“Dead set.”
His shoulders slouched. “There isn’t a chance I might be able to change your mind? You wouldn’t consider settling yourself on Isola Nostrum? Of course, I live on a boat, I could sail her wherever you would be happiest.”
Hearing he lives on a yacht doesn’t surprise me in the least.
“Silly man. Of course I’d consider Isola Nostrum.” Sabrina resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “I thought you meant a country outside of Italy. I want to be near you. Near Nora.”
“Isola Nostrumisa country outside of Italy.” Lorenzo pecked her on the cheek. “As I lay in bed last night, I kicked myself for not thinking of it earlier. My father’s word is the law. One signature from him and you can be made a temporary visitor, permanent resident, citizen, or whatever you want.”
The answer had been right in front of them the entire time. A surge of euphoria flooded her body.
“That would be a huge weight off my shoulders.” The wheels in her mind started to spin. “Now I can focus on finding a job and a flat. The original plan called for me to stay with Nora, but seeing as Isola Nostrum is so far from Florence—”
“Let’s enjoy today’s victory and worry about the details later.” Lorenzo shook his head. “We only have a little time left before the museum opens to the public.”
Arm in arm, they entered the next room full of interactive displays on the Roman city of Aquae Sulis.
The area Sabrina had been most looking forward to seeing was the last area they visited—the Great Bath. As it had been from above, the air was hot and humid. She heard the crackle of the flaming torches burning around the rim of the pool. Up close, the green water was otherworldly and perfectly reflected the images of the Roman architecture on its surface. The residual lighting around the pool was still turned on. They were alone.
“Last night, la mia ninfa, I was so taken by you that I never fully had the opportunity to appreciate how extraordinary you are in this dress.” His fingers worked their way over the gold-embroidered flowers from her waist to her neck.
I’m glad I saw fit to wear it again.
“But more than that?.?.?.” He cupped her face with his hands. “My angel. My heart. I want you to know that my feelings for you can’t be repressed. I want to shout it to the world for all to hear. Allow me to tell you how ardently I love and admire you.”
Her pulse raced. Lorenzo loved her! With a high-pitched whistle, fireworks exploded inside her mind.
Their gazes locked, his pools of cinnamon reeling her in. “This is the first time you’ve told me that you love me.” Their faces were millimeters apart from one another. “And you know what? With my whole heart and soul, I love you too.”
Under the magical enchantment of the torches and surrounded by wisps of steam, they kissed. A modern-day Lizzy Bennet from Texas had found her Mr. Darcy, all thanks to her great Austen adventure.
* * *
Sabrina sat taller in her seat at the end of the first row of the Austen authors’ panel and shot two big thumbs-up to the stage. Nora shimmied in her seat, spotted her, then smiled tightly. Three other authors on the podium shook hands and introduced themselves to one another.
Sabrina leaned over and whispered into Lorenzo’s ear, “Do you remember when I explained to you how Nora and I met on an Austen message board?”
“Si.”
“The full truth is that we met because I fell head over heels in love with aPride and Prejudicevariation story she’d written.”
“Leonora is a writer?”
“Yes, and she needs our full support. Today is a big day for her.”
Lorenzo crossed his arms, watching the scene unfold before him. “She already has enough responsibilities on her plate. How can she have hidden this from me for so long?”
“Nora is a brilliant multitasker.”
“Do any of these people know about our ‘family business’?” Lorenzo asked, making air quotes with his fingers.
Sabrina shook her head. “No. That’s the beauty of using a pen name. The readers of her story know her as BennetGal06, or Nora Bennet.”
Lorenzo’s eyes twitched. “And what is your nickname?”
“AustenAddict.”
Lorenzo stroked his jaw. “Fitting.”
