“Me?” He had wanted to surprise her, not the other way around.
She held up a lumpy parcel, and he accepted it, unwrapping it with care. A blue woolen scarf tumbled out into his hands.
“I know it is not the most handsome scarf, but it will keep you warm. Your family crest is on each end.” She raised one of the ends of the woolen scarf and showed him the crest in gold thread. “It took me a few hours to finish the crest but it’s finally done.” She beamed at him in pride. “Oh, do tell me it is not awful,” she begged. “I did not know what you would like... You have everything already.”
Not everything...
“This is... the best gift I have ever received,” he said honestly.
“Even better than the pocket watch Lucas gave you?” Her eyes widened as he nodded.
That watch was even now in his waistcoat pocket, counting down the moments he had left upon this beautiful world, moments he could no longer afford to waste. He placed the scarf over his neck, and she finished looping it about for him. While she was distracted, he discreetly tucked the jewelry box in a pocket inside his coat. It was not the right gift, not right now.
“I have something for you too,” he whispered and took her by the hand, leading her away from the salon. He fetched her cloak and, once she was wearing it, escorted her out onto the terrace. Snow was falling, blanketing everything in puffy flakes that glinted like stardust in the light from the windows. Derrick bowed to her in a very courtly manner.
“What are you doing?” Arianna asked, her voice breathy with anticipation.
“My gift is a waltz.” He straightened and held out a hand to her. “I believe this gift is long overdue. Two years, in fact.”
Arianna’s eyes shimmered with tears. “Derrick...”
“One dance, that is all I ask,” he said, hoping to coax her into his arms. He could not begin to imagine what it must have taken for her to trust herself to him again. He had only ever let her down before. But tonight, he could change all of that.
“One dance,” she agreed and stepped into his arms.
He pulled her close, curling an arm around her waist and taking her hand in his other palm. Her fingers trembled, but not from the cold.
“There is no music,” she said, her face flushed.
“There’salwaysmusic with you,” he said. He began to hum, and they started to dance.
Arianna’s heartwas fracturing like spun glass dropped on stone as she danced in Derrick’s arms for the first time. Did he have any idea what this meant to her? What it would mean when he walked away again and left her with just her memories?
“I am so sorry, Arianna,” he whispered as he pressed his cheek to the crown of her hair.
“For what?” she dared to ask, even though she was certain she did not want to hear the answer.
“For not asking you to dance, for not being there that night. I will regret it every day for the rest of our lives.”
“Our lives?” she whispered, too afraid it didn’t mean what she hoped.
“Ours,” he echoed. “If you would have a man like me.” He chuckled, but she heard the pain beneath the sound.
“Have a man like you?” She felt silly for only being able to repeat what he was saying, but other words seemed impossible.
“Take me, Arianna, faults and all. Take my heart, give it life again. You claimed my soul years ago, but I was too blind to see it. Forget that other man you love. He’ll never worship you the way I will. He’ll never send prayers of thanks to the heavens every day he wakes beside you. He will never draw every breath simply to be with you. I... I am that man. Let me give you everything,” Derrick pleaded. His eyes burned intensely as he slowed the dance to hold her tight. “Let me be the man to love you, now and always.”
The words she had only ever dared to dream of hearing hung between them in the snowy silence of night. She tried to keep herself from crying and failed. She burst into tears, covering her mouth with a gloved hand.
“Arianna?” He held her close, and she burrowed against him, shaking uncontrollably. “Tell me what to do. Tell me and I will fix it.” He rubbed his hands up and down her back, trying to soothe her. She shook her head and looked up at him.
“Oh...,” she moaned. “I did not want to cry. Why do you always see me at my worst?”
“I have never met your worst.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. He continued to hold her until finally she lifted her head to meet his gaze.
“There... there was never another man, Derrick. I only said that to make you want to spend time with me...” She rubbed her eyes, wiping furiously at her tears. She waited for him to react, her dread increasing when he didn’t immediately speak. But rather than transform with anger, his face softened with an unexpected tenderness.
“I think I always knew deep down there wasn’t another man. Because if you dared to love anyone, he would not have been able to resist you. And as I am the only lovestruck fool here, it must have always been me.”
