Read Online Heart's Desire by Jacquie D'Alessandro - Free Book Online

had she said? She turned to her aunt to question her , but before she could speak , the carriage rocked to a halt.
    “We’ve arrived,” Aunt Olivia announced in her booming voice.
    The carriage door opened , and a liveried footman helped Aunt Olivia and then Callie to alight. London’s ubiquitous fog obscured the sun, casting Hayley and Stephen’s elegant brick Mayfair townhouse in gloomy , gray shadows that perfectly matched Callie’s mood. As the footman supervised the unloading of the trunks, Callie opened the wrought iron gate and started up the flagstone walkway, followed by Aunt Olivia.
    They were halfway up the narrow path when the front door of the townhouse opened. Callie looked up and halted as if she’d walked into a transparent wall.
    William stood in the entryway. Their gazes locked , and Callie’s breath stalled along with her heart. He paused for several seconds, then strode toward her, his gaze never leaving hers, not halting until he stood directly in front of her.
    “Hello, Callie.”
    She opened her mouth and realized to her chagrin that her jaw had already dropped. She snapped it closed, swallowed to moisten her suddenly dry throat, then managed to say, “Wh … what are you doing here? And how did you get here?”
    “I rode. Quite a nice journey on horseback, especially when one sets out at dawn. So much quicker than by carriage. As for what I’m doing here, I wished to speak to the duke and duchess, and as they are in London … here I am.”
    Callie continued to stare at him in stunned amazement. “Why did you wish to speak to Stephen and Hayley?”
    “Before I tell you, there’s something I need to say.” His attention shifted over her shoulder , and Callie suddenly recalled where they were. And that they weren’t alone.
    “Oh, don’t mind me, dear boy,” came Aunt Olivia’s voice from behind Callie. “I’m quite deaf, you know. I’ll just supervise the unpacking of the luggage.”
    Callie glanced behind her and watched Aunt Olivia instruct the strapping footman regarding the trunks. As soon as she returned her attention to William, he said, “After you left the lake last night , I remained beneath the willow tree. For hours. Thinking about what had happened. What you said. What I said. And with my every thought , my mind kept circling back to the images we’d seen in the mirror pendant. They had to mean something. Finally, after what were easily the loneliest, most miserable few hours of my life, I realized the significance of those images. Do you wish to know what I concluded?”
    Not trusting her voice, Callie nodded.
    William reached out and clasped her hands. “They meant that you and I are supposed to be together. Supposed to sit under that willow tree with our baby. And the only way that could happen was for me to stop being a complete arse. You offered me everything I’ve ever wanted, yet I pushed it away with both hands. I thought I was being noble and doing what was best for you, but I was wrong. I can only conclude that I must have suffered a blow to the head at some point in my past to have acted so … ”
    “Arse-like?” she supplied helpfully when he seemed at a loss.
    A quick laugh escaped him. “Precisely. My only other excuse is that my wits had just been completely addled.” He raised their joined hands and pressed a kiss to backs of her fingers. “By the most exquisite, perfect girl in the world.”
    Joy soared through Callie. Still , she felt it only fair to say, “I’m not perfect, William.”
    “I fear we disagree. You are, in fact, absolutely perfect. For me.” All traces of amusement faded , and he regarded her through very serious eyes. “You asked me last night if I wanted anything more from you than forgiveness , and I told you I didn’t. In the history of the world , there may have been a man who uttered a more gargantuan falsehood, but I tend to doubt it. I want everything from you, Callie. Your heart, your love, your smiles and