Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,201

not agreed to marry you," Desmond said, turning towards his father, "what would you have done?"

"I cannot even consider the possibility." He gave a theatrical shudder.

"But if she had withstood your entreaties—"

"Which she did for quite some time."

Desmond gave him an exasperated look. "I had hoped you would be able to advise me in my current predicament, but I might have better luck consulting the cake plate on the table."

His father chuckled. "I sympathize with your situation. I truly do. I despaired of convincing your mother to tie her future to mine. In truth, I was forced to give up—"

"What do you mean?" He had never heard this before. His parents had teased recently about becoming exasperated with each other over the years, but he had assumed—wrongly, it appears—they had fallen in love and gotten married and that was it.

"Desmond, it took me a while to admit I could not force the one I love to feel the same. I pleaded my case, let her know my love would never fade, and then asked her to tell me what she desired. When she was ready to do so."

"That was quite a gamble."

"Indeed it was. After I delivered that speech, I left, trying to keep my knees from buckling, desperate to give off an air of confidence I was not yet feeling."

"How long did you wait?"

"An eternity." He grinned. "It was only a matter of weeks. I was tempted to woo her, with a posey or daily poem. But I refrained, wanting her to make up her own mind. And she did. Never has a man been more grateful that a gamble paid off."

Desmond watched Lorelei from across the room. A chance meeting—one that should not even have occurred—and he was in danger of losing his heart forever.

"What would you have done if she had not changed her mind?"

His father's expression was sympathetic. "I would have loved her forever, sad that she did not wish to unite her future with mine, yet buoyed by the belief I had done what was best for her. That is the essence of love—caring for the other's wellbeing, even if it is at your own expense."

"Yet I have grown up believing love is to be shared, not experienced from afar." Desmond hesitated. "I have also spent my years believing a love such as yours was beyond my reach. I am dismayed to discover it truly is, only I did not learn it until after losing my heart."

"Love is filled with many surprises. It may surprise you again, just when all seems lost."

Desmond was unable to reply, because Caroline and Henry were racing his direction, eager to tell him something important. Lorelei followed closely behind. He could scarce tear his eyes away from her, even though the children were clamoring for his attention.

He heard a deep chuckle from his father. "Children, have you heard of a game called Snapdragon?"

They shook their heads in unison, while Henry asked, "Is there a real dragon in this game?"

"Not quite," his father answered, leading them to the other side of the room. "Although there is fire involved."

"Your family is wonderful," Lorelei said when they were alone again.

"I am realizing just how wonderful they are," Desmond admitted. He had learned a great deal about his family's history, and how it affected his own future. "They are quite enamored of your family."

"They may change their mind when they discover the boundless supply of energy my niece and nephew possess."

He grinned. "I have no doubt they shall recommence their lament about not having grandchildren, and prodding me to give them the opportunity while they are still able to chase after them."

"Until you are able to do so," she said, her eyes twinkling, "please assure them these imps are available to visit at any time."

Chapter Eight

Lorelei took her time donning her clothes. She had tried to pretend this day would never arrive, and yet it had, and she was not even the slightest bit prepared. The past week in Desmond's arms had been a test of her resistance, for he had done his best to prolong her eventual leave-taking.

One night he made love to her with a fierceness that left her craving him even more than before, followed by an evening of lovemaking so tender it caused an ache knowing it would soon be at an end. Yet throughout he was playful, and teasing, doing everything possible to elicit her laughter, and happiness.

She would miss that as much as anything else.

Once she was dressed,