The Count's Prize
Page 15
‘Dario, I’m scared …’ she began, then saw he looked as stricken as she was. She wanted him with all her heart, but didn’t know if she was brave enough to accept the challenge.
‘This is all wrong! You told me you don’t do meaningful relationships, and now I know why. You might think you want me now, but it won’t last,’ she said slowly, reliving the darkest days of her last betrayal.
‘Do you think I care about other women, now I’ve met you?’
At the harsh sound of his words her thoughts fled and all she could do was gaze at him. The suave, sophisticated man who had charmed her from the instant they’d met had vanished. Dario was streaked with sweat from his desperate ride across country. He wouldn’t have done that for any of the fragile beauties who had drifted around the castello at his last party—but he had done it for her.
‘I … I don’t know,’ she said cautiously.
‘No—and neither did I until the moment you tried to run out of my life, Josie. When Arietta died, it ripped all the heart from me. For years I managed to live without it. I simply existed, passing time. You changed all that. For the first time since losing Arietta, I started to enjoy the world around me. I began to anticipate the future, instead of merely looking forward to the next party. Isn’t that enough? What we’ve found in each other is really good.’
‘I know!’ she burst out, unable to keep silent.
He pressed his lips together, trying to hold back the ultimate confession. ‘I’ve given you far more of myself over these past few weeks than I’ve offered any other woman,’ he admitted in a low voice. ‘A little of me was more than enough for them.’
‘Yes, but it isn’t enough for me!’ she blazed. ‘I’m worth more than all of your other women put together!’
Horrified at her own outburst, she slapped her hands over her mouth, but it was too late. Stricken, she gazed at him.
He gave a silent whistle. ‘That’s quite an admission, coming from you. Shy, self-effacing Dr Josie Street.’
‘I know. I’m sorry,’ she said in a small voice.
‘I didn’t mean it as criticism. It was a compliment.’
Josie blinked. The effect was like rubbing sandpaper over her eyes. That could be the only reason her eyes started watering again.
‘You were right about me, too, Josie. I’ve spent too long wallpapering over the cracks in my life. It took you to show me there’s more to life than shallow pleasures. Without you, I’m nothing but an empty shell. I love you. Marry me. Will you?’
‘Oh, Dario,’ she breathed. ‘Don’t you know the answer?’
‘I will never get used to this,’ Josie murmured a few days later, as they watched workmen clambering over scaffolding set up along the lime avenue. The boughs of each tree were being spangled with fairy lights, ready for the grand party Dario had arranged to announce their engagement. Guests visiting the castello would have the best of both worlds. During the day, their arrival would be serenaded by bees and golden orioles. When they left, their way would be lit by a million coloured stars.
‘Oh, I’m sure you will.’ Dario’s arm circled her waist and he drew her close to kiss her hair. It was flowing loose around her shoulders today, exactly as he liked it. He enjoyed its clean, sweet fragrance for a while, then added, ‘But just in case you need a little help, I’ve arranged something special for you. Your mother is coming over for our party this weekend.’
Josie looked up at him, her eyes alight.
‘Dario, that’s fantastic—but how did you manage that? I tried so hard to convince her, but she’s always been too nervous to travel abroad before!’
He squeezed her playfully. ‘I’ve arranged everything for her, from passport to transport, door to door. All she has to do is pack.’
‘You really have thought of everything,’ Josie said in wonder. ‘And you did all this … for me?’ It was impossible to keep a note of disbelief out of her voice.
‘Of course. If it makes you happy, cara, then nothing is impossible. I would move the stars in the sky for you,’ he said softly, and then kissed her until all her thoughts flew away.
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First published in Great Britain 2012
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited.
Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Christina Hollis 2012
ISBN: 978-1-408-97424-7
Table of Contents
Cover
Excerpt
About the Author
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Copyright