It was dark, and the silence echoed in my ears. I knew that within minutes, my mother would come into my room and demand that I join them, so I needed to be ready. Once she was satisfied that I was unable to sit through supper, she’d leave me for the rest of the night and not check on me.
The clock ticked away the seconds as I lay waiting. My mind filled with dozens of memories of my life in this path, both thegood and the bad, and emotions clogged my throat. I would miss it, and not only because I was leaving Austen and Mary. There was a lot I loved about 1888.
Less than five minutes later, my door opened, and a swath of light crossed my bedroom floor. I quickly closed my eyes and did my best to look ill.
“What is the meaning of this, Kathryn?” Mother asked as she strode across the room, the hem of her gown swishing against the carpet.
I moaned just slightly and said, “Please keep your voice down. My head is splitting.”
“You’ve been fine all day. And look at you—dressed for supper. When did this headache begin?”
“Not long ago,” I said as I put my hand up to my head, trying to cover my eyes from the hall light. “It hit me like lightning, and I feel sick to my stomach.”
Again, I wasn’t lying, but my nausea was more from Mr. Maybrick’s arrival than from a headache.
“I won’t stand for this,” she said as her foot tapped the floor. “Mr. Maybrick is in the parlor, expecting to spend the evening with you. He’s a very busy man, and his schedule is full of obligations. He finally found a night to join us, and you’re not going to be there?” Her voice had raised a notch. “What will I tell him?”
“The truth,” I said as I tried to roll over, away from her. My legs got tangled in my petticoats, making it almost impossible, and my corset pinched. “I’m too ill to dine with anyone tonight. I just want to be left alone.”
She stood for several moments, breathing deeply, and then said, “Fine. But you will agree to make up for this inconvenience at his leisure.”
I didn’t respond.
As she left the room, I felt sadder than I expected, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to properly say good-bye to her or Father.
I waited for a few minutes, then got up and gathered the things I had been preparing for tonight. It was dark, but my eyes hadadjusted, and I knew where everything was located. I had snuck into Mary’s room several times that week to pack a satchel for her. I’d hidden it under my bed, so I had to get on my hands and knees to pull it out now. I would wear a dark cloak and bring one for Mary, as well. I had a few pieces of valuable jewelry and took the few that were still in Mary’s room and put them in a velvet pouch for her to sell. Austen had already purchased her ticket for New York and had insisted that we didn’t need to pay him back, but I didn’t expect him to give her money for her other expenses.
As soon as I had everything together, I quietly left my room, praying I wouldn’t bump into anyone in the hallway.
The satchel was bulky, and my skirt and cloak were heavy as I maneuvered down the servants’ stairs. My pulse was pounding so hard in my ears, I was afraid I might not hear a subtle noise that would alert me to someone’s presence. I just needed to get into the courtyard and sneak through the hedge, and then I would be free.
When I came to the door that led into the servants’ hall, I knew this would be the hardest place to pass without being seen. The footmen would be walking through with dishes sent up from the kitchen, on their way to the dining room. I had to plan it just right, and then rush through with all haste.
I pressed my ear against the door, and hearing no movement, I opened it slightly just as a man passed through.
Pausing, I waited as sweat dripped down my back.
When he had gone by, I stepped into the hall and ran toward the back door.
The night air was blessedly cool as I stepped outside. But heavy, ominous clouds covered the moon and stars, making it difficult to see.
Thankfully, I knew my way.
As I moved through the garden, the shape of a man suddenly appeared as he stepped onto my path—and without warning, we collided.
I lost my footing and fell on my backside as the satchel flewout of my hands. I let out a startled scream, but it was quickly choked by fear.
The man stared down at me, and my heart sank as I recognized Michael Maybrick.
“Miss Kelly,” he said.
“Mr. Maybrick—I-I thought you’d be eating supper.”
“I had a feeling that’s what you thought.” He stood over me, his dark silhouette appearing larger than ever, not offering to help me up. “It looks like you’re leaving for an extended visit.”
I glanced at the satchel, just out of reach.
“Your father told me that Baird has been taking up a lot of your time lately,” Mr. Maybrick continued, “and that if I didn’t act soon, I might miss my opportunity. Given our last interaction, I had misgivings about trying again.” He looked toward the house and then back at me. “If I’m not mistaken, it looks like I’m about to miss my opportunity entirely. And, if my guess is correct, no one in the house knows you’re leaving to meet Baird.”
