Page 70 of The Vagabond Viscount
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and Augusta closed her eyes. This was perfect. If she could hold this moment in time. Keep it under a glass and hope it never faded.
“What did you need to speak to Father Morris about?”
“Us.” Flynn took a step back, then went down on bended knee. “I know we have both been through a terrible time, and there were days when hope seemed lost. But I have always held onto the promise of this day. When I could finally ask you to be my wife. Augusta, I love you. Will you do me the greatest honor and marry me?”
Augusta sucked in a deep breath and summoned up the only word she needed. “Yes.”
A grinning Flynn got to his feet and swept Augusta up in his arms. He smothered her with kisses and tender words of hope. “I love you.” “From this day.” “Always.”
The last vestiges of her grief fell to the floor. She was reborn. “I love you, Flynn. My life was shattered when you disappeared. And the day I thought I had truly lost you was the worst of my life. So, I am telling you here, and now, you’d better live to a ripe old age, Flynn Cadnam, because I don’t intend going through that pain again—not until I am ready for the grave.”
His lips were on hers. Soft and tender. Full of the promise of a long life together.
“Will you marry me today? Father Morris has said he will perform a marriage service for us.”
“Yes. Let’s not waste another minute.”
Flynn held Augusta’s hands in his and took in a deep breath. “But before we say our vows, I need to beg an indulgence from you.”
“What sort of indulgence?” Augusta didn’t like the sound of that, not the least bit.
“When we go back to England, I am not going to use my father’s courtesy title. I will be plain Mister Flynn Cadnam. Nor will I set foot in Bramshaw House, other than to collect my things. I am going to have to work to support us.”
“So that is the favor you ask. That I don’t become Viscountess Cadnam. I have no issue with that—it sends a very public message as to how badly your father has treated you.”
When Flynn shook his head, a sense of dread gripped Augusta. What else was he going to ask of her? And were their pending nuptials dependent on her answer?
“Count Nico de Luca has offered to train me in the shipping business. When I return to London, I will be taking up a position with de Luca Shipping. It means I will have to remain here in Rome for the next few months to learn from him. But I want you to go home with Gideon.”
“No! Why? I… I don’t understand,” she pleaded.
Rejection stabbed at her. Flynn wanted them to marry, but he also wanted to put her on a boat back to England. Without him.
He pointed to the bed. “Can we sit for a minute? I want to explain why, so that you see things through my eyes.”
Augusta’s bottom lip trembled. Her big romantic moment was fast turning into disappointment. Flynn didn’t want her to stay with him in Rome.
With reluctance, she did as he asked. He deserved to have her listen to his reasons. Compromise was the first rule of marriage she was determined to learn. Her union with Flynn was not going to be the fire and brimstone of her parents’ marriage. Seated on the coverlet, she slipped her fingers into his and waited.
“I have spent the past year or more living through hell. Most days, I hadn’t a clue as to when I would eat my next mouthful of food, let alone a hot meal. I have stolen, lied, and fought to survive. Now that I have the means to experience Rome as it should be done, I want to do that. But for some of that time, at least, I need to do it on my own. Can you understand that?”
Augusta shrugged. “Not entirely.”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. “I also need a little time to work through some things. Not only to decide what to do about my father, but also to set us up financially. To make sure everything is ready so I can support us. I want to be able to focus as much of my attention as I can on working with the de Luca’s. On studying the shipping business.”
Since their sweet reunion, Augusta had been making plans in her mind for the day when together they would set foot on board the boat back to England.
“How long will you stay in Rome?” She dreaded his answer, fearing it would be many months, but no matter how painful it might be, she needed the certainty of knowing when she would see Flynn again.
“I spoke to Count Nico about shipping timetables. De Luca ships sail regularly from Civitavecchia. The day you are due to arrive in London will be the day I step onto a ship bound for England. I will be with you by the end of July. I know this sounds selfish, and I expect from your point of view it is, but I am asking you to grant me this boon. To give me the time to find my feet so I can come to you ready to be the best husband I can be. And to make sure that we always have a roof over our heads.”
Was it selfish of Flynn to want to remain in Rome a little longer? No. But she could admit to a sense of sadness over his need to do it on his own.
“You are the most unselfish person I know, Flynn. And I will never fully understand what you have been through. Yes, I will agree to your request, but in return, could you grant me that during whatever time you can spare before I leave, I am permitted to show you my favorite parts of the city?”
It would be good for them to have some shared memories of Rome to look back on in the years to come. To be able to tell their children about the time their parents spent together in the eternal city.
“Of course. I don’t expect Serafina’s parents will allow Gideon to steal her away in the next few days. And your brother will likely be at great pains to mend family relationships and have them on firmer ground before he departs.”
