Inside the cottage, a small chimney insulated the entire place. A heap of straw lay beside a table and the kitchen was not so big either but the place itself was pristine and somewhat remarkably given it's condition.
Vermont, still on edge decided to pry a little more. "Annie..if I'm not wrong, why are you alone?"
Annie looks back and her smile lowers.
"I'm not.. it's just that father has gotten a daily job at the town. My mother and I usually stay here but as father had fallen sick a few days back, mother has went to treat him."
Elaine changes the topic and tells Annie to show the place around.
After getting a fresh change of clothes and water and food, Claire and Elaine decided to question Annie more about life here and in town. Surprisingly, the girl did have a lot of knowledge on towns.
"Annie, how about we take you with us?"
Claire said with hope, this was an antic, they could use Annie's guidance and maybe eventually find a way back.
"What- no I possibly could not-"
"It's fine, Annie, it's the least we can do to our benefactor. Take not worries, we will cover all necessary costs and I'm pretty sure the cottage will be fine too."*
The currency here was somewhat same but outdated, Elaine, however, did have some pennies that could work and could possibly give them all necessities.
With a heavy heart and a mind full of imagination, Annie gave in.
The city was crowded, horse carriages marching from left to right, with stalls where people sold groceries. Thanks to Annie, the three were able to blend in perfectly.
"What does you father do..in town, Annie?"
"He works as a..uh what do you call it..he basically delivers letters for citizens and sometimes to people of your class!"
Elaine found it amusing how Annie still had not questioned anything about their abode in town as they claimed to be aristocrats, but she did not want to spoil it either.
They bought a few things that were needed such as clothes and a barrel of water, enough to get by. Vermont made an excuse on how they had to be in hiding for sometime before going back to their residence as he did not quite recognize this pathway and asking for instructions would only lead to suspicions. This was accepted by Annie and they rented out two rooms in a hotel of sorts.
The girls shared one room while Vermont had one to himself.
At night, Elaine found herself in the horns of dilemma. She needed a way out, out of this mess and out of this place. What was she gonna do?
Claire, who was half-awake, could sense Elaine's inner turmoil. "Elaine, I know you're afraid... it's going to fine, we will make it out. We always do."
At the break of dawn, the city seemed to wake up, all workers heading out, and stalks getting set up, while the horses were ready to ride out carriages. Annie decided to go give her dad a visit, taking the opportunity, the three went out and looked for things that could help. Elaine, entered a clothing shop and the lady by the counter was quite the chatterbox, and yet she suddenly uttered the same "Lytton". So they did, indeed, enter a time in the past!
"I heard the lady of the Lytton household is the one who is the most anticipated guest in this year's masquerade!!!"
"What? Really? No way, Tell me about it!"
Lady? Which lady? Elaine thought, and when she looked at what seemed like a calendar, she saw that it was the same time her grandparents existed...1899...August.