31
November 11, 1888
London, England
The day was cool, but the sun was bright as I slipped through the hedge between our courtyard and Austen’s. My heart was thumping with anticipation and joy, knowing that I would see him again—and knowing all that was in store for us.
I’d spent hours the day before thinking about what Austen had said and what he hadn’t. I knew that we would have at least fifty years together, and I prayed for many more after that, but he hadn’t told me what those fifty years would contain. Would we have children? Would I continue my work here in 1888? Would we travel?
I could look up those answers in 1938, but I didn’t want to. I’d learned that God’s timing was best and that He would reveal the answers to me when I needed them. I didn’t want to know a moment sooner than necessary.
It was liberating to be free of worry.
I didn’t even bother to knock on the back door, but slipped inside and walked down the hall to the breakfast room.
Austen sat at the head of the table with a newspaper before him, while Brinley stood at attention near the sideboard. Thesmell of fresh croissants, bacon, and eggs wafted with the steam from the serving dishes.
Had it only been two months ago that I entered this same scene after Austen’s return from Italy?
Only this time, Austen lowered his newspaper, his blue eyes filled with pleasure and anticipation as he watched for my reaction.
I couldn’t help but grin, which caused him to grin.
“Brinley,” Austen said as he set his paper down and rose from the table, walking around it to join me. “I thought I told you to put a guard at the door.”
“Sir?” Brinley asked.
“A guard at the breakfast room door,” Austen said as he gathered me in his arms. “Miss Kelly and I do not want to be bothered.”
“Yes, sir,” Brinley said with a smile as he slipped out of the room, leaving us alone.
“The news is good?” Austen asked as he held me in his arms.
“The news is very good.”
“Your father is safe?”
“Papa is home, in perfect condition, and Sir Rothschild is in jail, where he will most likely stay for the rest of his life.” I placed my hands on either side of Austen’s dear face. “And we owe it all to you.”
He frowned. “Me?”
I stood on tiptoe, not able to wait another moment for a kiss.
He didn’t protest or ask for an explanation as he returned my kiss, pulling me close, his hands sliding from my lower back to my upper back and then into my hair, loosening the pins that Duffy had taken great pains to secure.
When he pulled back, he said, “I have so many questions.”
“And I have all the answers.” I laughed. “At least, I have some of the answers. I don’t know everything.”
He touched my nose with his, joining in my laughter. “Who are you, and what did you do with my Kate?”
I hugged him again and then said, “I’m famished. Can we eat?”
He grinned and let me go so I could fill a plate with the tantalizing food.
When we were seated, he asked, “What do you mean, you owe it all to me?”
“You came with the police not long after Sir Rothschild arrived. The surprise put him off guard, and the police were able to arrest him with little trouble.”
