Silent Heart by Barbara Youree

Author:Barbara Youree
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Françoise released the last pearl of her necklace and laid the bit of yarn beside the box. Stefano should arrive today! She bathed, then donned a simple pale yellow dress, full-skirted with open neck and long, puffed sleeves. Her dark eyes and upbraided hair made a striking contrast to the pale dress. Should she or shouldn’t she? The pearls lay coiled in the open box. Finally, she picked them up and clasped the strand around her neck. Looking in the oval mirror above her dressing table, she concluded, Yes. They are for special occasions, and what could be more special than today? Stefano will know how I treasured his gift and that I counted the days upon it.

❧

Late in the afternoon, Maria and Luca were playing an ancient Roman game in the enclosed garden. They took turns in which one child would toss a stone into each of a series of squares drawn on the flagstones, hop through the squares, and return to the beginning without missing. Françoise sat on a garden bench. As she watched them, she thought how she had grown to love these children as her own. They were both quick of mind and body and overflowed with energy. She remembered that at the beginning she had doubted her own ability to teach. But her dear father had instilled in her and Etienne a love for learning. By emulating his methods, she had found success with her charges.

As the children played, their long shadows bounced beside them, and their cheerful voices filled the air. The sun filtered between the tall cedars and across the flowering shrubs and flagstone path. It was a mild day, full of sweet outdoor smells and the chirp of nesting birds. For Françoise, the joy of anticipation had increased as the day wore on, but now the tension of waiting turned to anxiety. What if he doesn’t come? What if he is sick or injured? Or perhaps Florence holds more excitement, and he has decided. . .

“Françoise.”

Her heart leapt to her throat at the sound of the familiar voice. Joyful tears stung the corners of her eyes and melted her doubt. She turned. There was Stefano, emerging from the doorway. His finely tailored clothing, embellished doublet, and black velvet cap announced a man of distinction. And his short beard and mustache, she noticed, were fuller now, more mature.

She stood, and he walked toward her. They reached out and clasped each other’s hands and smiled with mutual elation. The children’s voices hushed with shyness around a stranger.

“Time to come in Maria, Luca,” Lucrezia called from the doorway, leaving the two alone in the garden.

Before either spoke, Stefano encircled her in his arms. She closed her eyes and felt his warm lips press against hers. “Oh, Stefano, I am so happy you are here.”

“We belong together like this, my love,” he whispered in her ear.

Françoise reeled with delight as they sat close to each other on the garden bench, her hand clasped in his. “I see you are wearing the forty-pearl necklace.

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