“I never thought of history like that.Of a building like this, and about who would see it in the future.”
“I stand there in over a hundred years,” I say softly, mostly to myself, squinting at the altar as if I can see myself on that future date, a tourist with camera out, admiring the stained glass.I had come with Luis, who was visiting the King’s College professor he was dating.Will I ever get to see my friend again?
The light-filled space that has stood since the 1500s lends me some more of its peace, helping release the last of the panic I felt in the pub and the hopelessness I’ve felt since.Something about this building enduring, and the connection I now have with all the people who’ve walked through these doors, past, present, and future, helps give me not only calm but strength.
The building is as much of a time traveler as me, albeit with a different method.
I lean my head on Leo’s shoulder, no one around to stone me for being a slut.Leo shifts until his arm is around my back while the other takes off my hat.Then he maneuvers my head so it’s tucked more firmly into his chest.I take deep breaths and let the scent of his earthy soap calm me just like the building did.
“I’m glad you’re sitting here now,” Leo whispers against my hair.
“Yeah.I am too,” I whisper into his starched coat.And it’s true.Mostly.Despite how much I want to go home, I’m glad I get this moment with Leo.
Despite whatever the future holds for me.
CHAPTER25
Leo’s mansion isn’t far from Cambridge.The same carriage that took us from the train station to the college meets us there again, with chaperone, and sweeps us away into the green countryside.
We amble through an open metal gate, the iron a little rusted, but still grand because of the scale and the intricacy of his family crest displayed on it, and Leo nudges my foot with his.“If you would like to look out the window, the best view of the house is from right here.”He sounds tentative…maybe nervous?Of how I’ll respond to his house?
It’s historic.I’m going to enjoy it whatever style, size or interior decoration scheme he has.While still thinking that the wealth required to build it is inherently unethical.I’m contradictory like that.
I stick my head out of the window as I was so gently implored to do.At first the wind catches my hat, pushing part of it down over my face, and some of its feathers firmly into my mouth.
I swat at the impractical garment and spit out feathers, only succeeding at the task when I rip it off my head entirely.I quickly forget about my internal tirade against the centuries-long irritation of women’s fashion when I see what’s in front of me.
It’s beautiful.The three-story, English Baroque, beige stone building has two wings protruding forward from a central building.Like the house wants to give me a giant welcoming hug, and I want to hug it back.Rows of tall windows wink at me in the afternoon sun, and in the middle directly in front of me, a giant dome watches over it all.
Small statues (but probably still huge since I can see them from this far away) line the top of the house.Famous Alstons and Cliffords, most likely.Making an army of family members watching over and judging their descendants.And their guests.
The carriage moves up the drive to the front entrance, where the staircase starts wide and then narrows to a grand door.The façade has built-in columns that span the height of the building, ending in a triglyph and metope frieze on the top to rival the Parthenon, with a pediment in the middle, above the frieze.I want to see what the carved scenes on the metopes are more than I want my next meal.
I try to find out now.By leaning farther and farther out the window until my entire torso is out of the moving carriage.Strong hands grasp my waist before I can fall out of the vehicle onto the hard, unforgiving ground below.
Although with all my layers, I’ve never been more ready for a fall.
Surprisingly, all these layers don’t do much to dull my response to Leo’s touch, and I can feel the solid strength of every one of his fingers digging into my waist.Causing my heart to beat louder than the sound of the eight horse hooves trotting along the dirt road.His fingers should feel like manacles trapping me, but instead they’re protective, like he wants to make sure I don’t hurt myself when I’m lost in my curiosity.
“I take it you approve?”he asks wryly from behind me.
“It’s amazing,” I say with reverence.“Can you hand me my paper and pen?”
“Not until you get back inside.But I promise you can have all the time you want to explore.As long as you do not fall and crack your head open right now.Then you will only get to see one room, and it will be whichever one has a doctor inside it.”
I consider ignoring Leo.It’s pretty out here.And so perfect I half-think I’m imagining it, but as long as I don’t blink or look away, it can’t disappear.But the hands at my waist are getting more insistent about my return, so I give in with a sigh and let them pull me back into boring safety.
“It’s beautiful,” I say to Leo.
Leo puffs out, accepting the praise even though it’s clearly meant for an ancestor I don’t know who built it, and more importantly, that ancestor’s architect.
“This level of wealth is still unethical,” I say, just in case his ego gets too big and crushes and/or suffocates Anne and me in the small space.
“Can I enjoy the happiness it gives you since I personally have no wealth?”His chest hasn’t deflated at all, my volley unsuccessful in managing his ego.
“No.Still unethical, what with your tenants doing all the work.”
“Well, wait until you get to the ocular excess that is the interior.And as promised, for your reentry into the carriage.”Leo presents me with my own notebook and pen, which he must have asked Anne about since she had it last time I checked.He bows over the materials as he extends the gift, presenting it with all the gravity of the formal court world he’s a part of, even though I’m no one and we’re talking about a journal.
