Complications (20 page)

MR BRIGHTFORD stood opposite Amelia in the drawing room
the next day, the curtains open and letting in a golden glow of autumnal sun. He
got down on one knee. “Miss Daventry, would you...?”

“Yes,” she said at once, feeling as if she
had been waiting for this moment for most of her life.

He looked up at her with a frown: “I have
an entire speech prepared with compliments and a rhyme.”

A rhyme? Mr Brightford? This she must hear.
“Excuse me, sir. Pray, continue.”

“With your hair as dark as night and eyes
like a sunny morning sky, you fill all the hours of my world ...”

“That is beautiful,” she said, smiling at
the thought of him sitting composing a speech for her.

“Alex helped with the day and night
simile.”

“You are both very talented.”

“You would make...” He hesitated and
frowned. “I have forgotten the next part.”

“Was it along the lines of ‘
will you
marry me
’?”

Amusement glinted in his eyes as he looked
up at her. “It was an extremely long-winded but elegant version of that.”

“Then my answer, Mr Brightford, is yes.”

He got up a little awkwardly and she caught
his hand to steady him. He held onto it and put his other arm round her waist.

Feeling a bit breathless at his proximity
and the feelings his touch provoked, she said, “Should you recall more of the
compliments later do tell me.”

“I have the whole thing written down at
home.” His hand was warm against hers and he stroked her fingers.

She swallowed. “I look forward to your
recitation.”

He kissed her and she put her arms around
his neck, holding onto him, as the world dissolved into the most delightful sensations.
It was better than anything she had known and it occurred to her that she had a
lifetime of such kisses ahead of her.

As she opened her eyes she gazed at his
beloved face and said, “About that rhyme...”

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