The carriage was still waiting. Miles jumped off the driver’s seat and opened the door for us as we approached.
“Make all haste,” Austen said as Mary climbed in first and I followed.
The moment Austen stepped into the carriage and closed the door, I finally let out a breath.
Yet our night had only just begun.
It was almost midnight when our train finally arrived on the outskirts of Southampton. The ship taking Mary to New York would leave at first light, and boarding had already begun at the pier, not far from Southampton Central Railway Station.
I sat on a red velvet bench with Mary as we faced Austen and Miles on the opposite bench. Austen had rented a privatecompartment, and his coachman had come along for protection. As we’d ridden from London to Southampton, I’d quickly realized they were not merely employer and employee, but friends.
Mary’s small hand was in mine, but neither of us spoke as the train began to slow. Weeks of planning did not prepare me for this moment. Or what I might say to her, knowing I’d never see her again.
I was still reeling from the night’s events, trying to wrap my mind around all that had happened. Mary had been silent since we’d left Whitechapel. She needed a bath, but her red hair had been combed and styled as best as we could manage. I wondered what was on her mind, and wished she could leave the memories behind as easily as she’d left her clothes.
Austen’s gaze was on me as the train began to slow. With Mary and Miles nearby, I could not say what I longed to say. We had already changed history by taking Mary away from Miller’s Court, so this wasn’t just good-bye to her, it was also good-bye to Austen and to 1888.
I hoped and prayed he wouldn’t forfeit his life for helping me. I couldn’t live with myself if that happened.
He finally tore his gaze from mine and said to Miles, “I booked passage under the names Mr. and Mrs. Miles Fremont.” He took an envelope out of his breast pocket and handed it to Miles. “To keep up appearances, I rented one cabin for you to share. I trust it goes without saying that Mary will have the berth and you’ll sleep on the floor.”
Miles took the envelope and gave his friend a look that said it was more than unnecessary to tell him.
I sat up straighter on the bench as Mary’s hand tightened around mine. “Miles is going with Mary?” I asked.
“I thought it best.” Austen turned his attention to me again. “We need to make sure that she gets to her new life safely.”
Mary began to tremble as she looked across the compartment to Miles. A man she hardly knew, other than by name and sight.
He looked back at her, his brown eyes softening. “I hope youdon’t mind the company, Miss Kelly. I will ensure you arrive safely in New York. You have my word.”
Mary swallowed and nodded, though there was apprehension in her eyes. I wished there was another way, but knowing that Miles would be with her put my heart at ease.
If only a little.
When the train came to a stop, we were ushered off by a porter.
“I think it’s best if we say good-bye to them here,” Austen said to me as he handed Mary’s satchel to Miles. “Miles will see that Mary gets to the ship safely.”
There were still several hours before the ship would leave the harbor, but it would look less suspicious if they went alone.
And I wanted time with Austen to say our good-byes.
I was still holding my sister’s hand, so I paused and turned to face her. “There are several pieces of jewelry inside the bag,” I whispered. “Hopefully, it will be enough to help you along until you begin to earn an income.”
Mary’s green eyes filled with tears as she wrapped her arms around me. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you, too.” My voice caught. A little over a year ago, I wouldn’t have even imagined this night was possible.
“I’ll write.”
“Perhaps it’s safer if you don’t,” I said. “Miles will get word to us if need be.” Though I wouldn’t be here to receive it. I couldn’t tell Mary that. Not now. Not this way.
Austen put his hand on my back. “It’s time.”
I squeezed Mary harder. “I love you.”
“I love you, Kathryn. Good-bye.” She pulled back and looked at Austen. “And thank you. Both of you.”
