To Save a Love - Alexa Aston Page 0,5
say anything.”
Anna merely nodded, her heart beating so rapidly she thought it might burst through her chest. They approached the cab and the driver nodded. Dez opened the door and placed their luggage inside before lifting her into the cab and then climbing in himself. The horse started up.
Dez threaded his fingers through hers and then gave her a soft kiss. Instead of calming her, it only made her heart race faster.
“The driver is dropping us a few blocks from our destination,” he revealed. “We’ll walk the rest of the way there.”
“Do you have the tickets?” she asked.
He patted his coat pocket. “Right here. Billy came home straightaway and gave them to me. I also have money from Dalinda.”
“I have a little, too. Not much but it’s better than nothing.”
“I love you, Anna,” Dez declared. “I have since I was a boy and I will go on loving you the rest of our lives. Now that I know we are lucky enough to spend the rest of our lives together, I cannot wait to see what our time as husband and wife will bring.”
Dez kissed her again, a long, deep, and very satisfying kiss. It tasted of his promise and what tomorrow would bring.
The vehicle slowed and came to a halt and he opened the door. Jumping out, he retrieved their valises and then Anna and paid the driver. They walked three blocks, having to dodge people hurrying to and fro. Anna found it hard to believe people were up and about at this time of the morning but the streets already seemed busy. They arrived at the mail coach office and she saw several carriages standing in the yard.
“Wait here with our bags,” Dez said, placing them at her feet. “I need to check on which is our coach and what time it leaves.”
“All right,” Anna said meekly, not wanting to be left in the middle of such hustle and bustle.
She’d never been left alone in the city before. She always had her maid accompanying her and, usually, Dalinda was in tow, as well. Or Mama and Papa went in the carriage with her, escorting her to the various ton events. Fear filled her.
“Quit being afraid,” she whispered under her breath.
She was on a public street. No one was going to accost her at a little past six in the morning.
Until a man stopped in front of her.
His coat had seen better days. He could certainly have used a haircut and shave. He grinned at her.
“Who have we here?” he asked, a lascivious look in his eyes.
Stiffening her spine, she replied, “I am a lady, sir, and we have not been introduced.”
“A lady, you say.” His eyes now gleamed and he took her elbow. “Why don’t you come along with me?” he suggested, his tone velvet but instilling fear in her.
“Unhand my wife.”
Both she and the stranger turned to see Dez standing there, fury on his face.
Immediately, the man released her elbow. “No harm done, my lord.” He shuffled off quickly.
Dez stepped to Anna, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Did he hurt you?”
“No,” she said unsteadily. “He frightened me, though. But I didn’t tell him my name.”
“Good girl.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze and released them. Lifting the bags, he said, “Our vehicle is this way,” using his head to point to his right. “Leaving in ten minutes.”
Anna fell into step with him. As they approached, she could already see a good number of people surrounding the coach and whispered, “Where will everyone sit?”
He shrugged. “I suppose a few will ride on top.”
“Don’t leave me, Dez,” she said, gripping his arm.
He smiled. “I won’t, Anna. I will never leave you. Even when we argue and you think me a blockhead and wish me gone from your sight, I will linger. I will be with you as we eat our meals. Tend to our children. Climb into our bed at night. You are stuck with me, Anna. For better or for worse.”
His assurances brought a calm to her. This man was her world. Without him, she was nothing.
“Thank you, Mr. Bretton.”
“You are welcome, Mrs. Bretton,” said Dez as he winked at her.
He had told her in the carriage that they were to act as if they were already married, addressing each other as husband and wife. Dez said it would help smooth things along on the road as they traveled to Scotland. She knew what they now did was scandalous and agreed to treat him as her husband