Free REGENCY: Loved by the Duke (Historical Billionaire Military Romance) (19th Century Victorian Short Stories) by Serena Vale, Tencia Winters Page A

ended on a high note – she tried to address him but realized that she had no idea what his name was.
    The man recognized Bliss’s apparent hesitancy.
    “I’m Giacomo,” he said, “but you can call me Jake, Mrs. Drago.”
    “Oh,” Bliss answered, “just call me Bliss, Jake.”
    “Thank you,” he said and placed the bags inside the trunk of the car. Bliss wanted to open the door and take a seat in the back. Jake hurried forward.
    “That is not the billionaire’s way, Mrs.–,” he said, “I mean Bliss,” he corrected himself. Then opened the door of the car with a theatrical swish and slightly bent his back while she took a seat inside.
    “This is really not necessary, Jake,” Bliss reproached.
    Jake pretended as if he had not heard her and did not give any answer.
    The door was shut and Bliss looked around.
    The interior of the limousine was nothing less impressive than its exterior. Leather seats, a huge television screen, a table, and a little cupboard. Most likely hiding a fridge stuffed with expensive drinks. Bliss knew that Ricardo was insanely wealthy, but feeling that luxury from up close, enjoying it as if it was as much hers as his, that was an intoxicating experience.
    The limousine started to roll and Jake slid down the shaded glass of the little window that separated the driver’s cabin from the passengers’ chamber.
    “If you care for some champagne, Bliss,” he said, “everything is prepared inside that cupboard in front of you.
    “Thank you, Jake,” she replied.
    Jake shut the window and Bliss looked for the glasses and the bottle. Moët & Chandon Dom Perignon White Gold.
    Ric sure had some taste, Bliss thought.
    On the other hand, on the day of her marriage she deserved the best from everything. Anyway, good to know that Ric seemed to have the same opinion on that last point. She popped the bottle and poured some of the fizzling, yellow liquid into a crystal glass she found next to the fridge inside that cupboard. She drank a sip. Could not be any better, she thought.
    And just then Jake turned the music on. ‘Give love on Christmas Day’ from the Jackson 5, one of her favorite holiday songs. It could not be a coincidence. Another courtesy from her husband, Ricardo Drago.
    It must have been partly from the champagne, partly from the heavenly accords and the angelic voice of the young Michael, but Bliss felt that her soul was ascending to new heights she had never been before. For a while she even forgot about the fact that this was only temporary, a pretend marriage. In a week or so she would be back to good, old, reliable estate agent Bliss on friendly terms with Ricardo.
    But who cared? She shrugged her shoulders, drank another sip, and asked Jake through the intercom to turn the volume up on the radio.
    By the time they got to the airport, Bliss became tipsy.
    Jake opened the door of the car for her and said goodbye with another of his little bows. She still found it rather comical, but did not protest any longer.
    The airport was busy and as usual she got lost looking for her gate. Children run around unattended, adults hurried back and forth, pushing or pulling trolleys packed with heavy luggage. The jumble of noises and the mixture of unfamiliar smells confused her even more. She panicked for a second that she was going to be late. There went her trip to Vegas and a weeklong marriage to the handsome billionaire she started to like more and more.
    Then she saw Ricardo at the end of a narrow corridor. He waved one of his arms invitingly. Bliss hurried her steps.
    “Hey, Ric,” she greeted him, “I’m sorry, hope we will not miss the flight.”
    Ricardo smiled in surprise.
    “How could we miss the flight?” he asked innocently.
    Bliss raised an eyebrow.
    “Planes do not wait for every last passenger,” she said, “even if those being late are called Mr. and Mrs. Drago.”
    Ric had to laugh.
    “Well, my plane sure will wait for Mrs. Drago!”
    They stepped out of the