Chapter 19

Stepping from a hired cab, Sam hurried to keep up with Robert as he strode toward the shipping company’s office. The others fell behind, disappearing in the bustling swell of the streets surrounding Boston Harbor.

Snow had begun to fall, and Sam hiked up her heavy skirt as the wet cobblestones acted like a slippery obstacle course. She puffed from exertion, entering a brick building just in time to hear Robert’s demand to speak with several men.

“They must hold the Columbia,” he told the clerk behind the tiny desk. “She must not sail. She’s in grave danger from this storm.”

The rattled clerk obediently dashed behind a closed door, presumably to fetch someone.

The ticking of a wall clock counted the anxious seconds as Sam and Robert waited in the claustrophobic space. Robert stood rail-straight as a steady stream of carriages laden with luggage passed the frosty windows, punctuating the urgency.

“Damn.” He twitched with impatience. “What’s taking so long?”

A smartly dressed man entered. He lowered his glasses to the end of his thin nose. “Hold the ship? We have schedules to keep, sir, and they’re not subject to whims. Even those of a powerful investor, such as you, Mr. Pennington. I’m quite sure you’re aware of how this business works.”

The captain of the Columbia came in next with an entourage, taking up all the remaining space in the room. Sam found herself pressed against the entryway door as though she were inconsequential.

“What’s this about, Pennington? You know we can’t tell more than one hundred passengers they’re not sailing today, just because of a touch of weather.”

“A touch of weather?” Robert echoed in disbelief. “It’s going to sink your ship.”

The captain chuckled. He shook his silver-haired head. “This is New England, my boy. We’re accustomed to conducting our affairs in all sorts of weather. We’ll be fine.”

“I know it sounds crazy, but you must believe me. I’ve knowledge the Columbia will sink. Many will perish. Have a care, man,” Robert implored, his voice hiking in desperation. “They’ll be women and children on board.”

“He’s telling the truth.” Sam raised her voice above the crush. “You and your crew will die along with most of the passengers.”

“Who said that?” the captain demanded. The crowd of men parted as best they could, and the steely stare of the captain leveled on Sam. “That sounds very much like a threat. I’ve no patience for women’s prattle.” Turning back to Robert he said, “I don’t know what you’re up to, Pennington, but I’m having none of it. Dragging a woman down with you… No ship of mine will sink, not from a storm or poison tongues.”

“You know me, Captain. We’ve had business dealings before. You know my reputation.”

The captain lifted a hand to silence him. “I thought I knew you. I’m sad to say, I don’t. You’re obviously as daft as your father.” With a dismissive shake of his head he added, “You’ve been hailed as a wonder boy. I myself was hopeful for your family with you at the helm. It’s truly a shame.” He turned and left with his men in tow.

The man with the glasses gave Robert a smug look. “Well, then, I imagine the Pennington party will not be sailing with us today. There are no refunds for late notice. Good day to you, sir.”

Robert ushered Sam out the door. He took several huffing breaths as if to curb his anger.

She squeezed his arm. “Those poor people. How can we make them listen?”

“I don’t know. I’ve failed.”

“No,” she cried. “Maybe they’ll listen if the storm worsens.”

He pulled her aside as more carriages rattled by. His head lowered to rest against hers. “If we make a scene now we’ll likely spend the night in the city jail. Or worse. I’ve no desire to subject you to such a fate, or share a hospital room with my father.”

Her heart broke for him, for the passengers and the crew, for all of them.

Eddie called from the other side of the street, and Robert seemed to sober. “Pray for a blizzard.” He raised his hand to hail a cab.

****

Sam gaped at the Pennington family home on Beacon Hill. The Greek revival mansion stood four stories tall with an impressive entryway featuring stark white columns. Light snow fell dusting the tree-lined street and elegant homes. Carriages passed along with men on horseback and people walking.

Her heart hammered as the front door opened and a footman descended steep steps to greet them.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Pennington,” the well-starched man said. “Is the family expecting you?”

“No.” Robert grimaced. “My mother will be quite put out.”

Sam’s knees quaked beneath her skirt. She clutched Robert’s arm when he presented it, allowing him to whisk her up the steps. An older woman, presumably the head housekeeper, met them in the palatial foyer.

“Alert Mrs. Pennington the family will not be traveling as planned,” Robert instructed. “And this is my special guest, Miss Samantha Merrill. See to it our best room is readied for her.”

“I must go.” Robert reached out to stroke Sam’s cheek. “You’ll be well cared for in my absence.”

She watched him climb a magnificent Mahogany staircase and disappeared. Her nerves rattled when servants hurried off in every direction to do his bidding.

“You’ll be the talk of the town,” Eddie declared with a grin. “I can hear it now… ‘A mystery woman arrived on Robert Pennington’s arm.’ Rebecca will be seething.”

“This was a mistake. My coming here has made everything worse.”

“Too late now, my pet, the wheels of change are turning. Try not to be ground under them.”

Minutes later, Sam was alone in the prettiest bedroom she’d ever seen. High walls decorated with peach and cream-colored wallpaper. Gilded furnishings, like those found in museums. She went to an enormous window, pulling aside heavy drapes to gaze out at the city. Boston, circa eighteen eighty-four. An amazing sight. The snowfall had stopped, but the sky above the city was threatening, suggesting more was yet to come. Dark clouds and the smoke of a thousand chimneys blocked out the sun.

The door burst open, and she jumped with surprise.

“You’re here,” Amelia exclaimed as she rushed forward to hug her. “Eddie said you were, but I didn’t believe him. He’s always teasing me. Yet here you are. How long can you stay?”

Having feared the worst, Sam laughed at the girl’s enthusiastic welcome. “It’s up to your brother.”

“Then I shall beg him to let you stay forever.” Amelia’s smile dimmed to a thoughtful frown. “Such an odd day. Eddie said we weren’t going away, and you’ve come with Robbie.”

Sam’s stomach knotted. She struggled with how much to tell the girl.

Amelia grabbed her hands, pulling her to sit on the bed. “Having you here will be like having a big sister. Rebecca visits every day, but she doesn’t have a sisterly bone in her entire body.” The girl’s eyes went wide. “Is that her dress you’re wearing?”

“Eddie said it was all right,” Sam defended, trying to think of a plausible excuse for wearing another woman’s clothes. “My things were…lost in transit.”

“Oh?” Amelia gave her a shifty glance. “We’d better find you something else to wear before she has a bloody fit.” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t tell Mother I said ‘bloody.’ I’m already in trouble for the rest of my life.”

“I won’t tell,” Sam promised. “But maybe you can tell me something. I’m curious, is Rebecca your brother’s girlfriend? I mean lady friend? It sounds like she’s around a lot.”

Amelia looked puzzled. “Well, she is a lady. And I suppose they’re friends. If you’re asking if they’re promised… No, thank goodness.” The girl rolled her eyes. “It would suit Rebecca just fine, but Robbie hasn’t asked her. He’s all yours if you want him. Please say you do. Please, please, please. He’s miserable when you’re not around. Growls like a wounded bear. I know he likes you more. How could he not? You are so…different.”

Sam gave a cautious smile, thinking Robert’s sister had no idea just how different she was. “Perhaps you could help me because I am so different. Maybe give me a few pointers if you see me doing something wrong. Do it quietly though. I don’t want to embarrass your brother.”

“You mean you want me to help you because you’re from the future?”

Sam choked on air.

“It’s all right.” Amelia shrugged. “I’ve known it for a long time. I’ve got your book.”

“My book?” Her head reeled.

“The one about the cowboy and the heiress. It’s simply divine,” Amelia gushed. “Although it is very naughty. Mother would be furious if she knew how many times I’d read it.”

“You’ve got my book,” Sam repeated, trying to work out the logistics.

“You left it in the parlor at Highland House, silly. I picked it up before the maids could steal it. Just to keep it safe, of course. The binding was strange, and I thought the date in the front was wrong, but the story about the author in the back said she had another book coming next year. In twenty seventeen! Is it true? Are you really from the future, Samantha?”

Cornered, she could only issue a soft “yes,” but the admission made her heart thud.

“It’s so exciting.” Amelia erupted into giggles. She flopped back to the pillows with a wistful sigh as if they were discussing splendid party plans or cute boys. “I didn’t need a book to know you were different. You’re a progressive. I’m a progressive, too. I should like to have grand adventures like the girl in your book. I want to be a doctor someday. Mother says girls can’t be doctors, but I intend to prove her wrong.”

There was a knock on the door. A maid entered and curtsied. “Beggin’ your pardon, but Mr. Pennington has asked you to join the rest of the family downstairs.”

Amelia jumped up. “Well, we all knew this was coming.”

“We did?” Sam gulped.

“I’ll try to protect you, but I’m on slippery ground myself.”

“Protect me, from what?”

“Mother, of course. She was suspicious of you before, but now…”

“How much does she know about me?” Sam asked, dreading the answer.

“Plenty,” Amelia snorted. “The servants have all been talking about you and Robbie.”

Sam followed her down the grand staircase, clutching the long railing for support. She winced as the bones of the corset poked painfully into her ribs. Too soon, they reached a lavish sitting room where the others had gathered. Like a queen, Olivia Pennington held court from a sofa in the center, her elaborate gown overshadowing everything else in the room.

Robert stood alone off to one side looking haggard. He came to Sam, his eyes filling with concern. “You’re pale. The strain has been too much for you.”

“I’m fine.” Yet she put a hand to her head as dizziness hit. Her gaze shot around the room. Amelia had taken the seat beside his mother. Charles sat on the floor playing with toy soldiers while Eddie hovered in the back partially hidden by a plant. “Your family is safe, at least there’s that,” she managed to say.

His gaze dropped to where he’d captured her hand. “Will the ship sink, Samantha? The storm appears to have dwindled.”

She understood his dread, the uncertainty and guilt tormenting him. She had suffered the same in her quest to warn him. “It did sink. Does. Unless we’ve changed something. Altered history—”

“I’m waiting.” Olivia’s voice boomed above their hushed conversation. “Show the woman in before I lose my temper. I want to hear this outlandish tale from her lips.”

Sam turned to face Olivia, taking several tentative steps into the room as everyone watched. The corset made it impossible to breathe. It was hot, the fire in the hearth seeming to melt all her strength away. Despite the heat, she felt cold sweat beading on her face. Her vision narrowed.

“Samantha?” she heard Robert saying before his voice drifted away.

****

The soft whoosh of fanning pages roused Sam. Olivia Pennington sat alongside her bed, the romantic novel Amelia had squirrelled away weeks ago gripped in her hands. It was nighttime by the look of it. Rudimentary electric lights added a harsh glow to the oil lamps.

Sketchy bits of what happened drifted back. Fainting like a complete idiot, everyone rushing around, Robert helping her upstairs. Way to make an entrance!

Olivia snapped the book closed. “Good, you’re awake. My well-meaning daughter came to your defense, offering this book as evidence you are from the future. She fears I’ll have you thrown in an asylum along with her misguided brother.” She tossed the book aside and stood to pace. “This is preposterous. Unheard of. However, my son does not lie, Miss Merrill. He is adamant you are telling the truth. As are Eddie and Emma, who both claim to have witnessed your rather unusual arrival at Highland House. Since they assure me your intentions are noble, and you alone have saved us from some grave disaster, I am prepared to listen.”

Sam sat up slowly, brushing away the damp cloth, which had been place on her brow. “Where should I begin?”

“From the beginning, and don’t leave out a single thing. My son has shocked me by declaring deep feelings for you. Yet we know little more than your name. If it is your real name.”

“I love your son, Mrs. Pennington,” Sam admitted. “Although I haven’t told him yet.”

“I’m not surprised you’d stoop to saying so as your schemes unravel. A report has come to my attention. You two are conducting a scandalous affair. Is this how you show your love? By roping my son into a disgraceful situation?”

“You of all people should understand.” The words tumbled out before she could stop them.

“Whatever do you mean?” Olivia demanded.

Sam gave a long pause, wrestling with how to proceed. “What I mean is you should understand what it is to love someone so much you can’t bear to be without them. You think of them, night and day, waiting for the next chance to share a moment’s happiness without the world crashing down on you.”

“I’ve heard enough.” Olivia went to leave.

“I know about Godfrey. I didn’t want to use your secret as proof, but I’m not above it if it will make you listen.”

Stunned, the older woman stopped at the door, her hand frozen on the knob.

“Godfrey didn’t tell me,” Sam clarified. “He’s kept your secret—every letter, cherished and hidden away. I found them, many years in the future. He loves you very much. And his children. He would be heartbroken had you all—” She stopped short.

Olivia pressed trembling fingers to her lips. “Died? Is that what you were going to say? There it is then, the truth rather than these ridiculous lies. Threats and blackmail need not be such an elaborate show, Miss Merrill. An old-fashioned fleecing would have sufficed.”

“I don’t want a penny. I just want Robert to live and be happy. He can’t without his family.” She heaved a heavy sigh. “At least you didn’t get on the ship.”

Olivia’s mouth worked into a pinched bow. “The Columbia has sailed. She will not sink.”

“She already has,” Sam said sadly.

“You’re nothing more than a dalliance, a mere scratch to an itch. It will pain my son, yet he must move on. Perhaps after this ridiculous sham he’ll settle into his rightful place.”

“With Rebecca Kingston?”

“Yes.” Robert’s mother turned her back on Sam. “I want you out of this house the moment you are able.”