“You made a special trip to London. For me.”
Lorenzo nodded mutely.
The corners of Sabrina’s eyes grew moist. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“If we are being honest with one another, I’ve had the book in my possession for a while. It was useful in the time before I received your letter.The Language of Flowerswas referenced in one of the Victorian history books that I have read. It’s not from the Regency era, but I thought it was close enough that you’d enjoy it.”
I never realized that every single flower arrangement he sent must have had some sort of double entendre to it. How much research has Lorenzo done?
He ran a hand over his jaw. “In some ways, I wish you and I had had the ability to court one another. It might have helped me to avoid making a fool of myself three weeks ago.”
She chuckled. “Courtships were for couples that were considering marriage. During the Regency era, couples often only courted long enough to see if they would be able to tolerate one another in marriage. Love was never considered to be a high priority. It was all about duty and raising one’s family’s status.”
“I didn’t mean that I’m ready to marry.” Lorenzo winced. “Far from it. What I meant was more that maybe we could have stayed friends if we had been able to exchange letters in addition to spending time with one another.”
“I’d like to think we are on amicable terms.” Sabrina looked up at him through her lashes.
“You would?”
“Yes. Starting now, there is a blank slate between us.” She extended her hand to Lorenzo. “To becoming friends?”
“To friendship.” He flashed his pearly whites in a smile that reached all the way up through his eyes. His face glowed in excitement.
* * *
“The doctor has gone and Lorenzo is fast asleep on the couch. I didn’t have the heart to wake him up. I thought you might follow his lead and turn in too.” Nora held a cup of piping-hot chocolate. Steam rose above the cup, creating swirly patterns in the air.
I’m glad it’s just some bruises. The one martial arts lesson I took with my ex-boyfriend Mark that taught us how to safely take a hit and fall has yielded dividends tonight.
Sabrina held her own mug and sipped from it. “I was exhausted when we arrived home, but the soak in the bubble bath has woken me up. Plus, I need time to mentally unwind before I sleep.”
Nora pulled her knees to her chest. “Do you care to share, then?.?.?. what is going on between the two of you? You have been exchanging these secret looks at one another since the police escort home. Have you forgiven him so easily?”
Sabrina stared into her cup. “I forgave him a week ago when I sent that letter. We agreed to give one another a fresh start, with the stated goal of establishing if we can be friends again.”
“That’s it?” Nora smacked her lips. “I would have wagered you were well past the friend stage.”
“Oh, Nora, my thoughts are so muddled with everything concerning your brother.” Sabrina placed her cup on a coaster and moved into a cross-legged position. “When we first met, there was this intense energy that connected us. It continues to grow every time we cross paths.”
Nora raised an eyebrow. “Are you writing a romance novel?”
Sabrina glared at her.
“Kidding. Kidding.”
Sabrina’s body deflated. “It does sound like a bad romance novel, but I can promise you that everything has been happenstance. I made a fighting effort to block him out and to immerse myself in travel and activities, but Lorenzo stays on my mind. It’s like he’s a part of me.”
Nora sobered. “You love him.”
“I think I do.” Sabrina rubbed her temples. “He makes me smile every time I see or think about him. He’s thoughtful, considerate, and a man who will move heaven and Earth to atone for a mistake. Yet we still barely know much about one another. I need to be certain of his feelings. I couldn’t stand to have him reject me a second time.”
Nora placed her cup next to Sabrina’s. “Then we have to find a way for you to spend some more time together.”
Sabrina drew circles on the bed’s comforter. “We’ve tentatively agreed that we would continue to write letters to one another. Goodness knows I’m not the best correspondent, but I’m hoping that will be enough to rebuild a foundation for us.”
“Brava.” Nora smiled. “Next week, perhaps we can see if Lorenzo might be willing to serve as your personal tour guide to Rome. Having gone to secondary school there, he knows the city intimately. And perhaps soon, you’ll join me for a family brunch. I would love to show you Isola Nostrum and introduce you to our sister and my parents.”
Sabrina coughed dryly. “Your parents?”
