But that’s not my reality now, and I have a reputation to worry about.I also can’t afford to get too close to Leo, someone who is not for me, despite how much I wish otherwise.So maybe the rules of the era are helping me a little, if they keep a little distance between me and the man who makes me feel more special than anyone has in the future.
After the party, Leo drops Anne and me off at the palace, walking us to the door and stopping there.Thanks to those societal rules, I don’t get a goodnight kiss, or even a friendly hug, which I would very much like despite knowing they wouldn’t help this crush I’m developing on the man.
Longing looks across a bumpy carriage ride are dangerous enough, but I can’t stop myself from enjoying them.
“Shall I pick you up at nine o’clock tomorrow morning to go to Cambridge?”Leo asks.
“Right.To find a way home.Nine sounds good.”
“Excellent.It should be a day trip by train, but if we do get late my family seat is there.”
He has my attention.Because of my area of study, I do a lot of research on the English country estate in general.Knowing that I might see Leo’s is like catnip to me.
This is actuallydoublecatnip to me, because I’m interested in his house as a historic artifact, but I’m also interested in the man himself and what the house can tell me about him.
At least I can comfort myself that I was into Leo before he offered to show me his family house, so I’m not stone-digging here.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes.Sweet dreams, Meera.”He turns and saunters back toward his carriage, giving me a last look at those calves.
I didn’t think hose would do it for me.And it’s probably not the hose as much as Leo’s legs.But I didn’t know legs would do it for me either.
I’m learning so much about myself in the past.
CHAPTER22
Despite not being a morning person (I schedule all my classes in the afternoon for a reason), I wake up excited.For two reasons: I get to spend more time with Leo and maybe find a way home.
But then I realize that one of those actions will put an end to the other, and that puts a damper on things.Because if all goes according to the plan, I’ll be back home in the future, obsessively researching everything on the life and times of Leopold Clifford-Alston, Marquess of Basildon.
Who he ended up marrying.All the children he had with her.How he not only paid off his debts, but probably also refurbished his family mansion and gave it electricity.He’ll have enough left over to keep a mistress in some row house in a semi-fashionable neighborhood, if he wants.
And with that thought, any excitement I had this morning flees.The sudden shift in emotions is a lot to take from someone already morally opposed to mornings, and I’m left in a funk I can’t shake off.
“Are you ready for the trip?”Anne asks as she comes in the door, tearing me from my thoughts.
“Yes!”I throw the covers off to imitate the actions of a morning person, hoping the perkiness will follow.Like the therapists who say smiling can trick your body into releasing genuinely happy chemicals.Or that lying down and closing your eyes can give some benefits of rest, if you can’t sleep.
“I’ve packed for you in case we have to stay the night, and Her Majesty is sending some money for you.”Anne indicates behind her, where two footman are dragging a large chest.
“All this for one night?”Does the wordnighthave a different meaning that scholars don’t know about?Is it code for two weeks?Like fortnight, which took me too long to learn, and I only finally did because of historic romances?
“Her Majesty wants you to be prepared for any situation that could arise,” Anne says defensively.
“She’s very kind.”I don’t want Anne to think I’m ungrateful.
Anne nods and flutters around the room, getting me and my stuff ready for the trip.She’s scarily efficient, while I’m focusing on preparing myself for how I’m going to feel when I see Leo again, black hair flopping in the non-wind like he covertly invented electric fans and made one of his servants follow him around with the prototype.
We get downstairs just as Leo arrives.
“Are you ladies ready for a trip to the countryside?”he asks when a footman opens the door for him.
He’s got a genuine, careless smile on his face, and I’m struck by the fact that he always looks this happy.He’s got more problems than even me…and I’m literally trapped 130 years and 5,442 miles away from my home.
But he’s still enjoying things.Encouraging me to have fun, dragging me out of my shell when I just want to stand on the sidelines and observe, study, and record.And he’s helped me more than he knows.I’ve stood up for myself more this trip than I ever have before.Whether it’s because I don’t have a choice since I’m in the limelight wherever I go here, or because I feel better knowing he’s contractually bound to help me if it all goes to shit, it’s given me a confidence I didn’t know I had.Or maybe it’s all of it.
“Are you all right?”Leo asks.
