ProserpinaIt was only around seven in the evening.Lucien had called to say that he might be late. But he would bring Schwartz along for dinner, he had added. That was hardly a surprise. James Schwartz practically lived in our house, not that I minded. We had a room for him on the first floor that was always aired and ready for him to stay. Claude adored him and listened to him, sitting for hours, perched on his knee while Schwartz made goofy faces and entertained the kids.Rachel and her fiancée, Liam Ghiang had gone out to fetch some last-minute stuff. They were to be married in a day’s time and I was as excited as they were. Rachel had insisted that my children should be dressed up for the occasion and she had gone out to get beautiful clothes for them, for my littlest babies as well!As for me, I had decided to wear a dress that I had purchased a while ago, a pale lilac outfit that was simple and elegant. Ria had looked at it disapprovingly but I had wrapped my arm around her wai
ProserpinaThe day of the wedding dawned. It was a crisp and cool morning.Lucien had left for the townhouse after a terse goodbye to Rachel. He had never really cared for Rachel and I was not really surprised when he left. Not that I had not tried to make him attend the wedding that was scheduled for the evening.*DusakHe knew that it would take a long time to take his revenge on the man who had blinded him in one eye. But the hate in his mind festered and grew with each day. He kept the photographs of the Delano family in his room and he looked at them religiously, hate eating into him as he stared at them before he drifted off to sleep.His training had begun. Father Paval had set up meetings with many of Dmitri Rudenko’s former associates who had at first hesitantly, and later, openly come out to join hands with the wicked monk. They were prepared to help Dusak learn the ropes but on many occasions, Paval had had to step in to ensure that Dusak’s obnoxious behaviour did not put
ProserpinaWhen I came awake in the morning, I realized that Lucien had not come up to bed. Puzzled, I went looking for him but the study was deserted. Frowning, I went to the kitchen and found Beston sitting at the table, sharing a cup of tea with Camille. She leapt up to her feet, pink-cheeked but Beston rose to his height in a more leisurely fashion.‘Ma’am.’ he murmured in greeting.I came straight to the point.‘Tony,’ I said, “where is my husband?’He looked back at me, perplexed. ’The boss left for the townhouse last night.’ he said, and I quickly turned away to hide my confusion.‘Oh yes, I remember now,’ I said lamely but I caught Beatrice's anxious eyes as she watched me. I left the room, unsure whether to be angry or just surprised.Why had he left last night? Surely some urgent work had not come up at midnight?I tried to call him but he did not answer the phone. To my surprise, I found that Schwartz had also left.When he strode in towards mid-morning, he looked hassled.
ProserpinaWhen I went upstairs to change, I found, in some surprise, that my dress had been replaced. The simple lilac suit I had decided to wear was nowhere to be found.In its place was a pink floral print tie-strap tiered maxi dress in textured woven chiffon, with a colourful floral print throughout. When I wore it, for there was no time to go searching for a replacement, I discovered that the dress had tying shoulder straps, a straight neckline, and a princess-seamed bodice with smocking at the back. It looked exquisite, and I caught my breath. It was simple and elegant and a dream to wear, clinging to my body, showing off the tops of my breasts with the deep neckline. The full maxi skirt was accented with tiers that gave it a rich effect. The back was deep, and I blushed as I realised that I cut a seductive figure. Sighing, I sank to the dressing stool and noticed the blush satin ankle strap heels, which matched my outfit.Rachel! I thought with a smile. She must have done thi
ProserpinaThe car speeded along now since the road leading to the lake house was generally empty. From what I recalled, Lucien had bought up most of the property surrounding the house to ensure that we would have our privacy.As we turned into the Chapter driveway and reached the lake house, perched on the banks of the pristine, clean waters of the lake, I smiled.I had fallen in love with the house, a house that Schwartz had gifted us. And I blushed as I thought of how I had, unsuccessfully, tried my hand at being a Dominatrix, here, in this very house.No guesses for how that had ended.Memories of how I had bound him to the bed and tried to tease him, only to pay for it when he easily broke his bonds and took me in his familiar, savage way, made my breath come faster.Lucien Delano would always be the Alpha male who dominated me.Dear God, but I loved the man… Almost six years of marriage and I still trembled to his touch like a new bride.*As we entered the area where the cars
Bemusedly, I stared at Lucien and suddenly became aware that my favourite song had begun to play, the slightly nasal, soulful voice of the UB40 group lead singer crooning “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You’.The music soared as I took my steps to him, the only man I had ever loved, the one who owned me, body and soul.My Mafia Don…I choked, my eyes misting but suddenly, Beatrice was beside me, little Louis in her arms. She nudged me hard and said in a hiss,”Girl, you ain’t getting all teary-eyed an’ all now, yeah? You gotta walk up to the Man. He has been doing this secretly for you and all.’I nodded, shakily. Ria came to grip my arm on one side as Piers moved to the other.All I wanted was to run to Lucien, to hug him and kiss him but he had taken such trouble to set this up; my whole conniving family and my friends, they had done so much!!!With tears in my eyes but smiling widely, I stepped out onto the lawn bordering the patio and crossed the lawn, the bouquet in my hands.
ProserpinaI was delirious with joy.My man, the man I worshipped, had arranged a wedding for me in secret, with of course, the active support of my sneaky kids and friends,Lucien raised his head and in his loud, gravelly tenor, he boomed, holding me clutched to his massive chest.“Ladies and gentlemen,’I saw Schwartz’s eyes twinkling merrily,Pulling me closer, he said,’ This is My Woman. She is the woman I love, the only woman I want in my life and the woman I want to grow old with.‘I was too overcome to say anything.*I knew he did not care for speeches; knew he would never find it easy to make a public declaration of love. But he had actually said this today, for me!My heart swelled with love for him.And he lowered his head to kiss me again, a searching, hard stamp that effectively had me weak and clinging to him.*Dimly, the sounds of clapping, and then fireworks erupted from the corner of the lawn, making Claude leap up and down, clapping. The nurses had hurried away wit
ProserpinaWhen we landed, it was dawn. We had flown all night long, having stopped to refuel and meet one of Lucien’s associates in Dubai. I guessed it to be around 11 p.m. in Hollowford now since it was around 7 a.m. as I stepped out onto the tarmac, holding Lucien’s hand.Autumn was setting in, and an early morning chill made me shiver and then , I stared as I caught onto what the flight attendant was saying. I knew the woman; Betty had been with Lucien’s crew for years now but she still appeared to be in awe of my husband who barely glanced her way as he gave a terse nod.‘Have a great honeymoon in Greece, ma’am,’ she beamed.*Greece? I whispered in shock and amazement, Lucien had brought me to Greece?I almost floated down the steps to the ground, thrilled beyond words. I had grown up guzzling myths of Greece and now, to be here was a dream come true! Those hours at night, reading by torchlight huddled under a blanket, had been my only happy times when I was a child in my aunt’s