Page 20 of A Wanderer's Redemption
She looks at me like I’ve hurt her feelings. “I’m sorry that came out wrong. It’s just that your clothes seem so well-made that I would hate to damage them on this old, dirty train. I’ll only have to wear this for a few days until we get to Chicago. Hopefully, the seamstress will have some pre-made dresses that can be quickly altered, then I can throw this old thing away.”
I instantly realize I have made a mistake when I say, ‘premade dress.’ A woman, the wife of a man like Reggie, would never wear something off the rack. I look out the window, trying to act like I see something that has caught my attention, but I can feel her eyes on me. The gentleman’s next question has me looking up at Reggie, and I know everyone can clearly see the panic on my face.
“How long have you two been married?”
Reggie takes my hand in his, kissing the back of it, and once again, I know they can see right through this act of ours as Ivisibly blush before tucking my hand back into my lap, rubbing it absentmindedly, as my heart beats out of my chest.
“We are still in our honeymoon phase. She still jerks from time to time when I touch her without warning. The women of our world are kept in the dark about many things, but I am patiently teaching her to be more comfortable with my constant pawing.”
I watch them as they share a small private smile between themselves. It’s obvious they are comfortable sitting there together, whereas I am stiff and conscious of every breath I take.
For a second, I am relieved to see the waiter, who interrupts our conversation to place food in front of us, until I realize I am going to have to eat in front of them. Suddenly, I am no longer hungry and I’m now looking around for any excuse to escape. I jerk once again when Tyberius speaks.
“Eat, pay no attention to us. There’s no reason to let good food go cold.”
Glancing up at him, I blink, then shake my head, swearing I see an aura around him for just a moment. I know I’ve been sheltered and don’t know much about the world, but there’s something about these two. Not a single scar or hair is out of place on either of them. My mind says, ‘otherworldly beautiful,’ and I think that’s a term I just made up, because I’ve never seen anything like them. For all I know, they might be peasants in their country. I look down to make sure I’m picking up the right fork before asking a question.
“Where are you both from?”
I expected Tyberius to carry on with the conversation, but it’s Victoria who answers me.
“We have several homes … Our main residence is in the Carpathian Mountains. We have a home in Paris, and one here in the States, in South Carolina.”
I pause mid-bite when she says Paris. Well, that explains the clothes.
“Have you ever been overseas, Jessica?”
“Oh, no ma’am, I’ve been in my little part of the world my entire life.” I look down, picking at my food, trying to take myself out of the conversation as the men start talking about horses. The meat in this roast is tender, and the potatoes are perfectly done, but it still tastes like dirt to me. I feel like a fish out of water sitting here with them, acting like something I am not.
I am just pushing my plate away when Victoria reaches over and touches my hand lightly.
“Are you finished?”
“Yes, the food is good, but my stomach is having a hard time with the constant rocking of this train.”
“Good, come with me, and no, I am not taking any excuses. Gentlemen, will you help us out, please?”
Reggie looks over at me, and I shrug my shoulders. He stands up and then reaches down to help me slide over. The moment I am standing beside him, I watch as Victoria kisses Tyberius on the cheek, then motions for me to follow her. I open my mouth only to shut it again, looking up at Reggie for help when he pushes me gently toward her. Walking directly behind her, I shake my head, sighing and thinking,Lord, the hole I am digging for myself is only getting deeper by the minute.
CHAPTER 9
JESSICA
Every step I take, following the gentle sway of Victoria’s skirts in front of me, the more nervous I get. At some point, I lose count of how many train cars we walk through. Each one seems nicer than the last, but at least this time, I am not getting any stares, as I really do look like a maid following her mistress. She pulls out a set of keys from a hidden pocket in her skirts, then opens the door to a car that seems different on the outside than the others.
“These are our personal cars; no one else has access to them unless we are accompanying them. Ty has our main two up here, but there are several in the back as well.”
Walking in behind her, I gasp. Never in all my years have I seen anything like this.
“Is all of this yours?”
“Yes, I have a slight shopping problem and I absolutely love pretty clothes, so if I see a style I like, I must have it. Because of this, Ty had this wardrobe train built specially to hold our clothes. That man spoils me terribly.”
“I’ll admit I’ve never even seen this abundance in a store.” I catch myself reaching out to touch a royal blue gown, only to jerk my hand back. When I look up, she is watching me.
“Have a seat, Jessica. Would you like something to drink?”
“Oh, no, I would never dream of bringing something in here that could damage anything.”
