Nope...the feel of Cesar’s body pressed against her, the soft fleece of the rug, the warmth of the fire, his lips on hers... That had all happened. Lifting her fingers to touch her swollen lips, she closed her eyes, tried to tell herself that at least they had come to their senses before they had actually slept together. That would have been stupid. Yet, stupid or not, a part of her cursed that falling log, wished that they had continued that magical journey, her whole body still alive and alight and wanting more.
Gabi exhaled a sigh——what had happened to not letting physical attraction fuzz her brain?
Well, it was time to face the music, endure the sheer awkwardness of the morning after.
And yet when, twenty minutes later, she entered the cavernous kitchen Cesar turned from the counter and smiled at her with such an easy, natural smile that the tension left her shoulders and she even managed a return smile.
‘Good morning,’ he said. ‘I thought we could have breakfast in the morning room and then laze the day away reading in front of the fire.’
The mention of the fire caused a flush to heat her cheeks but she welcomed the plan, was grateful for his aplomb and for the offer of escape into a fictional world. And once she was actually curled up on the rug, close to the warmth of the fire, a cup of tea by her side, she did indeed lose herself in the pages and watched with satisfaction as Cesar did the same. His absorption was genuine—she could see that from the way his dark eyes focused, the steady pace at which he turned the pages, the fact his tea was left untouched as he read the classic fantasy adventure that she’d hoped he loved as much as she did.
The only disturbance was a break for lunch—ciabatta bread with cold meats and regional cheeses—and not long after that his phone rang. He left the room, then popped his head round the door. ‘I’ve got to go out for a bit to pick up some supplies. Keep reading and I’ll try not to be gone long.’
But it was a while before he reappeared, and as she looked up at him she saw an expression she couldn’t interpret on his face. Excitement? Nerves? It was hard to tell.
‘Actually—we’re going out,’ he said.
‘OK.’ Gabi slipped her bookmark i
nto the book and closed it. ‘Where to? Do I need to change?’
‘Just wrap up warm,’ he said. ‘And meet me outside.’
Fifteen minutes later Gabi ran lightly down the stairs and across the stone floor to the imposing arched front door. Stepping outside, she gave a small gasp of wonder; outside on the snow-covered ground was a sleigh, at the front of which were two of the most beautiful horses she had ever seen. A man in a top hat and tails was seated behind the horses.
Cesar stood to one side. ‘Enter,’ he said with a bow and she approached the sleigh, and let him help her in, waited as he climbed in after her and pulled the wonderfully fluffy white blanket over them.
‘I didn’t even realise it had been snowing.’
‘Me neither.’ He grinned. ‘Flavia rang to tell me and it occurred to me that you may like this.’
‘I love this.’ She gestured to the landscape: the pristine white of the freshly laid snow stark against the green glimpses of the trees, the sky above a dazzling blue, the late afternoon sun glinting down in wintry splendour. The sound of the runners over the snow, the snuffle of the horses—all of it added to the magical feel of the day.
‘Thank you. For today and yesterday as well. I needed this break. It’s given me new energy, a fresh perspective. Made me feel stronger.’ But she knew it wasn’t only the break—it was this man sitting next to her, the man who had made her laugh, had helped decorate a tree, had been compassionate and caring and kind.
‘I am glad.’ He paused. ‘In a few minutes we will be at our destination—a place important to Aguilarean history. A woodland glade where legend has it just over two centuries ago the King of Casavalle and the King of Aguilarez met, after a series of bloody and awful battles. They met and decided enough was enough, that the wars were tearing both countries apart and somehow a peace must be brokered. And so it ended, because two rulers trusted each other, against all odds, and put their people’s futures above the feuds and wars and greed. And made a truce.’
‘A truce that has held to this day.’ Gabi felt a shiver of history, a realisation that those two men of long ago were linked to Cesar and herself.
And she sensed, knew, that Cesar had a purpose other than mere sightseeing in taking her here. And now as the sun dipped down over the horizon in a magnificent blaze of red and orange glory and the day slipped into dusk her tummy tightened with nerves, tension, panic, all the emotions. Her senses heightened, the pine-scented breeze intensified in scent, the crunch of the horses’ hooves echoed in her ears, the feel of the blanket over her legs heavier as the sleigh pulled to a halt.
‘Come,’ Cesar said. Somehow, she forced her legs to move, alighted from the sleigh and felt a small thrill as he helped her down, his hand round hers. Then he led her across the crisp crunch of snow into a small woodland glade where she stopped as surprise halted her feet.
The trees were festooned with lights and baubles that glittered in the canopied glade to create a magical tableau. Starlight seeped through the branches and dappled the ground, the snow-covered trees with their contrast of dark green and white adding an almost magical sylvan beauty.
Cesar took her hands in his, his grasp firm and sure.
‘Gabriella.’ Cesar’s voice sounded tight, the word came out with an effort, and he cleared his throat, shook his head and smiled at her. ‘Sorry. I’m nervous,’ he admitted and the admission touched her. ‘I want this to be right. Gabriella Ross Valenti, will you marry me? I pledge you my support, my loyalty, my respect and my fidelity. I will stand by you and I will do my very best to be a good father to our children.’
Gabi tried to think, knew that she had to think. This was a huge decision that encompassed the rest of her life, and also impacted on her country. Her mind went to those two kings of long ago. Had they stood right here, weighing each other up, trying to broker a peace and a trust? Could she marry a man without love? The answer was suddenly simple.
Of course, she could. Love would make this too complicated; love had caused a huge amount of difficulty for her mother, had caused her anxiety, despair and, in the end, heartbreak. Maria and Vincenzo’s marriage had stood the test of time from start to finish and brought respect, fidelity, loyalty—what more really could she ask for?
Than this prince, whose brown eyes were locked on her face, a man who would give her what he had pledged; she took in his strength, his aura, his sheer certainty.
‘Yes,’ she said clearly. ‘I will marry you, Cesar Asturias.’
He released her hands and now he delved a hand into his pocket. Pulled out a small jeweller’s box. He flicked the box open and took the ring out. Gabi held out her hand and he gently slid the ring onto her finger.