by Cadence Vonn
“It wasn’t a dream.” Tears overflowed, and the doctor wiped them away with a tissue.
The doctor chuckled. “Let me have a quick look at you, and then Max can sit back down and tell you all about his week from hell.” He examined Tess, then said to Max, “Don’t keep her awake too long. If you need anything, press the button. I’ll have the head nurse call Sir Spencer and tell him she’s awake.”
“Hello, sweetheart.” Max leaned over and gave Tess a gentle kiss on her lips. “I’ve been so worried about you. I thought I lost you.”
“How long?” Tess’s voice cracked, and she tried to swallow.
“Here.” Max held a straw to her lips, and she took a sip. “Better?”
She nodded her head and rested against the pillows.
Max texted Christopher, and two minutes later heavy running echoed down the hall.
“You’re awake!” Christopher yelled from the door. “Don’t ever do this again. Julian and I were frantic.” Julian moved into view and gave her a small wave.
Tess reached over and gave Chris’s hand a squeeze. “I heard you partying and wanted to join in.”
“We’ve been here for the last three days. Max called after he found you and rushed you to the hospital with your father.”
“My father is here?”
“Yes. He left a little earlier to attend to some business, but he’ll be back. We’ve all been here around the clock.” Max brushed a few strands of hair off her forehead and caressed her cheek.
“I don’t understand. How did you find me?”
“There’s so much to tell. We’ll explain everything when you’re out of the hospital. For now just get better.”
Tess yanked her hand out of Max’s and reached for her neck. “It’s gone.” She tried to sit up and moaned in pain. “Oh God, Max, I lost your heart.”
“Never. But if you mean this one”—Max held up the necklace—“I’ve been keeping it safe while you were here. The doctors needed to remove it to work on your shoulder and do tests. I promise I’ll return it as soon as we leave. That is if you want it back?”
She clutched at it, and Max wrapped her fingers around the rubies. He held her hand inside his, closing his eyes and thanking the universe for his luck.
“Teresa Maria Staffordshire, what on earth were you doing on Galahad? Never make me worry like this again.” Spencer strode into the room and leaned down to give his daughter a kiss on the forehead.
“Father?” Tess looked between the two men.
Max and Spencer chuckled. “We’ll explain everything when you’re comfortable at home. The doctor said you can go home tomorrow morning if you feel up to it. I’ll have a personal nurse at the house around the clock to assist you.”
“You two know each other?” Lines formed between her eyebrows as she squinted, trying to figure out how this all happened. “How long have I been here?”
“It’s Saturday. You’ve been here since Tuesday,” Spencer said.
“Not possible.”
“We can all attest to you being here since Tuesday,” Max replied.
“I mean it’s not possible that you would like each other in a mere five days.”
“Tess, I’ve known Max for six days.” Her father spoke with a laugh.
“You called me Tess!”
“The name is growing on me.” Spencer pushed back a few strands of hair off his daughter’s forehead. “Don’t tell your mother. I’m not sure I could tolerate her ‘I told you so’ when she arrives.”
“Now I know I’m still dreaming. Mother is coming to England?”
“I finally was able to reach her yesterday. I wanted her to know you’d been injured. She should be arriving at the hospital within the hour.” With that, the loud clicking of spiked heels moving in a fast staccato down the hall along with jabbering in Italian preceded the flamboyant entrance of Lucia Medici.
“Il mio bambina povero,” Lucia said with arms flung out toward Tess.
“Hello, Mom.”
Spencer and Max both backed away from the bed, giving Lucia, and the man who followed room to approach Tess.
Lucia started speaking again, and Tess interrupted. “Mother, please speak English. My head is spinning enough without having to try and figure out what you’re saying.”
“How are you feeling, darling? I would’ve been here sooner, but Roberto and I were vacationing on his yacht.”
“I’ll be fine, Mom. My shoulder and wrist hurt, but I’m told they’re healing.”
“Bene, bene. I’ll stay as long as you need me.” She tucked the blanket around Tess’s body. “Let me introduce you to my fiancé, Count Roberto Bianchi. Roberto, this is my daughter, Tess. I’m not sure who all these other men are.” Lucia studied Max, Christopher, and Julian.
Tess started with Max. “This is Max Westfield, Christopher Westfield, and Julian Marsh.” She pointed to each.
“They’re not all your boyfriends, I hope?” Lucia raised her eyebrow at her daughter while ignoring her ex-husband.
“Mother, you need to introduce Count Bianchi to Father.” Tess nodded her head toward her dad.
“Right,” Lucia said with a huff. “Roberto, this is Spencer Staffordshire, Spencer…Roberto Bianchi.” She motioned between the two men and stepped aside when they extended hands to shake.
“Excuse me.” The doctor walked into the room. “Too many people. I suggest you let Tess rest so she can go home tomorrow.”
Spencer stepped forward. “The limousine is waiting outside. Lucia, I’ve reserved a suite for you and Count Bianchi at the hotel down the road from the house. Christopher, Julian and I will drop you off. Max, I’ll send the car back to the hospital for you when you call. I’m sure you have a lot to say to Tess.” He gave him a secret smile. “Tess, I look forward to your homecoming tomorrow. We’ll all be waiting at the house for you. Anything special you want to eat?”
Tess didn’t want to think about food. She wanted Max alone for a few minutes. “You all put your heads together and come up with something. I’ll eat anything put in front of me. All of a sudden I’m starving.”
“On my way out I’ll have the staff send some dinner up to you.” Spencer leaned over and kissed her forehead.
“Take care, darling. Julian and I will see you in the morning.” Chris blew her a kiss, and the two men walked out of the room.
“Why can’t I stay instead of Max?” Lucia pouted. “I just got here.”
Spencer shook his head. “Lucia, neither you nor I are as important in our daughter’s life as Max. Let them have some time alone. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up tomorrow.” As delicately as he could, he turned Lucia toward Roberto. The other man got the hint and steered her toward the door.
“Ciao, bambina, sweet dreams.” With a flourish, she walked out of the room on the arm of her fiancé.
Spencer kissed his daughter, gave her a wink, and left the room as well.
“I know I’m truly dreaming. My father and mother in the same room, and being civil. Promise me when I wake up, you’ll still be here.”
“Let’s play a game. When you wake up in the morning, I’ll still be here if you promise to say yes when I ask you to marry me. What do you say?” Max leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Tess’s lips.
“Mm. I like this kind of dream.” Tess yawned. Her eyes closed and then blinked open once before she let out a contented sigh and drifted off to sleep. Max settled into the chair by the side of the bed and gave Tess’s hand a squeeze. He closed his eyes and fell asleep listening to Tess’s even breathing.
****
Tess relaxed on the chaise lounge in the library of her father’s house. Her arm rested against her side, confined to a sling for the shoulder and a cast for her wrist. “Max, I still can’t believe you’re here and have my father’s approval. What happened?”
“You just got home. Rest. Your mother will be here soon and I’m sure will want her fair share of your time. Christopher and Julian decided to spend the day in Lond
on to give everyone space and will be back this evening. Your father took them in the helicopter, making himself scarce because he knew he and your mother would disagree on how you should be treated today. Be patient until after your mother leaves, and I promise, I’ll tell you everything. She’s due here any minute, and I know she’ll want your complete attention without me in the room.” Max sat on the edge of the chaise, caressing Tess’s good hand.
“Was I dreaming last night or did you say you would ask me to marry you?”
“You were not dreaming, but I want to make sure you are clear-headed when I pop the question. I don’t want you to wake up some morning and wonder why you agreed to marry me.”
“Max, I’m quite sure I’m clear-headed. However, if you’re looking for an excuse to not ask me, so be it. Would you at least give me back your heart? I feel naked without it around my neck.”
Max leaned in to Tess and whispered, “I can’t wait to see you naked. I dream about your luscious body every night. I want to taste every inch of you.” He pulled the necklace out of his pocket. “I don’t want you to feel naked when others are around.” He slipped the chain around her neck and pulled the neckline of her blouse forward so it would fall against her skin. He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “I like my heart pressed against yours. I’m glad you wanted it back.”
“Tess, darling.” Lucia entered the room with her usual arm-waving flair. “Mr. Ashford told me you were in here. What can I get you? Are you comfortable?” She clucked around Tess, fluffing pillows and glaring at Max. “Max, would you mind showing Roberto around the estate while Tess and I have a mother and daughter chat?”
“Certainly, Ms. Medici. Would you like me to send in a tray of tea?”
“Coffee for me. But I’m sure Tess would enjoy tea.” Tess nodded at Max, and he gave her a wink before he left the room with Roberto following behind.
“Is Max a lover or a fiancé?” Lucia didn’t waste any time getting right to the point. “He seems rather uptight.”
“Max is the man I love.”
“Does he work for your father? You know him. He would like to control everything.”
“No, he doesn’t work for Father.” Tess hesitated. New Vice President for American Business. Her father’s words bounced around in her head even as she told her mother no.
“That’s good, dear. I’d hate to see your father ruin your relationship with Max. He seems like a man deeply in love, just like my Roberto.”
Tess needed to change the subject. “How did you two meet?”
Lucia got a wistful smile on her face and regaled Tess with the story. When the refreshment tray arrived, she poured their beverages then commenced her long outline about her future wedding. Tess nodded at appropriate lulls in her mother’s extensive guest list and dress choices, but her mind wandered to Max and the possible reason he was here. Where did her father fit into the situation if they traveled together from Boston?
An hour later Max re-entered the study. “The sun is out, and the doctor ordered you to walk today. So I’m here to take you for a stroll. Lucia, I’ve left Roberto on the terrace with some sandwiches and told him I would send you out to join him.”
“Thank you, Max. I’ll use the powder room and go see how he’s doing.” Lucia rose from her chair and walked past Max. She gave him an I’ve-got-a-secret smile. Max frowned at the woman’s back before he turned to Tess.
“How would you like to feed Galahad an apple?” He tossed the red orb in the air and caught it with one hand.
“Sounds like fun.” Tess swung her legs over the edge of the seat and stood, allowing Max to take her elbow to steady her. “I need to get moving. All this sitting around will go to my hips and butt.”
Max’s hand roamed down over her backside, giving it a squeeze. “I love your hips and ass. As soon as you’re well I’m whisking you away for a very long vacation.”
The cool air and sunshine invigorated Tess, and she moved along, keeping up with Max’s long stride. “Max, how did you meet my father?”
They reached the paddock, and Galahad trotted up to Tess with a shake of his beautiful head. Tess handed him the apple and patted his nose. “Thank you, Galahad. You’re my hero.” He tossed his head as if he understood then trotted away to his water bucket. “Let’s sit under the tree so you can tell me the story. I don’t want to wait until tomorrow.” Tess tugged on Max’s hand and led him over to the bench shaded by the oak tree.
“Fine, although your father wanted to be present when I told you.”
“My father will have to understand. My need to know is more important than his need to control.” She placed her hand on Max’s thigh and waited. A niggle of dread danced in her mind as he shifted and took hold of her hand.
“Chris told you I resigned, did he not?”
“Yes.”
“This past Monday I went into the office prepared to walk away and come find you. I was frantic because you never returned any of my calls. When I arrived at work Monday morning, your father was waiting for me in my office. He can be a very imposing figure when he needs to be. Anyway, he sounded me out about my feelings for you. I told him I was walking away from Westfield Industries to find you, and he seemed satisfied I loved you.”
When he stopped talking and started to fiddle with her palm, Tess encouraged him to continue. “What happened next?”
“After I introduced your father to the board, he made an offer to buy Westfield Industries. My mother flew into a rage. As majority stockholder, she refused to entertain the offer. I tendered my resignation, which sent her into a ranting of words I never imagined my mother knew. Your father and I left the meeting without looking back.”
“Are you going to work for him?” She choked back her fear.
“Not if you don’t want me to. He offered me a Vice President position and hopes the board of Westfield Industries will convince my mother to sell. Is there some reason you don’t want me to work for your father? We would live in Boston. I thought you would be pleased he likes me.”
Tess let out a humorless laugh and got to her feet to pace. “When I told my father about us, I made him promise he wouldn’t interfere. I didn’t want you to feel you had to propose to me because you accepted a job from him. He broke his promise, and now I’ll never know if you were going to ask me to marry you because you loved me or because you accepted a job with his company.”
She hugged her confined arm against her chest and willed herself not to cry. The warmth of Max’s body pressed against her back, and he wrapped his arms around her.
“Tess, it didn’t matter if your father offered me a job or not. I was going to ask you to marry me as soon as I found you. In my mind, we would have been married yesterday, and this would have been the first day of our honeymoon. I’ve been walking around with this ring in my pocket for the last month, long before I met your father.” He held a blue velvet box in front of Tess.
“I hoped for a more romantic setting to propose, but I need to put your mind at ease. I want you to be my wife forever. I don’t care where we live or work or play as long as we’re together. We have the added advantage of your father’s blessing, so we don’t have to elope and hide from him. I get the sense your mother likes me, but the most important thing is that you love me and I love you. Nothing else matters. So Teresa Maria Medici Staffordshire, my beautiful Tess, will you be my wife?”
She turned in his arms and looked up into his face. “Is Max or Maximilian asking me?”
“Both. There will always be a part of me that is Maximilian, but I think you’ve taught me how to be Max. Can you accept that?”
“Of course, as long as when we’re in the bedroom you’re my Max.”
“Not only the bedroom, sweetheart.” He arched his brow. “I plan on making love to you wherever the mood takes us. So is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
Max lifted the blue diamond ring out of the box and slipped it onto Tess’s finger, followed by a kiss on her knuckle.
“Why don’t we sneak into the house and head upstairs so you can rest before we have dinner with everyone tonight? I want you better soon. I’m finding it hard to keep my hands off you.” He buried his nose in her neck and inhaled a deep breath. “When I found you lying in the mud so still, I thought I’d lost you. Then you moaned in pain, and I shouted my thank yous to the universe. I never want to hear you moan in pain again.”
“You found me?”
“I was on horseback, and your father was in the helicopter searching. We got word when we landed that you were missing. I almost died, I was so frightened I wouldn’t find you in time. I’ll be forever grateful to Galahad for pulling you out of the water. Maybe your father will ship him to New England for you. We can find a small farm near the city where we can keep him.”
“I’d like that.”
Arm in arm, they walked back to the house, skirting the terrace and entering unseen by anyone. He escorted her to her room and made her comfortable. “Rest with me.” She patted the bed next to her.
“You sleep. Christopher has been trying to reach me for the last hour. Let me go see what he wants, and I’ll come back when I’m finished.” He bent down and kissed her before he pulled the blanket up to her chin. “I shouldn’t be long.”
What could be so important that Christopher would redial him over and over instead of leaving a voicemail? Max made his way out of the house toward a quiet bench in the grove of trees he could see from Tess’s bedroom. The need to stay within sight of where she slept made him slow his step and look back at her room. How did he get so lucky? The thought of her being his wife made him smile as he hit the button to reach Christopher.
“It’s about time you paid attention to your phone,” Christopher yelled before Max could even say hello. “Your lawyer has been trying to reach you all morning. He called me after I spoke with my dad.”
“What’s happened?” Max’s heart raced, knowing it couldn’t be good news if his lawyer and Christopher’s father were involved.
“I hate telling you this over the phone, but Julian and I won’t get back to the house for another hour. Spencer is still in a meeting.”
