Deadly Vows
Page 34
“Sara should paint you like this,” he said harshly.
“Hart!” she cried, but she liked the idea, oh, yes!
“I was in jest.” He pulled her close and held her, just for a moment, hard. Francesca was surprised by the open display of hungry affection. Then he let her go, smiling, and as one, they both glanced at the portrait.
“It doesn’t have to be destroyed,” Francesca said.
He lifted a brow.
“I know you don’t want to destroy it.” She took his hand.
He sighed. “Do you already know me so well? No, I hate the idea of destroying it. One day, when I am old and gray, I will admire that portrait—recalling how we met and how we somehow managed, in spite of it all.”
“You are a romantic, Hart!” she cried, smiling.
He squeezed her hand. “That is nonsense and you know it.” He turned to gaze at her portrait again, and so did she. “If we do not destroy it, I will have to keep it in my private gallery, under lock and key.” Then he turned seriously to her. “I will do whatever you want, Francesca.”
She didn’t hesitate. She moved into the circle of his arms. “I want you to look at the portrait one day, when we are both old and gray, and reminisce about this time in our lives. And you will think about how we first met, and the crimes we solved, and how I jilted you at the altar! You will recall the night that we eloped. And you will remember the good times and the bad, and how our love grew stronger and stronger each and every day. And as you do so, Calder, our grandchildren will be racing about these halls, which will be filled with love and laughter, not demons from the past!” She smiled up at him. “I am your beacon, remember? I do not want the portrait destroyed.”
His gaze had become moist. He blinked and it was a moment before he spoke. “Only you, Francesca.”
She kissed his silk-clad chest. “Only me, Calder. Only me.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8770-3
DEADLY VOWS
Copyright © 2010 by Brenda Joyce Dreams Unlimited, Inc.
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