He came to stand beside her and pointed to a line at the bottom. Unencumbered.
A shiver ran along her spine. She lifted her gaze to his face, incredulity on her features. ‘Cesare...’ Her voice held warning.
But he pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her, and dropped his hand to another line on the deed. Her eyes followed the gesture and it was then that she read the date—the very same day she’d left the island.
‘You did this after we fought?’ she whispered, emotions rioting beneath her skin.
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‘I did it before I propositioned you,’ he said. ‘I had no intention of leaving your family property debt-ridden once I knew the extent of your worries. I wanted you to stay with me, but I was always going to do this. No matter what.’
Tears filled her eyes. He shook his head gently. ‘No more tears, Jemima. This is good news. Your parents don’t have to worry. You don’t have to worry.’
‘I know.’ She still couldn’t make sense of this. ‘So you did this before you spoke to me?’
‘I think even I knew I was going too far,’ he grunted.
‘Well, I guess that’s something.’ She looked at the paper again. ‘You didn’t have to do this.’
He frowned. ‘Yes, I did. You needed help, and I could give it.’
Her heart turned over in her chest.
‘Anyway, we are family, and one day our children will want to see their family home.’
‘Look at you, taking to the aristocratic lifestyle,’ she teased.
‘Never!’ He laughed, pulling her to his body, and she couldn’t help think how well they fit together. His lips claimed hers and she sighed, surrendering to his kiss most willingly. But when his hands found the waistband of her simple going-away outfit, she pulled away from him.
‘Hang on,’ she murmured. ‘I happen to have a wedding present for you, too.’
‘Oh?’ He lifted his brows enquiringly.
‘But it’s not ready yet. It’s on back order. It won’t be delivered for around seven months or so.’
‘What is it?’
‘I don’t know for sure,’ she said, tilting her head to one side.
‘My beautiful Mrs Durante, you are making no sense.’
‘Aren’t I?’
‘Something you’ve ordered, but you don’t know what it is?’
‘Oh, I didn’t order it.’ She batted her lashes. ‘I think it was more your doing than mine.’
‘I don’t...’
And then, as comprehension dawned, his hands rushed to cover her stomach. ‘You’re not...do you mean...?’
She dipped her head forward, pressing her brow to his flat chest. ‘Yep.’ And then she jerked her face towards his, trying to read his expression. ‘Is that... Are you...happy?’
He stared at her, bemused. ‘Am I happy?’
She waited, her breath held, her body perfectly still.
‘In one night, I have gained as my wife the woman I am head over heels in love with, and now you tell me I am going to become a father? Sì, I am happy. I am happier than I ever thought I would be, and it is all because of you. Everything good in this world is because of you, uccellina.’