A World Apart (The Hands of Time: Book 3) (32 page)

A chill wind blew off the York River, permeating the air with the tang of fish and wet mud, murky sludge lapping at the banks choked with fallen leaves.  Once beautiful, they were now an indistinct shade of decaying brown.  Several boats could be seen in the distance, gliding peacefully along the sparkling ribbon of the rippling water, their purpose unknown.  Valerie looked toward Yorktown.  In six years, Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis would surrender to General Washington only a few miles from where they stood, leading to the end of the Revolutionary War and the beginning of the nation known as the United States of America, but for now, the war was still raging, and many lives would be lost.  

It had taken them some time to drive from the Mallory farm to the banks of the river, but she wanted a private place to talk, away from the overcrowded house or the noisy inn.  This place provided the privacy, as well as a sense of continuity.  This landscape would still be here in the twenty-first century
; silent witness to all that took place.  Valerie glanced over at Finn.  He was waiting patiently for her to begin.  There was so much to say, but the words wouldn’t come.  Valerie had kept her secret for so long, from everyone but Alec, and now she had to tell her son the truth. 

Finn walked over and put his arm around Valerie, kissing her temple.  He’d changed so much in the two months since he vanished from the plantation.  The boy who left was now a man.  His eyes had lost the innocence of youth
, and his stubbly cheek was no longer the soft skin on a boy.  Valerie wiped away a tear, forcing herself to concentrate.  She knew what would come at the end of her story, knew it from the moment she saw her son yesterday.  Finn was lost to them forever, just as she had been lost to her parents the moment she moved the hands on the clock.  They died without knowing what happened to her, believing her to be dead, and never getting the closure they so desperately needed.  Now Valerie would be faced with the same fate.  Once they left, they would never know what happened to their son, or how his life turned out.  Would he live a long and happy life with Abbie, or would he perish in the flames of the American Revolution along with thousands?

“Mama, I know it’s hard
for you to tell me, but I must know.  I deserve to know.”  Finn was looking down at her, his eyes tender and full of love.  At least he didn’t resent her.

“You are right, darling, and I will tell you everything.  It happened when I went to England with you
r Aunt Louisa in the year 2010.”  Valerie heard Finn’s intake of breath at the year, but continued, looking out over the timeless flow of the river.  “There was this antique shop…”

**

The wind died down, leaving in its wake a lung-seizing freshness that left Valerie breathless.  Or maybe it had been the story.  Yellow and red leaves circled overhead, settling quietly onto the carpet of grass at their feet.  Alec came up behind his wife, pulling her into his arms, more for support than for warmth.  Valerie felt strangely empty now that she’d told Finn the story, and she told him everything, including the details of his father’s death in the Tower.  Finn had a right to know what Alec had done for his brother, even if he might not understand it just yet.  He stood looking silently over the river, no doubt still processing what he’d just heard.  Valerie could feel Alec’s tension through his embrace.  He was afraid of Finn’s reaction, his rejection.

Finn finally turned, looking at both of them with something they’d never seen before –
- admiration.  He seemed to be searching for the right words.  He’d need time to fully understand everything that he’d been told.

“All this time I never knew you at all.  I thought that you were like other parents
-– old-fashioned and set in your ways.  If only you’d told me.”  Finn didn’t look accusing, just amazed.  “Things could have been so different.”

“Finn, I didn’t think it was wise to tell you about the time-travel,” Valerie said carefully, not wanting to upset him.

“I’m not talking about the time-travel.  I’m talking about my father.  I always thought that he was heroic and brave, but you were the brave one, Dad.”  He turned to Alec, his eyes full of affection.  “You risked your life to spare him a horrible death, and you loved me as your own son, and I repaid you with ingratitude and insolence.” 

“Finn, I loved my brother
, and I love you.  I’ve never thought of you as anything but my son.  I butted heads with my father too, as did Finlay.  That’s what children do.  It’s all part of growing up and finding your own way in the world, but   I never doubted your love for me.” 

Finn turned to Valerie, his face a shifting mask of emotions.  “Mama, I can’t even begin to imagine what you must have felt when you found yourself in the sixteenth century, but knowing what I felt, it must have been terrifying.  I’m so glad that you wandered into Yealm Castle, or you would have
never met my fathers,” he said with a smile.  “Would you have gone back, had you had the chance?”  Finn was watching her intently, needing to hear that she would have stayed.

“For the first few days that’s all I thought about.  I looked for that clock high and low, knowing that I wouldn’t find it.  It wouldn’t have been made yet.  I was lonely, and desperately afraid.  I never expected to fall in love, or to make a life for myself in the past, but it’s been a wonderful life
, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Finding my sister again made it complete.”  Valerie smiled at Finn, seeing his relief.

“So, you don’t have any regrets?” Finn asked, searching her face.

“My only regret is that I never saw my parents again, and that they died without knowing what happened to me.  They would have been so happy to know that I found happiness, and had you and your sister.  They never knew they were grandparents.”  Valerie sighed.  That was all in the past now, and they had to move on.

“So, what about you, Finn?”  She hated asking the question, but the anticipation was always worse than the reality.  Valerie watched the conflict play out over her son’s face.  “Finn, you must do what you want.  We’ll understand.”

“I want to stay here, but the thought of never seeing you again…”  Finn looked away, torn in half by the choice. 

“Is it Abbie, son?” Alec asked.

“Yes, and no.  I love Abbie, and I want a life with her, but it’s also the Revolution.  I’ve never cared about anything before, not like this.  I’ve never given any thought to the way things are.  I just accepted that there is a King in England who rules us all.  The idea of people ruling themselves is so radical, but yet, so right.  Why should one person have all that power?  This time is so exciting and full of promise.  I can’t bear the thought of going back to the life I knew.”  Finn’s eyes were begging them for understanding, for their blessing.

“Finn, if I
were a young man with no commitments, I would have stayed here too.  This country is on the verge of something truly amazing, and you want to be a part of that.  It’s understandable.  And there’s Abbie.  Is she with child, Finn?”  Alec asked carefully.

“
She might be, but I want to stay with her because I can’t imagine a life without her, as I can’t imagine a life without you.”  His eyes filled with tears as he walked into Valerie’s arms, burying his face in her shoulder.  “How am I supposed to say goodbye to you?”

“So don’t.  Let’s say au revoir, like the French,” Valerie whispered into his hair, holding him tight. 

“Till we meet again,” said Finn, nodding into her shoulder.

December 1622

Louisa pulled aside the curtain of the carriage to gaze at the city that she’d only seen in the twenty-first century.  She knew of the poverty and unsanitary conditions, but at the moment, London looked like a Christmas postcard.  Fresh snow covered every surface, glittering like diamonds in the mauve rays of the setting sun; windows beginning to glow with the warm light of the candles being lit against the impending darkness.  Their progress was slow due to congestion and slush, but Louisa didn’t mind.  She was just happy to be off the ship.  They’d docked that morning, and Captain Reeves had offered them his carriage to get to Lady Carew’s house.  Louisa was a bit apprehensive about meeting Kit’s sister, but her more immediate concern was finding a wet nurse for Evie.  She hoped Caroline would be able to help.  At the moment, Evie was peacefully asleep in Kit’s arms as he leaned against the back of the swaying carriage, watching Louisa with a small smile on his face. 

“What do you think of London?”

“I think it’s beautiful,” Louisa replied, craning her neck to get a better view of the Tower of London, its outline nearly black against the setting sun.  “Where’s the palace?”

“Just there along the river,” Kit gestured to the left of the Tower as the buildings of Whitehall Palace came into view.  Louisa sucked in her breath in awe.  She’d seen most of the attractions of London when visiting with Valerie, but the Palace of Whitehall had been consumed by a fire in the late seventeenth-century, leaving behind only paintings of its splendor.  The place was huge
-- a city unto itself.  At the moment, the countless windows glowed with the rays of the setting sun as the rooftops glistened with fresh snow. 

Louisa barely noticed as the carriage came to a stop in front of an imposing stone façade.  This was obviously a street occupied by the titled and wealthy, with servants coming and
going in the gathering dusk.  They were ushered into a vaulted foyer, their footsteps loud on the flagstone tiles.  Louisa felt dwarfed by the cavernous space and dark paneling, suddenly longing for a breath of fresh air.  A servant appeared to escort them to a cozy parlor, aglow with the light of the fire blazing in the hearth.

“Kit!  What a glorious surprise.  And this must be your wife.”   Lady Carew was seated in front of
the fireplace, a walking stick leaning against her high-backed chair.  She was magnificently attired, but no amount of silk and lace could distract from her haggard face and jet-black hair liberally streaked with gray.  She was probably in her late forties, but time had not been kind to her. 

“Please, sit down.  You must be tired from your journey.  When did you dock?”  She looked at Kit as he took a seat across from her, studying her face for signs of illness.  “Kit, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?  It would have given me such pleasure to know I would be seeing you again soon.  And is that Evangeline?” 
Caroline held out her arms as she smiled warmly at Louisa. 

“May I hold her?”  Louisa place
d Evie into her aunt’s arms watching the emotions playing over Caroline’s face.  Two pairs of black eyes stared at each other, taking measure.

“She looks just like Kit did when he was an infant,” Caroline said softly.  “I felt so alone and isolated after my mother’s death, living with my father’s new wife while he was at sea
-- until Kitty was born.  He was so lovely with those black eyes and curls.  I used to sit with him for hours, pretending he was my baby, and that he would love no one but me.”

Louisa glanced at Kit
, who looked wistfully at his sister.  They obviously shared a very strong bond, unweakened by time and distance. 

“I can’t wait to spoil her.  I only have sons, you know, and they haven’t seen fit to bless me with any grandchildren,” she said to Louisa, smiling at the little girl.  “I’ve always longed for a daughter.”

“Lady Carew,” Louisa began, unsure of how to address her sister-in-law.

“Please, call me Caro.  Kit always did.  And may I call you Louisa?”

“Of course.  Caro, we are in dire need of a wet nurse.  I’ve been unable to nurse Evangeline for some time.  She barely survived the crossing.”

Caroline’s head snapped up, her eyes aglow with purpose.  “I haven’t had to hire a wet nurse since my youngest was born, but you need a healthy, strong country girl.  London girls are unclean and undernourished.  One of my kitchen maids has recently had a
child -- a bastard, I should say, but I didn’t have the heart to throw her out with the winter coming.  She’s just a slip of a girl.  She’ll feed Evie until a proper nurse can be found.  Summon Ruth!” she ordered the manservant by the door. 

The girl who entered a few minutes later was no more than fourteen, thin and frightened.  Louisa’s heart went out to her, imagining what her life would be with a newborn and no husband to care for her. 

“Ruth, Lady Evangeline will require feeding until a proper wet nurse can be found.  I expect you to feed her before you feed your own child to ensure she has enough milk.  You will be compensated,” she added as she saw the shock on the girl’s face.  “Now, take the baby and feed her right away.  You may stay in Lady Evangeline’s room with your own child and feed her as needed.  Lady Sheridan will supervise.  Get to it, girl!” She snapped at the frightened girl, who gently took Evie from Caroline’s arms and scampered out of sight.  Louisa resolved to do something for the girl, making sure she had a little nest egg to fall back on in case of hard times. 

**

Louisa sighed with pleasure as she sank deeper into the steaming water of the bath.  She hadn’t had a proper bath since before her arrest, and only able to wash parts of herself on the ship, mostly with nearly freezing water.  The fire crackled in the massive fireplace, warming the room against the frigid temperatures of the December night.  She’d left Kit to spend some time with Caroline, giving them some privacy.  The huge four-poster bed beckoned to her with its clean linens and fluffy pillows, but she just wasn’t ready to get out.  The hot water was absolute bliss.  Evie was sound asleep in the adjoining room, full to bursting and wearing a clean clout and gown.  Louisa made sure that Ruth was comfortable on the narrow cot, her own little girl warm and fed.  The baby was lovely, with blond hair and round blue eyes, no doubt a gift from her father since Ruth was dark-haired and dark-eyed. 

For the moment, everything was well.  If only she had some news of Valerie
and Alec.  Louisa had prayed every day that they would find Finn and come home.  What she wouldn’t give to be able to send a message.  Living in the future, she took communication so for granted.  Anyone could reach anyone they wanted at any time and any place.  The notion of not being able to send a message for months was still strange to her, even after living in the past for nearly three years.  Even then, there was no guarantee that the letter reached its destination.  Only time would tell if Valerie got the letter.  Louisa might not have any news until sometime in the summer.  She would just have to be patient. 

Kit said that they would stay in London through
Christmas and New Year, and then retire to his country estate in Essex.  He hoped to convince Caro to join them.  She’d been unwell, coughing up blood and feeling weak and frail.  Louisa thought that she might have consumption or tuberculosis, but there was no cure for those diseases in the seventeenth century.  She would stay alive by sheer strength of will until her body failed her.  Louisa was glad that she’d gotten to see her beloved brother before she died, and to meet her niece.  Maybe the joy of having them near would extend her life for a few extra months.  Louisa had seen the look of shock on Kit’s face when he first saw his sister.  He understood the implications of her illness, grieving for her already.  This would be her last Christmas, and he wanted to make it special for her, surrounded by family.