Page 52 of Forbidden Noble
Tomorrow, they'd have a long chat. For now she relaxed and held Astorre's hand as he carried her suitcase back in for her. “Rossie said her husband was worried but she’s coming over tomorrow to check on me.”
Astorre said, “It’s good to have close friends.”
Goosebumps grew on her arms as they headed back into the town.
Windows started to open slightly in shops as the rain was dissipating, but neither said anything.
His strong fingers on her back helped her through the second gate and into the great hall.
Olivia wasn’t around but Clara would find her and thank her, later.
She raised her eyebrow and saw how Astorre’s dark eyes seemed very determined. They headed right to the bedroom, but she held her tongue. Once they were in their room and he put her bag down and closed the door, she spun around.
This was her place, forever now. All that stood in their way was her questions. She hugged her waist and hoped she wasn’t wrong, but she said, “Now that we’re alone, I need to ask you something…”
Astorre wrapped his arms around her. “What?”
All she needed was the truth. Good or bad, she needed the answer, so she glanced up, met his gaze and asked, “Do you love me because I’m convenient and already your wife?”
He squeezed her sides. “Are you asking why I love you?”
Her heart hammered and her hair stood on end all over her body. She sighed. “Yeah. I’ve always been Clara the unfortunate, and love wasn’t in the cards for me. And then I met you and hoped that part of my life was over.”
He traced her arm, then clasped her hands, guiding her toward a cozy breakfast nook with a small bistro set. He directed her to sit as he took the chair beside her. “You mentioned your grandmother wasn’t good to you.”
She'd chosen not to fully explain her life to him. She didn’t like talking about it much so she sucked in her lips but then forced herself to relax. Everything was fine. “She kept a roof over my head but blamed me for my adoptive parents' death.” He squeezed her hand which kept her in this moment. Astorre was different. She met his gaze and finished, “It wasn’t true, as my mother was heading to the doctor for her own health appointment when the car accident occurred, but Grandmother May was adamant.”
He nodded without pity, hearing her out. “She was foolish.”
Her heart fluttered. She hadn’t thought this possible but she asked, “Foolish?”
Her eye ducts might be blocked again with tears. She blinked to make them go away, but one escaped from her eye. He wiped her cheek as he said, “You’re the most brilliant woman I’ve ever met. You shine brighter than the sun in the sky and you radiate warmth, even in a storm. You’re easy to love.”
He’d listened. Wow. Her lips parted but she asked to be sure, “And you love me because?”
His gaze narrowed and his hands brushed against hers. “Because you… you're sweet, kind, smart and see to the heart of people fast. You saw me and thought I was somehow worthy of you.”
More tears escaped. Did being in love mean she’d turn into a real crier now? She laughed at the thought as she said more seriously, “There is no deserve, worthy, unworthy. We’re just two people choosing love.”
He wiped her face again and leaned over so their foreheads touched when he said, “Clara… I… I can’t do any of this being a lord or duke, not without you, here with me.”
Yes, she was becoming someone new, someone who cried now. She didn’t stop the tears but smiled through them. “Then I’m staying.”
His brown hues captivated her. “Are you sure?”
Handsome was too tame a word for Astorre. She didn’t care that she snorted a little as she said, “Look, I don’t want to be unfortunate anymore, and if I leave you when you love me then I’m not giving my heart what it wants… you.”
Her lips tingled as he came closer and her eyes fluttered closed while he said, “Then I’m…” A knock on the door interrupted them and she turned her head away. He kissed her forehead, stood up and held his finger that he’d go see who needed them.
She smoothed her shirt over her stomach while he opened the door to a servant. She stood as he read a note and then he said, “We’re being summoned.”
Castle life might mean more interruptions which she accepted--but she needed to not look like a disaster. Clara smiled, patted his backside as she walked past him, and headed into the en suite bathroom. “Let me brush my teeth. I need to look like a proper lady for Montelino Bay.”
He came beside her and picked up his toothbrush like this was now a new normal. “Are you sure you don’t want to rusticate in a fancy country home?”
They brushed together in sync. She’d never lived in a dorm or had friends in the bathroom at the same time. She finished and splashed water on her face next. Once she was done, he took his turn while she said, “That sounds pretty boring. I might not have skills but at least here I can oversee pretty much everything and pitch in where I’m needed.”
He put his toothbrush beside hers. “Clara, you have skills.”
