Count the Nights by Stars by Michelle Shocklee

Author:Michelle Shocklee [Shocklee, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / Historical, FICTION / Christian / Contemporary
ISBN: 9781496459954
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Published: 2022-03-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

I lay in bed long past nine o’clock. Morning light filtered through the curtains, but I snuggled beneath the covers, my mind and heart full.

Had my time with Luca only been a dream? If so, I wanted to stay abed forever and relive it over and over. The way his dark eyes caressed my face. How his strong fingers closed over mine.

“Miss?”

I turned to find Fanny, Mother’s maid, peeking into the room. “Good morning, Fanny. I’m not quite ready to greet the day. I’ll let you know when I need your assistance.”

“Very good, miss.” She bobbed a curtsy and closed the door behind her.

The appearance of the red-haired maid, whose roots were most certainly Irish, reminded me I must check on Gia as soon as I dressed and went downstairs. The poor dear. Perhaps I should stop by the sweet shop and take her something special to cheer her in her recovery.

Stretching, I rose with reluctance and padded to the window. Nashville’s streets bustled with activity below, with carriages, riders on horses, and pedestrians hurrying about. By now, Luca would have already driven Papa to Exposition Park, as was their usual custom. Papa liked to take breakfast with his business associates at the club, while Mother and I preferred a tray in our rooms, allowing us to leisurely prepare for the day ahead.

When I turned from the window, my gaze fell on the small replica of the Parthenon resting on the vanity table.

My heart skipped.

It hadn’t been a dream.

I picked up the small keepsake and emitted what a romance novelist would surely deem a dreamy sigh.

I couldn’t wait to see Luca today. I’d never been in love before, but if this was how one felt—alive and blissfully happy—I hoped it would last forever. I knew we must be careful, but our relationship had changed in the delightful hours we spent together at the exposition. I didn’t know what would happen between us, but I refused to allow anyone, even my parents, to stand in the way of such an unforeseen yet wonderfully welcome discovery.

I’d just completed my toilette when Fanny arrived. “There’s a message for you, miss.” She handed me a note, folded with tight creases.

I glanced at the handwriting. It wasn’t from Papa or Mother. I didn’t think Kenton had reason to send a note, but I wouldn’t put anything past him. I laid it aside to read later.

Once I’d dressed in a patterned navy skirt and my favorite coral blouse, Fanny set out to fix my hair, weaving a matching blue ribbon through the curls. While she did a fine job, she didn’t have the skills Gia possessed.

An idea began to form in my mind.

What if I hired Gia to be my lady’s maid full-time? When we returned to Chattanooga at the end of the month, she could come with me. She was young, but working in a home rather than a hotel might appeal to her.

A sly smile filled my reflection in the mirror.

Her brother would certainly need to come visit her.

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