Love's Refrain by Patricia Kiyono Page A

garden.” He set his flute on a nearby bench then stood in front of her. He took both her hands in his. Laura held her breath as she gazed into his wide hazel eyes.
    â€œUntil this summer, I believed I was better off alone. I thought I had everything I needed, everything I would possibly want. But like a good song needs a refrain to balance its verse, and like a beautiful melody needs harmony to soar, I need a soul mate to make my life complete.
    â€œMiss Laura Montgomery, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
    The breath she’d held escaped on a sigh. “You want me? Truly?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t just want you, I need you. I need your calm assurance by my side in the face of chaos. I need your compassion in times of despair. And I need the harmony you bring to my life.”
    Laura couldn’t speak. Her heart pounded, and her hands shook as tears of happiness ran down her cheek. Could it be that she was about to receive her heart’s desire? Andrew released her hands and gently wiped away the tears with his thumbs. He placed one hand on either side of her face as he placed a gentle kiss first on her forehead, then on one eyelid, on the other, on her nose, and on each cheek, tracing the path of her tears. Laura held her breath, rejoicing at each touch of his lips on her face, wanting more with each kiss. Finally, when she thought she’d scream, his lips found hers. She matched his kiss with a fervor she’d never known she possessed, clinging to his shoulders, certain she would awaken and find it had all been a dream.
    Abruptly, he broke the kiss and he folded her against his chest. They held each other until their heartbeats slowed and their ragged breaths calmed. His voice deepened to a rumble when he spoke again.
    â€œYours is the voice I want to hear each day. It is your face I want to see across the table when I dine. You alone can provide the serenity my life needs. Please tell me you will accept my offer.”
    She spoke, though her heart sang, this time with overflowing joy. “Oh, yes. I accept.”

About the Author

    During her first career, Patricia Kiyono taught elementary music, computer classes, elementary classrooms, and junior high social studies. She now teaches music education at the university level. When she’s not teaching or writing, she spends as much time as she can with her grandchildren, cheering them on at sporting and music events.
    She lives in southwest Michigan with her husband, not far from her children and grandchildren. Current interests, aside from writing, include sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and music. A love of travel and an interest in faraway people inspires her to create stories about different cultures.

Also Available at Astraea Press

    Chapter One
    Monday, March 15, 1813
    Golden hair, brilliant as the noontime sunshine, glowed in the light spilling through the coffee house window. A fringe of distracting curls peeked from beneath the rose-endowed bonnet, framing the owner's enchanting face, sensuous and appealing as springtime. Anne Kirkhoven, now Mrs. Frederick Shaw, seemed none the worse for her marital adventure as she breathed in the steam rising from her poised cup. Her eyes flickered open, as if she sensed his gaze through the window, and when she glanced up into his stare, over her new husband's shoulder, no surprise showed in her expression, only warmth and secretive delight. Of course she'd associate the coffee house with him.
    Or at least, with his hunt of her.
    Tasty little morsel that she'd been.
    Another game completed. Another wonderful, beautiful woman whose dream had come true. Ernst Anton Oldenburg, His Grace, the Duke of Cumberland, dropped a wink through the coffee house window and strolled with the fashionable promenade into the Strand. He'd done what he could for sweet Anne.
    And so it was time for his next target.
    Who should be slamming out of the Olympic Theater any moment now.