Damen's Secret: Novella (Regency House Party: Somerstone) by Jen Geigle Johnson

Author:Jen Geigle Johnson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2018-09-30T23:00:00+00:00

9

Damen waited until the next opportunity for some time to himself. When a few hours finally availed themselves, he led Giorgia along through the gardens toward the fountains on the Somerstone estate. He loved the sound of the cascading water. And the smell of roses intoxicated his senses. He studied this beautiful woman at his side. Her profile was exquisite, as was everything about her, even the very manner in which she carried herself. She reminded him of every other noble lady at the party, but she added substance to her beauty, kindness to her poise. And she looked at him like they all looked at the other men from their class, as though she would drink him in forever, her dark eyes pools of adoration.

He brought her to stand near the largest fountain and held both her hands in his own. “Giorgia, the day you stepped into my life, a beautiful clarity began. You have taught me what it means to be honest. To be true. You have come, just as you are, and I have fallen, as a great dove in the sky, in a great descending love for you.”

Her eyes clouded over for a moment and then cleared. “I love you too, Damen. I knew when I saw you, we were meant to be. You will love Italy. It is your true homeland. You will be treated as you should be. Servants will do your bidding. You will be revered and respected.”

He pulled her close.

“Most of all by me.”

“I love to hear you talk like that.” He pressed his lips to hers. Then took her hand in his. “Giorgia, will you marry me, such as I am? I can only promise to love you and be loyal to you all of my days.”

Her eyes misted over. “That is all I have ever wanted. Is it possible that you love me?”

He searched her face, her distracting beauty, the kindness in her eyes. “I love you.”

She stepped into his arms and rested her check against his chest. “Then I will marry you. You have made me the happiest of women.”

He picked her up and swung her around. He was full of a great freedom, an exhilarating happiness, one like he had never known. “We must go tell mother at once.”

Whatever protest she gave was lost as he took her hand in his own and walked her out of the gardens. He found the old servant’s donkey cart and drove them straight to his home. He would be sad to leave, would miss them all terribly, but they were the only part of England he would miss. “How soon can we leave, my dear?”

She seemed stiff, worried, but her voice was light. “As soon as you like. Tomorrow if you want.”

He hummed to himself. Why had he not determined to act on Giorgia’s offer before now? What a glorious thought. Free by tomorrow. Off to marry his love and live as a rich man in Italy. He stopped. “Should we marry on the ship?” The adventure of the idea excited him.

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