“I always try to think of every possible scenario.I like being prepared, so yes, I’ve given it some thought.I need to find housing and a job.I could go to Limehouse, but Victoria might send someone there to look for me since it’s the obvious place to hide.I could flee to the country, and maybe find work as a maid or a tutor, but I have no references, and how would I even know who’s hiring?I think my best option would be to start making some bets.Small, so they don’t get anyone’s attention, but I do know when things will happen.And if that fails, blackmail is there, although I would feel bad about that, unless the person is bad.But nothing sounds particularly good.And nothing sounds as good as being home.”
Leo nods but doesn’t say anything.I wish he would.I want to know if he feels the same pull that I do when we’re together, even though we’re not only separated by an ocean, but also 130 years.One could be circumvented by frequent plane rides, although that would get expensive.
The other is a little harder to deal with.
Would we live here or in the future?Would the universe even let us both back?And if we stayed, Leo would still have his money problems.If he left, his sister would be alone and vulnerable.
All of this becomes irrelevant if he doesn’t feel anything toward me.Kiss aside, I could just be an interesting diversion.A curiosity to have fun with who doesn’t think kissing someone is the end of the world, or an invitation to propose marriage.
“Whatever happens, you will prosper.Her Majesty enjoys your company.You are smarter than most people in this city.In this country.I would bet on you over anyone.If I were still betting,” Leo says.
“Thank you.”
“And if you did stay, I would be honored to show you more of London, of England, and of the nineteenth century.”
I shake my head, denying not only the words but the feelings that the words engender in me.“If I do stay, Victoria will find out about me; I’ll have to leave the palace and be on the run.And you’ll be busy husbanding soon.Settling your estates with your heiress wife.”
“I cannot imagine that as my life.Not anymore.”Leo drills his eyes into me like I’ve got coal under my surface and he spent his last crowns on the mining rights.
“Just because you can’t imagine it doesn’t mean it won’t be good for you.I couldn’t imagine time travel or living in Queen Victoria’s court, but here I am.And I’m going to make the best of it while I’m here.”I shake my purse, indicating the notes I have in there.“If I go home, I can write about the time with amazing personal knowledge.And if I stay here, maybe I’ll still write a book.Maybe ‘fiction’ about that future that will confuse scholars in my time.The governess who predicted the internet.And Netflix.”My eyes sparkle in mirth at the thought, a light spot in a stressful day.The longer I’m away from home, the less I care about changing the timeline.At this point, I’m just trying to survive.
“You are always thinking about the future.”He shakes his head.“Not just the future as in the time you are from, but the future of what you want to do in life.”
“It’s comforting to have a plan.It’s the responsible thing to do.”
“You cannot plan for everything.”He levels a look at me, referencing my unexpected time travel.“And great moments can happen when embracing the unplanned.”
“I’m genuinely not against fun.I’ve had fun with you.But sometimes you just have to focus on the boring stuff, so you have space to have fun.Like your impending marriage.Once you propose, you’ll get married and then you’ll be set to enjoy life again.”
Leo sighs.“I do not think there will be that much enjoyment after marriage.I would rather not think about that at all, actually.”
Before I can harass him more into fixing his life, a man approaches the door, slowing when he sees us.This is it.This must be Andrew.Blood flows to my muscles in preparation for action, for finding out what he knows and what I’ll do after.
Leo turns to see who stole my attention.“Ah, you must be Mr.Huxley.”
Andrew slows to a stop, wary about the people at his door who know who he is.And where he lives, clearly.“Can I help you?”
I don’t want to have the conversation out here, so I take the initiative to walk closer where I can whisper to him.“I would like to talk to you about a mutual interest we may have.Do you have some time right now?”
“I have classes in the afternoon.”
“Maybe we can take you to lunch?It would be nice to get out of these walls for a few hours.”Leo smiles charmingly.
“Who are you?”Andrew finds it easier than I do to resist Leo’s charm.
Leo inclines his head.“I am the Marquess of Basildon and this is Her Royal Highness Meera Chopra, an Indian princess and Queen Victoria’s ward.”
“And what is this about?”He does look somewhat impressed by our credentials, but not completely swayed.
“It would be easier to sit and explain it all to you.”And I still haven’t decided how much to tell him.Prison or Bedlam are still on the table, if word gets around I’m claiming to be from the future, after I lied to the monarch about where I’m from and my family.I want to avoid that.
“No.I am not going anywhere with you when you have given me so little information about what you want.”He opens the door, walks through it, and is about to close it again when I reach out to slap the wood, keeping the door open.
“I want to talk to you about time travel,” I say, a last-ditch effort.I might want to protect myself, but I want to go home more.
That causes a change in his demeanor.He immediately straightens and looks at me with renewed interest, his gaze sharp as he searches my face and then Leo’s.
“Well, now that is an interesting invitation.We can meet at the pub across the street.I’ll just drop my books off in the room.”He holds them up and turns to drop them off at his desk.
