Love's Labyrinth Read Free Page A

driver—“what is it, driver? Fifteen miles? Yes.” She beamed at her charges like a benevolent monarch on progress. “Now. There’s been a slight change in plans. Instead of touring the house first, and then going off to change into our Elizabethan costumes…”
    Next to Olivia, Alison squeaked, “What?”
    “Shh!” responded Olivia, listening intently.
    “…We’ll be changing first and then touring—all in costume! The revel will begin as soon as we get there. So don’t be surprised to see wandering musicians.” She paused and looked around, her wide face ecstatic, “Along with masked dancers, noble lords and ladies, and—” she paused for an even longer moment—”quite possibly Queen Elizabeth herself. It’s well documented that our immortal Gloriana dined more than once at Talcott Forest, and I have it on excellent authority that we’re likely to be graced by the presence of Her Majesty herself.
    “Now, and this is most important, so please give me your full attention!” She looked meaningfully at a few people who were carrying on whispered conversations. “The eclipse is scheduled in just two hours and six—no, seven minutes. On each seat, you will find a pair of special sunglasses, like these.” She held up a pair of cardboard sunglasses, which had blue and red ribbons falling from each corner. “As you can see, they’ve been specially designed so that we will all appear as though we’re attending a masked revel! Now, it is very important—extremely important—that during the eclipse you wear these glasses for safe and proper viewing. Also, immediately following the eclipse, we will be touring the maze. Now, the maze at Talcott Forest is one of the premier examples of its type still extant in England today. We are extremely fortunate that the present Lord Talcott has such a keen appreciation for the historical value of his home.”
    “Keen appreciation for the tourist dollars, you mean,” muttered the guy Alison was trying to ignore. Olivia glanced backward through the crack between the seats and realized he’d found a seat right behind them.
    “So! Are there any questions?” Mary smiled, obviously not having heard the comment, or choosing to ignore it. “Yes?” She nodded in the direction of a woman who was frantically waving her arm.
    “What happens if someone gets lost in the maze?”
    “Oh.” Mary smiled indulgently. “It’s not that large a maze. I understand you only need turn consistently to the left—or maybe it’s the right—to find your way out. And of course we’ll all be together. I’m sure it’s not likely that anyone will actually get lost. Anything else? No? Good. Now don’t forget to keep your spectacles with you at all times. I believe we’re all loaded up, so let’s be off!” She practically bounded up the aisle, which, thought Olivia, was no mean feat for a woman who had to be nearing sixty.
    Beside Olivia, Alison groaned. “Are you sure we have to change?”
    “Oh, come on,” said Olivia. “It’ll be fun.” She winked.
    “You don’t want to miss our immortal Gloriana, do you?”
    “Not for one hot second. And I sure can’t wait to meet her wearing my funny glasses. We’re going to look like Masterpiece Theater meets Elton John. But it’s easy for you to say. You’re going to be searching through records while I’m out strolling around.”
    Mary plumped down into the vacant seat across the aisle from the two friends.
    “We’re on our way!” She blew two short bursts from her whistle. The bus doors unfolded, closed, and slowly the bus pulled away. She craned her head over the back of the seat in front of her, anxious as a mother hen with wayward chicks. “Everyone settled? Good!” She favored Alison and Olivia with a broad smile. “Did you two girls have a nice bit of lunch?”
    “Well, to tell you the truth,” answered Alison, before Olivia could speak, “I was so full from breakfast I couldn’t even think about food. But