The Pirate & The Porcelain Doll (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 30

Nicole could have kissed every stranger on reading the message. She remounted, heading back to the chateau, knowing she had a chance to make her plan work. Her mother was in her room when she arrived, Nicole grabbing a handful of bread from the breakfast room, rushing to her bedroom to prepare for the journey ahead.

She would travel light, using a satchel conveniently borrowed, not returned, from one of the gardeners for her few belongings, and a man's suit found hanging in a closet in one of the many bedrooms. She would need to change out of her clothes on route to England, not to draw too much attention to herself.

She would catch the 8.20am train out of Paris, arriving in Calais in time to meet the 1.30pm boat to Dover. Once in England, she would travel to London by train, then to Cambridge where she would rendezvous with Jeremy and Robin. Too late to make the Paris train that day, she planned to travel the very next morning, hoping the weather would be on her side. Hoping everything would be on her side to get her Waverly back.

Her mother wanted her to attend an opera that evening, Puccini's Madame Butterfly, Nicole agreeing, knowing if she cancelled her mother would fuss over her for the rest of the night. It was a pleasant enough performance, Nicole's mind elsewhere even though the music was entrancing and oddly appropriate for her circumstances. She spent a restless night, trying to sleep, her mind running through all that would need to be done in order for her plan to be successful.

As morning broke, she was up, out of bed, packing the items she would take with her in the satchel, heading to the stables. Her change of clothing had been stashed in a carpet bag in one of the follies in her uncle's extensive garden, the one hiding place that happened to be the favourite of Edward and Wynonna. She set off shortly before 7am, her usual time of departure, having established a regular pattern to ensure her movements would not raise suspicion.

Bag collected, she rode the short distance to the station, sending the horse on its way. Clothes changed, she headed into the station disguised as a man, her red hair hidden underneath a cap, hoping to fool those selling her a ticket. "Where to?" the young man behind the counter asked, not looking up.

Nicole deepened her voice. "Londres."

The young man looked up briefly, not registering her features. "One way, or return?"

"Return," she replied, knowing if she answered one way it would cause the young man to question the intentions of her journey. And, the fact she had no luggage.

"Pleasant trip," he said, handing her the ticket, without looking at her.

As the train pulled out of Paris Nicole knew she was doing the right thing. Even if it meant she didn't get to stop Waverly being married, she would be there for her, show how much she cared, show how much she would do for her beloved. A pretty young woman came and sat opposite, asking if the seat was taken, Nicole nodding her head. The woman asked if she was travelling alone? Nicole shook her head, pointing down the carriage, miming someone who was pregnant. The woman smiled, saying too bad, blowing her a kiss. Nicole watched as the woman moved to a new seat, striking up conversation with another gentleman who was travelling on his own.

Nicole gazed at the passing scenery. Fields and trees, houses and barns, other worlds not connected to hers yet all part of her journey to reach the one she loved. At Calais she boarded the ferry, sitting near the front where it was quiet, pretending to read a newspaper, hoping not to be stopped. She knew she had but a small window to escape France, to reach England without detection, hoping all her planning would pay off.

Her mother would be none the wiser of her absence until late morning, when Nicole usually returned from her ride to have lunch. Nicole banked on a few more hours passing before the horse was caught, identified, returned to her uncle's stables. That would alert everyone to her disappearance, by which time she would be on the boat to England. If she could get to Cambridge before being spotted, she calculated she had a chance.