To Save a Love - Alexa Aston Page 0,33
will want daily reports,” demanded Shelton.
He thought a moment. “Coral, my valet, will be our go-between. In fact, when you take Anna and me to the cottage, call at Torville Manor and ask for him. Tell him to bring a basket of food and ink and parchment to the cottage. I will have him look in on us daily and he can ride and speak to you in person regarding Anna’s behavior and progress.”
Dez smoothed her hair. She had quietened and he thought her now asleep.
“A doctor should see her.”
“I agree but I pray that we wait on that. I don’t want any strangers approaching her. She already cannot speak.”
He explained about her damaged vocal cords and how he knew what to do since he had suffered from a similar affliction during his military service.
“We have both been to war, Shelton. To Hell and back. If anyone understands Anna’s suffering, it is I.”
The viscount was silent for some minutes and finally he said, “I agree. I know how much you care for her and would never abuse her. I will ask for my footman and driver not to reveal what they have witnessed. No one at Shelton Park will know of Anna’s return. The same should be true beyond your valet. If Anna can be restored to anything close to what she was before, I would not see her reputation ruined by her having been alone with you.”
“I do love her,” Dez said. “I would die for her. My fondest wish would be for us to see our dream of marriage come true. If it can’t, I will remain devoted to her the rest of my life.”
“You would choose not to marry?” Shelton asked.
“There is no one for me but Anna,” he said softly. “I have two nephews. The elder will be my heir.”
“Very well.”
Shelton rapped on the roof and the carriage began to slow. When it stopped, he exited the vehicle and spoke to the driver and then returned.
“My coachman knows where to take you. How far is it to this cottage?”
“Probably a quarter-mile.”
“You will carry her all that way?”
Dez glanced down, love for Anna overwhelming him. “I would carry her to the ends of the earth if needed. Besides, look how thin she is. She will be no burden, I assure you.”
He stroked her hair again, hating once more how it had been chopped off. It fell a couple of inches below her ears and was matted and dirty. From the conditions he removed her from, he assumed she had head lice. He had seen both in the army and knew of ways to rid her of it. Dez began composing a list in his head for all he would need Coral to bring to the cottage.
The men fell silent after that. It surprised him that Shelton had relented so easily to such an outrageous plan. A bachelor harboring an innocent, unmarried woman. Living together for God only knew how long. There were things Dez would have to do—intimate things—that Shelton probably had not thought of or was reluctant to bring up. It didn’t matter. What was important was healing Anna’s mind, body, and spirit. Frankly, he didn’t know if it were even possible. He would remain optimistic but prepare himself for the worst.
His gaze fell to the sleeping woman in his arms. How many times had he longed to do this very thing? Hold Anna in his arms as she slept. He vowed he would move heaven and earth to help her grow into the independent, spirited girl he had known.
They reached their destination and Shelton promised he would see that Coral came to the cottage as quickly as possible. The viscount descended the stairs the footman had placed beside the carriage’s door and he helped guide Dez down them.
He turned and said, “I would offer my hand to you, Shelton, but I am rather tied up.”
The viscount grinned. “After all of this, I feel we are meant to be good friends. Call me Tom.” He placed his hand on Dez’s shoulder and squeezed it then cupped Anna’s cheek and said, “Get well, Cousin.”
“I am Dez,” he told the viscount. “Short for Desmond—but no one I like ever calls me that.”
Tom smiled. “Then Dez it is. Take care, my friend.”
He nodded, his throat tight with emotion. Tom reentered the carriage and gave a wave. Dez began walking and, in a few minutes, caught sight of the blue waters of the lake. He went to the cottage and