AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Beautiful,” Annabelle breathed.
“You sound surprised,” Dante said.
“Not really, but your designer did an excellent job.”
“I agree. Welcome to your new home.” He placed her on her feet.
“Thank you.”
Annabelle gathered her skirt, and they climbed the stairs to the second floor. Dante led her to the master bedroom located behind walnut double doors with carvings etched into the wood.
“Gorgeous and such detail,” she whispered, running her fingers over a beach scene with waves crashing into the shore.
“I had the doors imported from Brazil.” Dante pushed them open.
Inside, the bedroom had a much more calming atmosphere than the sparkle of the grand foyer downstairs. The decor consisted of Earth tones with splashes of deep blue and forest green dominating. In the middle of the room with the headboard pushed against the wall was an enormous bed, the size of two kings. On either side were mahogany tables, and one of them had several hard cover titles stacked on top of it.
A separate sitting room contained a fireplace and comfortable looking chairs and tables for relaxing, and double doors led to the balcony beyond.
“This is my room. Yours is this way.”
Dante led her into the hall to the other room, smaller and more modestly furnished, but no less appealing in design. A canopied bed was covered in white linens, with a small area containing two armchairs on opposite sides of a coffee table. The furniture rested in front of a bay window overlooking the lit tennis court below. The colors made the room bright and airy, in contrast to the warmth and cozy atmosphere of the master bedroom.
“Most of your belongings have been unpacked,” he said, indicating her vanity against one wall with an inclination of his head.
He swung open a door which led to a large dressing room. “Your clothes are in here.”
She checked, and sure enough, her clothes had been unpacked and hung on hangers, though with a quick glance she knew she’d have to do a little bit of rearranging.
She felt Dante’s eyes on her and turned to see him in a relaxed position, one shoulder resting against the door jamb as he watched her with an inscrutable expression in his eyes.
What was he thinking?
Her chest tightened with nerves. He’d adhered to her request that they sleep in separate rooms, yet somehow she found herself having to brush aside disappointment.
“So, Señora Escarra, is everything to your liking?” he asked in a lazy tone.
Annabelle had no plans to change her name, but Mrs. Escarra had a nice ring to it. Annabelle Escarra. Annabelle Buchanan-Escarra.
She became annoyed with herself. She shouldn’t have such thoughts.
“Yes, everything is fine,” she answered, walking past him into the bedroom.
“Bueno. It’s been a long day, and I think it’s time for bed, don’t you? I will leave you alone. Sweet dreams,mi bella esposa.”
With those words, Dante walked away and closed the door on the way out.
* * *
Annabelle tookher time washing her face and applying eye cream and moisturizer. She removed the clips from her hair and then brushed the strands smooth before braiding them into a plait which hung down the middle of her back.
Though she’d been clear they would not be having sex in this marriage, tonight was their wedding night. Sleeping in separate rooms seemed odd and out of place, a far cry from their first wedding night when they barely made it to the bed because they’d started making love as Dante carried her over the threshold. They fell onto the bed together, and he gazed down into her eyes, his bright and lively in a way she had never seen before. She’d been convinced right then that his love was true and would last forever.
“We are home, Señora Escarra.”
“Yes, we are, Señor Escarra. You and me, together forever.”
“Forever. Nothing will ever tear us apart.”
