“Excuse me,” she said quietly, then waited until he looked at her.When she had his full attention, minus the giggling young lady next to him, she finished her request.“I would like to see you on the terrace,” she stated firmly, daring him to argue.His dinner companions would have to do without his company.
She didn’t bother to wait to see if Jonathan followed.Elizabeth made her way to the foyer where a servant retrieved her cloak.She wrapped the gray-brown silk taffeta garment around her, pulling up the hood to protect her hair from the wind.
Perhaps he could tear himself away from his dinner companions for a little while.In her present mood, she wouldn’t hesitate to make a scene.
Once she was outside, the crisp night air quickly cooled her body, if not her temper.The starry heavens peeped through the bare branches.A breeze blew a loose strand of hair across her nose that tickled and made her want to sneeze.She tucked it behind her ear as she nervously went over what she wanted to say.
It was now or never!
She wouldn’t let anything stop her now that her mind was made up.Lost in thought, she jumped when Jonathan touched her shoulder.
“I believe you summoned me, my dear.”
Elizabeth whirled, her hood falling about her shoulders.“Summoning you,” she spat out contemptuously.“It seems to be the only way to get your attention these days.”
Jonathan’s face showed no trace of emotion.He looked at her, waiting to see what she wanted.She realized then that he didn’t intend to make any of this easy.
Damn man!
“Before your injury, I was hopeful that we’d have a future together...”Elizabeth said, then paused as Jonathan tensed.His eyes grew hard and his jaw tightened.
Good, at least she had his attention even if he was thinking the wrong thing.
“I thought you loved me.”Her voice cracked as unwanted tears sprang to her eyes; she fought to hold them back, not wanting to cry.She needed to say what had to be said without her emotions getting in the way.
“I did,” Jonathan stated flatly.
Elizabeth stiffened.She noticed he used the word “did” instead of “do.”
“Well, for me, nothing has changed.”
“I am not the man I was then.”His words sounded as cool and clear as ice water.“Why can’t you see that?”he said angrily, his scowl hot.“The battle changed everything.”
“Your injury changed nothing!”Elizabeth shook her head stubbornly.“You are the same man to me.”
“You deserve better,” he replied in a low voice.“Someone whole.”
“I deserve to be happy.”
“Precisely, my dear.”Jonathan sighed.“And I completely understand that you want to end our relationship.”
“I never said anything about ending our relationship, which is exactly the point.There is nothing to end, Jonathan Hird.You have never made a commitment to me!”She grabbed both his arms and shook him hard.“I love you.Will you marry me?”
“I—I,” Jonathan stammered, and gave her a look as incredulous as if she’d just slapped him.
She couldn’t remember ever seeing such a shocked look on his face before.
“That is not an answer,” Elizabeth pointed out.“It’s simple ...yes or no.”
He regarded her quizzically for a moment, and then answered, “Yes.”
“What do you mean, no?”Elizabeth shouted and stomped her foot in a childish gesture.She had known he would say no.Damned man.“Don’t I mean anything to you?Don’t you lo—” She hesitated, blinking with bafflement.“Did you say yes?”
He nodded with a sly grin.“Just remember, I warned you.”
Elizabeth threw her arms around him and planted kisses all over his face.“I’m so happy, Jonathan.”Joy bubbled up and shone in her eyes.“I don’t want to wait because I’ve been waiting for you forever.I want to be married three weeks from today before Annie and Derek sail back to England.Annie would never forgive me if I got married without her.As a matter of fact, she’s probably given up hope.”
“Whoa.Slow down, my love.”Jonathan pulled back a little.A smile tugged at his mouth.“We’ll have the wedding of your dreams.I promise.”His breath stirred her hair.
