Part 29 (2/2)
”Some days, it is the only thing I have.”
He studied her at length, then sighed. ”They are just a few gifts for your birthday, Thalia. Can you not accept them in the spirit in which they are meant? Can you not let yourself enjoy a little?”
Her brows furrowed. ”The food and firewood, perhaps, since it benefits the staff as well as me. But the dresses-”
”Will look lovely on you. All you need to do is try them on to see.”
”Leo.”
”Please.” He kissed her, his touch softening her resistance. ”What if I promise not to give you anything else?”
”Just today?”
”Exactly. You will agree to graciously accept the birthday presents I've gotten you and I, in turn, promise not to give you anything else. At least not until Christmas. You cannot deny me Christmas.”
Christmas was a little less than two months away. Their affair might well be over by then. So really, would it be so terrible to say yes?
A silence fell between; then she relented. ”All right. I shall accept my birthday presents-”
”And Christmas.”
”And Christmas. But nothing else. Satisfied?”
A slow smile curved his mouth. ”Well enough.” He kissed her again.
”Shall I change into my new dress?” she asked, suddenly excited.
”Yes. But before you do, there are a couple more gifts.”
”What? But you said-”
”That I am limited to gifts I give you today.”
”Maybe I'll take back my promise.”
”Can't.” He grinned. ”Once a promise is made, it cannot be rescinded.”
She drew a breath. ”Fine. But should you suddenly remember anything more, I shall refuse it.”
”If you insist.”
”I do.” She stepped out of his hold.
Crossing to a nearby table, he picked up a small box she hadn't noticed earlier, and held it out. She took it, admiring the pretty blue ribbon for a moment before she reached to untie it.
Her breath caught when she saw what lay within, hands shaking slightly as she lifted it carefully from its nest of satin and feathers.
The Meissen box. Her Meissen box with the pair of frolicking kittens, the one her father had given her so many years ago.
She'd put the beautiful porcelain piece out of her mind, but obviously Leo hadn't forgotten. Now here it was again.
”Oh, Leo,” she whispered.
”I've been waiting for the right time to give it to you again,” he said. ”You seemed so taken with it at the auction. You do still like it, yes?”
She blinked back moisture in her eyes and nodded. ”You cannot know how much. It used to be mine.”
His brows arched. ”What?”
”My father gave it to me when I was a girl and Gordon . . .”
”Kept it and sold it when you got divorced,” Leo finished. ”That man is such a b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”
”Shh, don't ruin the moment. Forget I mentioned him, please. This is . . . wonderful. I couldn't ask for a better birthday present.” She cradled the porcelain trinket box in her hand.
”So you're not going to tell me to take it back?”
She shook her head. ”It nearly killed me to refuse it the first time. I haven't the strength to do so again.”
He slid an arm around her waist. ”Nor should you. It belonged to you before and it is yours again, forever.”
”Thank you.” Threading her fingers into his hair, she urged his head down so she could kiss him.
Leo eagerly complied.
She blinked, a little dizzy by the time he finally let her come back up for air. Taking the trinket box in hand, he placed it back into its protective packaging and set it aside.
”Ready for your last gift?” he asked.
”That's right, I had forgotten there is more. So? What is this final gift?”
”I think 'Where is the gift?' makes a better question. Do you have an umbrella?”
”Yes,” she said, confused by the sudden change of subject. ”Why?”
”Because we are going to the stables.”
Chapter 25.
Leo stood beside Thalia inside the stables, a light, steady rain pouring outside. He watched, studying her face as the groom led her present forward.
”The roan filly!” She clasped her hands to her chest, an expression of wonder spreading across her features. ”Oh, she's so beautiful, just as I remember.”
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