Chapter 21
Jem paused with Reese as they approached modern Kellworth.
They had stayed away on purpose following their previous visits to the past, just as they had at first avoided looking to see what happened to their friends in subsequent years.
Sometimes it was better not to know the future. Now it was unavoidable.
“Does the family still own it?” Ellen asked, coming to stand beside them before the open iron gates.
“Yes, and they live here, but it’s in a family trust now.” Jem held up the brochure Nellie had provided before they left Twickenham.
“I know how emotional I am,” Reese said, her voice tight. “I can’t even imagine how you must feel.”
“I visited here once when I was at university for one of my courses.” Michael shook his head.
“Did you truly?” Ellen asked, her eyes wide.
He kissed her. “Yes, and it’s positively surreal that I helped work on the gardens and didn’t know it.”
“Since you two don’t have to travel so far to get to Twickenham Manor, you ought to make a visit when the weather’s nice.” Jem held up the brochure again. “The Kellworth Gardens are famous.”
Jem paid the entry fee for the four of them, using the discount Nellie had provided, and they followed the steady flow of visitors. Families moved in loose clusters, with children darting ahead only to be called back, their voices carrying across the open lawns.
When enough people had gathered for the tour, a guide appeared and began explaining the history of the estate. Jem watched Ellen with interest, curious whether the information was accurate, but she didn’t show any sign of disagreement.
“The hallways are much warmer and not nearly as drafty,” Ellen whispered. “I wonder when they found it necessary to host public days for pay. Gareth would hate it.”
“Not for a while yet. It was the death duties that destroyed the old grand estates,” Jem murmured, reading from the brochure.
“But I’m sure he and Catherine are making plans,” Reese added. “Because look how well they’ve maintained the estate and kept it in the family.”
“And from this window, you can see the layout of the gardens,” the tour guide said. “From the records, they were already beautiful in the mid-eighteen hundreds, but it was Lady Ellen and her husband, Michael Addington, who began the work of designing the gardens as you see them today.”
Michael made a soft choking sound, but Ellen beamed with delight.
Jem patted the man on the back, muttering, “It’s the price of fame.”
The guide continued, explaining how the gardens had evolved over time. She spoke of sustainability, of seasonal balance, and of designing spaces meant to be lived in rather than preserved behind ropes.
“These principles,” the guide said, “were formalized during what historians now refer to as Kellworth’s modern transformation. The gardens became not just beautiful, but influential.”
Michael went still.
“Be careful about looking too closely at the details,” Reese whispered. “I don’t know if there’s really such a thing as a paradox, but you probably don’t want to taint decisions you haven’t made yet.”
“Good point.” Michael nodded, and they followed the group to the portrait gallery.
“This section,” the guide said, “highlights contributors to Kellworth beyond the family itself.”
Jem scanned the paintings with interest, noting modern ones and some they were already familiar with, including a portrait of Gareth and Catherine, and two more children, another boy and a girl.
Reese and Ellen exchanged glances, and both had to cover their mouths.
“You can’t say anything,” Jem warned.
“I’m not in a position to, anyway,” Reese said.
Michael glanced at his wife and shrugged.
“And in this nook are the portraits of the two figures whose vision shaped the gardens you see today,” the guide said.
The group slowed to examine the paintings and framed photographs, some in black and white. She gestured toward a pair of portraits set slightly apart.
Ellen’s breath caught, and Michael put his arm around her. The painting had been done when they were older, perhaps fifteen or twenty years later. They sat in their gardens, surrounded by their children, two boys and a young girl who looked as though she might have been a caboose.
“This is Lady Ellen Hildebrand, sister of the sixth Earl of Kellworth, her husband Michael Addington, and their three children. It is their vision that reshaped the estate into a living landscape, a passion they passed on to their children.”
Ellen sniffed as she stared at the painting, and Michael pulled her closer.
Jem could only imagine what they must be feeling to see their future family.
“Their designs,” the guide went on, “are still studied today. You will see their influence not only here, but throughout the surrounding region.”
Reese wiped at the corner of her eyes and rested her head against Jem’s arm. He exhaled slowly.
“Mum, they look just like the people in the picture,” a little boy said, staring at Ellen and Michael.
“Maybe they’re related,” Jem said before urging his friends to move along.
By the time they had completed the tour, the mood had lightened.
“I am glad we came. It has left me quite hopeful for our future,” Ellen mused as they approached the Uber waiting for them. “I appreciate not having the smell of horse dung, though I am not convinced this petrol is a great deal better.”
Jem’s stomach growled. “I’m starving.”
“Nellie will feed us,” Reese said, “but it might be fun to introduce Ellen to a restaurant.”
“I know a pub that serves great food,” Michael suggested. “It’s not far, and then we can see one of my projects.”
With Ellen on his arm, Michael led them along a footpath that curved away from the road and toward a low rise overlooking the project. The winter air was cool but clean.
Reese was excited to see his design, but even more, she wanted to see Ellen’s reaction to it.
Michael stopped near a wooden bench set back from the path and held up the roll of papers he’d brought from the car Aunt Nellie had lent them for the day.
“I nearly didn’t think to look,” he said, placing it carefully on the bench and unrolling the papers. “But Nellie mentioned that Grandfather and I still had some of our things in the attic of the old house.”
“Ah, that is your writing,” Ellen cried, pointing to the precise lines on the plan.
“Yes,” he agreed. “It’s the design for this garden.”
She looked up at him. “It’s the same as the one we built together last summer at Kellworth.”
“It’s similar, but the one we created together is even better,” Michael said. “You sketched the sightlines. I adjusted the grading.”
“And argued with you about the curve,” Ellen added, her eyes bright.
“And you were right.” He looked up at Reese and Jem. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m an excellent landscape architect. I’ve won awards for my designs. But Ellen’s vision adds a depth I’m lacking.” With one hand on the plan, he turned to face his wife. “You bring heart to everything we work on together.”
“Kiss her,” Reese whispered loudly as she put a finger on the plan so the soft breeze wouldn’t blow it away. She glanced at Jem to find him watching her with a grin.
When Michael coughed, they looked up. Ellen’s eyes were bright with happiness, her cheeks a vivid pink. Reese was so happy her friend had found such a perfect partner.
Kind of like Reese had with Jem.
Michael gestured toward the view beyond the bench. “This is how the plan became real.”
The project spread out below them. Stone paths traced gentle arcs through winter-dormant plantings. Low walls doubled as seating. Everything felt purposeful, but nothing shouted for attention.
“It’s lovely and fits this location,” Reese said. “A quiet little oasis from the busy city.”
“That’s the perfect description.” Michael nodded. “It was what the owner wanted.”
Ellen studied the finished space, then looked back at the plans. Her shoulders relaxed, and she turned to Michael.
“You have said I could come here to attend university as you did. At first, I did not wish it because of my fear. But now that I have bested the beast and seen what you created here...”
Michael rolled up the plan, waiting expectantly for her to finish.
“I think I would not wish for a formal education such as you had,” Ellen continued. “Not because I do not value it, but because you already have the knowledge, and you are an excellent teacher.”
He furrowed his brow but didn’t interrupt as he slid a rubber band around the plans.
“For your profession, you must know all the things, as Reese is fond of saying.” Ellen glanced at Reese with a smile. “But I do not. And I have you to teach me what I do wish to learn.”
“I’m fine with that as long as you know you can change your mind at any time.” Michael kissed his wife again.
“Perhaps, when we come to this time for the birth of our son...” Ellen’s voice hitched, and she swallowed. “How strange to know in advance what child we are having.”
“Not really in this time. It’s common,” Reese said. “Though parents can decide to be surprised. But I’m glad you’re coming to this time to have your baby.”
“Maybe we could come for a visit this summer and meet your son,” Jem suggested.
“As long as I can handle the trip.” Reese pulled a face, imagining going into labor on a plane.
“True that.” Jem hugged her, his eyes wide, so he must have had the same thought.
From down the path came the laughter of a child, and a small family emerged from the foliage. They smiled at them and walked past. Further down the path, a child tugged at her father’s sleeve, pointing toward something out of Reese’s line of sight.
Jem watched them for a long moment, then glanced back at Michael. “How long did it take to build this?”
“Longer than I expected,” Michael admitted, “but shorter than it felt.”
Jem chuckled. “That’s the way it feels when we’re building sets for a play at the high school.” He met Reese’s gaze. “I’m excited to get back. Did I tell you the kids want to put on Clue?”
Her heart swelled at the happiness in his eyes. It reminded her of Ellen’s declaration to Michael that she didn’t need the college degree to accomplish what she wanted.
Reese leaned in to whisper to Jem, “I love you.”
“Shall we look away this time?” Michael teased.
“You don’t have to.” Reese gave Jem a quick kiss. “Now walk us through this amazing garden you designed.”
They wandered until the setting sun made the chill uncomfortable.
“Nellie’s planning a nice family dinner for us tonight,” Michael said. “I’m ready for a cozy evening by the fireplace with good friends.”
“You know what I was thinking?” Jem asked as they made their way back to the car.
“That you want to start a garden this spring?” Reese asked.
“That’s not a bad idea, but no. I was thinking it takes less time to fly to Heathrow than to Honolulu, and it costs less too.”
Reese laughed. “Okay, that’s really random. Where did it come from?”
“Just thinking we could meet up here a little more often.”
Sudden emotion made her eyes sting. She had worried he didn’t consider them friends as much as she did.
“Great comparison. Thank you.”
“What is that?” Ellen asked.
Reese explained what Jem had said.
“That would be lovely, especially now I no longer fear making the trip.” A worried expression crossed Ellen’s face. “You should have Nellie give you some of her potion before traveling. I wasn’t sick at all.”
“I’ll do that for sure.” And Reese would, though Ellen might be one of those lucky people who weren’t bothered by time travel.
As Jem held the door open for Reese, he met her gaze, his eyes bright with happiness and readiness.
“You’re already thinking about home,” she murmured.
He smiled, not denying it. “A little, but it’s been a great trip.”
From the front seat, Ellen’s laughter carried softly as Michael said something she couldn’t quite catch.
Reese rested her head on Jem’s shoulder. It had been a lovely vacation, and she was ready to go home.