Page 82 of Timeless

“They talked about it,” Diana explained, leaning into Cheryl’s touch. “Before they made love, Maria told Isabella that the last engagement had fallen through because a German prince wanted to marry someone else. She was telling her father that she was giving herself to God the next day, andthey made love that night.” Diana reached for Cheryl’s shirt button. “He let her go, and she’d begged him to let her take someone with her as a reminder of home and for comfort. He let her bring Isabella, who slept on a cot in the small room Maria got as a nun at the convent.” Diana unbuttoned the first two buttons. “I don’t know what happened after that. I haven’t seen it yet. But I know now why I had those visions yesterday and today.”

“You do?” Cheryl’s voice broke.

Diana pulled her shirt apart and took in the soft cups of the bra beneath.

“Because this was meant to happen for us tonight,” she said in a near whisper as she reached for and placed her hand between Cheryl’s breasts.

“We should put a blanket on the ground.”

“I’ll do that. You pull out that wine. We can celebrate a little earlier than midnight.”

Cheryl nodded, and with her shirt open, she knelt down at the basket while Diana began spreading blankets on the ground. She saved two to keep on top of them, protecting them from the cold and from anyone who might happen by, which was unlikely. Then, she sat down and watched Cheryl bring out a small bottle of wine that she’d corked herself.

“Here,” Cheryl said as she held it out.

“Come to bed,” Diana replied, not knowing wherethathad come from.

Cheryl smiled and moved to the blanket. She sat down next to Diana, who uncorked the wine and passed it back to her.

“You first.”

Cheryl took it from her and tipped the bottle back. Then, she promptly turned and spat it out.

“What’s wrong?”

“It tastes like vinegar.”

“What?”

“Here. You try it. I’ve never had wine before. My parents don’t let me. Is that what it’s supposed to taste like?”

Diana took a small sip and shook her head.

“No, it’s not. It’s gone bad.” She dumped the wine out.

Cheryl laughed and said, “Sorry. I didn’t know it went bad that fast. It’s always on a shelf forever before people drink it.”

“I think the air has something to do with that. But it’s okay. I don’t need wine, anyway.”

Cheryl just stared at her for a moment before she asked, “Will you take your shirt off?”

“Yeah,” she said quickly and unbuttoned her own shirt.

“I…” Cheryl didn’t say anything else as she watched it fall to the blanket behind Diana.

“I don’t wear a bra like you. I don’t really need one, do I?” Diana looked down at her small breasts.

Cheryl lifted her chin then and said, “You’re beautiful. And I love you.”

“Can I…” She pointed to Cheryl’s chest.

“Yes.”

Diana reached around Cheryl’s body and found the clasp on her bra.

“Sorry, it’s… harder than I thought. I don’t have experience with this.”

“Here.” Cheryl reached around her own body. “Easier if I do it.” She unclasped the bra herself, and Diana helped her pull it off.