ROME was magical, with Siobhan’s wedding to her Italian count a glamorous event with much love and rejoicing.
The week that followed became a special time as Diego indulged Cassandra in a tour of the city’s galleries, the exclusive jewellery boutiques, with leisurely lunches in one trendy trattoria or another. At night they visited a theatre, or lingered over dinner.
And made love with a passion that was both evocatively sensual and intensely primitive.
They flew in to Sydney three days before their own wedding was scheduled to take place. Days which merged one into the other as Cassandra ran a final check with the dressmaker, the florist, caught up with Cameron, and organised the last remaining items from her apartment to Diego’s home.
Sunday dawned bright and clear, and within hours the last-minute touches were being made by various people employed to ensure every detail represented perfection.
Gardeners put finishing touches to the grounds, and florists lined the gazebo with white orchids. An altar was set ready for the marriage celebrant, and the caterers moved into the kitchen.
Cameron arrived ahead of the guests, and Cassandra accepted his careful hug minutes before they were due to emerge onto the red-carpeted aisle that led to the gazebo.
‘Nervous?’
‘Just a little.’
‘Don’t be,’ he reassured, and she offered a shaky smile as the music began.
Diego stood waiting for her at the altar, and Cassandra’s heart skipped a beat as he turned to watch her walk towards him.
Everything faded, and there was only the man.
Tall, dark and attractive, resplendent in a superbly tailored suit. But it was his expression that held her entranced. There was warmth, caring…and passion evident. Qualities she knew he’d gift her for the rest of his life.
In an unprecedented gesture he moved forward and took her hand in his, raised it to his lips, then he led her the remaining few yards to the gazebo.
It was a simple ceremony, with a mix of conventional and personal vows. By mutual consent, they’d agreed to choose each other’s wedding ring.
Jewellery design was her craft, and Cassandra had selected a wide gold band studded with a spaced line of diamonds. It was masculine, different, and one of her personal designs.
There had been a degree of subterfuge in Diego’s choice, for the ring he slipped onto her finger was a feminine match of his.
‘For what we’ve already shared, what we have now,’ Diego said gently, adding a magnificent solitaire diamond ring together with a circle of diamonds representing eternity. ‘The future.’
She wanted to cry and smile at the same time, and she did both, one after the other, then gave a choking laugh as Diego angled his mouth over hers in a kiss that held such a degree of sensual promise it was all she could do to hold back the tears.
It was later, much later when they were alone, that she took the time to thank him.
Instead of booking a hotel suite, they’d opted to remain at home. It seemed appropriate, somehow, to spend their wedding night in the bed where they’d first made love.
‘You’re welcome,’ Diego said gently as she slid her arms high and pulled his head down to hers.
‘I love you.’ Emotion reduced her voice to a husky sound. ‘I always will.’
He brushed his lips across her forehead, then trailed a path to the edge of her mouth, angled in and took his time. ‘Mi amante, mi mujer, my life.’
A deliciously wicked smile curved her lips. ‘Gracias, mi esposo.’
Diego gave a husky laugh, and uttered something incomprehensible to her in Spanish.
‘Translate.’
He offered a devilish grin. ‘I’ll show you.’
And he did.
On the edge of sleep he curled her close and held her…aware one lifetime would not be enough.