Guests began making their way back into the house. Sienna was vaguely aware of someone announcing the start of dinner but she didn’t move from her spot on the terrace.
Nolan’s shoes sounded on the paved balcony as he walked towards her.
‘You wrote a poem,’ she said when he was only a few steps away.
‘Yes.’
‘It is in French, so I cannot read it.’
His lips tilted in a gentle smile. ‘It is not very good.’
‘Seraphine said it was beautiful.’
‘She was being kind. It is clumsy at best but it was written from the heart.’ He glanced away before turning back, his gaze soft and open, and her heart skipped a beat. This was how he looked at her earlier, when he’d called her wonderful and she had all but ignored him. She was being given a second chance and she would not let it slip through her fingers again. ‘Earlier I was a coward,’ he said.
‘With the spider? I thought your handling of it was the most courageous thing I have ever seen.’
He grinned. ‘Obviously I was a hero with the spider. Epic tales will be written about my bravery. It was only later, when we were standing outside the garden, that I lost my nerve. I…’
‘It was my fault. I was taken aback by your compliment. I wanted to hear more but I did not know how to ask, and I fear I disappointed you.’
He stepped forward, reaching for her with both hands. Her fingers trembled as he threaded them with his. ‘You have never let me down. Today you let me see that life can be filled with joy if only I let in adventure.’
‘You saved me, protected my reputation, made me see myself in a different light, and I ruined you.’
His eyes were shining, open and relaxed, the real Nolan showing himself to her. ‘You made me happy and I have not experienced that emotion in a very long time.’
‘Oh, Nolan.’ She stepped closer to him, the skirts of her dress brushing against his trousers. ‘I would like to make you joyful all the time, if you would let me.’
He moved closer. Now only a sliver of air separated them. ‘I would give everything that I own for another day with you.’
‘I am more selfish than you. I want more than one more day. I want all the days.’
She tasted his answering smile against her lips.
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