Becoming a Lady by Adaline Raine Page B

her, or if he had set out on his own?  Did Lord Wendel send him to find the broken ‘babe’ he left, or did Lord William hear the stories and seek to give her a better life?  Anna stood and got herself ready for bed.  She supposed that the ‘how’ was not as important as what was occurring now.  She shook out her hair and lay down in bed.  Deep in her heart she knew that Lord William cared for her, and she hoped she could keep her promise to him.

Chapter Six
     
    Anna had spent the past few days thinking about her wedding day.  Such an odd string of events had led to it.  She yearned for her sister, but knew that it was truly a blessing that she was getting married at all.  Once a woman lost her purity, the chance of finding a man who would call her wife was near zero.  Lord William was not only making her his wife, he was giving her the chance to become a lady.  She did hope that he would tell her more about his original promises, but for now she was happy.  Anna looked down at her hands.
    “ My hands will not stay still,” she complained, as she flexed her fingers.  Anna had been draped in several layers of cloth and Lynna was diligently working on her hair.
    “ Shall I get you something warm to drink?”  Lynna was fussing over one stray strand that would not stay put.
    Anna shook her head.  “I feel like my insides are all mixed up.”
    Lynna leaned down and kissed her cheek.  “You are nervous.”
    Anna looked up in surprise.  Lynna was smiling.  “I suppose.”
    “ You look so very beautiful.  Lord William is going to have to blind the rest of the men.”  Lynna finished with her hair.  “I am so very sorry that I have not been able to wait on you like a real lady.  All of that will change with this night!”


    The wedding was but a blur.  The ornate church had been lavishly decorated and there were a goodly number of local peasants in attendance.  The priest had given a lovely homily before administering their vows, and the sunbeams streaming through the windows made a cheery, bright pattern upon the floor.
    As they were completing their vows on this perfect day, to the horror of all, the church door flew open and in stormed three shabbily-dressed adults.  It was her parents and Sir John!  As everyone looked on, stunned, her father, cursing loudly, strode immediately up to her, and before anyone could react, struck her across the face several times.  Her mother was not in her line of vision, though she could hear her yelling as well.
    Lord William was furious; his tone of voice was deeper than she had ever heard before.
    “Place that man in the gaol, immediately!”
    Anna could hear her mother ’s desperate voice.  “Please, Sir!  I have never spent a moment away from my husband.  Please, do not take him away from me!”  Anna was holding her face with both hands now and she dare not move.  


    “ Very well, gentlemen, bring the wench as well.”  Lord William’s voice of authority was loud over the din of the crowd and Anna heard the pleas turn to screams.  She felt someone gather her up; Anna could tell just by his arms that it was him and she forced her eyes open, sniffling against his chest.  They should be celebrating by now, but instead her dress had been ripped in the shuffle and her face was burning. 
    Anna was carried inside a set of chambers that were not familiar to her; she glanced around in a daze.  “Where are we?”


    Lord William set her down gently on an elaborate bed.  “These are our chambers.  I cannot join you tonight, but when this is over -” he trailed off, as Anna began to cry.


    “ Why did they come looking for me after all this time?”  Anna began to sob.
    “ I will take care of your parents and Sir John; do not let this matter upset you any more tonight.”  Lord William carefully took the veil off her head and laid it next to her.


    Anna began to shake.  “No!  Just make them go!  I do not wish for