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

laughter. And in return , I offer you everything I have — my heart, my love, my very soul. And all my worldly goods, such as they are.”
    Hot moisture pushed behind Callie’s eyes. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
    He briefly closed his eyes , then said, “I love you, Callie. God, how I love you. You’ve owned me since the first moment I saw you, spinning about on the terrace, holding your doll.”
    Oh, my . Well, now he’d done it. There was no holding back the tears of joy that spilled over her lashes. “I love you, too. So very much. My sweet William.”
    “I’m delighted to hear it , because the duke and duchess have given us their blessing.”
    “They have?”
    “They have indeed. I’ll have you know that I was prepared to argue them into the ground and carry you off with or without their blessing ; however , they were shockingly easy to convince. Seems all they want is your happiness. Which means the only question left is, can I make you happy?”
    “Yes!” A laugh of pure joy she couldn’t contain escaped her. “Perfectly happy.”
    Her laugh was cut off when he snatched her against him and covered her mouth with his in a searing kiss that made her toes curl inside her slippers. The loud clearing of a throat behind Callie made William raise his head. Callie gasped and pulled back from William’s embrace. She turned around, and heat flooded her cheeks at the sight of Aunt Olivia and the footman, the latter straining under the weight of a trunk that was nearly as large as he.
    William moved to stand beside Callie. From the corner of her eye , Callie noted with some amusement that his face bore a blush that she guessed matched her own. How lovely that he could blush. She fully intended to give him plenty to blush about.
    “I beg your pardon, Aunt Olivia,” said William. “I quite forgot myself, um, as well as your presence.”
    “Quite all right, dear boy,” Aunt Olivia hollered. “I’m delighted at your enthusiasm. However, you are incorrect — there is one more question that you need to ask.” She raised her brows and cast a significant look at Callie’s left hand.
    Callie heard William mutter something that sounded suspiciously like, “Bloody hell, I’m an idiot.” Then he grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him. Leaning close , he whispered in her ear, “I think it’s possible that Aunt Olivia isn’t quite as deaf as everyone believes.”
    “Of course I am,” boomed Aunt Olivia. “Deaf as a post. Now do carry on. Poor James cannot be expected to hold that trunk all day , you know.”
    William leaned back and smiled into her eyes. “As your aunt pointed out, there is one question remaining, one I momentarily forgot about as you managed once again to addle my wits by telling me you loved me.”
    “Terribly sorry. But you’d best get used to it , as I intend to tell you frequently.”
    “Which is only one of the thousands of things I love about you.” He reached into this waistcoat pocket and withdrew a ring — a single pearl set on a slim gold band.
    “It belonged to my mother,” he said. Then he lowered himself to one knee. “Callie … my darling Dimples. I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”
    “Yes, my dearest Dusty. Yes, yes, yes, yes!”
    William stood , and Callie threw herself into his open arms, not caring one whit that all of Society would be gossiping about this unprecedented scene for months to come.
    “Bravo, my dears!” shouted Aunt Olivia. She rushed forward and enveloped Callie in a tight hug. Before releasing her, Aunt Olivia whispered in her ear, “There now, did I not tell you there would soon be an engagement?”
    She stepped back, shot Callie a knowing wink , and then crooked her finger at the footman. “Come along, James. The betrothed couple requires no further assistance from us. Oh, and Callie, dear, you and William should wave — you’ve attracted quite an audience.” She sailed up the walkway like a schooner under