Stranger in Camelot (22 page)

“You need a partner for your ranch,” he told her. He removed his jacket and spread it like a blanket.

She trembled and tried to keep her voice steady. “Have any suggestions?”

“Oh, yes. Someone who loves horses, knows how to mend fences, and can help you make enough money to keep the best foals and show them.”

“Have any suggestions?” she asked again, her voice breaking.

“Oh, yes. I know the perfect man for the job.”

“I don’t need a
perfect
man. I’m looking for someone a little unpredictable, someone who takes big risks and risks making mistakes—but admits them.”

“Someone a bit like yourself.”

“That’s right.”

“You need a husband, Agnes. In particular, me.”

Her heart caught in her throat. Crying a little, she took his face between her hands. The teasing was over. “You’re not going back to England? What about your career at Scotland Yard?”

“I’ve learned too much about myself to go back to that. Too much that I like. Pleasant surprises.” He smoothed her tears away and said in a husky voice, “Are you crying because you’re happy or because you didn’t want me to propose marriage to you?”

Agnes stroked his hair. “Happy.”

He put both arms around her waist and pulled her up with him as he got to his knees again. She tilted her
head back and smiled at him in the moonlight. “Please keep me at the center of your heart forever,” he said softly.

Aggie made a sound of devotion. She knew where he’d read those words, and how many centuries had passed since a man had spoken them to the woman he loved. And she knew what to say in return. “Not one day will pass without you there. Keep me close in your heart, as well. You’ll never have to look any farther than that, to find me.”

John cupped a hand along her face. “Marry me.” His voice was a low croon of persuasion. “Marry me. I love you so much. We’ll carry the family torch for another eight hundred years, at least. And we’ll make the kind of life we’ve
both
dreamed about.”

“Yes. Oh, yes.”

She touched his smile. He drew her back to the sand and began undressing her. “Would you like to be improper, my lady?” he whispered against her lips.

Aggie felt as if she were floating on dreams. “Even worse than that.” He laughed until she unbuttoned his shirt and began kissing the center of his chest. “Welcome to Camelot,” she said softly.

His arms went around her. “It’s so good to be home.”