‘It was your dream. You gave up your dream for me.’
He shook his head.
‘My dream’s right here.’
Reaching out, he took her hands.
‘And I have a confession. You were right. After I told James about my father he agreed to sell to me. We signed the contracts this morning. That’s why I couldn’t come before. I wanted there to be no confusion about why I want you to be my wife.’
His expression was so earnest, so eager, that Daisy couldn’t decide if she wanted to laugh or cry. ‘So I’m just a bonus?’
He laughed unsteadily. ‘I’d say yes, but that icing bag looks dangerous!’
She smiled. ‘In my hands it’s a lethal weapon. Take a look at the cake if you don’t believe me.’
His face shifted, grew serious. ‘You’re not a bonus, Daisy. You’re the jackpot. I love you so much. I’ll always love you.’
‘Always as in for ever?’ she said shakily.
Nodding, he gently lifted up her hand and slid the ring onto her finger.
For a moment they stared at one another in silence, like survivors from a storm. Then, fiercely, he pulled her against him, burying his face in her hair, his breath warm and shaky against her throat.
‘I was so scared,’ he whispered.
Gently, she stroked his cheek.
‘Of what?’
‘That James had got it wrong. That maybe you wouldn’t forgive me.’
Her heart swelled protectively. ‘I was scared too. Scared I’d lost you.’
‘That won’t happen. It can’t. You’re part of me. The truest part.’
He held her gaze. The emotion in his eyes was raw, naked, unguarded; and she loved him more than ever for being able to show his vulnerability and need for her.
She rested her cheek against his, soaking in his love. Finally, she sighed.
‘We should probably tell my parents what’s going on. They must be freaking out by now.’ She frowned. ‘I wonder why they haven’t come outside...’
Rollo screwed up his face. ‘That might be my fault. I may have been a little...impassioned when I was trying to explain myself. I haven’t really done the whole parent thing in a long time.’
She bit her lip, a question forming in her mind. Only before she could ask it he pulled her close—so close that she could feel the beating of his heart.
‘I’ve been so angry for so long. With my past. With my mother. You made me face that anger and face my fears. But—’
‘You need to see your mother,’ she said gently. ‘And Rosamund.’
He nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘I’m glad.’ Watching his beautiful mouth curve upwards, she smiled teasingly. ‘I always wanted a sister.’ Her fingers curled into his shirt. ‘But nowhere near as much as I want you.’
And then she pulled him closer and they kissed, losing themselves in each other, in desire, and in longing and need and love.
EPILOGUE
‘YOU ARE KEEPING an eye on the time, aren’t you, Dad?’ Taking one last look at her reflection in the full-length mirror, Daisy glanced anxiously at her father’s face. ‘I don’t want to be late.’