A Stolen Season (19 page)

“Sarah, come here.”

She walked to where her father stood in front of a large ornate sarcophagus. She knew whose it was before she reached it. Tears burnt her eyes, blurring her vision.

Crouching down, she ran her hand along Eric’s name as she searched out the date of his death. She smiled; her father was never wrong: 1878. Eric was eighty-six years young. She stared at the cross carved above his name before reading the full inscription. She never knew his middle name had been Sebastian.

She was happy he lived a long life, but it saddened her that his life, after losing Patricia, was void of any company or love. Ironically, Sarah now faced the same fate. After Eric, there would be no other man for her.

She stood, looking down at his grave, realizing what she had to do. The oppressive weight, which had settled on her soul, lifted with her decision and she knew with every fiber of her being that it was the right one.

She could not allow their lives to end like this. For her to live a full and happy life, to have any future at all, it would have to be in the past, with Eric.

“Sarah, will you read the inscription on the side? I understand Lord Earnston had it noted in his final will and testament to be carved.”

Walking to where he was squatting, she knelt down beside him. She squinted, struggling to read the cursive writing not fully illumined by the candles. Her body shook as she deciphered the words.

The message read:
I believe. I love and miss you. Please come back to me.
It was signed
Eric
.

Sarah’s hand sought her father’s and her heart raced in her chest. She could almost hear him asking her, and she shivered as a breeze caressed her skin. Her father’s arms came around to embrace her.

Her heart shattered across the centuries. Eric had waited that long for her, waited his whole life for a woman who never came back. She looked up to her father, only to see he already knew what she was about to say.

“I know, my girl. I know what has to be done and although it will probably kill me, seeing you like this is worse. You have to go back, build your life with him. I won’t stand in your way.” Sarah cried out in relief, hugging him with all her might. She understood what a profound and heart-wrenching sacrifice he was making as a parent.

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you doesn’t seem enough.”

“Yes, I know. I also know there is no point in two people living miserable lives when it doesn’t have to be that way. And that’s why I’m sending you back. He obviously mourned you his whole life, and I refuse to watch you do the same.” He wiped at his eyes. “So if I have to let you go I will. I’ll do it for you both.”

Her lips trembled as her father’s voice broke with emotion. How did she deserve such a wonderful father? “I know you will have a wonderful life, full of love and happiness, that is enough to make me never regret my decision. I love you, kiddo.”

She clasped her Dad in a fierce hug. “I love you, too. I’ll miss you.”

“Only mad scientists like me would get away with something like this.” He laughed. “So it’s lucky for you, my girl, that I’m one of those.”

Sarah hugged him tighter. “You’re not a mad scientist; you’re a brilliant mad scientist.”

Both laughed as Sarah re-read the carved message on Eric’s grave. She silently promised Eric she would take heed of his final request and come home.

To him.

It was another week before Sarah could depart. Her father needed the time to cover all legalities. Needed to ensure that if Eric would not take her back, or died having never married her, she would be protected and comfortable.

They opened an account at Lloyds Bank with a substantial deposit, large enough to last two lifetimes. The Mayfair home’s deeds were transferred into her name and by the day’s close of her arrival, the house would be fully staffed by nineteenth century workers.

Sarah sat waiting in her father’s office, clicking a pen on and off while counting down the time before she left.

“Ready to ride, Sarah?”

Sarah looked up at her father, a man to whom she would be forever indebted.

“I am.” She leaned up and kissed him, threw her arms around him to hug him just one more time. “I love you. I’ll miss you, and take care of yourself, won’t you?”

He smiled down at her. “Of course I will. Don’t you worry about me. Just make us proud by marrying your earl and living a wonderful life. That will be enough for all of us.” Harrison paused. “But Sarah, I do want to make sure you are certain. You know after being back in the past for a certain amount of time, you cannot return home.”

Sarah nodded, knowing only too well how final this day would be. “I understand. I’m sure, one hundred percent sure.”

He kissed her forehead. “Okay, then.”

They made their way to the time machine, and Sarah’s stomach rolled in nerves. Would Eric take her back or would it take some work on her part to earn his trust and love again? She steeled herself to win, no matter the cost. She loved him and knew he never stopped loving her, had forgiven her at some point in his life. Forgiven her enough to have a message carved on his grave. There had to be a way to reconcile and she was damned well determined to find it.

The goodbyes were devastating. She kissed her hand and caught her father’s eye, pulled forth the brightest smile she could before waving farewell.

Then Sarah silently said goodbye to her twenty-first century life and welcomed in the nineteenth with open arms.

• • •

The staff began arriving on her doorstep just after lunch. Sarah was pleasantly surprised with their professionalism and wonderful manners. She was also glad none of them raised their eyebrows at their employer being a young unmarried mistress living alone.

During the first few days back in town, Sarah kept to herself, ordering new dresses and getting to know her staff. She sent her head groom to purchase a carriage and horses from Tattersalls, as she was prohibited to set foot in the place, being female.

Eric had not seen her for over a year and a half in his world. The current Season of 1819 was long over, and families were heading out of town to their country estates to spend Christmas and New Year away from the city.

Perusing the
Times
, Sarah smiled when she read the wedding announcement for Anita and Lord Kentum. They were to be married next Saturday. It was earmarked to be the wedding of the year.

Scribbling a short missive, Sarah sent a footman out to deliver the letter notifying her friend of her arrival back in London. Just as she sat down to a cup of tea an hour or so later, her parlor door burst open, and a whirlwind of color flew into the room and ran toward her.

Sarah jumped up, laughing and holding her arms out to hug her dear, missed friend. They pulled apart, both smiling through their tears, hands clasped in strong bonds.

“Sarah, you couldn’t imagine my absolute joy on receiving your letter today. I nearly screamed the house down and immediately ordered the carriage to be brought round. Mother almost had a heart seizure.”

Sarah laughed, imagining the scene her letter would have created. “I’ve missed you, too, my dear friend. I’m so glad you came.” Sarah pulled Anita down to sit beside her.

“How is it that you are here?”

Sarah smiled, not yet ready to divulge time travel secrets to the nineteenth century. Instead she shrugged and told what was true. “I couldn’t stay away. I belong in London and feel at home here. My future is here.”

“Oh, Sarah.” Anita paused. “So you plan on staying? For good?”

Sarah laughed. “Yes, I’m staying for good. Now tell me all the gossip over the last year or so. I understand you’re to be married next weekend.” Sarah grinned. “Poor old Lord Kentum, still waiting to see that silk negligee? How he must be suffering, poor man.”

Anita laughed lovingly, her eyes bright with joy. “I see you still read the gossip page in the
Times
, my dear. And yes, Freddie and I will be at long last married on Saturday.” Anita wearily sighed. “It’s been very trying these last months not being able to marry. But with Eric’s mother and wife dying … ”

Sarah noted Anita’s hesitation to continue, and she nodded, urging her to go on.

“Well, the whole family went into mourning, which put the marriage off for several months. It’s been very hard, and Eric … ”

Sarah’s gaze flew to her friend. “What’s wrong with Eric? Has something happened to him?”
Please God, no,
she silently screamed.

“No, no nothing like that, he’s fine in that sense. However, he is no longer the Eric you and I once knew. Since you left, he’s been very different. His marriage — well, that didn’t help because, let’s face it, it was a disaster.

“And we, as his family, have not been able to pull him out of whatever hole he has himself buried in.” Anita sighed. “The whole family is extremely worried. He gambles heavily these days, hardly associates with any of us, and spends much of his time with fast, loose women.”

Sarah sat in shocked silence, partly because of Anita’s plain speech and partly due to Eric carrying on in this manner. Of course she knew a little of what he’d been up to from her father. Nevertheless, it irked her to hear him living so dissolute a life.

“Anita, do you think Eric would be willing to see me? I know we didn’t part on good terms, but he was a good friend once.” Sarah inwardly cringed at using the word friend. She was far from just a friend to that man. “Maybe I would be able to help.”

Anita grabbed her hand, squeezing it in accord. “You know Eric would see you in a flash. Don’t think to hide what I know you two felt for each other. You were in love with him, Sarah, and still are. And it’s plainly obvious to all, Eric is still in love with you.”

Sarah’s stomach flipped at hearing such words spoken aloud.

“Why, whenever I mention your name he storms from the room, and it’s been nearly two years since my betrothal party.” Anita grinned, the devil entering her eye. “Oh yes, my friend, my darling cousin most certainly still loves you, and I will ensure that you, Miss Baxter, marry that man if it’s the last thing I do on this planet.”

Sarah laughed, agreeing wholeheartedly with her idea. “Well then, Anita, we’d better come up with a plan, what do you say?”

“Absolutely,” she replied, her smile triumphant.

• • •

The wedding was magnificent — St. James filled to overflowing with every caliber of society. Anita looked beautiful on her day of days, an ethereal quality radiating from her face. Lord Kentum beamed like a man truly besotted, as he watched Anita glide toward him. Sarah’s eyes misted as they said their vows. She smiled across at Eric’s grandmother, who looked perplexed but happy at her appearance at the wedding. It was so moving to watch a couple who meant every word of their marriage vows.

The wedding ceremony was shorter than Sarah had expected, and she wondered why they had not kissed when declared man and wife. But then the poor couple had waited so long to marry, it was any wonder the wedding seemed hasty.

Sarah threw white rose petals at the happy bride and groom as they walked from the church. Standing back, she looked around at the multitude of guests, vastly disappointed that Eric had not arrived.

Many hours later, during the wedding ball, Sarah had all but given up hope of seeing Eric again when her skin prickled with awareness. She looked across the floor and there he stood.

She sucked in a startled breath at the vision he made. Still impeccably dressed despite of the absence of a cravat, he was slightly thinner from what she remembered, and his hair looked messier, almost bedraggled, in fact. He was no doubt well inebriated.

Sarah swallowed the stab of jealousy, wondering what he had been up to before coming here to express his congratulations. She took in all his magnificence, unable to tear her eyes from him. Even in his state of disarray, he looked more devastatingly handsome than she remembered. Her stomach flipped, and for the first time in months, Sarah felt alive.

Then a very real worry settled in the pit of her belly. His eyes had a desolate blankness to them. Alive, yet not living.

Sarah knew that look well; hers were a matching pair two weeks ago. She frowned, seeing him standing there, against the wall of the ballroom, not focusing on anything at all.

She watched to see if anyone would engage with him in conversation. People nodded as they passed, but no one stopped to chat. It seemed everyone, including his family, kept their distance from him these days.

It broke her heart. She watched as, rather than sipping his drink of whisky like any other gentleman, he threw down his glass in one gulp. He immediately requested another from a passing footman.

Sarah didn’t move from her spot. She was being a coward, hiding behind the vase of white lilies Her Grace the Duchess of Winters had ordered for her only daughter’s wedding. The ballroom was in fact full to overflowing with lilies. The room sparkled and smelled wonderful. Still, she could not stand here like a plant specimen all night.

Sarah took a calming breath, and stepped away from her hidey-hole to approach Lord and Lady Kentum, ostensibly to congratulate them once more. Anita held out her hand as she came toward them before leaning down to whisper in her ear.

“He is here, Sarah, have you seen him?” Anita scanned the room in search of her cousin.

Sarah stood next to her, laughing at her matchmaking antics, and on her wedding day no less.

“Yes, and it’s a little troubling to see him like that, Anita. I’m starting to doubt he will speak to me; he’s doesn’t seem the most sociable at the moment.”

Anita squeezed her hand in assurance. “He will, dearest. I know he will.”

Other guests wanting to wish the couple happy bombarded the newly married pair. Sarah spent the whole time shaking in trepidation, wondering when Eric would look her way. She smiled as Lady Rose walked toward her, and kissed her cheek.

“Sarah, my dear, I thought I would never see you again. Oh my sweet girl, come give me a hug. I wanted to hug you in the church, but thought I’d better not.” Sarah leaned down and hugged the small but strong woman she had grown to love.