She glanced over at the roses.“Are there any roses left in all of Rome?”
He chuckled.“Not anywhere near here,” he acknowledged.“But I’ve certainly made friends with a number of florists.”
“No doubt,” she replied dryly.
He pried one of her hands from the towel and kissed the back of it.“I’ll return soon.”
Nodding, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.“Thank you for the roses.For the notes,” she whispered.
“I wonder what you’ll think when you read that one,” he teased, nodding to where he had left the bouquet.He bowed and took his leave.
Armenia waited, listening until the sounds of his boot heels faded down the marble stairs.Once she was sure he was gone, she carefully lifted the roses.Glad the florist had wrapped their stems with a linen—she didn’t wish to be impaled by a thorn—she found the note and pulled it out.
Marcella appeared in the doorway, a look of confusion on her face.“I thought I heard a man’s voice,” she said, hurrying to pluck another bath linen from the stack on the chair.She unfurled it and wrapped it around Armenia’s shoulders.
“You did.My dinner guest,” Armenia replied.“Could you see to putting these into water for me?I’d like them on the dressing table.”
Marcella nodded, taking the bouquet from her mistress.“Sì, signora.”
Once her lady’s maid was gone, Armenia unfolded the note and tittered.
I do not believe I can wait any longer to see you today.I look forward to our dinner this evening and to every other dinner we share for the rest of our lives.
All my love and kisses and my heart.~Patrick
Inhaling a shaky breath Armenia, knew she would be hosting Patrick for far longer than just dinner that evening.She might require him to stay with her the following day as well.
Now she had to decide if she would be willing to host him for the rest of their lives.
A most pleasurable sensation rolled through her abdomen at the thought, and she moved a hand to her belly.“Perhaps I should stop thinking of reasons to deny him,” she whispered.
Refolding the note, she hurried to her bedchamber so Marcella could do her hair.For the entire time the lady’s maid spent on her coiffure, they were surrounded by the scent of roses.
