Forever and Always||Anthony Bridgerton

Chapter 7: Travel

The leaves were almost gone from the trees by the time the carriage came to pick Amelia up. There was a chill in the air as she said her goodbyes.

"Thank you for everything," Amelia said as she hugged Mrs.Baker and then Mr.Baker who just finished loading her trunk into the carriage.

Ellen and Oliver were petting the horses as she hugged both of them.

"Please don't go, Amelia!" Ellen cried into Amelia's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, but I have to, " Amelia was fighting back tears as she stood up still holding Ellen. Amelia walked into the carriage then handed Ellen to Mr.Baker. The door closed as Amelia waved her last goodbyes.

She sighed and wiped her eyes as she rested her back on the seat. The ride was a little more than an hour and she stared out the window most of the time. The countryside was so beautiful and peaceful. She was going to miss Britain, it was all she had ever known. But she knew Cyprus was going to be beautiful. She had already read a book about the Island and was beyond excited for the next chapter of her life.

She soon approached the docks, they were bustling with people and filled with steamboats. They were bigger than anything Amelia had ever seen. "Coming Miss?" The carriage driver said. The man was young probably around 22. He seemed shy and reserved but flashed her a smile when she looked at him which she returned.

"Yes, Sorry," Amelia responded. The man was standing next to both his and her trunks and holding their tickets.

"Here you go, Miss," the man said as he handed her one of the tickets.

She took the ticket, "Amelia is fine,"

"I beg your pardon,"

"You can call me Amelia and I don't recall catching your name,"

"That's because I didn't tell you," he joked. "Thomas. I work for Miss Andrews," he held out his hand which Amelia took.

"Pleasure to meet you, Thomas," Thomas picked up both trunks. "Oh, I can take mine," she reached for her trunk.

"No, no, you'll make me look bad," he said as he pushed her hands away. "Also that's no job for a woman,"

Amelia had forgotten a lot about society's standards and rules since they weren't so strict about them on the farm. While she hated feeling helpless and reliant on men, she was going back into society and had to act appropriately. "Of course, I've just been living on the farm so long. I've forgotten how to act like a lady," she half laughed.

They boarded the boat and were directed to their two rooms. Thomas placed her trunk into her room, "our rooms connect, if you need anything call for me. Miss Andrews said you must never leave my sight, but I think some rules are meant to be broken," he chuckled as he kissed her hand and left the room. She wasn't going to lie that left butterflies in her stomach.

She looked at herself in the mirror. Her dress and face were dirty. She didn't look presentable in any way, she wasn't even wearing a corset. Mrs.Baker never made her wear one because it was too constricting while working on the farm. She pulled apart her suitcase found some makeup and a dress which she put on. She hadn't even realized the steamboat had shattered moving until Thomas walked into the room.

She stood up from her vanity, "look out the wind..." Thomas stopped "wow you look...beautiful, "

"Thanks," Amelia couldn't help, but blush. She went over to the window and saw the ocean. "Wow," is all she could muster.

"We must go to the deck," Thomas took her hand and dragged her to the deck. The breeze was pleasant and the smell of salt was prominent. She was at a loss for words, it was like nothing she had ever seen.

Thomas and Amelia found seats on the deck, "So how do you know Miss. Andrews?" Amelia questioned realizing she knew absolutely nothing about the man she was traveling with.

"I'm an orphan. My parents died when I was 10. I'm originally from London hence the accent," he said while pointing to his throat. "She adopted me, sort of. I work for her, but she cares for me and gives me food and shelter," he shrugged his shoulders. "She used to "adopt" kids that were abandoned or orphaned with no family as raises them, but moved to Cyprus when the Ton found out. Her reputation was ruined and she moved to Cyprus to start a new life and took me with her,"

"Were you the only one?" Amelia asked

"No, she had to leave a lot of kids behind, but she found families so most. She took me and a girl named Catherine, she's 16. I guess we were unwanted," he looked down at his lap.

"Don't say that," Amelia response as she took his hand in hers. "You get to live in Cyprus. Probably much better off than any of those other kids," she joked.

"Yeah I guess," he chuckled

They continued to talk until the bell rang for dinner. Amelia was starving, they got a table together with an older couple and waited for their food. While waiting Thomas was whispering in her ear about random funny things he was seeing around the dining room which made her giggle, sometimes a little too loudly.

Their food arrived quickly and the older couple were quick to start up a conversation "So, newlyweds?" The man asked.

Both Thomas and Amelia heads shot up, but before Amelia could say anything Thomas spoke, "Yes. We are going to Cyprus for our honeymoon," he took her hand and Amelia was going to protest, but Thomas kicked her under the table harshly, so she just smiled and nodded.

"Well, congratulations," the woman said talking her husband's hand. "We wish you a long and happy marriage,"

"Thank you," they said in unison.

After dinner, they walked out pretending to be happily in love. When they got to her bedroom she hit him on the shoulder, "What the hell?" She exclaimed.

"I had to. We are traveling together with no chaperones. Miss. Baker said I had to or people are going to start questioning. Don't worry it's not like I want to marry you," he said annoyed and angry. He walked into his room and slammed the door leaving Amelia out in the hall alone.

"Gosh, is this what marriage is?" She thought to herself making herself laugh as she walked into her own room.