Trent looked to Eliza “have you had it?” She only shook her head no as panic gathered in her.

Trent leapt into action. He jump up grabbing Eliza’s arm and the small bags they carried with them. He drug her off the train and hailing a train employee quickly made note of an address and handing the address and a generous amount of money arranged for their larger luggage to be transported to the address given.

Confused , but without any opportunity to ask questions, Eliza was pulled along to the nearest stable. There Trent requested 2 horses to be saddled and readied as quickly as possible. He turned to a stable lad and rattled off a list of provisions. “If you’re back here before the horses are ready to go there’s an extra dollar in it for you” he told the lad. The original stable worker was back. “Sir” he said “ we’ve only one horse left for rent, as you can imagine lots of folks are leaving town”

Trent asked if there were any other stables in town that might have mounts, but the stable worker shook his head, “they’ve been sending people here because they’re out too”

By the time Trent and the worker had finished their conversation and the horse saddled, the lad was back with provisions. Trent handed him 2 dollars and a wink. Then almost throwing Eliza up into the saddle, mounted behind her and took off out of town.

Eliza wanted to ask where they were going, but with the thunder of the hooves, she knew her words would be lost in the wind. Finally as they got farther out of town and there were fewer people on the road, Trent slowed the horse to a walk.

Eliza said “care to tell me where in the world we are going?”

Apologetically Trent replied “sorry, I should have told you my plan, I just wanted to get you out of town as quickly as possible. I have a country home a day and a half ride from here. I think the safest option is to go there and wait for the sickness to leave the city.”

A county home? Eliza thought, remembering he’d said he was from Pittsburg. She decided he must have meant near Pittsburg and his family must live in the country. Would his family be there? She knew he had a mother and 2 siblings. What kind of home would a worker of her father have? Probably very small. Would her presence be a burden on his family? It was likely to take several weeks for the illness to run its course through the city.

Though filled with apprehension, Eliza agreed this was likely the safest course of action and reassured herself her father would reimburse Trent and his family for any expenses they incurred on her behalf. At least all the thoughts racing through her head distracted her from her proximity to Trent and the feel of his body pressed against hers… for awhile at least. When her thoughts started to calm, she became very aware of him and the blush she had experienced so often after first seeing his face began to creep back on her.

They stopped a little after noon for some lunch. They got off the road quite a way, because there were a lot of travelers and the dust was unpleasant. As they sat eating she asked “where will we stay tonight? Is there a hotel or inn along the way?”

Trent gritted his teeth, he’d been thinking about this issue and didn’t think Eliza was going to like what he suggested. “Miss Eliza, with all the travelers from the city heading this way, the chances of us getting rooms tonight are very unlikely. In addition, even if we got rooms, it’s likely some of the travelers from the city are already infected and I don’t want to risk your health by stopping in such a public place.”

“Ok, so what option does that leave us?” She asked.

“We’ll have to sleep outside tonight” Trent replied nervously.

Eliza blanched “outside? Like on the ground? Together?”

“Well yes…. And we only have 2 blankets, so we’ll need to share” before Eliza could begin to object Trent went on “i know it’s not proper for the two of us to be out here like this alone, but the circumstances are extenuating and I was charged with keeping you safe and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

Eliza was mortified by the thought of sleeping under shared covers with a man who was not her husband, what would her father think? What would her betrothed think? Her reputation would be ruined if anyone found out! She wanted to cry. After such a long trip, being so close to making it back to New York and her brother and all the changes and feelings she had in the last two weeks since find out she was to be sent to New York to marry a man she’d never met, Eliza was overwhelmed. It all hit her with a flood. She couldn’t seem to stop the tears. Trent moved toward her, taking her into his arms he gently rubbed her back and sang softy in her ear. The tears began to dry and she felt herself melting into him. Her mind began to drift back to their plan for sleep that night and was abruptly reminded of the propriety that had set off her flood of emotions to begin with. She stiffened slightly and pulled herself out of his embrace. Smiling at her, Trent said “I’m sorry, we’ll try to figure something a little more agreeable, but I can’t promise it will be ideal” she nodded her head wiping away the last of her tears. She didn’t want to explain all the thoughts and feeling that had set off her fit of tears.

They rode on until evening. Trent took them off the road quite a way explaining that with so many travelers, he didn’t want them to be visible from the road. She wanted to ask if he’d come up with a different sleeping arrangement but was too nervous. After they ate a light meal, Trent stood up and laid out the blankets one on top of the other. He then walked a few paces to a tree, sat down with back leaned up against the trunk draped his coat over himself. He smiled and said “good night miss Eliza”

“Won’t you get cold?” Eliza inquired. Trent just shrugged and lifted a small flask in a cheers motion and said “this should help a bit”

Eliza laughed sheepishly and lay down to sleep. She fell asleep quickly, but woke a short time later feeling the evening chill blow in. She looked towards Trent knowing he must be freezing. She said in a small voice “are you awake?” Trent replied in his normal voice “yes”

Eliza took a deep breath to steady her nerves then trying to sound more confident than she felt said “this is silly, you have to be freezing, come share the blanket” he got up and came over he said with a smile “I’ll try to stay on my side” they both laughed lightly. Eliza soon drifted back to sleep.

When she next awoke the sky was a faint grey signaling that dawn was almost there. She sucked in her breath realizing in her sleep she had rolled closer to Trent and was now lying facing him her arms brushing against his chest. He was still asleep and a lock of hair had fallen over his face. Without thinking Eliza lifter her hand to brush it away revealing the full beauty of him. Her hand still on his face he opened his eyes. Their eyes locked on each others and then he was kissing her. His lips slightly parted he kissed her upper lip, then her bottom lip. Kissing her again he parted his own lips separating hers, his tongue coming into her mouth, flicked gently against the back of her top lip. She shuddered with pleasure. None of the propriety that had concerned her the day before snuck in. She was just fully absorbed in the feel of his body pressed against hers, his lips and tongue exploring her own, and his hands caressing her face, neck, and shoulders. He was kissing her deeply, passionately now and her pulse was beating faster. He squeezed her shoulders a bit firmer, then pulled away from the kiss. She could see his first were tight as if in frustration and his jaw clenched. He the took a deep slow breath and stood up abruptly. He tore his hands through his hair and seemed to take several more deep breaths.