truly was.
Elijah had no idea what to pack. What did one take with him to London to chase down the woman he loved?
Warm clothes, he decided, looking out the window as he stuffed another greatcoat in his bag.
There was a knock at the door and he called out for whoever was there to enter. He was surprised to find a maid standing in the doorway.
“Lord Elijah?”
She held in her hand a bundle of fabric, and he couldn’t help but tilt his head to try to determine just what it was that she held.
“Yes?” he said, impatient to get on with it. He would prefer to catch Joanna sooner rather than later. One never knew what the weather held.
“I have something for you, my lord, a costume.”
“I won’t be here for the Twelfth Night celebration,” he muttered, trying not to rush the maid out the door but wanting to nevertheless. “It can go to someone else.”
“She said it was for you specifically.”
“Who said that?”
“Miss Merryton, my lord,” the maid said, and when he took a closer look at her, he realized the girl’s eyes were practically shining.
“When did you see her?” he demanded, and the girl shrank back from him ever so slightly.
“Ah… just a few moments ago?”
Joanna. She’s still here. “Did she say anything else?”
“Just that she looked forward to seeing you in it this evening.”
“Thank you,” he said, taking the garment from her, suddenly needing to see it immediately. He unfurled it, allowing it to lie down across the bed. It stared up at him as though it had life within it. He swallowed hard.
It was the costume of Joe Giber, the king’s jester, as had always been planned, he could tell, but it wasn’t the typical costume. There was more to it… the sparkling gold along the edges, the crown, the red cape as though he was the king himself. The jester… and the king, together? It made no sense. Unless… unless she was trying to send a message.
Elijah stood there for a moment, stunned, unsure, but then he flew into motion as fast as he could.
He called out for his valet, hoping the man would come speedily. He was there shortly, and the good, steady fellow didn’t comment on Elijah’s absence nor the valise packed on the floor, nor the costume he immediately wished to wear.
He had no idea what time the festivities would begin, for he hadn’t been planning on attending. He no longer cared, however, for Joanna would be there, waiting for him. He sincerely hoped she would be wearing the costume of the queen she was, the queen he knew her to be despite what she might otherwise think.
He wondered what it meant that she hadn’t left. Had she determined that whatever was between them was greater than his faults?
The fact that this costume was both jester and king told him that she understood that some aspects about him were never going to change… but that she accepted him for it anyway.
Or so he hoped.
“Joanna?”
“Caroline!”
Joanna drew her friend into the room and enveloped her in an embrace. “Did you speak to your father?”
“I did.” Caroline’s face was radiant. “Oh, Joanna, you might never believe it, but he has actually accepted the fact that I will wed Thatcher and has even given us his blessing. We are to be married once the banns are well and properly read.”
Joanna warmed all the way through in happiness for her friend.
“I’m so glad, Caro,” she said. “What changed his mind?”
“You know,” Caroline said slowly, “I think it just might have been Elijah. It’s hard to even think of it, but since my father spoke to him, it seems that he changed his mind about a lot of things, really.”
Joanna had to blink back tears. She had been so wrong about Elijah, in every way possible.
“Have you seen him yet?” Caroline asked, and Joanna shook her head.
“I haven’t,” she said softly. “I only hope that he can find it in his heart to forgive me.”
“Of course he will,” Caroline said confidently. “If you could forgive him for all that he did to you years ago, then I’m sure he can do the same.”
“He’s a different man now,” Joanna murmured, “even if he hasn’t shared exactly why.”
She turned around, nerves filling her as the dress on the bed stared back at her. Could she do it? She, a seamstress, don such a creation?
“It’s beautiful,” Caroline said, following her over and staring down at the garment.
“But should I wear it, is