The Heart is Slow to Learn
 

Epilogue

          �Well, what do you think?�

          India frowned down at the half-finished watercolor painting on an easel.  All Venice was spread out before her like a shimmering jewel.

          India cocked her head, toying absently with the emerald sash that brightened her gown of ecru lace.  �What do you think?�

          Behind her, Erik smiled lazily.  He came to his feet and stood over her shoulder at the half-finished watercolor, enjoying the way the heat was already knifing through his body.  �Hmmmmm� That would goad her.  It always did.

          �Hmmmm?  Is that all you have to say?�  India gnawed at her lip.

          Erik felt a dozen muscles leap to a painful firmness at that unconsciously sensual gesture.  She had a speck of red paint on her cheek.  It made her look about twelve years old.

          Twelve going on thirty, that is.  In Erik�s eyes, she had a child�s limitless zest for life � and all of a woman�s ineffable beauty.

          �Oh, it�s no good.  I can�t work.  I keep thinking of Christine and Raoul and wondering if the baby is there yet.�

          Erik gazed out at the azure sky and again marveled at the generosity of Christine and Raoul.  Without hesitation, they had given them a magnificent wedding feast and then presented them with the jewels found in Cosette.  Despite the story that Erik was India�s former brother-in-law, there was still the possibility that someone could question the mysterious Erik Montserrat.  Therefore, it was decided that it would be safer for India and Erik to travel for while.

          �Don�t worry, sweeting,� Erik smiled lazily.  �It�s only a few more months before we can return home.�

          �And start looking for a home of our own?�

          �And a family of our own.�  His eyes glinting, Erik pulled a slender box from his pocket.  Inside a superb forty-caret emerald glinted on a strand of black pearls.  �And on the occasion of our first child, there are earrings to match.�

          India�s breath caught.  �It�s one of your designs, isn�t it?�

          Erik�s eyes warmed with passion.  �The only thing that I ask is that tonight you wear only this.�

          India�s breath caught the way it always did when Erik showed his love so clearly.  She was blessed, she knew.  And she swore she would make him happy.

          Erik drew in the smell of her, the unbridled life of her, thanking God again for the strange twist of fate that had brought them together.  Soon they would be rejoining Christine and Raoul in England in time to greet their new child.  Then Erik knew that the past was behind them all.  Raoul�s nightmares had finally ended and his heart healed at last.

          As the night stole close and covered Venice, the moon was full.

          The wind was high.

          And all in all, it was a perfect night for love.

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