Helena had always lived for others first. She had thought that she would only ever live vicariously through her sisters. But now she found that life,herlife, was laid out before her, bright and promising.
“Yes, I would like that. I would love to see it very much.”
Matteo winked at her.
“And so we shall.” Matteo laid his hand on his heart. “And I promise not to let my cousin play my uncle’s prank on you.”
They all laughed at his words.
“Helena dear,” Lady Clarissa called to her daughter.
Heart-warming at her mother’s use of the endearment, Helena looked towards her.
“Yes, Mama?”
“I have gone ahead and instructed Sally to prepare your things.”
“My things?”
“Well, yes, I had assumed that you would be leaving with the duke…”
In all the haste and surprise of the day, Helena had not thought to consider that arrangement. The abrupt change evoked a myriad of feelings from her. That she should leave behind the only life she had ever known, that she should start a life with Matteo, the mere thoughts took her breath away.
Her mother faltered.
“Have I decided wrong, I can?—”
“No, Mama, I have only failed to consider those things. Thank you,” she smiled at her mother.
The pleased look on her mother’s face showed Helena that indeed, things were changing in the Ayles family.
“Helena,” Matteo, who had watched their exchange, spoke to her in a low voice. “There is no rush. You do not need to come to Valen House with me today. Everything happened so fast, it is very understandable that?—”
“I am your wife. I shall come home with you today.”
“Helena,” Matteo whispered fiercely. He looked at her with such intensity that she felt her knees weaken.
His wife.
“Come with me,” she whispered.
With a blush spreading across her cheeks, Helena took Matteo’s hand and led him away from everyone else. They rushed, smiling and laughing, and stepped out of the house, their feet instinctively bringing them to the gardens.
Matteo took her hand, and they walked to the Pergola.
How different everything was since the last time they stood there together, the two of them. She had thought then that she could give Matteo up. How utterly and completely wrong she was. For how could one give up their heart?
Under the roses, they simply looked at each other for a long time. Matteo reached above them and plucked a rose bloom. Carefully, he removed the thorns and handed it to Helena as he had done a lifetime ago, it seemed.
She took it and brought the petals to her lips, a clear invitation for him to kiss her.
Obligingly, Matteo leaned down towards her. Their lips were a mere inch apart when he stopped and pulled back.
Frowning, Helena looked at him. Why would Matteo not kiss her? Despite herself, she felt a little hurt.
“Is- is anything wrong?” She asked.
Suddenly laughing, Matteo gathered her in his arms.
