48 HOURS WITH JACK

(The direct continuation of The Baggage Handlers)

By Atonia Walpole

(Picture creations also by Atonia)

Chapter One

He held her bag but more importantly he held onto her. She closed her eyes and leaned into him and when she opened them she was outside his cottage at Leigh on the Sea. It was cold and the wind coming off the sea found its way into the back garden through the tall hedgerow that bordered the gardens.

“Are you all right?” he asked, releasing her.

“Yes.” She didn’t mention that she was cold.

He pulled out his key and opened the door. It was dark outside but darker inside without the moon above them. Jack soon had a candle lit and from there an oil lamp.

Toni noticed the change right away even without light. The cottage was clean and smelled fresh. She caught the gleam of a brass fender around the fireplace. Jack was busy trying to get the fire lit. Logs had been laid for a fire some time ago when the weather was warm and it wasn’t needed.

“Windows,” she said, as her eyes traveled around the main room. There were windows fitted where shutters used to be and heavy draperies hung over them ready to be pulled. As the fire caught and cast its glow about the room other things came into view. It was furnished and nicely furnished, too. A thick rug lay over the slate floor.

“Yes, I had my carpenter here with his mate and also a few seamen with Killick lending his hand. You can’t ask for a better cleaning crew.” The fire was licking up the chimney now. “There are proper steps going up to the lo. No more ladders for Rose to fall through. The kitchen has been fitted out and has a new stove. Although it is not modern for you, Pet, it is livable.”

She couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “I can’t believe this is the same place. There are even books, and…oh, Jack.”

“Alas, there is not water from taps or a toilet to flush as you are used to but there is a pump so no trips down to the well. I’ve had business in London and took that opportunity to step over in time occasionally and to stock the cupboards with a few foodstuffs.”

“It looks lived in.” She walked around picking up a few objects he’d brought. A magnifying glass, some rolled maps. Brass candlesticks gleamed everywhere.

“I’ve been staying here for over a week. I intended to come for you two days ago but we’ve had such storms here I put it off. I wish now I hadn’t.”

“I’m not so fragile.” He held her arms and she rested her hands on his. “Really, this would have blown over like your storms, given time. It all finally came to a head and it’s over now. I never realized how Max felt, how my rejection had affected him. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. I was angry with Terry and also with myself. I can understand now why Terry felt such guilt after Connie died. He was guilty for having cheated Max out of what should have been his. I carry some of that too for allowing it to happen. Max was blindsided.”

“You were very much in love with Terry. I thought you had your mind made up when I came to you in the winter. He worked his magic on you, Pet. Nothing more, nothing sinister about it. Do not fret so over something that is over and done with. Too many times I have found you in tears.” He pulled her in close. “I want to take them away.” He kissed her and her arms went around his neck.

“You always do. You make things better, clearer for me to see. I love you.” She kissed him.

He built up the fire and also the one in the kitchen stove so there would be embers to keep it hot for morning. The sleeping alcove was now a proper room with double doors which they left open for the heat to warm them during the night.

Toni unpacked her bag. She’d brought long skirts and thick sweaters and boots, her woolen winter robe rarely used in Provence. She undressed and slipped on the robe. A nightgown would have been useless with Jack. She came out of the alcove and found him in the kitchen waiting for a kettle to boil.

“What are you doing?” she asked with a grin.

He handed her a box of Cadbury’s chocolate. “You can mix with water or milk. I thought water.” He looked up at her with a question in his eyes.

She smiled, “good idea, chocolate.” He was full of surprises tonight.

He already had out a porcelain pot and Toni spooned the chocolate mix into the pot. “Jack, where did all this stuff come from, silver spoons, china cups?”

“Ah, well, a number of places. I’ve been, um, storing up a few things. We took a French ship not long ago and I daresay the silver and chocolate pot came from the Captain’s cabin. Killick knew I was furnishing this cottage and has developed a yen for household goods. Things have appeared in my chest and I have no idea of their origins. After questioning him and listening to his rambling set of lies, I gave up. He does not steal from our people is all I could get out of it. The furnishings came from different places. Donated as it were for an ailing relative but it's come together nicely. I’m sure there will be things you will need and if you’ll let me know then I will find them.”

There was always some formality with Jack. He was a gentleman of his time. Where she would have made two mugs of chocolate for her and Max and carried them into the den, with Jack it was a proper pot, cups and saucers on a tray, cloth napkins, little spoons and even a few biscuits on a plate. Lovingly she did for him but wondered if he forgot there wasn’t a girl waiting in the scullery to do the washing up.

He pulled two chairs in front of the fire and a table between them for the tray.

Toni smiled, bringing in the tray. “How cozy this looks. Mr. and Mrs. in front of the fire warming their toes.”

Jack grinned and took the tray from her. “There now.”

Toni sat back and enjoyed her chocolate. It wasn’t necessary to keep a running dialog with him. He was letting her relax and she realized that. What a difference 24 hours can make. This time the night before she and Terry were going at each other. It still bothered her that they had said some of the things they did. But through it all she still loved him. He was a part of her just as Jack was. She glanced over at him. He was staring into the fire miles away in his thoughts. She picked up a biscuit and bit into it. It was quite good.

“Stephen’s landlady makes those,” he said, not so far away as she imagined.

“I like them and the chocolate and the company.”

His eyes softened and he looked at her. “Not very entertaining tonight.”

“I don’t need a trick pony show. You’re solace and peace, strength and comfort for me.”

“I sound like a good strong winged chair.”

Toni laughed, “Not quite. Though I wouldn’t mind sitting on you.” She raised her brows.

“What a saucy little strumpet you are.” He cocked his head. “I need to take you to bed and teach you a thing or two about polite conversation.”

“Oh,” she swallowed her biscuit, “what do you propose to politely converse about in bed?”

“Did I say we would converse?” He met her eyes and she put down her cup. “Are you through?”

“Yes, with chocolate.”

The bed in the alcove was piled with quilts and feather pillows and soon with Jack and Toni.

Toni woke in the unfamiliar room and bed alone. The curtains were open and a grayed sunlight filled the room. She sat up and looked out. She was filled with excitement because she was in Jack’s cottage. There was a chill to the air when she got out of the bed and reached for her robe. A pitcher of warm water and a bowl waited her morning ablutions. Soap and a towel lay nearby on the wide window sill. Life in its most basic form. She washed and dressed quickly and went out into the cottage. Now she could get a good look at it. Jack wasn’t inside and she went to the main room and examined it. The fire was going, draperies pulled back, but it was the smell of coffee that brought her to the kitchen. The stove was hot and a large pot of the beverage sat on the stove warming. She found a cup and saucer and poured out a rather thick dark brew. There was sugar in a bowl with a spoon and a little jug of milk. Once she had something like a latte put together she went to the back door and looked out.

“Where are you, Jack?” she wondered aloud. The cold from the slate floor was coming though her socks. She went to the bedroom and found her boots. She’d cleaned the basin and returned it to the bedroom when she heard him come in.

“I was beginning to wonder about you.” She went to him.

“Oh, careful, Pet.” He began pulling eggs from his pockets.

“You’ve been raiding someone’s hen house.” She grinned.

“Old Whelan down the road keeps hens. He is nice enough to share.”

“Eggs for breakfast and what else?”

“There’s bread for toast and a piece of gammon in the larder.”

“Larder? Oh,I remember.” She stepped from the kitchen through the pantry to a small outside room, unheated and lined with stone slabs. There she found the gammon, butter and what looked to be a chicken wrapped in a cloth.

With his help she managed to put together a meal. She was learning to cook on the stove and how he kept food. Under a cupboard and under lock and key were shelves lined with tinned soup and vegetables, sauce packets and pasta, rice and dried beans, things he’d bought in London for her convenience.

She heated water on the stove for doing dishes in the soapstone sink. Not too sure about the soap she was using to wash them with, she asked him to step over for some dishwashing liquid next time he was in London.

Toni felt as though she were playing house. Wiping down the chocolate pot she displayed it on the shelf kept for dishes. It was a beautiful hand painted pot. She touched the stiff linen curtains embroidered in blue and gold along the edges hung from wooden pegs over the kitchen window. Sailors with their needles. It was quaint, spare and lovely to her eyes. Everything that could be polished was glowing. Everything that could be painted was done up nicely in cream and white, making the rooms light and bright.

“What do you say about a walk?” he asked, leaning in the doorway.

“I’d love it. I’m ready to explore.” She found her jacket and a woolen scarf to drape around her neck.

The way the house was situated, the front door was rarely used unless you wanted to go outside and admire the view. There was a wide flat green space Toni thought would be ideal for Rose to play on. Through the gate that now swung easily on its hinges and they took the rock steps down to the sea shore. She stood there taking a deep breath and looking across the beach. This is where her daughter would play, where she would grow under the watchful eye of her father. She reached for his hand.

“It’s really rather protected here.” He slipped an arm around her waist.

“I was thinking about Rose playing here, building sand castles and chasing the waves.”

He smiled down at her. “I think she will like it. I’ll get her a little boat when she’s old enough.”

Toni’s eyes smarted. She would miss most of what happened here with Rose and Jack. There was no way she would be able to come every time and certainly not for weeks. She reached up and wiped a tear.

“What is it, Pet?” Jack turned her to him.

“Why is it with my own children I will only have part of their lives. Jacky every other month and now Rose. I was just thinking of what she will do here, what she will learn from you, and I won’t be a part of it.”

“Oh, Pet. Our children are not our possessions. We lose them daily as soon as they are walking and talking and exploring on their own. I am always amazed when I go home and see how my daughters have grown and changed. It is true they are twins but they are very different. I am not part of their lives on a daily basis. Their mother makes sure they do know who I am when I return from sea.”He chuckled a little. “They are old enough now to know and understand. It is the price I pay; I wanted children knowing I would not be there when they began to walk or first lost a tooth. And so it is with us. You are bemoaning the fact you will miss a sand castle. I miss months from her life. We share her presence and her absence.”

“That is so true. I suppose I’m selfish and want it all but that’s not the way our lives are. We have to take what we can and be satisfied.”

“I’m not sure we can be satisfied with less than what we want. I’m not. I’m not satisfied with less of you than I want. Imagine you were here waiting for me when I touch land. It is a dream.” He kissed her and held her to him.

She realized leaning against his chest how very little she thought of life from his point of view. He was always there for her, quieted her fears, and righted her world. She depended on him without realizing it. But she offered little in return, little for him personally other than a night in bed once in awhile. He’d bought this cottage and done it up nicely and he wasn’t a rich man. He’d done it for Rose but he‘d done it for her, too.

“Jack, you know sometimes I wish…I wish I was still at the House of Four Seasons. I have often thought over the past year or so that I left too soon. I wasn’t ready to give up the rest of you.”

“You’d been there for a long time, Pet. Six years is a long time to live there. No one has ever done that before or since. Your last tenant could hardly wait for the year to pass.”

“I know she got her wish, too. She brought him out and they’re living in Boston. I get e-mail from her. No one lives there now. It’s empty but you know my mind goes back there a lot. It has recently and I was homesick.”

“Your life was becoming too much of the same thing, Pet. You wanted children, you wanted to go further and further afield away from the House.”

“That’s true. I never had enough of you.” She bit her lip and looked up at him. “Why was I so blind?”

“You sensed something in me from the beginning. I was not tied to the House, to your world, to anything you knew. I think it frightened you a little. I wasn’t Max the banker or John the sheriff or Terry the K&R man. I’m Captain Jack Aubrey, presently of the HMS Surprise.”

“Maximus was that way, too. Elusive. I felt it would be like trying to hold a hand full of water. I didn’t want to take you away from the sea. I felt guilty for the three months when I knew you longed for something else. The sea is your mistress and still is. I can love you but I can’t have you for myself. I’ve known that from the beginning.”

“You have me now, all of me. Use me not gently.” He buried his face in her hair.

She held him as tightly as she could.

Chapter 2

They climbed back up the rocky steps and back through the garden. He took her out onto the road which was little more than a path and they walked until she saw a cottage come into view.

“That’s Whelan’s place. He’s an old fisherman, fishes for cockles.” He smiled down at her.

“Jack, is this the road Max traveled on?”

“Yes, it is. I believe he disappeared a little ahead here at the edge of the field. It was evidently an airbase during World War II.”

“It was, yes. They never brought me out here to show me anything. Too afraid I’d fall into a fog with you.” She smiled sideways at him.

“You learned to control that, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I may come out here on my own next time we’re in London. I’d like to see it.”

“My cottage will not be there. I’m not sure when it fell down. Whelan’s doesn’t exist either but beyond that stand of trees on the other side of the finger of land that reaches out into the sea is a row of cottages that do still exist. That’s where the field begins.”

“He walked quite a ways out here on his own.”

“Yes, he did, but he’s a good English boy and walking is in his blood.”

Toni smiled. She thought then of Max and what he’d done and she was proud of him. He was capable of so much more than you would think. She’d always been a little protective of him as though he needed protecting. Angry for him about what happened to them at the House when she’d rejected him. Wanting to comfort him when he needed it because he always sought her out when things weren’t right with him.

“I think he was very brave.”

Jack glanced at her and took her arm. “He was, indeed. He kept his wits about him. The possibilities were frightening and would have been for any of us except perhaps Terry, who thrives on such things. He was very lucky to run into one of his own.”

“How did that happen anyway?”

“Magic.” He grinned and looked away.

“You know the tenant we spoke of earlier? Well, Lachlan was her fall. All of her seasons were from past eras except the last one, Andy.”

“It could be, Pet, that they are waiting as I was to be called. They are accessible if needed. Terry had need of someone to talk to and it was I that answered him. Alex may someday need Lachlan and he will be there for him.”

“You’re still in the magical world. Can you contact Lachlan Currie?”

“No, Pet, I cannot. Why do you ask?”

“I wanted to thank him.”

“I’m sure he was thanked.” He hugged her side. “Are you ready to go back or do you want to walk all the way to the village?”

“I think go back. I’m about ready for some tea. That wind is cold.”

“The clouds are moving in. See on the horizon. We’ll have rain again tonight.”

“It’s all so green and beautiful here.”

“That’s because of the rain. We get a lot of it but then there are moments like this when it’s perfect.”

It was, she thought, perfect here with him.

Back at the cottage he fed the fires with what seemed to her like an endless supply of wood but he assured her it was rejects from his carpenter.

Toni made tea on the stove and cut gammon and buttered bread for sandwiches. There was a fruitcake in a tin and she sliced up some of that, too. It was a feast and she was proud to have done it without help. So far she hadn’t dipped into the locked cupboard wares but thought she might for dinner. Jack was happy with her efforts. They ate at the little round table in the main room. It served as a map table, a reading table, a chocolate table and now a luncheon table. She covered it with a yellow cloth.

Why did one need a dining room and tables sitting about? One practical table served for everything. She munched her sandwich and looked about. She could live here easily. She would have to find out where you bought gammon and bread and cake but she could do it. The cottage was snug and warm and furnished with good pieces. Nothing worn or broken down but nothing was new, either.

“It needs flowers,” she said.

“Flowers?”

“Yes, definitely flowers. Is there nothing left to pick?”

“Ah, well, I’m not much of a flower gardener, Pet. I’ve not planted anything. In summer the roses spill over everything along with jasmine. There are bulbs that come up, some kind of iris I think, and others I don’t recognize though Stephen has told me, I forgot. I do know some beds were cleaned out but nothing has been planted.”

“I saw something purple blooming by the roadside.”

“There is something purple blooming out back, too. You’ll have to go have a look.”

“Next spring if possible, Jack, I’d like to come back and plant some flowers.”

“We’ll make it possible and you plan on bringing Rose, too. Until she is out of diapers, Toni…”

“I know and understand."

Toni found the purple flowers blooming behind the outhouse in a mound. She picked enough to fill a white porcelain jug and set them on the table. For her that was putting her mark on the place.

She brought in the chicken and found it was already roasted. Jack had been at one side of it already. He unlocked the cupboard and she found enough things to make their dinner. He kept it locked in case someone should break into the cottage.

“But wouldn’t that automatically signal that there was something in there worth stealing?”

“Pet, what do you think a person would do with a packet of Bisto gravy mix? Here in l807? It would be a foreign thing and then the tins and other boxes in there would surely bring out others. I wouldn’t be able to come back here.”

“Have you ever had a problem?”

“Not yet but when I leave I leave nothing of value here. It’s locked and shuttered up. When you get to Whelan’s place there really isn’t anything to indicate a structure further down the path. There’s not enough traffic out here to keep the path cleared. I am gone most of the time and there is nothing to prevent someone from breaking in here if they found it.”

“That would be such a shame to come and find it trashed.”

“It would be. One can only hope.” He smiled and kissed her head.

The rain began just after five. It was already dark and the candles and lamps had been lit in the cottage. Toni cleaned up the kitchen and joined him in the main room. He had his violin out and she noticed the two glasses and a bottle of port. The evening’s entertainment, she smiled to herself. What more could she ask for?

He moved his bow around in time with the music in his head and then he began to play. This always thrilled her. Knowing who he was and what he was, for him to produce such sounds brought chills to her arms.  She let the wine flow through her veins and closed her eyes. The music was her breath, her heartbeat. She was truly mesmerized by him.

He would stop and take a drink, readjust the cloth on his violin where his chin rested and begin again. His eyes would seek hers as if for inspiration but she knew he needed none. It was all inside his head. She leaned her head back on the chair and thought, If I could prolong this night, oh…if I could stay with him.

She realized how difficult it would be when he was at sea. Even if she were allowed her children, all of them, no…no, it couldn’t be. This was it, a few hours here and there and that’s all it could ever be. That’s why the hours shown so brightly in her mind, why they were so precious and why she loved him so intensely.

He played something that took her breath. She looked up at him and he caught her eyes and held them. They were separated by the violin and yet joined by the music it gave forth. She would remember to ask him what he’d played for her. It stirred something deep within where he’d touched her with his music. When he finished the piece he lay his violin down and took her from her chair.

He took her face in his hands and very slowly kissed her. She swayed and caught his waist with her hands.

He kissed her again, letting his hands slide down her body. “I want to make love to you,” he whispered in her ear.

Toni was already half way to a climax. “Yes.” She caught his lips as they passed over her face.

She received his weight, his body into hers and loved him while the rain tried its best to come inside with them. Much later she eased out of the bed and put out the candles and the oil lamp. Rain still beat upon the windows in the main room that faced the sea. She left the draperies open and went back to the bed where he lay partly covered with a quilt. She lay down beside him and covered his shoulders. He didn’t wake but when she moved her body against his he drew her to him and she slept spooned against him.

He was usually up before dawn but this morning he stayed in bed and savored her next to him. He lightly touched her, causing her to move a little. He uncovered her and touched a nipple. It rose to his finger. He had no way of knowing that Terry always woke her by playing with her. Jack was gentle where Terry might have been bolder.

Toni slowly came awake but her body was already alive and waiting for her to catch up. He took her from behind allowing his hands free rein over her body. Dawn found them still entwined in the quilts. Later he got up to see to the fires. Toni hugged a quilt around her, still smiling. What a way to wake. He came back into the bedroom for a shirt and his boots.

“Is it still wet?” she asked.

“Still wet but not as bad as it was. Stay there until the fires are up.”

“Where are you going?”

“To fill the water jug.”

There was a thick pottery jug that sat by the sink and held water. A pump outside the larder door would fill it and a bucket he brought in to empty into a kettle for warming.

Toni hated to use the chamber pot but she didn’t want to run to the toilet in the rain. Later she would clean it out herself.  She jumped back in the bed and covered up. Jack brought the pitcher back in full of warm water to bathe in the basin.

“You’re spoiling me. I should be up doing that for you.” He only turned and winked “What do you do for baths around here?” she asked after him.

“I swim in the sea!” he called back.

“Here? You do that here?” She was imagining sand.

“I do when I can. I may go down this morning.”

“In the rain!”

“Water is water, Pet.” He stuck his head back in the door. “Are you getting up or lying abed today?”

“I’m up.” She sat up on the side of the bed.

Chapter 3

He did go down to the sea for a swim. As dawn broke across the beach the rain moved inland. He swam out past the breakers and found the water refreshing after the fug of the cottage. He knew he would have to take her back tonight but for a little while he toyed with the idea of…not. What could they do? It would be a day or two before they rounded up someone to look after three children. Terry’s nanny would probably be flown over. That would be another 24 hours he’d gain. Oh, they would be outraged and make threats and she would be upset again. No, it would not be worth it. It would only make it difficult the next time. And there would be a next time. Long powerful strokes took him back toward land until his feet touched sand and stone. He emerged from the sea in the golden light of the morning.

He came up barefoot without his boots or stockings and washed his feet off at the pump. A cursory swipe with the damp towel and he came inside. Toni was making breakfast.

She turned to him and smiled. “I like a wet man.” She kissed his cold, damp lips. “You make me cold. Go dry off and put on some dry clothes by the fire.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he chuckled, liking her ordering him around.

“This is the last of the gammon and the eggs. I managed a heel of bread for toast,” she called into the main room.

“I may go into London after you leave.” He came into the kitchen tucking in his shirt. “No reason to remain here without you.” He kissed her cheek.

His wet hair touched her face. ‘After you leave’ hung in the air. She carefully turned the eggs over in the pan where she’d fried out the gammon.

Jack put away his violin and tidied up the main room, bringing the wine glasses into the kitchen.

“Almost ready,” she said and ladled out the eggs. The bread she laid in the pan until it browned.

“You do a nice breakfast, Pet.” He took a plate to the table in the main room.

She noticed he’d cleaned up. “Jack, what was that piece you played last night, the last one?”

“Ah, a bit of Handel. It’s part of eight pieces called Air. Strangely enough,” he smiled, thinking of Max.

“It was lovely. I felt like you played it into my soul.”

“I felt the same.” He picked up his coffee cup. “I don’t have to tell you that I love you, do I?”

“No, no, you don’t.” She looked into his eyes and smiled. “You know I started to feel sad a little while ago. Sad because I have to leave and then I thought, I should never be sad here because I’m with you. I should be happy up until the last minute, the very last.” She accepted a piece of bread dipped in egg and on the end of his fork.

“You look much better. The roses are back in your cheeks and you sparkle. There is no sad here with us. Now tell me about Rose. You mentioned she’d been sick?”

“Oh, yes, she started coming down with a cold before we left England and it seemed to get better then got worse and we took her to the doctor. It spread to her ears and we were weeks trying to get her well. She was a pretty sick little baby and I wanted to tell you but I couldn’t. As soon as her chest got better she started another cold so it was a month of medicines but she’s fine now. Max said it was probably the damp English air. He’s not too keen on the cottage anymore.”

“Max is a good father to her. I’ve seen him with her.”

“He loves her as he does Maxi and so does Terry, for that matter. I think you said one time all the children belong to all of us. It’s true, you know.”

“Maxi has a birthday coming up, does he not?”

“Yes, on the 12th of November. He’s going to be three and catch up with Jacky for awhile.”

“I believe I may make it for your Thanksgiving but I cannot make Maxi’s birthday. That’s only two weeks away and I am committed.”

“That’s okay. He won’t know the difference. He’ll be lavished with gifts from his Grandpa Duncan and the Duflots. Ludivine will make him a cake. He and Jacky will fight over something and the day will end eventually.”

“Do they fight?”

“Yes, sometimes. Jacky always liked to push Maxi around but Maxi is as big as Jacky now, well nearly, and he fights back.”

“You may have a problem there as they get older. I think Jacky may resent him because he has you all the time.”

“I think Jacky is going to have problems regardless. I don’t like the way he’s divided up but Terry won’t give and neither will I. He’s only three and not old enough to understand. He will when he gets older and I don’t know what that will do to him. I felt for Terry, you know. He’d lost me and Jacky was all he had left. I didn’t want to take him, too.”

Jack smiled a little. He had his own ideas about that but he wasn’t going to bring them up. “Let’s do not go back in time, Pet. Look forward, not back. There is nothing there you can go back and change. You can only control now, today and tomorrow, not yesterday.”

“Then I shall control you today.”

He smiled a little and tilted his head. “I think I like that.”

Toni cleaned up the dishes and put everything away. He was making preparations to leave, too. He’d packed his chest.

“Jack, how did you get here?”

“I have a little skiff. I was dropped off here and allowed Bonden and Killick to go into Leigh on the Sea. They have rooms there.”

“How will they know to come and get you?”

“I’ll walk to the village and tell them to come for my chest. The boat usually stays here but I had no need of it with you here.”

“They’ll take you to London?”

“No, Pet, I’ll take a coach to London. If nothing is doing there I will go to Ashgrove. You are curious about my travel arrangements?”

“I just wondered how you got around.”

“Sometimes I wonder that myself,” he smiled.

“Do I need to strip the bed or do laundry?”

“Ah, Killick will take care of that. There is no need for you to worry about anything.”

“Not even you?”

“Least of all me. I am in no danger, Pet. I might get cut a bit and have other injuries but nothing life threatening. The sickest I’ve ever been was when you nursed me back to health.”

She walked to the front windows. “What will we do today since it's quit raining?”

He looked at her a moment. “Are you ready to go home?”

“I, I don’t know. I’m at a loss right now. I want to be with you but I feel like we’re all packed and ready to go. What are we waiting for?”

“That’s the thing about knowing you have to leave. You can’t start anything, you can’t plan ahead. I am sorry, Pet.” He put his arms around her.

“No, no need to be sorry. That’s just how it is. We had 48 hours and we’ve still got eight to go. We could go back and not tell anybody. Quietly arrive and check it out. Max told me it would be different when I got back.

“Hmm, yes, we could do that and if nothing has changed then I’ll bring you back with me until it has.”

“Okay, I’m going to leave my things here. There’s nothing left in my bag that I need at home. I could walk to the village with you and you can tell Killick to come out here and do whatever he does. Then you and I could go poof back to France.”

“Yes, that’s an idea. I knew I liked you controlling me.”

They did walk to the village and he found Bonden, who routed out Killick from a brothel. Jack gave them his instructions and took her into the pub, The Crooked Billet, for a meal.

“Do you know, Pet, if you come back here on your own this pub will be here? Yes, it still stands.”

“Oh, well, I know I will be back then.” She looked around, trying to imprint it onto her memory. “I think this is so cool.”

Jack chuckled.

They had a hearty meal of country vegetable soup, crusty bread and a fish pie. Jack had some cockles on the side and persuaded her to eat one.

‘They are cooked,” he assured her.

“Um, well, I suppose if I can eat mussels I can eat cockles.” She had another. “It seems so strange sitting here. Except for the way people are dressed there’s not much difference.”

“Ah, well, looks can be deceiving. No phones, no TV, no electricity, no indoor baths.”

“Conveniences.”

“More than that. If you remained in this village or, worse yet, into London you would most likely become ill. Sanitation is not known to cause illnesses in the general public. Food is not always fresh and the cook may not be clean. The water may make you sick. I know better. I know that cleanliness is necessary but not everyone else does. And my body is more able to deal with it than yours.”

“Should I worry? I’ve eaten a meal here and had water at your cottage.”

“The cook here is clean. Killick has been in the kitchen and observed. My well is not contaminated. We are at the end of the road and there is no one else around. My well is on high ground and not likely to be contaminated by the outhouse.”

“I am always safe with you. I knew it and you’ve just confirmed it.” She smiled and finished her wine.

“My dear friend Stephen Maturin is responsible for most of my fastidious ways. Have finished your meal?”

“Yes. How do you propose to do this, Jack?”

“I’ll take a room upstairs. We’ll go up and I’ll take you home…unless we find something else to do there.”

She looked down and smiled.

Chapter 4

The time had finally come after an hour spent in the room Jack took above the pub. He gathered her to him, enclosed her in his arms and began to think about where he was going. He was going to take her home. He made the mistake of looking down at her and into her eyes. His lips touched hers and they disappeared.

He knew where he was before his eyes opened. Quietly he whispered, “We are at Ashgrove.” He shook his head slightly. He held her and then pulled away. He put a finger on her lips to silence her. Her eyes were wild. He was in the stables at Ashgrove. His horse knew he was near and whinnied a greeting. A head popped up from behind one of the stalls. “Is that you, Sir?”

Toni dropped down.

“Ah, yes, I’ve just come.” He moved out of the stall and closed the door behind him. “I’ve not been in the house yet. Who is here?” He moved over to his horse and placed a hand on his nose.

“Ah, that’d be Mrs. Aubrey and Mrs. Williams, Sir. Me and Bailey in the yard. Killick and Bonden have not returned.”

“Thank you, Reddy.”

“Papa, Papa!” His girls found him and helplessly he was pulled toward the house.

Toni backed against the wall of the stall, pulling hay around her and hoping the stable lad didn’t come with his fork.

After a while the stable became silent except for the now familiar horse sounds. She slowly eased from her cramped position and stuck her head over the stall just enough to see that she was alone. One of the horses knew she was there and tried talking to her but she was terrified of being found. Not for herself but for Jack.

It was just going 4:00PM and Jack was having tea with Sophie and Mrs. Williams and his daughters. He was carrying along the conversation, smiling and answering questions as best he could. The question of how he had arrived bothered Sophie and she questioned him about that. He had to lie and tell her he’d walked from the tavern where he’d been dropped off. He had to lie about Killick and Bonden, who’d left with him and had not returned. He was becoming very uncomfortable.

Toni had no idea of the layout of Ashgrove and she was afraid to try and take herself back to France. As Max had once said, this was a very unreliable way of transportation. Max, oh. She looked at her watch. Four hours, she had four hours to get home. The sun was going down and it was becoming dark in the stable. She carefully opened the stall door and stepped out. There were lights coming from the house. She concealed herself by the door to the stables and looked out. This was Jack’s home. She bit her lip. These two worlds should not meet.

Over at the end of the building she saw a ladder and ran towards it. There was a hay loft above the stables and she found a place to sit where she could see out of the little slatted opening next to the rafters. There was nothing to see; as the sky darkened it became very dark. There was still the glow from the house and now and again she saw a lantern being carried by someone.

There was one coming here to the stables. Jack, she thought, and ran over to the opening. “I’m here,” she said.

She spoke too soon and heard the voices below. It wasn’t long before Fanny and Charlotte Aubrey discovered the woman in the loft and one ran back to the house to inform.

Jack came to the stables with his daughter, Charlotte. Toni was brought down from the loft. She tried not to look at him, not wanting the familiarity to show. Instead she looked at his daughters in the light from the lanterns. He was making all the right sounds.

They were blond but were not identical twins. One was heavier than the other and a little taller.

“Who is she, Papa?”

“I’m, uh, not sure, Fanny.”

She glanced up at him. He was looking for help. “Hello, my name is Tonia Skinner. I seem to be lost and sought shelter in your stable.”

The girls were looking at her closely and at her clothes. She wore a long dark green woolen skirt and an oatmeal colored sweater. A brown suede jacket and a paisley pashmina scarf. Her Italian boots completed her outfit. Of course it was not anywhere near anything they’d ever seen. “She talks different,” one observed.

Another lantern was now making its way to the stable. It was Reddy and Toni was sure he wasn’t a seaman who’d ever been on the Surprise when she was. He was a young man probably still in his teens.

Jack, too, was relieved none of the Surprises were here at Ashgrove for they would recognize her. “Well, something must be done. Where were you going, Mrs., uh, Skinner?”

“I was trying to go home but took a wrong step somewhere. I wonder if you might, um, perhaps give me a ride into, uh….”

“Reddy can take you,” Charlotte offered.

“Let’s not be making arrangements for Mrs. Skinner, Charlotte.”

Toni decided to take some action. Jack appeared in shock. “Well, I thank you for the use of your stable and if you’ll point the way out to a road or something I’ll be on my way.” She looked from girl to girl to Reddy.

“Nonsense. I would not set you on foot into the darkness.”

“I would prefer darkness, actually,” Toni replied.

“Mr. Aubrey?” Mrs. Williams called from the back of the house. “Is there a woman in the stable? Which lad does she belong to?”

Jack closed his eyes. His mother-in-law would not let this fade. “There is, Mrs. Williams, but she does not belong to a stable lad. She is, in fact, the wife of a dear friend.”

The two girls looked at each other. Toni looked at them; they were half sisters to Rose but would never know her.

In the end she was taken into the house at the insistence of Mrs. Williams. She decided the best thing was to keep her mouth shut as much as possible and let Jack get them out of this. However, when she met Sophie words escaped her altogether. Sophie was pregnant. For the first time Jack’s life became real to her. He did have another life, children and a wife he obviously loved. She was beautiful, tall and erect even with her baby bulge, blonde with perfect skin. Toni felt awkward and out of place.

It brought to mind the first time she met Donna, John’s wife. But Donna was a contemporary woman and one she could talk to. Sophie was altogether different. She understood now why Jack had said he could never bring them into her world. She was not versed in the manners and ways of women of this era. She took an offered seat and sat quietly. Mrs. Williams was bursting with questions and stared at Toni and her clothing, a look of displeasure on her face.

“As I said, “ Jack began, “she is the wife of a dear friend, a mutual friend of Dr. Maturin’s.” He hoped this might help explain her appearance for Dr. Maturin, though accepted and admired, was after all, foreign. “I believe she may have come by carriage and let off at the wrong junction. Is that not correct, Mrs. Skinner?”

“Yes, the wrong junction. Time is passing and I really must go. I am expected.”

“But why did you not come to the door, my dear?” Sophie asked, concerned.

“I wasn’t sure who lived here. One can’t be too careful.”

“Where are you from?” Mrs. Williams asked, peering down her nose.

“America, from Virginia.”

“Ah, I thought so, a foreigner. Are they our friends or foes?” she asked Jack.

“Um, friends at present.”

“You walked all the way from the junction? You must be tired and thirsty. Would you like tea?” Sophie was very curious about her. The junction was over five miles away.

“No, no, thank you. I’m fine.”

Indeed she was fine, Sophie thought, very alive and vibrant. She looked at Jack who seemed to be very ill at ease. He hardly looked at the wife of his dear friend.

“Jack, offer her sherry,” Sophie urged.

“Would you like a sherry? I think I might.” He glanced at Toni.

“Yes, sherry would be nice. Thank you.” She smiled at Sophie.

“He’s forgotten his manners. If not tea then surely Sherry or something stronger should be offered.”

“You were traveling alone, Mrs. Skinner?” Mrs. Williams asked, narrowing her eyes.

“No, I wasn’t but my, my friend got displaced.”

Mrs. Williams wasn’t buying it at all and Toni knew it. She kept her eyes averted from the woman.

“Where were you coming from?”

“Ah, from a little town near London. Thank you.” She accepted the glass of sherry and briefly her hand touched his, warm and somehow reassuring. He would get them out of this.

“You say you are expected. May I ask where?” Sophie asked.

“I am to meet my traveling companion near the coast. We got separated and that’s where we are to meet. I really need to be on my way."

“If you came on the coach you must have been traveling together.” Mrs. Williams looked at Jack, who’d explained his presence as coming on the coach. “How odd that you wouldn’t have noticed each other.

They both began at once and Toni let him talk. “I believe Mrs. Skinner was traveling by private carriage, Mother Williams.”

Toni finished her sherry and could have finished the bottle had it been offered. She took a breath and looked at Jack. She had two hours to get home. Two.

One of his daughters had moved closer to her and smiled a little every time Toni looked at her. She reminded her of Jack, same smile. These were not prim and proper little girls. Their hair hung down in tangles from the day’s romp and play and she noticed a hem torn on one of their dresses, a stocking with a hole. She was glad to see they were allowed to play and be children. She thought Rose would someday favor Charlotte. She flashed her a grin and then looked quickly at her mother. Sophie smiled sweetly.

She had an idea. “I wonder if I might impose on you further and ask for a ride to the junction? Surely there will be another coach or even carriage that I might find a ride to the coast?”

“Oh, well, of course, I would be happy to take you. I’ll just get Reddy to pull out the, ah, wagon.”

“Jack, you can’t leave her standing at the junction waiting for a carriage. That’s not a place for a lady to be left alone.” Sophie looked at him strangely. “I can’t imagine you could explain your action to your friend.”

“Why don’t you send Ready or Bailey?  I can’t imagine why you must go?” Mrs. Williams added.

“She is…I would not leave her with Bailey or Reddy, good men though they are she is a lady and should be …I’ll take her.” Jack got up and went to the rear of the house to find Reddy.

“I would really prefer it if you spent the night and in the morning go to the junction. This business of trying to find transportation at night is rather frightening and I’m sure not the thing to do. That’s not a place a lady would spend time at night alone. I can’t think what he was about.”

“Mrs. Aubrey, thank you very much for your concern. I’m an American, Mrs. Aubrey, and perhaps we do things a little differently. Your husband is kind to take me there and see to my welfare. I know my husband will appreciate his time and his making sure I’m safe. If it appears there is not a coach then I will find rooms for the night and send him home.” Toni looked into her eyes as she spoke.

Sophie smiled a little. “He is a gentleman, Mrs. Skinner, and you have nothing to fear from him.”

Toni smiled, “I know that, thank you.”

Toni asked the girls their ages and told them she had a little girl who was 21 months old. “Her name is Rose. I also have two little boys, Jacky and Maxi.”

“My Papa’s name is Jack. It’s really John but he’s called Jack. I don’t know why.”

“It’s a nickname. My Jacky’s name is really John, too.” Toni could hear Mrs. Williams whispering rudely to Sophie. Sophie was a lady in the truest sense. She kept a pleasant countenance and turned to her mother and said something Toni couldn’t hear. She supposed it was about her. What was taking so long in the stables? She would gladly have climbed on the back of his horse with him. Of course that wasn’t done here. Finally she heard his footsteps and turned toward the door.

Part 5

“Your carriage awaits.” He half suppressed a smile. “I should be back within an hour.” He waved to the room.

Toni smiled at the room and especially at Sophie and let him escort her to the wagon waiting out front in the drive.

She didn’t speak until they cleared the drive and then she began to laugh, quietly at first, but it escaped. “Oh, Jack! I thought we were done for. I have never been so afraid in my life.”

“Afraid? Of what, Pet?”

“Afraid for you. I do believe your mother-in-law thinks I am some woman of ill repute.”

Jack grinned, “She thinks that of everyone.”

“What about Sophie? Are you in trouble there?”

“Sophie, ah, no, Pet. Sophie is an innocent and would no more suspect me of anything than she would her mother. She did not know how babies were made when we married.”

“Oh, my goodness. She’s beautiful, Jack. I wouldn’t have wanted our worlds to collide. Never had I ever thought of meeting your family. I’m glad I did but I hope it doesn’t cause problems for you when you get back home. You have two very clever little girls. How did we end up here?”

“It was my fault. I was concentrating on taking you home but when I looked down into your eyes and kissed you, home was the last thought I had and so here we are.”

“My fault then.”

“I didn’t say that. I wouldn’t say that, Toni.”

“No, you wouldn’t ever let me take blame for anything. I distracted you.  Don’t look at me again.”

He looked at her. “That is simply not possible.”

It had begun to rain softly as he drove the wagon down the road toward the junction.

“How far are we going, Jack?” she finally asked. “Couldn’t we just pull into the trees somewhere along here?”

“We’d be set upon by thieves or some sort of ruffians. I’ll not take a chance with you. No, we will go past the junction. I know where we can secure the wagon.”

They passed the junction, which consisted of a wayside inn, tavern below and rooms to let above. This was a coaching station as well. Several men stood outside the tavern and she could see why he wouldn’t want to drop her off there, not that he was ever going to do that anyway. They continued on past and turned off the main London Road onto a rutted narrow pathway. How he could see where he was going was beyond her. She could see the horses in front of them but everything else was darkness.

They hit a particularly spectacular hole in the road that nearly unseated Toni. “Jack, how long has it been since you were down this road?”

“I know the man who owns the property. Years, I suspect.”

She moved a little closer to him.

“I probably shouldn’t have come this way…”

They hit a hole that unseated Toni sending her flying and the wagon lost a wheel and overturned. It happened so fast she could hardly believe it. She had the breath knocked out of her but fortunately for her she ended up in deep grass. She heard the horses and then their snorting.

“Jack?” She got up and walked toward the wagon. The wheel upturned was still spinning around and the horses were clearly in distress.

“Jack?” She moved around the wagon…no Jack. “Oh, stop it!” she admonished the horses and then felt bad. By feel she went over them and determined the wagon was twisting something on their harnesses. She worked until she got them free and tied the reins to the wagon.

“Oh….SHIT!” She was near tears now, combing the roadside trying to find him in the pitch blackness. She fell over him.

“Jack…Jack!” She felt all over his body and his head. He was breathing and something sticky got on her hand from his head. She tasted his blood. “Noooooo!” She moaned. “Nooo, you can’t do this, Jack. Oh, God!” She sobbed. “Don’t be hurt, oh, darling, nooo.” She felt absolutely helpless.

She had her moment and then she pulled off her scarf and wrapped his head in it. No way to tell how seriously he was hurt. She held his head in her lap and summoning all the magic she might still possess, she kissed his lips. A moment and then he responded.

“Jack, oh, Jack, come back to me.”

“Toni…what?’

“We’ve had an accident. I’m going to take us home. Hold onto me, stay with me.” She closed her eyes and concentrated on La Siroque. She felt the pull and then they were gone from the roadside and appeared in the vineyard.

“Oh,” she threw back her head and breathed. “Jack, are you still with me.”

“Yes, Pet, I’m here.” He sat up and felt of his head, pulling her scarf off.

“I suppose I should have been a little more specific. We’ve got to get up to the house. Can you walk? Do I need to go and get someone to help?”

“Give me a minute.” He felt a little woozy but forced himself to his feet.

Toni steadied him and they walked slowly up to the house. She got him to the table outside of the dining area and let him sit down. She went into the kitchen, which was dark with only a light burning above the sink. She looked up at the clock on the wall; she was over an hour late. A glass of water, a wet towel for Jack, and she was back on the porch.

“I don’t know where they are. I’m going to look. Take small sips, love. You may have a concussion.”

“Toni, I can’t stay here.”

“I know but you’re injured. I can’t let you go like this. Wait here. I’m going to find Max.”

Unconsciously she noticed the house was clean and toys put away as she went from the den to the living room and then up the stairs. Up again to the third floor. She found Max and Terry both with all three kids on floor mats reading books and having a wrestling match at the same time. She hated to interrupt them.

“Hi,” she said. All heads turned her way. "Mummeee!" the boys shouted and Rose came running, too, jabbering away in her language. She had the children around her legs, hugging them and kissing them and she looked up at Max, who had a special light in his eyes for her. She’d come back.

“Max, Jack is on the patio with his head bleeding. Could you please see to him?”

“What happened?” Terry was on his feet.

“An accident. I’ll tell you later. He may have a concussion and he needs to be taken care of.”  Toni went to her knees on the mat with the children while they climbed on her and wanted hugs and had a scratch to show her and a red place on somebody’s finger. Rose wanted to cuddle. Toni was exhausted.

Finally Tuppy appeared to relieve her. She went into their bedrooms and put them in their beds and left Tuppy to make sure they stayed there. Downstairs she found the men in the kitchen. Jack’s head wound had been cleaned by Terry and dressed.

“He’s just had a bump on the head, small cut, but you know how a head wound bleeds all over the place.”

“It knocked him out, Terry. I was worried about him and couldn’t leave him there. You have no idea what we’ve been through.” She sat down at the table opposite Jack.

“We made it though, didn’t we, Pet? You may as well know it was she that brought us here. I was still a little wobbly from the accident.” Jack explained what had happened in the wagon.

Max sat down beside Toni and reached for her hand and kissed it. “What were you doing at Ashgrove? That’s the last place I thought you’d ever take her.”

“Ah, well, it wasn’t supposed to be Ashgrove. She distracted me, as you know might be possible. I hadn’t finished the thought I had. I got to home and then she looked up at me.”

“I distracted him at a crucial moment.”

“You have that capability.” Max squeezed her hand.

“I’m sorry to be late. We tried awfully hard but when I was discovered in his stable by his daughters then all hopes of getting home by eight went out the window.”

“It’s only nine now in England. You forgot we’re an hour ahead, didn’t you,” Max smiled and reached over and hugged her.

“I was so afraid you’d all be angry and ready to pounce when I got back. We’ve been trying to get here for…hours.” She looked over at Jack.

“Ah, give us a little credit, Toni. I didn’t expect you in exactly 48 hours. I’ve never known you to be on time in your life, at least the part I shared.” Terry leaned on the table and crossed his arms.

“Well, drinks? Coffee, tea, alcohol?” Max offered.

“Coffee for me,” Toni said. “If I have a drink I’m done.”

“Well, be done. There’s nothing you have to do tonight.”

“Have your drink,” Jack smiled at her. “Do you think we might have a moment and then, gentlemen, I am going home for the second time today.”

“Sure.” Terry moved out followed by Max.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Jack?”

“Come here.”

She went to him and sat on his knee. "I want you to know how much the past 48 hours have meant to me. I love you, Toni, and I’m sorry for the problems we’ve had today. The atmosphere has changed here in the chateau. I think you will be all right.”

“I love you, Jack. You are the most special man I know. I caused the problems, not you, and you have nothing to be sorry for.” She kissed him softly on the lips and then he kissed her back, lovingly and thoroughly. “I hate you have to go home all banged up.”

“Oh, it will be a good excuse for being late. They were not expecting me back. I left there two weeks ago for London and then went to the cottage. I had intended to go back to London today. I shall go back tomorrow by coach. What a complicated life we lead,” he smiled and ran his hand through her hair.

“When is your child due?”

“Sometime after Christmas. February, I believe.”

“He could be born on Rose’s birthday. I’m happy for you.” She kissed him again.

“I hope it’s a he,” he said.

“Take care, Jack.” One last kiss and she stood up.

He stood, too, and found the room was no longer spinning around. He walked around the kitchen and then smiled. “I’ll give it try.” He stepped outside the door into the garden and disappeared.

She sat at the table for a little while after he left. She had been to a place with him that she never thought to go. She’d been into his magical world. She thought of Sophie, innocent Sophie, and she could tell how much he loved her. Funny…he’d never once mentioned they were having a baby. She turned the first aid kit around and around on the table. He truly tried to keep his family separate from anything else.

Now she’d met them and seen his home. They were real to her and not just names without faces. She really liked his girls and would have liked to spent some time with them but of course…that could never be, never happen. She bit her lip. He was so right…what a complicated life they led.

She turned and saw Max leaning in the doorway. “He’s gone,” she said.

“I know.” He came over and sat beside her. “I’m glad you’re home.”

She went into his arms. “So am I.” She enjoyed the comfort of his arms for a moment. “I’m glad I went. Aside from Jack, I’ve learned a few things. I’ve met his family and been in his home. They are as real as John’s Donna and his boys.”

“They are in his world, love, not ours.”

“Sophie is pregnant. He never mentioned it.”

“Perhaps a man in his time doesn’t go around talking about things like that. Does it bother you that she is?”

“No, it doesn’t. I could see how he loves her.”

“You look good. I think the time away helped. I know it helped Terry and me.  You won’t be subjected to any more of our past mistakes.” He kissed her temple.

“I won’t subject you to mine, either.” She kissed him. “I need a bath and bed. It’s been a long day. I’ve been rained on, wallowed in a stable, climbed up into a hayloft, walked five miles, been tossed from a wagon, wrestled with excited horses, cooked on a wood stove and washed up in a basin and more.”

“Makes me tired just listening to it. I won’t go into what we’ve done today. Go fill your tub. I’ll bring you a nice nightcap.”

“Now I know why I live here. You spoil me and I love you.” She kissed him and gingerly got up from the chair. That fall from the wagon was beginning to surface.

Max sighed. Life would go back to normal, or as close as they could hope for.

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