There will probably be a working-class version of White’s betting book set up to bet on who it is.Or everyone will know it’s Leo because he’s been calling on me daily.And I’m not exactly subtle with my feelings.
“Thank you.”I shut the door before I reveal anything else.
“Are you ready?”There’s a secret passageway/backstairs for servants at the end of the hall, so we don’t have to get Leo far.We just have to do it quietly, and quickly.
One of us (Leo), isn’t adequately grasping the severity of the situation.Because he is not being quiet, and he is not being quick.I’m vibrating with nervous energy around him, amazed that he can remain so calm right now.
“I am almost dressed.I was thoroughly used this past evening, and I need time to recover.”
I snort.“There was mutual using.”The new me in the past takes the time to correct people when they’re spouting bullshit.
“Hmm.I do not remember.Maybe we should try again.”Leo grabs me around the waist and pulls me in close, nibbling on my neck, his vest forgotten on the floor.“I promise to pay attention this time.”
“You don’t even have a notebook.How will you take notes to study?”But I’m not trying very hard to get away from his warm embrace.Because my body would go into full-scale revolt if I tried.
“I procured your notebook.I could get another one if that is the only thing between me and heaven.”One arm firmly around me, the other snakes into my robe, loosening as it goes.
“Go get your notebook and we’ll talk.”Regaining some control over my wayward body, I push him away.Not a strong push, and one that he listens to out of courtesy as opposed to the strength of the movement.
I immediately regret it when his arms drop, but I remind myself that the stakes are a lot higher when you get caught with a man in your room in 1895.They’re even higher when you’re already lying about who you are, and where, and when, you come from.
I got my last night; I should be happy with the extra time.But all I want is more.All my worries about “one more night” not being enough were completely founded.And there’s nothing I can do about it now.Except hold those memories close, hoping they keep me warm on the cold nights to come and don’t just make me sadder about what I lost.
The cold nights which will be literally chilly if I can’t get back.They don’t invent a heating system that I can afford for a while yet.
While I’m mourning the loss of something that was never really mine to begin with, Leo finishes getting dressed.He gives me a quick kiss, surprised when I grab him around the neck and deepen it.Surprised, but I get no complaints from him.He wraps his arms around me again, responding to the kiss.
Until we hear a noise in the hallway.
I tear away.“You’ve really got to go this time.”I cross the room to open the door, investigating what the noise was.
I don’t see anyone, so it may have just been the palace trying to tell me the man has to leave.With all the intensity of a special ops human, I motion for Leo to come while keeping a lookout.
“I am going home to change, then I shall come calling again.One more kiss.”Leo kisses me one last time.Not that he knows it’s a last time.Just like he didn’t know last night was a last time.
“No.I have bath time!I’ll see you later.”Never.Well, I may stalk him from geographically or temporally afar.But he won’t see me, if I can find a modicum of self-control.
“I will see you soon,” Leo says.And then one more kiss, because we’re both liars about quantities of kisses.
I watch him escape through the same passage we used to get him up there, standing in my door a few extra moments in case he wants to come back for just one more surprise kiss.But although he turns to give me a jaunty wave, he’s gone without any other fornication.
I hear footsteps down the hall and turn to see Anne coming toward my room.“The bath is ready.”
“Excellent.Thank you.For the bath.”And for the distraction from thoughts about Leo.
After I’m clean and dressed, I’m left alone again for breakfast.Alone with my thoughts, which are half trying to figure out how to leave, and half being sad about Leo.
I’ve already snuck out of the palace a few times, and I don’t have a lot to pack.My notebooks are in a small bag at my feet, but I couldn’t get back in the dress I came to the past in (Anne said I couldn’t possibly wear an evening dress to breakfast, especially one that was out of fashion, and I decided it would be too suspicious to argue).I’ll just pay the fee for a lost dress if I ever get back to the future.
As for the dress I’m about to steal, they won’t miss it.With all that wealth.There we go, this dress is a reparation for the Koh-i-Noor.And boy, am I getting the short end ofthatstick.
I have some money tucked into my corset, and I’m ready to flee at any moment.Probably should have already fled, but it’s scary.To leave the palace, and Leo, to go into the unknown.Alone.
But I should have a good meal first, right?It only makes sense to flee on a full stomach.I can’t think of a plan if I’m thinking about meat pies.It’s just logic.
Now my stomach is filled, maybe even overfilled since I’m eating to procrastinate, and my second plate is clean.
Okay.It’s time to leave.
