Chapter 8
JESSICA
Somehow, even though the last day in my life has been nothing but chaos, I must have dozed off because I almost fall off the bed when I hear the door slide open, and Reggie say my name.
“Sorry, give me just a minute to straighten my hair, and I’ll be ready.”
Reaching for my bag, I grab the small hand mirror I’ve had since I was little, only to gasp when I see what a sight I am. Not only is my hair all over the place, but there are now lines on my face from lying on the covers.
I close my eyes and shake my head as I quickly loosen my bun and braid, tucking my stray hairs back in place before re-pinning it.
Rubbing my cheek aggressively, I try to get my face to return to normal, only to quickly realize it’s not going to happen.
Taking a deep breath, I lay the mirror on the bed, straighten my clothes, then pull the curtain back only to find Reggie standing directly on the other side.
His eyes instantly trace my entire form.
“Are you alright? Why is your face red?”
“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 a goddess.
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-behaved and 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?”
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 I visibly 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.