Eternal Love Book Two: Renaissance Love

Chapter Four: Romancing the Artist

When Constance awoke the next morning there was a beautifully wrapped package sitting on the dining room table. It had a card and her name on it. She picked up the card and read it.

“Dear Constance, See you tonight. Sincerely, Giuseppe Trevisan.

Constance set the card down and opened the package, inside was a beautiful red gown. Constance smiled, she ate breakfast and painted for a few hours, she could not help but think of the beautiful dress she would get to wear that night. When it was time for lunch she ate and then took a long hot bath. After bathing she let her hair dry out.

She dressed and with her mother’s help she got her hair braided and put up in an intricate bun. She put on some rouge and her red shoes that had come with the dress. When she was dressed it was almost time for her to leave. She got into the carriage Giuseppe had sent for her and she sat there quietly her black cloak covering her shoulders, her hands in her lap. She was nervous.

Would they be alone? Would there be others? Would he kiss her? There were so many thoughts running through her head. She was nervous and excited. She knew he liked her art, hell he had bought her entire collection. But did he like her. Finally, the carriage stopped and the door opened. A butler helped her get out and then escorted her into the estate doors.

When she entered Giuseppe was anxiously awaiting her. She handed her cloak to the butler and then Giuseppe took her hand and kissed it.

“Welcome my lady, you look stunning,” Giuseppe says slightly breathless.

“Thank you, sir. And thank you for the gown it's lovely.” She says blushing.

“Please jut call me Giuseppe or Gus. You can skip the formalities.” He says smiling at her.

Constance smiles back at him; he still hadn't let go of her hand. “Well then Gus you can call me Constance or Connie.”

Finally, he let go of her hand and offered his arm. She took it and he escorted her through the house giving her the tour and talking the entire time. They found that they had a lot in common. After a wonderful dinner he escorted her to the gardens, out behind his manor.

Constance let out a gasp, it was like a small paradise, “It's beautiful out here, like a painting.” She says softly.

Giuseppe nods, “This is what I want you to paint, a picture of this garden with two lovers embraced in the midst of that flower patch there.” He says pointing to the one in the center of the garden.

Constance nodded slowly she was already picturing the scene in her head. “Yes, I can do that, but it would be best to do it here in this spot if I want to get the best outcome.” She tells him.

He smiles at her and then takes her hand leading her back inside, the evening was growing cold.

“I think we can arrange that, so when can you get started?” He asks.

She thought for a moment, “I can start tomorrow.”

“Wonderful,” he says.

They sit next to each other in front of his fireplace in the sitting room and Giuseppe could not help himself he looked into her eyes and smiled. Their eyes met and he really could not help himself. He leaned forward and kissed her. Their lips met and there was a spark between them that Constance could not explain. The kiss grew deeper and his hands were in her hair and on her back, her hands were softly caressing his chest.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity he pulled away, “I'm sorry I should have asked first.” He says quietly.

She looks at him her cheeks flushed, “It's okay.”

She was about to say more when she hears a low growl. She turns her head and a beautiful black panther comes into the room. She holds her breath for a moment, but then relaxed. She should have been afraid and this wild animal but for some reason deep inside she knew she had nothing to fear. The black cat approaches her and she smiles.

He sniffs at her for a moment and then rubs his head against her hand. He sat in front of her and put his head in her lap.

“Well you're friendly, aren't you?” She says with a smile, carefully petting his head.

“His name is Ankanah.” Giuseppe tells her.

Constance gets a weird feeling that she had heard that name before, but where had she heard it. Suddenly, she felt a weird surge of something come from Ankanah it went through her and she passed out. That last thing she heard was Giuseppe saying her name.

Giuseppe was worried when Constance passed out and so he watched her for a while until he heard a familiar voice in his head.

“She's fine, her memories may be returning. Taker her home and let her come to you.” Bastet the Goddess tells him in his mind.

So Giuseppe did just that he took her home and let her father take her, and he left a note letting her know she had passed out so he brought her safely home, and that he hoped she felt better. Then he went home and waited. He did not know what would happen when she woke, so he waited and worried. What if she did not remember, what if she did...