watching the colour rise in her cheeks and her eyelids flutter with pleasure. Then when she had lost herself in his rhythmic touch, riding on the delicious waves of an uncharted sea, he swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed where she was allowed to give in to the trembling of her legs and lie dazed and brazen for him to cover her body with kisses and the sensuous exploring of his tongue. Finally, gently, he entered her to possess her completely.
Torquil lay back and lit a cigarette. ‘I’ve never seen you smoke,’ she said, snuggling up to him.
‘Only after sex,’ he said, drawing the nicotine into his lungs. ‘And only the best.’
‘That was lovely, Torquil,’ she said and blushed at the recollection of her shamelessness.
He drew her against him with his arm and kissed her damp forehead. ‘You were lovely,’ he said emphatically.
‘So were you,’ she replied and laughed.
‘This is only the beginning. I want to take you on a lifetime adventure,’ he said, then looked at her steadily with his pale green eyes. ‘Once again, I know
I’m rushing in. But I know what I want.’ Federica blinked at him in bewilderment. ‘I want to marry you, Fede.’
Federica sat up in alarm. ‘You’ve only known me a few months,’ she protested, wondering what miracle had caused him to love her like he did.
‘But you love me?’ he asked frowning.
‘Yes, I do,’ she replied. ‘But marriage is for life.’
‘And I’m going to love you for life,’ he insisted, pulling her down to lie in his arms again. ‘Marry me, Fede, and make me the happiest man in the world. I know I’m older than you, but that’s just it. I know better what I want and I know what’s best for you,’ he said, kissing her again. ‘You need to be looked after and protected and that’s what I’m going to do. Look after you and protect you. You need never worry about anything again. Love cures everything.’
‘Yes, it does,’ she said, smiling at the intensity of emotion that she felt. ‘I love you so much. I’m just scared.’ She sighed. ‘I watched my parents’ marriage disintegrate. I just don’t want that to happen to me.’
‘It won’t, I promise. You won’t ever be scared again,’ he soothed. ‘If you marry me, you’ll be happy forever, I promise.’
‘If you’re sure you want me, then, yes, I’ll marry you,’ she said and laughed
happily. ‘Mrs Torquil Jensen. That has a certain ring to it.’
‘Nothing like the ring I’m going to buy you,’ he said and squeezed her so hard she almost had to fight for air.
Torquil pressed his lips against her forehead before dragging once again on his cigarette. How fortunate he was to have found Federica. Fate had been kind to him. She was perfect in every way. After the choruses of worldly city girls, her innocence enchanted him. Her naivety empowered him and her beauty and grace bedazzled him. With Federica he felt needed and adored. Aware that she was experiencing love for the first time he was touched and honoured that she had chosen him - an emotion that was new to him. He was her hero. She looked up to him, happy for him to make her decisions for her, content for him to always take the lead. Having sailed through life according to the meticulous coordinates set out by his father he was finally asserting control. His father wouldn’t like it. He had always been the dominant presence in his son’s life. Like the all-consuming shadow of a powerful oak tree the force of his nature had seemed inescapable. But in the last few years Torquil had been growing up and out of his father's shade. Every small move away he saw as a victory,
however minute the step. Now he was taking another, larger pace. Federica was his choice. No one could control his heart. It felt good.
When Federica returned to London she rang her mother to tell her the news. ‘Mama, I’m getting married,’ she said.
Flelena sat down. ‘You’re getting married?’ she exclaimed in horror. ‘To Torquil?’
‘Well, who else would it be?’ Federica replied and laughed happily.
‘But I haven’t even met him,’ she protested.
‘You will. I’ll bring him down this weekend.’
‘Sweetie, isn’t this all a bit hasty? You’ve only known him a few months.’
‘It’s what I want,’ she said firmly.
Flelena fell silent for a moment. She remembered her own hasty marriage to Ramon and shuddered. ‘You're only eighteen. You’re a child.’
‘No, I’m a woman,’ Federica replied with emphasis and smiled to herself. ‘Have you told Toby?’