To Save a Love - Alexa Aston Page 0,73
Think of it like a country ball. I hope all of you will attend our wedding ceremony three weeks from tomorrow at this very church and then return with us to Shelton Park for a breakfast and dancing.”
Cheers erupted from the crowd. Dez slipped an arm about her waist and kissed her cheek.
“You will make for a wonderful countess, Anna Browning.”
“I feel accepted by them,” she explained. “They may be the only society who accepts me. I want them to help us celebrate our union.”
“I think it a perfect way to begin our life together,” he said.
*
Three weeks and one day later, Anna took Tom’s hand as he helped her into the carriage that would take them to the church. The others had already gone ahead to see that all the flowers and decorations were perfect, leaving her with her cousin. Though they hadn’t seen each other since they were young children, Anna had grown close to Tom ever since her return to Shelton Park.
“You are marrying a good man, Anna,” he said as the carriage started up. “Torrington loves you a great deal.”
“I know. I am most fortunate. We have loved each other since childhood and had reconciled the fact that our fathers had other plans for us. University and the military for Dez and my come-out and marriage to a peer for me. When Papa wished to wed me to a man older than he was, Dez stepped in and tried to change things. Unfortunately, that did not work out for us.”
“Everything will work out today. I promise you that,” Tom swore. “I cannot tell you how glad I am to have a man of Torrington’s caliber as my neighbor and your champion.”
“It’s thanks to you and Dez that I am here today, Tom.”
“And Jessa,” he added. “Don’t forget her role. She insisted you were alive and that the two of us must seek you out.”
Anna sighed. “It’s so hard to see her all grown up. When I was spirited away, she was only a child, six years of age. Now, she is a grown woman, lovely and sweet and kind. I regret missing all those years of her maturing.”
“Don’t look to the past, Anna. Keep your focus on the future.”
Her belly began to roil and her hand flew to her mouth. Tom looked at her in concern and called for the coachman to stop the vehicle. The moment he did, her cousin threw the door open and she leaned over, vomiting. She sat upright and gave him a weak smile as he handed over a handkerchief and she wiped her mouth.
“Are you ill, Cousin? Or are your nerves frayed with excitement?” he asked, his concern obvious.
“Neither,” she said. Rubbing her belly, she said, “You mentioned the future. The future is here.”
His eyes widened. “I see. Does Torrington know?”
She shook her head. “I have only known for a couple of days myself.”
He leaned over and swung the door closed and the carriage started up again.
“A baby is just the thing to help you heal from the experience you have endured. It will bring the two of you even closer together.”
“Dez will be pleased,” she agreed. “Please don’t say anything just yet. I want to tell him first and then let us bask in the knowledge that soon there will be three of us.”
Tom took her hand. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you.”
They arrived at the church and Tom handed her down. Excitement filled her, knowing in but a short time, she and Dez would be husband and wife.
Tom led her to the doors of the church and kissed her cheek. “Are you ready?”
Anna grinned. “I have been waiting for this moment all my life.”
He opened the door and ushered her in. She glanced about and saw the church filled to the brim, faces smiling her way. Jessa waited at the front to the left, ready to stand up with her sister. In the middle stood Reverend Hummert. He nodded to the side and Dez joined him at the altar.
Her heart practically leaped from her chest when she saw her handsome groom. As Tom led her down the aisle, they only had eyes for one another. Getting to this day had taken a lifetime but it had been worth all the pain and sorrow to belong to this man.
Tom placed her hand on Dez’s sleeve and then moved to the right, where he would act as their other witness.
“You are so very beautiful,” the groom said so softly