Page 19 of A Wanderer's Redemption
“I dozed off, something I don’t remember doing since I was a kid, and now it’s plain for everyone to see. As if I needed anything else to make me stand out like a sore thumb.”
He doesn’t say anything else, just holds his arm out for me to take, and I force my body to move forward. Gripping his arm lightly, I can feel the muscles hiding under his thick waistcoat. He guides us out of the door and through several trains. Each time, I have to make myself look forward, or I stall at the entrance, as the tracks seem to blur my vision since we are moving so fast.
As we walk through the train car where we had breakfast earlier, I glance up only for him to motion me to go on. The very next car makes me gasp. All the seats are plush, and most of the tables even have their own soft lighting, with expensive drapes hanging along the massive windows. And heavens above, there is even a chandelier hanging in the middle of the ceiling. The woodwork alone probably costs more than some small homes. Elegant is an understatement, and I instantly want to turn around and run in the other direction. Several couples are already eating; their tables set with fine tableware and linens. We are almost to the other side of the car before I hear the first whispers I knew would follow us when we opened the door.
“My heavens, they will let just anyone in here, won’t they?”
I feel Reggie’s muscles tighten up under my hand, and just as I am getting ready to pull away and walk back out the door, his much larger hand covers mine, keeping me firmly at his side. By this time, the elegance of the car we are in no longer interests me as I wish we would just find a seat so that I can disappear into a corner somewhere.
“Seems like the car is full this evening, would you all mind some company?”
“Please … have a seat. We have plenty of room and would enjoy the company.”
The deep voice, heavy with an accent I have never heard before, has me looking up, and I bite my inner jaw to keep from gasping out loud. Sitting on one side of the table together is a couple so well dressed that I feel like a dirty urchin. I unconsciously take a step back, only for Reggie to maneuver me around him somehow so that I’m forced to slide into the richly covered couch-like booth.
“Tyberius, it is nice to cross paths with you once again. This is my wife, Jessica. Forgive us for her attire as they were unable to find her luggage, and she has been forced to wear these rags for the trip so far.”
“Oh, you poor dear. I would have had a case of the vapors and taken to my bed!”
At the sound of that musical voice, I look up only to want to vanish on the spot. Some things are just unfair. I am sitting at a table with agoddess. That’s the only way my mind can comprehend the flawless beauty of the woman sitting across from me. My eyes flow over her, looking for anything slightly out of place, only to find perfection.
“Reggie, clothes do not make the person, so think nothing of it. Let me introduce my better half, Victoria. Dear, this is the gentleman I was telling you about earlier who owns that beautiful blonde beauty back in the stock car.”
“It’s nice to meet you two. I had just asked Tyberius who owned that beautiful mare on the way to dinner. She is so well-behavedand gentle. I was tempted to try and find her some treats, but Ty wouldn’t let me.”
Thankfully, Reggie has enough sense to be able to speak to these two beings, as I have never been so tongue-tied in my life.
“Bells is spoiled enough already, but she is one of my favorite girls, and she knows it. Have you two already ordered?”
“We both ate a little earlier. We simply got tired of being cooped up and thought we’d come here and have a nice glass of wine and take in the scenery. You two showing up is a nice distraction. Go ahead and place an order for your dinners.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all, we all must eat. The meal this evening was very pleasant. How have you two been spending your day?”
“Unfortunately, we have not done too much and spent most of the morning talking to the new crew I hired to help transport our items south when we get to the station in Promontory.”
“It’s hard to find good help these days. I have learned that when I find someone who shares my views, I pay them well so they’ll stay. A happy staff makes a world of difference in a home.”
“My parents had that same view. Unfortunately, I’ve already had words with one, but his concerns were valid even if I didn’t like the way he approached the subject. However, I feel like poor Jessica has lost more than any of us.”
This entire time, I have not said a word.
“When did you realize your luggage was missing?”
It takes me a second to realize the beauty sitting in front of me is speaking to me directly.
“At the hotel.”
“Do you not have your personal bag with you?”
“No, it was missing as well. I am borrowing a few things from my maid’s belongings to tide me over.” I look away, hating that every word out of my mouth is a lie. Even though I notice her looking me up and down, I am still shocked when she says,
“We’re close in size. I could let you use a few of my dresses for the rest of the trip so that you don’t have to go through any more sneers like you did when you walked in.”
“Oh, I am not worthy of wearing anything you have.”
“Excuse me?”
