The Heir the Prince Secures

“And Esme.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled at her. Gently he took the baby in his arms, giving her a kiss before turning back to Tess. “How was she?”

“She missed you,” Tess said. “So did I.”

Stefano’s handsome face suddenly became a mask. “It’s past her bedtime.”

“I let her stay up, hoping you’d get here.”

“Thank you.” His voice was courteous, impersonal. Tess bit her lip, feeling strangely awkward, as if she were speaking to a stranger, not her own husband.

Oh, this was ridiculous.

Biting her lip, she blurted out, “Stefano, you know we—”

“I’ll put her to bed.” Holding the yawning baby, he turned away, pausing at the door. “Gerlanda has arranged dinner in the great hall. I’ll join you in a moment.”

And he was gone.

Tess felt numb. For four days, she’d yearned for her husband’s return. Now she felt afraid. What if her fears were right and her hopes were wrong?

I think I know how to make you happy, his message had said.

What could that mean, except that he was going to tell her he loved her? It had to be, she reassured herself. Straightening her shoulders, she went downstairs.

The great hall was newly decorated with vases of roses, reminding her with a pang of the roses on their wedding night. A fire crackled in the large fireplace, and shadows shifted across the exposed beams and painted ceiling above.

A small, intimate table for two had been set up beside the fireplace. Dinner had already been served and was waiting on china plates, beside linen napkins and sterling silver utensils. Nearby was a bottle of champagne on ice.

Seeing that, Tess exhaled with relief, her heart filling with joy. She knew instantly that everything was going to be all right.

Stefano loved her. That was what he’d come to tell her. Why else would they celebrate with expensive champagne?

All the pain she’d felt for the last four days—all the uncertainty and fear—disappeared in a puff of smoke. It had all been worth it, because now she knew he loved her, and—

“You look beautiful.”

Hearing Stefano’s voice behind her, Tess turned with a smile. “You’re not so bad, either.”

Shadows and firelight moved across the hard angles of his handsome face as he came forward. He pulled a black velvet box from the pocket of his black jacket. “I got you something.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” Just loving me is more than enough.

“You deserve it.” He opened the black box to reveal an exquisite diamond necklace, probably worth millions. He smiled when he saw her shocked expression. “Let’s see how it looks on you.”

Nervously Tess lifted her hair so he could wrap the expensive necklace around her throat. She shivered at the touch of his fingertips. Attaching the clasp, he stepped back to look at her.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

Numbly Tess reached up to touch the stones. She preferred the warmth of his hands. The diamonds felt cold and hard and heavy against her skin.

“Shall we have dinner?” he asked, gently putting his hand agains

t her lower back to guide her.

He held out her chair, then sat down on the other chair across the small table. For a few moments, they ate the pasta without words. Tess felt the silence like a knife. Why wouldn’t he just say it?

“I missed you,” she blurted out.

“And I missed you.” He paused. “I was wrong to leave you like that,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry.”