Part 20

The carriage journey was about half an hour, and William was not giving any clues about where he was taking them, beyond the fact that he'd brought some sandwiches and cakes for them to eat when they arrived. Eliza was curious since she knew etiquette suggested a woman would usually provide food for a picnic, but since William had yet to tease her cooking skills and feeling safer eating food he'd bought, she let the conversation be.

When the carriage finally pulled up, Eliza still had no clue where they were since the carriage had stopped in what appeared like the middle of a wood. William on the other hand didn't seem concerned at all as he got out and thanked the driver. When she got out, she stood back and watched bewildered as the carriage quickly pulled away, leaving them all alone. If she was there with anyone but William, she might have had second thoughts and chased after it to demand they return her to civilisation.

William had his head down as he made his way to the trees, and he stopped just before them when he realised that Eliza was still standing on the roadside. He stared at her in amusement at her confusion before he motioned for her to follow him into the woods and after a moment, he moved knowing full well that her own curiosity would make it impossible for her to stay there.

Eliza wasn't sure what William was playing at, but the idea of remaining in the middle of nowhere alone was enough to make her move. It was against her better judgment, but she gathered her skirt in her hand and followed William through the trees.

It was cool and damp under the shade of the tree leaves that made a vast canopy above them with odd-shaped sunbeams just passing through making enough daylight. It was strangely muddy given the lack of rain recently, which William didn't seem to mind, his trousers and boots made it easy for him to walk and manoeuvre over the occasional small fallen tree since they weren't walking a worn path. He did give Eliza the courtesy of offering to help, which she of course refused much to his amusement, as he watched her struggle instead.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" Eliza asked as William moved over another fallen tree.

"Not yet, we're almost there…" William told her ominously.

"Surely there are slightly easier places to get to that we could have gone to eat lunch. Perhaps somewhere that didn't involve a trek?" she grumbled.

"Trust me, it will be worth it."

The sound of birds suddenly fluttered around them and it startled Eliza a little which amused William greatly as he stopped to wait for her. She looked around at the deserted woodland and realised that no one would ever find them if they got lost in there.

"So, tell me, is this where you bury my body?" Eliza joked.

It certainly looked like a good place to get away with murdering someone since the body would likely never be found somewhere so deserted and hidden by dense woodland.

"Yes, all the women who have annoyed and irritated me on a daily basis are buried here," William retorted with a grin.

"And here I thought I was special…" Eliza joked as she made it to his side.

William stopped and stared down at her, his mouth a little open, as if he were about to say something but he'd stopped himself and instead just smiled softly, and speaking without words told her that she was special, at least to him. Instead, he reached for her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. Eliza felt a shiver down her spine at the unexpected feeling of his skin next to her own.

"Come on, it's not much further."

Eliza blushed and realised there was little point in telling him that holding her hand was inappropriate in public since they were very much alone. So, for once, she swallowed the warning and just enjoyed the simplicity of his warm hand wrapped around hers while he led the way.

For all her grumbles about the wood, it was strangely peaceful being just the two of them walking side by side with just the sound of their feet against the leaves and twigs, and the occasional bird call. As William had told her, the view was completely worth it when they got to the clearing.

Eliza marvelled as they moved out of the trees at the top of a grassy vista that looked out over the London skyline. She had never seen a view like it. With the clear day, they could see for miles from their standing point. She was speechless as she looked at the breathtakingly beautiful view of the city, before looking at William who was gleefully watching her take it all in.

"William…" she said excitedly.

"I told you it would be worth it." William smiled bashfully before looking at all the buildings and rooftops in the distance. For once it felt like they were lone bystanders watching the world beneath them.

A gentle breeze tussled around their faces, whilst the sunlight was dim, the sky was perfectly mixed shades of blue with scattered soft clouds and the occasional funnel of smoke coming out of a chimney. The grass ahead of them was green and luscious with the trees all around in a variety of shades of greens, yellows, reds, and oranges all on the verge of the Autumn change. It was magical.

William was still holding her hand firmly and he rubbed his thumb against the back of her hand as he shared with her somewhere that was very close to his heart.

"Where are we?" Eliza asked full of wonder. She had lived in London all her life and had no idea a view like this over the city existed. How did he even know this was here?

"When I first came to London, I hid in the back of an apple cart overnight, and when morning came, I jumped out on the roadside with no idea where I was or where I was going. I came through the wood and out here and it felt like I'd joined a whole other world. I didn't have anything with me, and I had no money, but I saw this view and I just knew that my future was out there somewhere waiting for me, all I had to do was find it."

Eliza listened to his wistful tone as he spoke about his past in a way he had never done before. She'd never known him to dwell on it or seek any sympathy from her for how he grew up. Yet those small words made her curious for more in a way she had never been before. She'd never pried about his childhood in the workhouse or time before she'd met him, and he'd never offered any information about it, so the fact he wanted to share this with her, she felt humbled.

William turned and looked at her a little bashful as he let her into a place that was special to him. He hoped that she knew the future he wanted was no longer somewhere out in the vast vista in front of him, but right next to him.

Eliza blinked quickly and pulled away from his gaze, overwhelmed by how he looked at her. She wasn't sure she would ever get used to the way he could stare at her with a mixture of admiration and mischief.

As if he just knew how she felt, William pulled her hand into the crook of his arm and then moved them to stroll along the hillside, still taking in the view beside them. It was just the two of them without a care in the world.

"I like to come back here sometimes, just to remember…" William shrugged.

"Remember what?" Eliza asked.

"Just that on the days when I feel like I've not achieved anything, that I have, to get where I am from when I came from is an achievement."

Eliza nodded and wondered if she would ever feel like he did. That she'd got somewhere, achieved something. Perhaps one day she would, even if it didn't feel like it.

"How was your morning?" William asked as if to change the subject.

"It was okay. I met with Mari and her children this morning and I told her about the job offer in a shop near Saville Row which sounds promising for her. Ivy met with Mr Potts at the house for the first time, so I sense he'll be there a little more, and I said goodbye to Rupert, he's on his way to Dover now, so I'm not sure when he'll be back."

William listened to her, the tone of her voice changed as she spoke, and he could tell she seemed sad, briefly, it occurred to him to wonder why she would miss Rupert, but he chose not to enquire further. Their friendship was not something that concerned him any longer.

"How about yours?"

"Well, you'll never guess who came to the Yard of his own accord?"

"Who?" Eliza enquired, as William smirked.

"Stephen Oswald…"

"Oh, my God!" Eliza exclaimed. "What did he have to say for himself?"

"Not a lot, he still makes himself out to be a saint, trying to show his family what he claims is a better way of treating the employees." William groaned and shook his head, while Eliza chuckled at his displeasure of Stephen's claim.

"I take it you don't believe him?"

"Doesn't matter what I believe, every woman I spoke to told me the same thing, that they were simply grateful for a roof over their heads and food in their stomach, they'd take anything that didn't mean being in a prison or a workhouse."

William knew all about growing up in a Workhouse so he could understand the women's point of view, even if he felt Stephen had taken advantage of their situation.

"Can you arrest him?"

"For what? Without any of the women saying he was holding them against their will, he's not exactly broken any laws. I could arrest him for extortion for blackmailing Faraday, but that would just get him a fine and nothing more. As it is, he claims he's looking for alternative accommodation for the women with permission of his father, so maybe something good will come out of it."

They strolled falling into a comfortable silence, both happy in each other's company until they reached a bench and William moved for them to sit down. He placed the package of sandwiches in between them before he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket.

"So, I have something for you," William said, clearing his throat.

Eliza froze a little as he seemed a little nervous, and for a moment, she wondered what he was reaching for. Her heart seemed to skip as she realised how alone they were, and that this would be the perfect spot for a romantic moment that she wasn't ready for. Her mind went blank as she realised if he did ask, she had no idea what her answer would be, and her heart did a little jump.

Her relief was palatable as he pulled out a slim white envelope, but equally, she was surprised to note she also felt a little disappointed. Her eyes locked on the inoffensive item he was holding out and she slowly took it from him.

William said nothing about what it was, he was watched as she unfolded the flap of the envelope and pulled out the piece of paper to read it. He took in her eyes seeing the official Scotland Yard logo, and then the words that had been written, confusion was all over her face. He gave a smirk as he realised that she didn't know the importance of what he had given her.

"I don't understand?" She looked up at him bewildered.

"It's an official letter of retention for your services," William told her proudly.

Eliza was still confused, William's words did little to clarify things for her.

"What does this mean?"

"It officially means that Scotland Yard reserves the right to use your agency as needed when we're short of detectives or need to pass a case to an outside agency."

Eliza was wide-eyed as William spoke proudly, and hopeful that she was pleased with what he had done for her.

"But how?" she asked shocked.

It briefly crossed her mind that Hall was behind this and he was trying to keep her quite until William continued.

"Well, that's the other interesting thing. I met with the Commissioner today, Hall resigned with immediate effect last night, so there's been a bit of a temporary shuffle around, I'll be looking after Chief Inspector Tillman's team, and since we're short of men I thought it was as good an opportunity to help give you the recognition you deserve."

Eliza was stunned, she didn't know what to say about Hall other than to feel relieved that her plan had worked, and he'd left as requested. Slowly but surely a smile drew across her lips, as excitement built at the prospect of being allowed to work officially with Scotland Yard.

"Just to be clear, I can still choose what cases I work?" she confirmed quickly.

"Yes, of course, you don't have to take a case that's offered if you're busy with your own work."

Eliza looked back down at the words written on the page in front of her. This was the closest she ever felt that she had been to work as a police officer, and proud that William was being credited for his hard work also when it dawned on her what he'd said.

"Wait, when you say you're looking after Chief Inspector Tillman's team, so that means you've been promoted?" she beamed eagerly.

"Well, not quite," William chuckled, pleased that she seemed happy about the prospect. "It's temporary, probably only until a new Superintendent has been employed, and likely doesn't come with a proper pay rise, but it's a step in the right direction, and it's still in Scotland Yard."

"William, that's wonderful." She hoped that she might have had something to do with his slight promotion assisting him with cases, but she kept that to herself. Instead, she chose to focus on the good news, for them both.

"Thank you," she said simply.

"Well, you'll be back to annoying me in my office from tomorrow, I'm sure."

"Oh, you've missed me!" she teased.

William laughed because he had missed the possibility of her turning up in the doorway of his office. He unwrapped the sandwiches and gave Eliza a half while he took the other half and stared out at the view ahead of them.

"So, what happens now?" Eliza asked in wonder.

"We go where the wind takes us…"

Eliza took a bite of her sandwich and then shuffled herself a little close so she could rest her head against his shoulder. After a moment she felt him brush his lips over the top of her head.

"To the future Eliza," he whispered.

Eliza looked out at the London skyline, feeling a little overwhelmed but excited for what was to come. William was right, the future was out there, in London waiting for them, but it was also right next to her.

"To the future, William." Eliza agreed happily.