Chapter 24 London
Samantha's head never stopped turning from the time the train left Leeds until it pulled into Paddington Station. She pointed out every oast house and every cow and every village church. And Alexis discovered, Samantha noticed each and every signpost.
"Farnham Royal? Cousin, might we visit Nikolas at Caldicott School?" She asked on the last leg of the trip. Alexis would have preferred the child not be quite so observant.
"Not this time, we'll just be in London for a few days remember?"
Samantha continued to gaze out the sooty window. "Yes, I remember."
"1000 pounds? Have you lost your senses Alexis?"
"I've never asked anything of you before Stefan, and I will never ask again, but I need to protect Samantha. And I need money to do that. Think of it as a loan if you prefer."
Stefan laughed mirthlessly. "And how do you think you could pay back that sort of money Alexis."
"It may take me the rest of my life Stefan, I'm not a fool. We need to get as far away from Helena as possible. That will require passage out of the country." Alexis argued "I will find away to support us and pay you back."
"There is no need. I'll write you a cheque."
"I need cash and tonight if possible."
"Tonight, you think I can just come up with that kind of money out of thin air?"
"Not out of thin air Stefan, out of your safe. I help with the books you remember."
"Oh, look over there! Is that a castle or a cathedral?"
"It's Parliament, Darling. Be careful Samantha, you need to watch where you're going."
"Oh, I am sorry Ma'am." Samantha apologized to the flower seller she narrowly missed running into.
"No 'arm done deary, no 'arm done." The old woman smiled and made her way.
"She speaks so strangely."
"Samantha don't be rude."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be, does everyone in London talk like that?"
Alexis sighed it had been such a very long day. The previous evening she met with Henry and arranged for him to drop them in Leeds in the morning. The gardener agreed. Alexis stayed up late in the night carefully packing a small bag with a change of clothes for herself and Samantha as well as a few sundry items and night clothes. Stefan knew she wanted to leave, but she did not want to alert the staff prematurely. She hoped to be out of London before Helena was informed of her departure.
And then she had given into Samantha's request to walk from the station to Euston. Sam was so awestruck by every little thing, Alexis couldn't refuse her, but her feet were tired and it was quite cold now. She only prayed things would work out. Finding a hotel at this late hour would not be an easy task.
"Number 16, Number 14, Number 12…it's here Cousin!"
Alexis watched as Samantha jumped up and down excitedly before the wrought iron gate. Her cheeks were pink and her braids mussed, but she looked so very happy.
"May I ring the bell?"
"Wait." Alexis brushed some soot off the girls face and straightened her coat and then her own. "Well, this is as good as it gets, I suppose. Let's go."
Samantha skipped up the stairs and rang the bell.
A long moment passed before the door opened slowly. "May I help you ladies?"
Alexis smiled "I hope so. Does Miss Morgan still live here?"