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The Wonder sailed up the Thames into the heart of London. Collecting her things, Alice moved about the captain's cabin. She tucked her father's watch into her coat pocket, even though it had stopped working a week earlier. Ever since her father had passed away, Alice had carried the pocket watch with her everywhere, almost like a talisman.
She scanned her cabin one last time, then headed up to watch the Wonder pull alongside a pier. A slender figure in a gray cloak caught her eye. With a cry of joy, Alice darted down the gangplank.
“Mother!” Alice called as she ran toward her.
Flinging her arms around her mother, she pulled her into a tight embrace. Helen Kingsleigh returned the hug a bit more stiffly, softly patting Alice on the back.
“Well, here you are... finally,” Helen said as she stepped away.
Alice drew a breath to launch into stories of her exploits—she had so much to tell her mother—but she stopped short as an unfamiliar man approached them.
He was young and handsome. As Alice studied his simple, clean suit for a clue, she noticed the insignia stamped on a briefcase he carried. So he was from the firm, here to check up on her cargo.
“You and the Wonder have been expected a year, Miss Kingsleigh,” he said. “I'm James Harcourt. Clerk to the firm.” He held out his hand and Alice shook it, softening a bit as James nodded respectfully.
“I should like to see Lord Ascot,” Alice said as the clerk led her and her mother to a hansom cab. Pausing at the cab's door, James gazed at her solemnly. “Ah, I'm afraid Lord Ascot passed away whilst you were at sea.”
Stunned, Alice turned to her mother, who nodded sadly in confirmation. Alice bowed her head, the loss weighing on her.
“The title has passed to his son,” James continued.
“Hamish?” Alice struggled to hide her astonishment.
“Indeed, now also chairman of the board,” James said.
She clambered into the hansom, mulling over the news. Of course the title and company shares would have passed to Hamish. Yet she hoped they'd be able to work together. Perhaps the years had changed him.
Deep in thought, she was oblivious to the blue butterfly struggling to keep up with the cab.
When they pulled up to her childhood home, she followed her mother inside.
Alice stood in the front hall, a bit disappointed. While the outside remained the same, the interior was dark and cold. No fires had been lit to welcome them home and the air felt dusty.
Shivering slightly, Alice stepped toward the drawing room, planning to light a fire herself, but the sight of the room stopped her short. Half the furniture was missing. Even the sideboard table was gone, an imprint of its outline on the floor the only sign it had ever been there at all.
Her mother smiled awkwardly at Alice's confused expression and headed downstairs.
Once inside the basement kitchen, Helen plucked cups and saucers from the cupboards and set them out for tea. Alice spotted new lines on her mother's face and streaks of gray in her hair. Time seemed to be taking its toll on her.
“I hear the Ascots are marking Hamish's succession tonight,” Helen said as she sank into an armchair opposite her daughter.
“Perfect. We should go,” Alice said. She needed to establish her working relationship with Hamish, and there was no time like the present.
“Without an invitation?” Helen blinked at her daughter, her brow furrowed.
“Lady Ascot once said we would always be welcome.” Alice waved her hand nonchalantly.
“But, Alice...” her mother began.
“Besides, I have a proposition for Hamish,” Alice continued.
Helen pursed her lips. “He married last year, Alice. He seems to have gotten over your public rejection—although I would imagine the other three hundred guests might still remember it.”
“A business proposition, Mother!” Alice nearly rolled her eyes. Then she sat forward, unable to contain her excitement. “It's time we saw the world as our partner, not a pocket to be picked. When I return to China, I'll prove it's so.”
“You aim to leave so soon?” She gathered her next words carefully. “There are matters here that would benefit from your attention.”
Alice patted her mother's hand reassuringly. “After my next voyage, you won't have to worry anymore. About anything.”
“Am I permitted to worry tonight?” Helen asked. Answering her mother with only a grin, Alice set off upstairs.