and carried her to the bed, spending the next hour kissing every inch of her. Even her core. She hadn’t known she could be kissed there and thought it wicked—and wonderful. His lips and tongue brought her to the heights of passion and it spilled out from her.
She loved this man. With her body and soul. They were meant to be together.
As she lay in the aftermath of their lovemaking, smoothing the hair on his broad chest, Anna said, “I was foolish to try and keep us apart. Fortunately, you are stubborn and persisted.”
Dez kissed her. “Who knew being headstrong and unyielding could end with such delicious results?”
And he made love to her again.
Chapter Twenty-One
Anna dressed with care, knowing she would be the object of fascination for every parishioner present this morning. She placed one of Jessa’s bonnets on her head and tied the ribbon under her chin, glad that it would cover her short hair. She still missed her long tresses but already it was beginning to grow back quickly. Dez assured her that no matter what its length, he would always enjoying running his fingers through it.
She made her way downstairs, nerves humming within her, and joined her family for the short carriage ride to Draymott, only three miles away. It was mandatory for her to be present when the banns were read for the next three Sundays but after she and Dez had talked it over, Anna wanted to be there. She was done hiding. The villagers and tenants from both their estates would gossip no matter what. She would turn a deaf ear to it because, in the end, she would be wed to the man she adored.
They reached the village church and she saw the worshippers heading toward the doors as the bell began to peal. Only Dez waited and he handed her down from the carriage.
“Are you ready to run the gauntlet?” he asked.
“With you by my side, I doubt it will be daunting,” she said lightly, trembling slightly.
He placed her hand on his sleeve and escorted her inside. A hush fell over the church as he led her to the front pew. They were joined by her sister, cousin and his wife. Jessa sat next to Anna and took her hand, squeezing her fingers. Jessa had been a rock to her ever since her return from Gollingham and it comforted Anna to know that they would be close. At least until Jessa made her come-out and a marriage of her own.
A clergyman appeared, one she was unfamiliar with. He couldn’t be more than thirty and had dark, curly hair and an impish look about him, as if he were more devil than angel. He led the congregation through the service. She tried to listen to his sermon but she still found it difficult at times to sit still and concentrate. She was used to withdrawing into herself anytime she was made to be still after so many years of doing so. That’s why she preferred being outdoors, digging in the dirt or walking or riding.
The service drew to a close and she prepared herself for the recitation she had heard many times over the years. The good reverend asked that all parishioners be seated and then began to speak.
“I publish the Banns of Marriage between Desmond Bretton, Earl of Torrington, of Draymott Parish and Miss Anna Browning, also of Draymott Parish. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy matrimony, you are to declare it. This is the first time of asking.”
Anna knew the objections which had been part of the recitation were the point of the Calling of the Banns. Those banns were not to inform the worshippers of the coming marriage or give them an invitation to the wedding. Rather, they were to inquire of those present if they knew of any obstacles to the marriage. A person objecting would proceed to speak with the clergyman directly in order to present evidence why one of the parties wasn’t free to wed.
She sat ramrod straight and very still, listening to see if anyone would come forward. She worried that someone would cite her years in the madhouse as reason enough for Dez not to consider marriage to her. Thankfully, no one spoke out. The banns would be called twice more and if no one named any hindrance, then she and Dez would have ninety days in which to marry. They