’d travelled, and in turn, her mother had never offered the details. Now she wanted to find out. Later, she’d finally ask her. Her mother might volunteer the information on her own since her special gift was empathy and she could easily discern what bothered people. “It’s doing something,” she admitted. Scarlett reached for his hand and clasped it in her own. She didn’t understand why she felt the need but didn’t question it either. He glanced down at their hands, then met her gaze.

  “If you wanted to hold my hand, you should have said so sooner,” he said in a flirtatious tone.

  “Oh, do be quiet,” she chastised him, then reached out and touched the mirror. Waves circled out as it would on a pond after a rock had been tossed in. She flinched at the soft texture, not expecting it. “Did you see that?”

  “I don’t think you should do that again,” Christian answered, his voice taut.

  The waves cleared, and an image formed in the mirror, it no longer showed their reflection. Instead, it showed…their future. Scarlett hadn’t expected that. An older version of them were in a passionate embrace inside a room she didn’t recognize. He kissed her as if his life depended on it, and it did funny things to her insides to witness. Sensations spread over her, and she nearly groaned. Scarlett could almost feel what her future self did.

  “That…” His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “That can’t be true.”

  “No?” She turned to him and lifted a brow. “Do you find me that disgusting then?”
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  “I didn’t say that,” he replied, defensive. He glanced down to their clasped hands and yanked his free. “It’s…not that at all. The mirror must be pulling an intricate gamon on us.”

  “To what end?” She was disgusted with him. Scarlett wanted to jab him a few times and curse at him, but held back. He didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as her. “Are you suggesting the mirror is sentient?” She snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Scarlett turned away from him and started to leave the room, but stopped when he called back to her. “You can see the future, can you not? Do you honestly think that will happen?”

  She kept her back straight and didn’t turn to meet his gaze. His unworthiness was growing by leaps and bounds. Scarlett didn’t speak about her gifts. How could he possibly know? “My future has nothing to do with you.” After she spoke, she continued out of the room. She didn’t explain that she couldn’t see her own future and had no way of ascertaining if the vision in the mirror was true or not, but she hoped it was as he said…a trick of some sort. She hated to think she would desire him and allow him to kiss her in that fashion. Scarlett, at least not at the current juncture of her life, had no designs on marriage to anyone. Kissing usually led a lady on that direct path, and the path toward Christian came with duty and responsibilities she couldn’t see herself fulfilling. One day he’d be the duke, and she had no aspirations to be his duchess, or more importantly, the wife he would need by his side.

  Deep inside, though, she believed it to be true. Even when she wanted to deny it to her last breath. Scarlett wanted him, had always been drawn to him, but kept telling herself he wasn’t for her. She would repeat that mantra until one day she actually believed it… He deserved a lady that could fully give herself to him. Scarlett cold never be that woman…because she would never allow herself to love him. To give her heart, in her estimation, a least for herself, was tantamount to misery. No, she would not fall in love, now, or in the future. It was for the best.

  Chapter 1

  Ten years later…

  Scarlett stared out the carriage window as they traveled down the long drive that led to Weston Manor. In some ways, it was surreal. During the last visit, she’d had a bizarre experience, one she hoped never to repeat, with Christian Kendall, the Marquess of Blackthorn. She had been avoiding him as much as possible since that day.

  After their shared vision, she’d avoided him at all costs. What she had seen in that mirror was as close to a nightmare as she could ever imagine. She didn’t believe in love, and she fully expected that was what the mirror was reflecting back at them. She was supposed to love Christian, but she couldn’t. Love was something for other people, not a girl who saw more than she should. Her premonitions showed her so much, and so little. In short, they showed her everything except what she wanted to see. A future that didn’t involve Lord Blackthorn…

  He couldn’t be her future, even if sometimes she wished he could…and it hurt more than she’d like to accept that as fact. They were complete opposites. She didn’t want to love, or desire him. Scarlett believed deep down inside she should never marry, and she was determined to remain firm on that conviction. She had somehow managed to keep her distance from Lord Blackthorn, and she would continue to do so for however long she could. Sometimes fate had other plans though, and she feared hers had finally decided to force her to the path it believed she should be on.

  This house party was not one she had wanted to attend. Her cousin, Lady Hyacinth Barrington, had wanted to follow some foreign prince there. She desired to be a princess. Of course she wouldn’t be, but telling her headstrong cousin that was like talking to a very large rock. She was immovable… Once she realized the mistake she was making, she’d feel incredibly stupid. There was one man for Hyacinth, and that was the Earl of Carrick. They were destined to be together.

  “I know I’ve said this already,” her aunt, Lady Havenwood, said as she talked to Hyacinth. “But I truly am glad you’ve decided to attend the house party. It will be your last chance to secure a match before we retire to the country.”

  “Perhaps I’m doomed to remain an old maid,” Hyacinth said. Her tone filled with bitterness as she spoke. “It may be for the best. I prefer Havenwood anyway. I’m sure, when the time comes, Elijah will allow me to remain in residence.”

  “Don’t be dramatic,” Lady Havenwood said and then sighed. “You are far from becoming a spinster. Try being a little more…amiable. Allow yourself to like someone and see where it leads.”

  Scarlett wanted to snort. Her aunt meant well, but she was oblivious to her daughter’s needs and desires. In some ways, she was lucky. Her mother’s empathy allowed her to see more than most mothers would. She understood Scarlett as no one ever would. Maybe one day her dear aunt would connect with Hyacinth, and they’d have a better relationship. Scarlett hoped so. They both meant a great deal to her.

  Above anything else, Hyacinth wanted love, but there was the potential for her to make a choice she might come to regret. The future wasn’t set in stone. The man she loved was Lord Carrick, but she believed she wanted something as cold as the title of princess. Hyacinth met Lady Havenwood’s gaze and said, “Mother, you found love and expect everyone can. Most individuals are not as lucky. Let me find my own way, and please stop with the unwelcome advice.”

  “There is no need to be rude,” her mother huffed the words out.

  “Don’t worry, cousin,” Scarlett said. She had to try to steer her cousin in a different direction. The one she should be aiming for herself. If she could look past her own ambitions… “Love is already with you. Soon it will be undeniable.” That sounded a bit vague to her own ears. Scarlett doubted that Hyacinth would believe it.

  Hyacinth wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think I want to try to discern the meaning of that.” She stared at Scarlett. “What of you? Do you have love in your life?”

  She frowned. “My future is always unclear to me. The closer I am to something, the harder it is to see. I’d like to believe I will have love, but I can’t be certain.” Scarlett shrugged. She couldn’t very well tell anyone that she once saw herself in a mirror with Christian, and appeared to be foolishly in love with him. That vision had to be a lie. She refused to accept it.

  “I’m sure love will find you. How could it not?” Her tone appeared to be sincere. There was no reason to doubt her cousin’s earnest wishes for her.

  “Thank you.” Scarlett’s lips tilted upward into a warm smile. “I appreciate your belief in my happiness.” At least someone did…

  The carriage came to a stop in front of the manor. Hyacinth jerked forward a little as it halted. She held on to the side of the carriage to keep herself in place. Scarlett leaned to the side to brace herself.

  “I’m glad we’ve finally arrive.” Scarlett closed her eyes and sighed. Her cousin truly did hate traveling. It was probably why she had originally not wanted to attend this house party. She probably would rather return to Havenwood. Her goal of becoming a princess had no doubt altered her plans.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Scarlett replied and blew out a breath. “There were times I thought we’d never arrive.”

  “Now you sound like Elijah.” Hyacinth grinned. “He complained the entire trip we made here a decade earlier.”

  Her cousin, Elijah, hated traveling more than any of them. She hoped she wasn’t nearly as irritating as he could be at times. Scarlett didn’t mind traveling from time to time. She hated this particular trek though, because it led to the one place she didn’t really want to go…Weston Manor. No matter how many times she mentally reminded herself of that she couldn’t quit shake the dread engulfing her. Lord Blackthorn would be there. They would cross paths, and she would have to face him again. Perhaps he’d forgotten that soul wrenching vision? Scarlett could hope…

  Lady Havenwood chuckled. “He doesn’t tolerate long periods in a carriage well. That son of mine avoids them at all costs and now prefers to ride his horse.” She shook her
head. “It’s probably for the best. There were times on that trip I considered murdering him, and I do love him.”

  “I am sure no one would have blamed you,” Hyacinth told her. “He was insufferable.” Scarlett was a little surprised her aunt considered anything Elijah did to be insufferable. As much as she expounded upon his more desirable traits, it seemed as if Lady Havenwood believed her dear son could do no wrong.

  A footman opened the door to the carriage. He reached inside and assisted the ladies out. Hyacinth stretched, probably grateful to be out of the curricle. They had arrived. Now Scarlett had to do her best to avoid Lord Blackthorn the entire time she was there. That task might prove to be unavoidable though.

  “Well, Mother,” Hyacinth began, “I don’t know about you and Scarlett, but I am looking forward to resting in my chambers. It’s been quite the tedious journey to get here.”

  “I understand completely,” Lady Havenwood said. “Let’s go greet the lady of the house, and then we can all rest.”

  Scarlett nodded. “You don’t need to convince me. I’m ready and willing to sleep the rest of the day.” She rubbed her tummy. “Or at least until dinner. My stomach might disagree with sleeping through the night.”

  Hyacinth chuckled lightly. Scarlett was glad that her cousin was happy. She probably had plans to sneak off and stalk the prince. Scarlett silently wished her happy hunting. The prince might not be Hyacinth’s future, but he could lead her where she belonged: in Lord Carrick’s arms.