To Save a Love - Alexa Aston Page 0,52
ever playful, would always splash with joy.
He listened carefully and heard when she stood and stepped from the tub. He decided when the sounds ceased that she had gone into the bedchamber to dress. He didn’t know if she would put on another of Dalinda’s gowns or if she would don a night rail. He knew how worn out she was and she might need to go to sleep again once he got some more food into her. Now that she was cognizant of her surroundings, he wanted to encourage her to eat small but frequent meals in order to help her regain her strength and put some weight back on her. Anna had always been thin but she certainly could stand to put on a stone or more.
She appeared on the porch, touching his shoulder. She wore a night rail. Her short hair was neatly combed.
“Are you tired, my love?” he asked, his fingers entwining with hers.
She bobbed her head.
“Very well. It’s important for you to eat. Let’s see what Coral brought for us and then we can put you back to bed.”
They ate in companionable silence and then he insisted she sit as he cleared away the food and dishes and then emptied the tub where she had bathed. He escorted her to the bedroom. Her eyes pleaded with him to stay.
“I won’t leave you,” he said.
She got into bed and he brought the bedclothes over her.
“Talk to me,” she said, her voice beginning to sound stronger.
“All right.”
Dez told her stories of the army, making sure to make them lighthearted. He had her laughing, especially with tales of Rhys.
“Rhys has been a good friend to me. I hope that the two of you will meet one day.”
“Dalinda?” she asked.
“Ah, Dalinda is doing quite well. She married. Not the man Father wanted to match her with but one of her own choice.”
“How?”
He chuckled. “Father punished me by shipping me off to war without a university education. He thought Dalinda far too spirited and meddlesome, especially after she had helped you and me try to get to Gretna Green. He decided to marry her off to an old man who would exercise a firm hand on her. Naturally, Dalinda had other ideas. What she didn’t expect was that a duke would come to her rescue.”
Anna’s eyes widened.
“Yes, you heard me correctly. Your best friend is now the Duchess of Gilford. She has two boys, Arthur and Harry. I met them and Gilford for the first time when I sold out and returned home to take on my title.”
She frowned, her brows knitting together.
“I am Lord Torrington, Anna. My father, like yours, passed away. And my worthless brother, Ham, drowned. He was drunk and tipped over the rowboat he was in, killing himself and his countess.”
Tears filled her eyes and he touched her cheek, wiping them away.
“I never met his wife since I was abroad. I do feel very sorry for her. The servants seemed to have liked her.”
She yawned.
“I see you are getting sleeping. Close your eyes, sweetheart. We will have much to talk about tomorrow. And then the next day, Jessa and your cousin, Tom, will come and see you.” He smiled. “You won’t even recognize Jessa.”
Anna bit her lip. “Why?” she asked.
“She’s grown up now,” he said matter-of-factly. “I saw her the other day when she and Tom and his new wife came to call. They showed me the letter from Dr. Cheshire, requiring the next yearly payment for your keep at Gollingham.”
“How old?” she croaked, her eyes filling with panic. “How old is she?”
“Jessa is now eighteen,” he said, taking her hand, wanting to calm her agitation.
“Eighteen,” she said mournfully and then burst out in heaving sobs, slamming her hands against the mattress.
In that moment, Dez realized what a fool he had been. Anna hadn’t had a clue how much time had passed. She hadn’t known she had been locked away for a dozen years.
He reached for her and she flinched, rolling away and presenting her back to him. He could only listen helplessly as she cried for her lost youth and the years which had been stolen from her.
Chapter Sixteen
Anna awoke enveloped in warmth. She opened her eyes and saw the first rays of morning light beginning to stream into the room. She inhaled and realized why she was so warm.
Dez.
Her back was pressed against his chest. His arms enfolded her and one of his legs was atop hers. She swallowed as her throat thickened with