Chapter 13: Audrey — Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Back at Radcliffe after tea, Audrey lies sprawled on the striped sofa in the drawing room, complaining about her corset. Lucy reminds her that the position is “most unladylike,” but Audrey ignores her, feeling physically miserable. She tries several ways to trigger time travel: tossing the quarter back and forth with Lucy (which just becomes a game of catch), hiding in a closet while picturing her bedroom (an About Time–style attempt), and asking Lucy about standing stones (Outlander–style). None work. Audrey concludes that Lucy must be right—she is here for a reason, and one day of immersion isn't enough to figure out what that reason is.

Lucy sits at the piano and begins to play a soft, intricate melody. She casually remarks that Mr. Shepherd is handsome, and Audrey agrees, noting his blue eyes and jawline. Lucy says she is going to be married and that Mr. Shepherd seemed more interested in Audrey. Audrey deflects, saying it would be absurd to fall in love with someone from a different time period.

Audrey watches Lucy play and compliments her skill. Lucy modestly says she is “adequate.” When Lucy asks if Audrey plays, Audrey attempts a clumsy rendition of “Chopsticks,” which makes Lucy laugh. They share a moment of understanding when both say that music (for Lucy) and art (for Audrey) make everything “fall into place.” Audrey reflects that she has lost her passion for drawing and painting since her breakup with Charlie.

Audrey retrieves her phone from the silk bag Lucy gave her. The battery is under 30 percent. She notes that there's no one to call—she tried calling her mom once but couldn't reach the present. She shows Lucy modern music, starting with “River Flows in You” by Yiruma. Lucy is amazed and immediately plays the melody back on the piano. They cycle through Bach and Mozart, which Lucy knows, then modern songs like “Moon Song” by Phoebe Bridgers and “Los Ageless” by St. Vincent. Lucy comments on the melodies and harmonics, saying she'd like the future.

Audrey then plays “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston, a song her mom used to play. She pulls Lucy to her feet and teaches her to dance freely. Lucy initially resists, citing propriety, but Audrey encourages her to be “unladylike” for once. Lucy gradually relaxes, and they dance together, laughing. Audrey feels a sense of home through the music, imagining her mom's voice and the family pizza recipe.

When the song ends, they collapse on the sofa. Lucy's demeanor stiffens again as she looks at an armchair, and she says it won't happen again. Audrey tries to use her phone, but it's dead. She feels stranded without it. As she puts the phone away, she notices the quarter has the number “24” instead of a year. She shows Lucy, but neither knows what it means.

Key Events

Audrey attempts multiple time-travel methods (quarter toss, closet, standing stones) and fails.
Lucy and Audrey discuss Mr. Shepherd's handsomeness and Lucy's upcoming marriage.
Audrey plays a clumsy “Chopsticks” on the piano, and Lucy laughs.
Audrey shows Lucy modern music on her phone; Lucy is fascinated and plays along.
They dance to Whitney Houston's “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and Lucy loosens up.
Lucy's posture stiffens again after the dance, and she says it won't happen again.
Audrey's phone dies, leaving her feeling stranded.
Audrey discovers the quarter bears “24” instead of a year; neither she nor Lucy knows what it means.

Character Development

Audrey shows her homesickness and desperation to return, but also a growing willingness to engage with 1812 life. Her failed attempts to trigger time travel lead her to accept that she might be there for a purpose. Her loss of artistic passion is revealed—she used to love drawing and painting but lost that sense of peace after her breakup. Through music, she reconnects with a part of herself, and she also shows empathy by sharing her world with Lucy.

Lucy is revealed to be more than the prim-and-proper lady she appears to be. She is a talented pianist who can play a melody after hearing it once. She hides romance novels under a floorboard, a detail Audrey teases her about. When dancing, she lets go of her father's expectations and shows a playful, free side. However, she quickly reverts to propriety, indicating the weight of societal and familial pressure.

The chapter deepens the bond between Audrey and Lucy, showing that despite the two-hundred-year gap, they share a love of music and a desire for freedom.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Music as Connection: Music bridges the gap between Audrey's modern world and Lucy's 1812 world. Lucy's ability to play back a song she just heard highlights the universality of music. The Whitney Houston song becomes a family heirloom for Audrey, connecting her to her mother and home.
Cultural Clash: Audrey's modern technology (phone, Spotify) contrasts with Lucy's world. Lucy's reaction to electric guitar (“guitar with lightning in it”) shows the wonder and confusion of cultural exchange.
Freedom vs. Propriety: Lucy's initial resistance to dancing and her quick return to stiffness after the song illustrate the constraints of her society. Audrey encourages her to be “unladylike,” and Lucy's brief liberation is a key moment.
Technology as Lifeline: Audrey's phone is her connection to home—photos of her dog Cooper, texts, voicemails. Its death makes her feel “well and truly stranded,” emphasizing her isolation.
Mystery of the Quarter: The quarter is the time-travel device, but its meaning is unclear. The number “24” instead of a year adds a new layer of mystery, suggesting a clue that neither character can decipher yet.
Homesickness and Finding Purpose: Audrey's attempts to leave fail, leading her to consider that she is there for a reason. Her homesickness is palpable, but she also finds moments of connection that make the experience meaningful.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for character development and plot progression. It solidifies the friendship between Audrey and Lucy, moving beyond initial awkwardness to genuine connection. The music scene is a turning point where Lucy reveals her hidden depths, and Audrey begins to see her as a real person rather than a historical figure. The chapter also introduces a crucial plot element: the quarter's mysterious “24.” This detail is likely a key to the time-travel mechanism or a clue to how Audrey can return home. The death of Audrey's phone removes her last tangible link to the present, forcing her to rely on her memories and her new relationship with Lucy. This sets up future chapters where Audrey must navigate 1812 without modern comforts, and the mystery of the quarter will likely drive the plot forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Audrey decide she must be in 1812 for a reason?

Audrey tries several methods to trigger time travel—tossing the quarter, hiding in a closet, and asking about standing stones—but none work. She concludes that Lucy's earlier suggestion must be correct: she is there for a purpose. This acceptance shifts her mindset from trying to escape to looking for meaning in her situation.

2. How does music serve as a bridge between Audrey and Lucy in this chapter?

Music allows them to share experiences despite the cultural gap. Lucy is impressed by Audrey's phone and plays back a song she just heard, showing her musical talent. Audrey introduces Lucy to modern songs, and Lucy comments on the melodies and harmonics. The dance to Whitney Houston is a moment of pure joy where Lucy lets go of propriety, and Audrey feels connected to her own home through the song. Music becomes a common language that deepens their bond.

3. What is the significance of the quarter showing “24” instead of a year?

The quarter is the object that brought Audrey to 1812, but its meaning is unclear. The number “24” is unexpected and puzzling to both Audrey and Lucy. It suggests that the quarter is not a typical coin and may hold a clue to how time travel works or how Audrey can return home. The mystery is left unresolved, creating suspense for future chapters.