Stefano kissed her fingertips, then loosened his embrace. ‘It’ll be for a moment. Then I’ll be back and never let you go again.’
He went to the jacket draped over the arm of the couch and reached inside, came back to her holding an antique leather ring box. He opened it. Inside lay an extravagant ring. A large oval diamond surrounded by a halo of smaller round diamonds. It sparkled under the lights of the room, pristine and white, like fresh-fallen snow in the sunshine.
‘I wanted something that shone as brightly as you. To show you how much you’ve brought to my life. You’ve brought music, you’ve brought happiness, but most importantly you’ve brought love.Ti amo, Lucy. Be mine.’
She smiled, her heart so full of love for this man that she wasn’t sure there was room left for anything else. ‘I already am. I’ve never stopped.’
Stefano moved back, giving himself a little space, and gently slipped the ring onto her finger. The perfect fit celebrated the bright new bond between them.
Then Lucy placed her hand over his heart, which beat strong and sure under her palm, marking out the tempo of their love. ‘How could I not marry the man who showed me the stars again?’
EPILOGUE
LUCYWALKEDTOWARDSthe giant Christmas tree that stood in the corner of Castello Varno’s sitting room. As the new Contessa, she’d spent a month decorating for the season. All Stefano’s staff had joined her with enthusiasm, saying it had been too long since the castle had seen a proper Christmas.
She adjusted a few glittering silver stars, a strand of tinsel, as the gentle chords from a distant piano drifted into the room. Stefano had begun taking lessons soon after their engagement had been announced.
Her heart swelled with pride as she heard the song he was learning in order to accompany her at Lasserno’s New Year’s Eve Royal Gala Ball. Whilst she was guest violinist for a few pieces with the orchestra that night, their personal surprise was to be their playing of the first movement of Monti’s “Czardas” together, for the crowd.
Almost nothing had been so special as those moments practising together, when she and Stefano had been able to share their love of music. The only thing eclipsing it had been their wedding, a little over twelve months earlier, in Lasserno’s Cathedral.
It had been a celebration befitting the Count of Varno, Shield of the Crown. But to her it had seemed surprisingly intimate, even if they had married in front of hundreds of people. Alessio had walked her down the long aisle that day. She’d never forget the words he’d murmured to her before moving to Stefano’s side as his best man, in that moment showing his enduring support for her beloved husband.
‘I am so glad you found him...for us all.’
She was glad she’d found him too—in more ways than she could ever express. Stefano’s presence in her life had restored her trust. With him, it never wavered. The promises he made were always kept.
He’d followed her to Salzburg, wanting her to be sure that the decision to leave her role as first violin was one she was happy with, and in no way influenced by him. In the six months they had been there he’d helped her take back the whole city for herself.
His siblings had happily put their own desires on hold to care for the castle whilst allowing him time to be himself. Not the Count of Varno. Not the Shield of the Crown and Alessio’s confidant. Simply Stefano Moretti, the man she loved.
She hadn’t noticed that silence had fallen, lost in her own thoughts. The door to the sitting room opened and Stefano walked inside. Goosebumps skittered over her. Each time she saw him she had the same thrill as the first, when he’d opened the castle door to her and in many ways opened the door to the rest of her life.
‘I thought you’d be toasting marshmallows,’ he said.
She placed her hand on her stomach and laughed. ‘I think I’ve been eating too many.’
His eyes flared with banked heat. ‘You’ve certainly been taking to winter activities with great enthusiasm.’
‘I’ve realised it’s a wonderful season if you spend it with the right person.’
A sultry heat of her own flushed her cheeks. She’d come to learn that there were many ways to spend a cold, snowy day. Stefano seemed determined never to let her be cold again.
The corners of his mouth rose into a wicked smile which curled her toes. ‘Nice to know you believe you made the right choice.’
‘You’re learning a complicated piece for the piano to join me in playing before your country. Who else would do that for me?’
He chuckled, and the sound rippled right through her in glorious waves of pleasure. ‘I hope I do you justice.’
His piano teacher said Stefano had real talent. But whilstsheknew he had nothing to worry about, Lucy understood his fears, because the first time she’d performed in front of a crowd she’d been terrified.
She went to him, stood on her toes, and gently kissed his lips in encouragement. ‘You’re wonderful and your playing is wonderful.’
He slid his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss, holding her tight. All of the man was hard, but now he was a little bit compromising—at least where she was concerned.
Lucy fell into the kiss, into him, and relished those precious moments before pulling back.
Stefano’s breathing was heavy, his breath gusting against her cheek. ‘Why stop?’