To Save a Love

by Aston, Alexa

  He kissed her deeply, love from him pouring into her. In that moment, Anna felt the last restraints of the past melt away. This man was her present. Her future. Her now and always.

  They arrived at Shelton Park an hour after the ceremony and went into where the wedding breakfast would be held. Guests poured in, from residents of the village to those who worked the fields and served at both estates. Anna ate more than she had thought she could, her earlier queasiness gone. Toasts were made and then the orchestra broke out and the dancing began in earnest.

  She danced with Mr. Meadows, the Torrington butler, after her first dance with her new husband, followed by one with Coral. She made her away around the room after that, talking with their guests. Dez convinced her to dance again and once the music came to a close, he led her from the room and up the stairs.

  Giggling, Anna asked, “Do you think anyone will miss us?”

  “I doubt it. They are all having a good time. Besides, I want you all to myself.”

  Even now, with all that had passed between them, she felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

  “You are a beautiful, blushing bride,” he told her. “And I happen to be the luckiest groom in the world.”

  They went to her bedchamber and made sure to lock the door. Dez made slow, sweet love to her, making Anna feel cherished and ever so lucky to have this man in her life.

  Rejoining their guests an hour later, Jessa caught Anna’s eyes and winked.

  “My sister knows what we’ve been up to,” she told her new husband.

  He slipped an arm about her waist. “I hope Jessa will be lucky enough to find love herself.”

  “She’s to make her come-out next year. She had asked me to help her.”

  “And you are reluctant to do so?”

  “How will the ton think of me, Dez? I don’t want them to judge Jessa based upon me and my experience.”

  She knew, too, that they would soon be heading to London to visit with Lord Morton and his daughter, as well as meeting with Mr. Haggard, the Bow Street Runner Dez had hired. If Lady Jergens gained her annulment, the newspapers would be full of it and Anna felt somehow her name would be a part of their reporting.

  “Let next Season take care of itself. We don’t have to worry about it now,” he said. “Things might have changed by the time April comes.”

  “You’re right,” she agreed. “I won’t borrow trouble.”

  After more dancing, they made their farewells, encouraging their guests to continue the celebration while they made their way back to Torville Manor.

  Or so she thought.

  Instead, Dez brought her to their cottage and said, “I couldn’t think of a better place for us to spend our wedding night.”

  Inside, candles burned brightly. Food and wine were laid out. Flowers adorned the entire room.

  Anna smiled. “You are the best husband in the world—and this is the perfect place to spend our first night together as man and wife.”

  Not much sleep occurred—but when morning came, Anna felt very, very married.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Dez gazed down at his sleeping wife as the carriage turned onto the lane leading up to Gillingham. They hadn’t gotten much sleep last night and he had encouraged her to nap during their journey to Kent. They had stopped twice to change the horses and Anna had curled up, her head in his lap, after the last time. He smoothed her hair and decided he should awaken her since they would be arriving soon.

  His thumb stroked her cheek and she smiled in her sleep, a small sigh escaping her rosebud lips. They had to be the most kissable lips in the world. He would never tire of kissing her. Making love to her. Simply being with her.

  After their night at Torville Manor, they now headed to see Dalinda. They would spend a week or so at Gillingham and then make their way to London.

  “Lady Torrington?” Dez asked softly, his thumb now rubbing against Anna’s full, bottom lip.

  Her eyelids fluttered and then she gazed up at him, love for him shining in her eyes.

  “Are we there?”

  “Almost.”

  He helped her sit up and she smoothed the skirts of her traveling outfit before gazing out the window.

  “Oh, I think I see it,” she proclaimed. “What a lovely house.”

  The carriage arrived several minutes later and the minute the door opened, Dez saw his twin standing nearby.

  “Dez!” she cried, a wide smile on her face. “Anna!”

  He leaped from the carriage and snatched his sister up, spinning in a circle as the footman placed the stairs before the opening. Quickly, Dez turned and handed Anna down and she fell into Dalinda’s arms. The two women clung to each other, sobbing, and he stepped away to give them a private moment together, giving instructions to his coachman and greeting the Gilford butler who had also been on hand to meet them.

  “Hello, Bellows.”

  “Good afternoon, Lord Torrington. Did you and Lady Torrington have a safe journey?”

  “It was very good and we are happy to be here,” he replied.

  “Mrs. Paul has prepared a heavy tea. Would you care to freshen up before it is served?”

  He looked to his wife and sister, who still had their arms about one another, babbling at the same time.

  “I think tea sounds splendid,” he proclaimed. “I will be sure the ladies get there and you can inform Mrs. Paul to send it up to the drawing room.”

  “Very good, my lord.”

  Bellows left and Dez went to the two people he was closest to in all the world.

  “Shall we go inside? I hear a marvelous tea is coming.”

  “Of course,” Dalinda said, her arm going around Anna, leading her inside.

  He followed, happy to see these two reunited after so many years apart.

  They arrived in the drawing room and sat as the teacart was rolled in.

  “I am famished,” he declared, looking at Anna. She had lost her breakfast almost immediately after she’d eaten it this morning, which had worried him, but she said it was perfectly normal to do so at this stage of quickening.

  “I am, too,” she said, her look reminding him that she did better keeping food down later in the day.

  As Dalinda poured out and handed them their cups and saucers, they all filled their plates.

  “Tea is the last large meal we usually serve,” his twin said. “The boys have a light supper. I am usually with Gilford then, trying to persuade him to eat something.”

  “Is he so very ill?” Anna asked, her eyes sympathetic.

  “Yes. He was doing slightly better when Dez was here a few months ago but I can see him going downhill every day. The doctor said he has seen these cases before and has told me more than likely, we only have a year together. Perhaps less.”

  Dalinda took a sip of tea. “I hope you understood that is why I had to miss your wedding.”

  “You were by your husband’s side, where you belong,” Anna assured her friend.

  “He is eager to meet you,” Dalinda shared. “I have talked about you so much over the years. Especially at the beginning, when I missed you so much.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “To receive Dez’s note and learn you weren’t dead was a joyful moment.” She smiled. “And now to have you as my best friend and sister-in-law is simply amazing.”

  The two women clasped their hands together, a look passing between them.

  “Were you surprised when we wrote to tell you of our betrothal?” Dez asked.

  Dalinda shook her head. “Not at all. Your marriage corrected the mistakes of the past. Mistakes our fathers were responsible for making. Now that they both are gone, we are all living the lives we chose.”

  “You are happy with Gilford?” Anna asked.

  “I have been,” Dalinda said. “He lost his wife many years before we met and hadn’t planned on wedding again. Somehow, my story touched his heart and he offered for me.” She chuckled. “My stepson, Reid, is only a year younger than I am. He is Gilford’s heir and
the only child from his first marriage.”

  “What did he think of having a stepmamma his age?” Anna asked.

  “We didn’t talk about it much. Reid left soon after we wed to attend university and then he went directly into the army afterward. So quite frankly, I don’t know him very well. I have written to him, asking him to come home because of his father’s health but Reid is quite the patriot and determined to keep serving in His Majesty’s Army.”

  Anna frowned. “Isn’t that quite unusual? A marquess and duke’s heir a military officer?”

  “It is but Reid always wanted to serve his country. His closest friends, Gray and Burke, also joined him in this endeavor.”

  They chatted for an hour, Dez carefully watching Anna as she ate slowly but definitely well. She seemed more partial to sweets now that she was with child and ate her fair share of a sponge cake and a few tarts. Dalinda looked to him, a question in her eyes, and he nodded. They had always been able to communicate without words. His twin’s eyes twinkled and he knew she was happy for the news.

  Suddenly, the door swung open and Arthur and Harry bounded in.

  “Uncle Dez!” they both cried, running to him.

  He hugged them. “It’s so good to see you boys. I have someone I want you to meet.”

  They both turned and eyed Anna with interest, stepping to her and bowing.

  “I am Arthur Baker. You are the Countess of Torrington. Mama told us you were coming.”

  Harry squeezed past his brother. “I am Harry Baker. Mama said you are her best friend ever and Uncle Dez is lucky to have you.”

  Anna laughed, charmed by the pair. “I would say I am the fortunate one. I grew up on the estate next to your mama and your uncle. We were neighbors and did everything together.”

  “Like what?” Harry asked eagerly.

  “We liked to walk both estates. Ride. Swim. We fished together but neither your mama nor me would place the worm on the hook.”

  “That’s boy’s work,” Arthur proclaimed. “I can do that if you want to go fishing with us, my lady.”

  “Will you be here long enough to fish?” Harry asked. He looked to Dez.

  “About a week or so. Plenty of time to fish and do other things. Your new aunt is terrific at skimming stones across the water. Perhaps she can teach you how.”

  “I’m bloody awful at that,” Arthur said.

  “Arthur! Language,” Dalinda admonished.

  “Sorry, Mama.” He glanced to Anna. “Sorry, my lady.”

  “I would be pleased to be called Aunt Anna,” she told him.

  Arthur’s eyes lit up, as did Harry’s and Arthur asked, “May we, Mama? Call her Aunt?”

  Dalinda nodded her approval and then said, “Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes!” the boys cried.

  “And tarts,” Harry added. He looked to Anna and confided, “They are my favorite.”

  “Mine, too,” she said. “I have always loved sweets but even more so now.”

  “Why?” Arthur asked before taking a huge bite of his sandwich.

  She glanced to Dez and he nodded.

  “You are going to have a cousin,” she revealed. “When a woman carries a baby inside her belly, sometimes she gets cravings.”

  “What are those?” Harry asked.

  “A longing for something. It can be quite intense.”

  “When will our cousin come?” Arthur piped up.

  “Next year,” Dez said, not wanting to mention the month. He didn’t know if Gilford—or Dalinda—had told the boys anything about how babies were made or how long they took to come.

  “Finish eating, boys,” Dalinda said. “Your governess will be coming for you soon.”

  “I need to finish my cravings, Mama,” Harry said, using his new word, if incorrectly. “Auntie Anna and I like our sweets.”

  The boys concentrated on eating as the adults talked a bit about those who had attended the wedding. Once Harry and Arthur had been collected by their governess and vacated the drawing room, Dalinda hugged Anna.

  “I am thrilled you are going to have a child.”

  Anna smiled ruefully. “We started a bit early so the baby will naturally come a little early.”

  “Do you hope for a boy or girl?” she asked.

  “Either,” Dez answered for them both. “We hope for a healthy babe and many more to follow.”

  “What if you have twins?” his sister asked. “They run in our family.”

  “Oh.” Anna looked blank for a moment. “I hadn’t even considered that possibility.”

  “I had wondered if Gilford and I might have twins. Our boys are spaced just over two years apart. Arthur turned eleven in April and Harry became nine last week.”

  “Our baby should come in February,” Anna revealed.

  “How are you feeling?” Dalinda asked.

  “Miserable in the mornings. That started less than a week ago.”

  “It will run a few months and then you will feel fit as a fiddle,” Dalinda reassured her. “Would you like to meet Gilford now? I usually go up after tea and spend time with him.”

  “I would like that,” Anna said.

  They accompanied Dalinda to the duke’s rooms and Dez saw the difference in Gilford the moment they entered. While he had been weak during Dez’s visit, the duke was obviously quite ill. His color was poor and he seemed frail as he gestured from his bed.

  “Back for a rematch?” Gilford asked, a twinkle still in his eyes.

  “I would like that, Your Grace. May I present to you my new wife, the Countess of Torrington.”

  Anna moved close to the bed and curtseyed. “It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace.” She took his hand. “Thank you for saving my friend all those years ago. You have made her quite happy and your boys are lovely.”

  Gilford smiled up at Anna. “It is Dalinda who saved me,” he said and he glanced to his wife. “She gave me a new outlook on life and the chance to be a father again, twice over.”

  They stayed a few minutes and then Anna caught Dez’s eyes and he said, “We have traveled a good distance today and need to retire. Perhaps we can visit again tomorrow, Your Grace.”

  “I would like that,” he said weakly.

  “Bellows can show you to your room,” Dalinda said, pulling the cord to summon the butler.

  When the servant arrived, they bid the duke and duchess goodnight and retreated to their guest bedchamber.

  Once alone, Anna said, “Gilford seems quite nice but he’s not long for this world. Poor Dalinda.”

  “My sister will be fine. She has her boys, wild though they may be.”

  “It surprised me they were here and not finishing their term at school.”

  “I understand they were asked to leave their last school,” he revealed. “I fear Dalinda has spent too much time with her ailing husband and her boys are rebelling somewhat.”

  He slipped his arms around her and brought her close. “Our children will be perfect, I’m sure. They will never be tossed from their schools. Never tattle on one another. Never put toads in their governess’ bed.”

  Anna laughed. “I hope they are just as we were as children. We had some wonderful times together—you, Dalinda, and I.”

  Dez laughed and kissed her hard. “How about I show you a wonderful time tonight?”

  And he did. More than once.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Dez and Anna arrived at Lord Morton’s London townhouse, along with Haggard, the Bow Street Runner. They were to meet with Lord Morton and his daughter first and then others helping in the case against Lord Jergens would join them.

  The butler showed them to the drawing room and before Dez could introduce Anna to the earl, she and Lady Jergens fell into each other’s arms. Tears and a hurried conversation occurred and then Lady Jergens presented Anna to her father.

  “I am so pleased to meet you, Lord Morton,” Anna said, wiping away her tears.

  “It is an honor to meet you, Lady Torrington,�
� the earl replied. “Your husband was instrumental in removing my daughter from Gollingham Asylum.”

  “How are you feeling, my lady?” Dez inquired.

  “Quite well, Lord Torrington, thanks to you.”

  “Has your husband contacted Lord Morton or tried to have you removed from his care?” he asked.

  “No. We have heard not one word from Jergens,” she revealed. “I would have thought he would be enraged and stormed my father’s townhouse.”

  “We wouldn’t have allowed that, my lady,” Haggard interjected. “Both your father and Lord Torrington have seen to having men placed at the front and back entrances to your residence.”

  “Still, it seems odd we wouldn’t have heard from Jergens,” Lord Morton pointed out.

  “Unless Dr. Cheshire neglected to notify Jergens of his wife’s removal from Gollingham,” Dez said. “If Jergens had already paid the annual fee for Lady Jergens’ care as a patient, Cheshire might be biding his time.”

  “He is sly,” Anna said. “I would not put it past him to keep the news from Lord Jergens for as long as he can.” She turned to Lady Jergens. “Do you remember when your husband placed you at the asylum?”

  “It was last September.” A shadow crossed her face. “We had been married less than a month.”

  “It is July now so Cheshire has a little time to try and think of a way to notify Jergens that you have left the facility and are in your father’s care,” Dez said.

  “He will know everything in a few minutes,” Lord Morton said. “I have asked him to come see me—along with his solicitor. I told him I would warrant no excuses and if he knew what was good for him, he would be prompt.”

  Morton called out and the door opened. The butler ushered in Mr. Black and Dr. Caymon and they joined the group. Dez introduced Anna to them and they all sat.

  “Share with them what you have learned, Mr. Black,” the earl urged.

  Black explained how Lord Jergens had been thoroughly investigated and that they would press for an annulment based upon their findings. Dr. Caymon told of how he and two other physicians had examined Lady Jergens and found her to be of sound mind. Mr. Haggard added that Lady Jergens had seen no other physician before being placed at Gollingham, being committed solely on Lord Jergens’ word.