A Knight Such as This: Enhanced with Interactive Content: (Time Travel Romance) Book 1 & 2 (Ravenhurst Series) Read online

  A KNIGHT SUCH AS THIS

  Enhanced Edition with Interactive Content & GAME INSIDE

  Book 1 & 2 in the Ravenhurst Series

  What is Inside

  FORGOTTEN TIME: BOOK ONE

  SHADOWS OF YESTERDAY: BOOK TWO

  INTERACTIVE GAME INSIDE

  WHAT MYSTERY WILL YOU UNLOCK?

  LORRAINE BEAUMONT

  Copyright 2016 © by Lorraine Beaumont

  Interactive Game 2013© by Lorraine Beaumont

  Enhanced Interactive Edition 2016 © by Lorraine Beaumont

  All Rights Reserved

  License Notes

  All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion hereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author.

  This story is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to event’s, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  Available in eBook only

  SMASHWORDS EDITION

  www.lorrainebeaumont.com

  A KNIGHT SUCH AS THIS

  Enhanced Edition with interactive content

  LORRAINE BEAUMONT

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  DEAR READER…

  KATHERINE

  IDLE MINDS

  WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING

  BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

  REFLECITIONS

  WHEN IN ROME

  IT’S COMPLICATED

  OVERSTAYING A WELCOME

  WHAT WAS LOST CAN BE FOUND

  LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING

  NOT ALONE

  DENIAL

  DESPERATION

  CONSEQUENCE

  MEMORIES DO NOT ALWAYS FADE

  THIS TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE

  THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM

  GOOD MORNING

  NO ONE LIKES TO SHARE

  RECOMPENSE

  THE GAMES THAT WE PLAY

  TIME DOES NOT HEAL ALL WOUNDS

  A MOMENT’S PLEASURE CAN FADE

  PAYBACKS ARE A BITCH

  INDECISION

  YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

  A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

  NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR PARTNER

  FINDERS KEEPERS

  THE CRAZY THINGS THAT YOU DO

  ONCE A THIEF ALWAYS A THIEF

  REGRET LEAVES A BITTER TASTE

  JUSTICE MAKES A CRUEL BEDFELLOW

  IF WALLS COULD TALK

  CURIOUSITY KILLED THE CAT

  OUT OF SIGHT DOES NOT = OUT OF MIND

  STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES

  SALVATION

  SECAND THOUGHTS

  CAPTIVITY BE DAMNED

  PLANS GONE AWRY

  CAPTIVITY MAY NOT BE SO BAD

  TOO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS

  SHADOWS OF YESTERDAY

  DEAR READER…

  You are cordially invited to join me on an adventure through the pages of my ENHANCED Ravenhurst books.

  Inside this book, you will find several hidden keys. Use these keys to unlock the hidden doors !

  What Mystery will you unlock?

  Enjoy your adventure through time!

  KATHERINE

  “Dark and foreboding the gates loom above

  Someone whispers my name…

  could it be my true love

  Courage and strength to push through the gloom

  Is this my happy ending or am I forever doomed”

  ~ Windy Blye

  IDLE MINDS

  IIII

  THE stately grandfather clock groaned out its sixth chime to mark the hour. I stood and smoothed the wrinkles from my pencil skirt and shoved my feet back into my BETSEY JOHNSON peep-toe pumps and started counting backwards. Ten… nine… eight… seven… The floor began to vibrate. Six… five… four… three… two … The glass doors flew open and gusts of cool air hit me in the face.

  “Have a good weekend!” I called after them…“The Evening Stampede.”

  A few blurred airwaves were tossed back in my general direction as my co-workers flew past.

  “Wow. They’re moving fast today.” I sat back down. It never ceased to amaze me how fast my co-workers could move when it was closing time. One day I really needed to get a stopwatch and time them. I bet they broke a few records. Now they were all huddled in a group waiting for the elevators to come up to the twelfth floor.

  Biddle & Bailey, the high-end auction house I worked for, owned the building. The reception area was in the center of the twelfth floor. Bronze statuary and Chinese ceramics were some of the items showcased in lit alcoves throughout the room. A large still-life painting hung on the cream-colored textured walls above an Eames-era sofa. Two separate sets of glass doors flanked either side of my desk and led to different departments. A lone glass door, near the elevators, was completely off limits. It led to a set of private offices for the owners.

  The elevators dinged. Everyone squeezed on except Dane and Candy—they were too busy flirting. They were both married, but not to each other.

  I couldn’t leave until everyone else left, so I busied myself with inane tasks attempting to look occupied. Of course, it was a lie. I was really spying on Dane and Candy. I wanted to know if they were hooking up tonight. My best guess was yes.

  The elevator swished loudly as it moved up the shaft. I angled my head so I could look…without looking. They were both in my sights…Dane slid over to the side, getting closer. Candy angled her body towards Dane. They were toe-to-toe… Dane lifted his hand… Oooh this was getting good and then nothing. A blob of black blocked my view completely.

  Dangit! I knew who it was, and what he ate for lunch today…sushi. The wheels squealed on my chair as I shoved away from the desk to avoid the gust of fish breath that was about to come my way.

  “Hey Ned, what’s up?” I stood quickly and grabbed hold of the back of my chair. Ned was one of the top appraisers at Biddle & Bailey, aka “the infamous blob” who was now chewing on something—I hoped it was a mint.

  Ned lifted his finger in the air.

  Apparently, he needed a moment. Casually I leaned to the left to see what Dane and Candy were doing. Just as I made my move, the elevator doors dinged shut.

  Well that stinks.

  Now I would have to wait and try to pry the gossip out of Janice on Monday. Janice was one of my coworkers and knew the dirt on everyone. Bending over, I picked up my Warhol Marilyn tote off the floor and placed it on the desk. Ned shook his head and mumbled some kind of gibberish under his breath as he patted his pockets. What was he doing?

  “Ned, do you need some help?” I slipped my latest issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine into my bag.

  “No.” He shook his head back and forth. “I am merely looking for something.”

  Great. It was already six twenty and traffic was going to be terrible. This was obviously going to take a while. Pulling back out my chair, I sat down. Lifting, my W magazine off the desk, I flipped through the large pages. I made it all the way to the arty fashion feature that consisted of fifteen or so full-page photos that told a story. This one had a white-haired Mermaid with a pearl nose ring, entitled, “Far Far from Land.”

  “Aha!” Ned said exuberantly. “Here we are.” He held a white envelope in his left hand and leaned forward. “It’s Friday…” he sang the word and lifted his brows up and down.

  “Yep, it’s Friday. Woo!” I c
heered. I wasn’t real sure what all the brow lifting was about though.

  Ned leaned forward, which was kind-of hard since there was a substantial desk between us and he still managed to do it. Amazing. “So…” He traced the marble design on top of the desk. “What fun things do you have planned for this weekend?”

  “Not much.” I made a face and tossed the magazine back on the desk. “I guess I’ll see what’s going to be On Demand.” I hoped something good was on. If not, I was going to re-watch Twilight, for the umpteenth time. Yes, guilty as charged, I’m a Twihardaholic. I secretly adored all things Twilight.

  Fine that was a lie. It was really about the eye candy and eternal life with said eye candy that didn’t sound like such a bad thing. At least not to me…well except food. I’d miss food. This reminded me—I needed to pick up something for dinner…some tasty take-out maybe and something yummy for dessert. OH, and maybe some chips to counter the sweets. Damn, were my sweats clean?

  Ned gurgled across the desk.

  My mind screeched to a halt. Shit, was he choking? “Ned you okay?” He had better be okay or I would have to do my version of the Heimlich maneuver, which would consist of my hand smacking the crap out of his back because I had no idea how to do the real one.

  “I’m good.” He held up his hand and smiled widely.

  The smile reminded me of a beatific “I’m a cat that just inhaled the canary type of smile” which made me wonder if he did that choking crap on purpose just to get my attention.

  “The reason for my question…well…I was wondering if you were free this evening?” He had a hopeful look on his face.

  Oh, crap…was he asking me on a date. No. No. No. Think excuse. I needed an excuse. Ned was nice but I didn’t like him in that way. Now I was going to end up hurting poor Ned’s feelings, but I didn’t want to go out with him on a date either. Words eluded me. I shook my head back and forth, trying to say no.

  Ned didn’t seem to notice. “It seems I have been fortunate enough to procure tickets to Biddle & Bailey’s Historic Society’s Preservation Ball.” He waited a beat. “It’s to be held at Ravenhurst estate.” He flapped the coveted invitation in the air.

  Whoa, whoa, wait a minute. In an instant, I changed my head motion from side-to-side to up-and-down. Yes,…yes…yes. This put a completely different spin on the question. “Ravenhurst?” I repeated, just to be sure.

  Ned nodded his head for clarification.

  It was my turn to lean forward. My fingers itched for the invitation. I had half a mind to jump over the desk and wrestle Ned for it. But I didn’t. I held myself in check. It was hard though…so very hard.

  Ravenhurst was one of those places everyone talked about, especially in the appraisal business. It was a magnificent creation erected as far back as King Arthur’s realm, and steeped in as many legends.

  “As I was saying,” Ned continued, sounding impatient. “I do realize this is extremely short notice but you did make a point of saying that you have no pressing engagements for this evening.” His light blue eyes zeroed in on me.

  I crossed my arms, and tapped my chin like I was really giving it a lot of thought. Hmm…either I could stay at home lusting after some fictional characters from a movie and stuff my face or I could go to a ball? No-brainer.

  But what of Ned? Did he think this was a “friendies” type of date or a real one?

  Ned’s hands fluttered in the air and reminded me of little butterflies. “I was appointed a driver, and the evening is to be a costumed affair. Everyone must dress in a particular era. I thought the Victorian era would be perfect. I do so love all things Victorian you know, and it really does promise to be jolly good time.” He rubbed his hands together in excitement.

  His enthusiasm was catching. Tingles of excitement shot through me at the prospect. It was two for two. Invited to a freaking castle and now I would get to dress up too. How awesome is that! My mind sped off to another time and place. What had it been like to live in a place like Ravenhurst? What of the balls, and hunts, that must have taken place on long weekend parties? Oh, and the gallant men, how they must have courted their ladies. Were they dashing, debonair, and rich? Or more reserved, brooding, and wealthy, like John Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility? I let out a breathy sigh—my head in the clouds.

  “Katherine…Katherine?” Ned snapped his fingers.

  “Huh?” I refocused my eyes.

  “Will you accompany me?” His expression reminded me of a little puppy. He looked so darn cute.

  “Of course I will.” I ran around the desk and gave him a big exuberant hug. It only lasted a moment but he was really giving me a good squeeze. When I pulled away, I noticed his expression had changed completely. Puppy was gone and Piggy was in his place. Oh Great! Too thick. I had poured it on too thick and now he probably thought I wanted more than a simple, “I’m using you to go to a castle kind of date.”

  “Wonderful!” Ned exclaimed, his elation clearly showing.

  Heck, I was elated too. Who in their right mind wouldn’t be?

  Then reality crashed in on me and ended my short-lived fantasy. I had nothing to wear and my fatty-pants weren’t going to cut it…not there. “Oh Ned,” I whined. “I can’t go.” I poked my lip out and made a sad face.

  “What?” He blanched. “Why ever not?”

  “I don’t have anything to wear.” I leaned forward and bumped my forehead on the top of the desk in theatrical defeat.

  Ned laughed brightly. “Oh, no worries, my sweet. Have you forgotten that I am Biddle & Bailey’s sole appraiser of antique textiles? My job has some pretty nice perks,” he boasted. “I have just the thing for you to wear down in storage. Give me but a moment and I will retrieve it for you.” He reached out and gave my arm a reassuring squeeze.

  “Seriously?” I asked just to be sure I heard him right.

  “Yes, yes, I am serious.” He petted my arm. “Now, chin up. No worries, I’ll be back in a jiffy.” With one final squeeze on my arm, he turned on his heel and made a dash for the elevator that was opening, which he somehow managed to slip inside just in time. The doors slid shut.

  Once the coast was clear, I broke into an ‘I’m going to a castle’ happy-dance. One foot lifted in the air… I shook my head to the unheard beat…

  The elevator dinged.

  “Shit.” I dropped my foot back down and quickly scurried back behind the desk. I half expected to see Ned burst from the elevator doors doing the “Speedy Gonzales” (my name for his fast-paced walk) across the reception area floor. However, it was not Ned coming across the room at all.

  No, instead, it was an attractive older man. He took his time and had a casual elegance. There was an umbrella tucked under his arm and a small box in his other hand. His suit, which was dark gray and exceptionally tailored, contrasted with his thick white hair, even though you could see glimpses of the dark, almost black color it had once been.

  “Good evening. May I help you?” I plastered on my most flattering: I am a professional, smile.

  His eyes twinkled. “As a matter of fact, my fine lady, you may,” he said with a crisp English accent and gingerly set the box on the desk. “I would like you to look at an item I have.” He tapped his fingers on the velvet lid.

  “Ah…” I forced my gaze up from the box. “I’m sorry.” Nervously, I twisted my fingers together. “All the appraisers are gone for the evening.”

  “Is that so?” He quirked a brow. “Perhaps you could help me?”

  “Of course.” I slid my sweaty palms over the sides of my skirt. “Certainly, I can try but I will warn you, I may not be of much assistance.” I smiled playfully at him.

  He frowned.

  Oh my GOD! What am I doing? Flirting with him? He’s old. “I mean…ah…what I meant to say was, I will…I mean, I can try to um…erhm, help you.”

  His frown faded. “Oh Katherine, my sweet dear. I feel quite certain that you of all people are the only one who can help me.”

  The fine hair
s on the back of my neck stood up. I was getting a strange feeling about him. And it wasn’t an “I’m getting hit on feeling either.” My mind raced as I tried to recall if I had somehow met him before but came up empty. He lifted his hand and moved my nameplate to the side. The uneasy feeling receded a bit, but not entirely.

  The lights above glinted off his ring as he unhooked the latch on the box. I leaned forward to get a closer look and got a big whiff of his cologne. It smelled expensive, and screamed: I’m a refined English gentleman type of cologne. At least that is what I thought a refined English gentleman should smell like. He had such an old world charm about him too. Actually, he looked like he was from another century altogether.

  The box creaked as he opened the lid. All thought fled my mind as he pulled a substantial blood-red stone encased in gold, from the box. The stone swung haphazardly and glimmered beautifully under the lights.

  Instantly, I had an overwhelming urge to try it on.

  Actually, I really wanted to take it from him and had to force myself to stay put. What in the hell is wrong with me? Of course, I knew better. You never, ever, ogle consigners’ items, end of story and yet, I couldn’t stop my hand from lifting out to touch it.

  The gentleman chuckled and pulled the necklace just from my reach.

  He may be old, but he sure was fast.

  I narrowed my eyes, never taking them off the prize. I could tell he was watching me, but I didn’t care.

  Not one bit.

  All that mattered was that necklace and my desire to wear it. He covered the stone with his hand. I blinked and pulled my gaze back to his. He gave me a weird look and my face heated.

  He cleared his throat and his eloquent voice echoed out through the room. “Do not let the beauty of this necklace fool you,” he warned, and uncovered the stone once again. “Legend has it that every one of the previous wearers mysteriously disappeared.”