Free The Duke's Willful Wife by Elizabeth Lennox

to renew your vows now that the silliness of that misunderstanding has been resolved.”
    Sasha’s eyes sliced to Dante’s and she shook her head.  “Rennata…” she started to say, but caught Dante’s head shake and stopped. 
    The woman looked at Sasha.  “Dante knows you didn’t have an affair with Cristolo.”  She chuckled, which turned into a cough.  “He’s just scared.  Don’t let him do that,” she said when the coughing fit was over.
    Turning to Dante, she clenched his hand.  “You’re a good man.  You love her deeply so you run scared.  Don’t be.  Let her love you and you’ll be happier for it,” she said, then closed her eyes.
    Sasha glanced around the room, panicking when she thought that Rennata had just passed away.  But the heart monitor kept up its steady rhythm so she realized that Rennata had only fallen asleep and hadn’t died. 
    “Come with me,” Dante ordered, placing Rennata’s hand gently by her side as he motioned for Sasha to follow him into the hallway . 
    Sasha followed him out, her worried eyes straining to see the more vital woman she remembered.  But all she saw was a weakened elderly lady struggling for life and Sasha had to stifle a cry of despair and fear that God would take this woman from her life. 
    Out in the hallway, Dante turned and glared at her.  “If she thinks we’re back together, you’ll do nothing to disabuse her of that notion, ” he commanded sternly .
    He wouldn’t get any argument from Saha.  She’d do anything to make sure Rennata recovered, even if it meant lying about her relationship with Dante.  “Of course not.  If it makes her feel better to think that we’ve worked things, I’m all for it.”  She crossed her arms over her stomach and turned slightly away from him.  “I know you won’t believe this, because you don’t believe anything I say, but that woman means a great deal to me.  She was always there for me while I lived here.”
    He looked at her curiously.  “Are you saying I wasn’t there for you?”
    Startled, Sasha shook her head.  “You were very busy.  I know you enjoy your work, ” she said and turned away, not wanting to argue with him right at the moment , even though her resentment over his work and the long hours he’d spent at his office had made her lonely and angry that he’d preferred the company of his vice presidents over being at home with her . 
    He sighed heavily and ran his hand through his hair.  “Will you stay for a bit longer?”
    “I always intended to stay until she either…” her voice cracked and she shook her head, “or she recovered.”
    She saw his jaw clench before he nodded.  “Thank you.  It means a lot to me that you’re willing to do this.”
    She stood up straighter, not wanting him to get the wrong idea.  “I’m her e for her.  Not for you, Dante.”
    “Fair enough.  I’ll drive you back.”
    “N o , I’ll stay here.  I just want to be with her for a little while longer.”  She could tell that he was going to argue and she stopped him with a gentle hand to the middle of his chest.  “I won’t disturb her.  I’ll just sit with her and hold her hand.  Maybe read something to her if she wakes up.  I promise I won’t be a bother.”
    He reluctantly agreed.  “As long as you take a break and eat something a little later,” he compromised.
    “Deal,” she sighed and smiled up at him, then looked away with a blush she hoped he didn’t see.  She quickly walked back into the private room and took up a silent vigil, taking Rennata’s hand in hers and trying to soothe the woman with her strength.  “You’re going to be okay, Nonna,” she said, taking back the title she’d used when she’d lived with Dante.  “Please get better so we can continue our e-mail arguments together.   I really look forward to each e-mail or text from you.  They’re the highlight of my week and you know it.  So if you can hear me, please know how