Newcastle, United Kingdom
January 1852

In the days that followed, Jane was even more encouraged than before. Her experience with Harry was always there on her mind, reminding her of what goodness she could have in her life if they were successful in their plan. And the nights that followed only proved to further solidify this reminder. Throwing their previous hesitation to the wind, Jane and Harry were intimate together every chance they could manage. And this was only encouraged as Regina left for London, seeing as how in her absence, Jane was allowed to sleep in as much as she pleased. It was a good thing, too, because her time with Harry often left her more exhausted than she could bear, so the extra time to sleep was much needed.

Within the week, Harry received word from Thomas that he would be coming for them in two days time, the news of which left both Harry and Jane in a constant state of anticipation. Neither one could believe that the time had finally come, nor could they believe that if they were successful, they would begin their life together by the month's end. Though they had done their time waiting, they felt as if it was all happening so quickly, and it seemed surreal that the moment they had been waiting for had finally arrived.

Harry and Jane spent their last night together encased in each other's loving embrace, the love between them doing nothing but reassuring them of the journey that would follow the next day. Hot breath caressed naked skin as the words that passed between them expressed the deepest desires of their hearts. Their passion served to pleasure them, and as the day of their flight arrived, that same passion inspired them to endure whatever difficulties should plague them.

When darkness fell the night before Jane was supposed to leave for London, she silently dressed herself in the trousers and overcoat that Harry had given her, taking her own riding boots in hand and sneaking out the back door. If they were to make the kind of time that was necessary, Jane couldn't be weighed down by the thick, heavy layers of her dress, so she wore men's clothes to allow her the same swiftness of Harry and her father.

Jane made her way through that great house for the last time, taking in each shadowy detail and thinking to herself of how different her life would be in France. She wouldn't be the granddaughter of a duke anymore- no obligations, no oppressive systems dictating her every move, and no James. Instead, she would be the daughter of a French lawyer and the wife of the man she loved. Her life would simpler in France, and though it would not have all the bells and whistles of her present existence, Jane did not care. No amount of fine clothes or grand houses could turn her away from a life with Harry or her father; thus, as she left the great mansion in Clumber Park, Jane didn't once look back. Instead, she fixed her eyes on the tree line, where she knew Harry would be waiting for her.

Harry embraced her tenderly, his lips finding hers in the darkness. He held her close to his chest for several moments, each of them readying themselves for the task at hand and just praying that they would find success. Given that the night had arrived uneventfully, things were looking good for their escape, and aside from the general worry, neither of them really felt that there was a reason that they shouldn't succeed.

Harry confidently took Jane's hand in his own, leading her through the woods to the place where Thomas had told them he would be. They emerged into the clearing, their eyes falling upon the small cabin by the pond, a fond smile gracing both of their lips at the memories they had made there.

"I'll miss this place," Jane said quietly, turning her eyes to Harry who seemed to be feeling the same degree of sentimentality for the place that had brought them together.

Harry nodded thoughtfully and squeezed Jane's hand in his, "I will too. Though I admit, you deserve better than just the floor or the couch."

Jane could not help the blush that rose to her cheeks with Harry's comment, and it seemed to her that he was saying it with that very purpose in mind. Harry simply laughed, draping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her to his side, "I mean it, though. You deserve a house... with a real bed and blankets, you know?"

Jane smiled and shook her head, still embarrassed by the sexual meaning behind Harry's words, "As long as I'm with you, I don't care where we are or what we have." She leaned into him as they continued to walk alongside the pond, the moonlight glittering across the water and reflecting into Jane's eyes. "But Harry, let's not talk about this now. I don't think it'd be very difficult for my father to perceive what you're referencing."

"Oh, come on," Harry smirked playfully, looking around and seeing nothing but the tree line nearing them. "He's not here right now."

Jane rolled her eyes and nervously searched the approaching trees for an indication that her father might be standing there. But still, she managed a laugh and decided to taunt Harry as he was taunting her, "Yeah, well, I won't try to stop him if he does hear you and tries to kill you."

Harry gasped animatedly, amusement gleaming in his green eyes as he enjoyed the small banter that was passing between them, "Oh, Jane! I thought you'd fight for me."

"I will, but not if you bring it upon yourself," Jane joked, nudging his shoulder playfully as they drew nearer to the end of the clearing.

"I'm hurt, Jane," Harry said solemnly, lowering his voice and purposefully inflecting it to sound overly-sincere. "You know I'd fight for you always."

"I should hope so." Thomas's voice sounded from the woods before them, his shadowy silhouette stepping forth form the darkness. As he emerged into the moonlight, an amused smirk was tugging at the corners of his mouth, revealing his pleasure at having surprised the two young people standing frozen before him.

Harry, terrified that Thomas had in fact overheard the entirety of his conversation with Jane, was too dumbstruck to speak, so it was left to Jane to ease whatever suspicions Thomas may or may not have had. Given her training as a well-mannered lady in society, Jane was quick to brush the awkwardness aside and pretend that nothing was the matter. She embraced her father anxiously, expressing her gladness after having heard of his arrival as well as shifting her eyes to glare at an evidently flustered Harry.

"How was your journey?" Jane asked her father, not allowing him to engage with Harry, lest his nervousness and embarrassment get the best of him. "I trust it was without trouble."

Thomas nodded in affirmation, the light and confidence in Jane's eyes reigniting the flame of passion that burned within him as he spoke of his experience in London. "Yes, it was more successful than I had hoped. The ship that we are using needed a few repairs, which should be finished by tonight, so by the time we reach Edinburgh, we'll only need to stay there for about five days. And I'm convinced that such a short timeframe will be perfect for our escape. Unless Henry has divine aid, I really don't think that he could ever find us in so little time as a week."

"Really?" A beaming grin found its way to Jane's lips as she took in her father's words to them. Could it really be so simple? Could their plan really be accomplished with such ease? Jane was wary of being too optimistic; however, she could not help but allow her excitement to infiltrate her youthful countenance.

Harry likewise felt his spirits soar with the news that Thomas had brought to them. Just like Jane, it seemed to him that their luck was beyond what they could have hoped for.

Thomas nodded in affirmation to his daughter's inquiry, pleased by her optimism and excitement, "Yes, I do think so. The worst part will be getting to Edinburgh, but I think the weather will be favorable tonight, so it shouldn't be too hard on you."

Rolling her eyes, Jane huffed in annoyance at her father's reference to her delicate demeanor. "I'm not as fragile as you suppose me to be."

Harry smiled at Jane's stubbornness, altogether proud of the confident woman she had become. She was always determined to prove her strength, and it endeared her to him every time she did. Jane was brave and fearless, and her father could see it too. It reminded him of Victoria and her headstrong will to do what was necessary for the sake of their happiness. It was a trait that Jane had inherited from her.

"Your mother said the same thing," Thomas said warmly, thinking back to those few golden months he had spent with the love of his life. "I don't doubt that you have her same strength. She made this ride, too, you know."

"Really?" Jane had never asked her father how he had managed to escape with her mother. She had been too interested in their life together in Edinburgh to care much about how they had gotten there, but knowing that her mother had done what she was preparing to do, encouraged her that she would make it too.

Thomas nodded and then turned his gaze to meet Harry's. In him, he saw himself twenty years ago, in love and desperate to enable that love to find its way into the light. That, perhaps, was why Thomas could not help but disregard rational thought by aiding them in their journey. Of course, it was for his own gain as well, so that he might know what it is to be the father he always wanted to be, but still, it was easier to think that he was performing a service to them rather than acting selfishly.

In this regard, it felt much like last time. He was helping them as he helped Victoria, and Thomas was hopeful that they would succeed in the same way. Escaping hadn't been the problem last time; no, last time, the failure lie in their decision to come back, and all three of them were determined not to make that mistake.

"Yes," Thomas replied. "We'd best be going, though. Are you two ready to ride?" He looked between the two young people and observed their uneasy sense of excitement as they both nodded to him in affirmation. They were nervous, as was he, but he supposed that a bit of fear was healthy. They best not be too cocky in their plan, lest they miss the possibilities of how it may go wrong.

"Good. The horses are just beyond these woods." Thomas turned away from them and headed into the woods, calling over his shoulder as he traversed the tree roots. "Take your last look at this place, for we shan't be back."

Jane and Harry glanced between each other, both of them taking in the scene before them for the last time. The moon illuminated the land before them, the water, the small house, and even the place in the distance where Jane had shown Harry the stars.

The place meant more to them than either of them cared to express, and thus, they could not find it in them to hold it in contempt. But as for the rest of Clumber Park, Jane and Harry were glad to be rid of it. It was a prison to them, and as Harry's hand took Jane's firmly in his grasp, each of them felt that just maybe the chains that had kept them there had begun to loosen.

But they turned their backs on that place of simultaneous love and imprisonment, knowing that once they accomplished their mission, that all the hardships they had encountered and had yet to face were well worth the struggle. They fled towards freedom, and the trio of runaways did not once look back.

***

YALL WHAT I can't believe this chapter is finally here like it's taken so long to get to this point, and I'm honestly so surprised in how this story has developed. What are ya'll's thoughts so far? Also, fear not, we're no where near the end :)))))))

Thank you all for reading and your lovely comments!! ILYYY
-Kate🖤