Page 28 of The Invisible Hour

Mia walked with Elizabeth through the forest and was surprised when Nathaniel’s sister turned onto another path, one hidden by hedges. “There’s something I want to show you,” she said. “If you don’t come from here, you should understand what we go through in our time.”

It was close, with trees looming on either side. They ducked beneath the greenery and followed the path that had been trod often enough that the grass was beaten down. There was a hill shaded by huge trees, and all around were plants on bushy stems that would soon bloom with yellow flowers.

“My brother doesn’t know about this place. None of the men in town have heard of it, but every woman is well aware of its existence. Some call it the Hill of Death, others call it Salvation Point. This is where women come to bury their babies, the ones they can’t have for one reason or another, the ones that haven’t yet quickened, and the ones who have. The herb you see all around is rue; it’s dangerous but it’s worth the risk for many, for it causes contractions and miscarriage. Women you would least expect to come here find their way to the hill, those who are too young, who are unmarried, or who have been taken by force, those that have made a single mistake never speak of it again.”

“Have you come here?” Mia asked.

“Would I tell you if I had?”

“I doubt you would think it safe to do so.”

“Tell me women get to make their own choices someday.” They were both staring at the hill. Long ago this was where people came to bury the women who had been judged to be witches, and the women who came here now would be judged harshly as well, thrown out of society and left to fend for themselves. “Tell me there’s a time when we can choose our own fate.”

Mia thought of how much courage it took to go against the rules. She thought it was likely that such a hillside could be found outside every city. She could not say it would always be different in her own time.

“I suspect you can’t tell me so,” Elizabeth said.

“I can tell you that we try.”

“Then go back to the time where you can try and leave him here to do what he must.”

“I want him to write what he’s meant to write. It matters to me in ways I can’t express.”

“Good,” Elizabeth said, handing Mia a handkerchief but acting as if she didn’t notice Mia’s distress. “At least we can agree on that.”

“He’ll surprise you,” Mia told her.

“I don’t think so,” Elizabeth said. “He’s my brother. I expect a work of genius.”

NATHANIEL DIDN’T ARRIVE UNTIL just before dusk. He’d run most of the way, for he felt as if time was rushing by, a windstorm he couldn’t prevent. He was annoyed with his uncle for keeping him so long to go over the finances of the carriage business, in which he had no interest but which he was still dependent upon. Mia was waiting for him at the pond.

“I can tell from the look on your face,” Nathaniel said. “My sister was difficult. It’s just her way and you’ll become accustomed to it. You’ll have no choice.” He laughed. “For she’ll never change.”

“She wasn’t difficult,” Mia said.

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. “Truly? That doesn’t sound like Ebe. She’s known for being difficult. Are you certain it wasn’t Louisa who visited you?”

“Elizabeth was here, and she was logical, that’s all.”

Nathaniel shook his head, worried now. “Far worse if her logic affected you.”

“You’ve affected me,” Mia said.

This was the sixth day, and Mia would always think of what had happened between them as six days of love. She knew that had she stayed for the seventh day, she might never leave. Elizabeth was right. She didn’t belong here.

“Let’s go swimming,” Nathaniel said.

“Now? It’s almost dusk.”

“That’s the best time,” Nathaniel said. “No one will see us.”

All afternoon, Nathaniel had wasted his time talking about figures and fees and the coach business when he might have been here. Now he started to undress as if he couldn’t wait to be himself once more. Naked to the waist, he knelt before Mia and slipped off the boots she wore. A firefly flitted through his dark hair and Mia waved it away, then rested her hand on his head. She would think of that firefly as the spirit that burned within him. She would close her eyes and see it on summer nights when she was walking through the streets in Manhattan.

“You first,” Nathaniel said. He was close and whispered in her ear.

There was a last time for everything, and this was the time for them to be together. Mia stepped into the shallows and kept walking. For a fleeting moment, he thought she intended to drown herself, for it seemed she was so intent on going as far as she could. Nathaniel ran after Mia and seized her arm and held her to him.

“I still think this may be a dream,” Mia said, leaning her face against his.