With a blissful sigh, she obeyed her heart’s command.
Epilogue
Florence, Italy
“Are we there yet?”Gabriella asked.
“You sound like Fiona and Max,” Adam said, amused.
Below the black silk blindfold, the rueful curve of his wife’s beautiful mouth acknowledged his observation. Just a week into their three-month tour of Italy and the children were already proving to be impatient little scamps. Today, whilst walking across a magnificent piazza, surrounded by views of the stunning terracotta-tiled rooftops and Renaissance buildings and sculptures, Fiona had started up the chorus of “Are we there yet?” and Max had promptly joined in.
“Children, you are where you are,” Adam had said severely. “I suggest you enjoy it.”
Fiona and Max had looked at one another. Then at him.
“Yes, Papa,” they’d said obediently.
Then they’d started whining forgelato, their newly discovered treat.
Thank Christ they were currently with their governess and the army of nursemaids that he had had the foresight to bring along. As much as he loved the rambunctious imps, he wanted time alone with his wife. To give her the surprise he’d planned.
He continued to lead her down the long corridor, their footsteps echoing against the diamond-checked tiles. Priceless art filled the passageway: busts, intricate tapestries, a brilliant fresco covering the ceiling. Because of the blindfold, Gabby couldn’t see any of it, but he’d arranged to have the entireGalleria degli Uffizito themselves for the evening. There would be time for her to explore the museum’s riches after his surprise.
“Can you give me ahintabout what you’ve planned?” his better half asked.
“I could, but that would ruin the surprise, impatient minx.” He tightened his arm around her waist, murmuring against her ear, “I ought to make you practice waiting more.”
Her cheeks turned rosy against the black silk. He knew she was thinking of a recent interlude when he’d used velvet ropes to tie her to their bed. He’d enjoyed every inch of his lovely slave’s body, teasing her until she was panting, writhing helplessly against the sheets. He hadn’t let her come until she’d begged him for it, pleading with him using the hot, naughty words he’d taught her.
Thinking of that decadent encounter made him harder than rock, and the festivities had just begun. When his wife had allowed him to blindfold her in the carriage, her sweet trust had made his chest throb along with his prick. She was the finest gift a man could wish for, a treasure he couldn’t believe was his, and that he would never again take for granted.
In fact, he’d planned on taking her on this trip sooner, but several events had delayed his plans. First, Gabby’s father had passed. She’d needed time to grieve, and Adam was determined to give her everything she needed. For her sake, he’d even mended fences with his father-in-law before the other’s death, giving his word that he would look after Billings Bank. Billings had passed away peacefully, with Gabby, Adam, and his grandchildren by his side.
The second delay was business related. After De Villier’s death, Adam had inherited the lion’s share of Grand London National Railway, not because of the blood relation, but because he owned Villier’s debt. He’d planned to let the venture run its natural course—that is, to let it fail. Gabby, however, had asked him to try to save it for the sake of the ordinary folk who’d invested their life savings in the scheme.
Because he could deny his wife nothing, Adam set about reviving the company. He took on partners to oversee various aspects of the business: Harry Kent, in particular, had expressed interest in the scientific side of things and Murray had always dealt well with the public. Adam himself managed the financial matters. It had taken about eight months and a complete restructuring of the business, but GLNR had recently unveiled the world’s fastest steam engine, and the value of the company had shot through the roof.
Now that GLNR was a success and Gabby was out of mourning, the time had come for Adam to take his family on a vacation...and to give his wife a special treat. Hence, he navigated her into the present chamber. Noting that everything had been arranged to his specifications, he steered her into place.
He stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. “Ready for your surprise, love?”
Her nod sent ripples through her flame-colored tresses. Per his instructions, she’d left her hair loose, and it flowed down to the waist of the ivory silk gown he’d chosen for her. Time to reward his good little wife…and himself.
He untied the blindfold.
Gabriella blinked, her jaw slackening as she saw what he intended for her to see.
“Goodness,” she breathed. “This is the painting? The one you think…Iresemble?”
“Titian’sVenus of Urbino,” he said with satisfaction.
The goddess was as he remembered her: her naked curves lush, her eyes warmly sensual, her reclined pose on the red couch coyly come-hither. Her body was tilted toward the viewer, her front elbow resting upon a pillow, a bouquet of flowers dangling loosely from that hand. Her other arm was draped across her body, that hand resting over her sex, hiding it…or deliberately drawing attention to that shadowed cove.
As stunning as the painting was, it was Adam’s real-life goddess who consumed his attention. He’d had full-length looking glasses placed in a semi-circle around the artwork, giving him views of his lovely wife from various angles. Behind them was a wide crimson couch, a replica of the one Venus was reposed upon. As in the portrait, fluffy white pillows were piled at one end.
Gabby was staring at the painting as if transfixed. He couldn’t blame her. The likeness between her and Venus was uncanny.
“She’s so beautiful,” Gabby said in a hushed voice. “You truly think I look like her?”
