“And I was just getting comfortable.”
“Too dashed comfortable, that’s the trouble.” With a rueful grin, he ran his fingers through her hair. “You look a complete romp.”
“It’s your fault!”
She put her hands to her head and discovered her hair had come down. With a shriek of dismay, she scrambled off Alex’s lap and went to a convenient mirror set above the fireplace. Hastily removing pins, she did what she might to repair the damage, all too aware of Alex’s regard, grinning at her from the sofa.
“Can’t believe the turn of events, my lady Appoline Damerham.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Nor I. I wish you won’t call me that.”
“Much rather call you my lady Dymond.” He held out his hand to her, and she finished prinking her hair and came to sit demurely beside him. “You are suited with that, aren’t you, Apple? Marrying me, I mean.”
“If it’s the only way I can be with you, then yes. Though I can’t imagine how I shall cope.”
“Don’t fret. You’ll learn all you need to. My mother will see to that.”
Indignant, Apple glared at him. “If that is designed to comfort me, let me tell you it does nothing of the kind. Your mother terrifies me!”
He put an arm about her and gave her a hug. “What, when you were ready to brave the world quite alone? Nothing terrifies you, young Apple.”
“If that’s what you think, you don’t know me.”
He grinned. “I will by the time we’re done adventuring. Though for my part, I know you already through and through.” He took her hand, playing with her fingers as he spoke. “Never thought I’d get the chance to keep you. Believed it was hopeless from the first.”
“So did I.” A thought struck her and she gasped. “Marjorie and Walter will be wild when they find out.”
Alex’s hand stilled on hers. “Wonder if it’s they who sent that note?”
“What note?”
He struck himself in the forehead. “If I’d not forgot it!” Diving his hand into an inner pocket, he brought out a somewhat crumpled paper and gave a rueful sigh. “Wrecked the thing, sorry. Broken the seal.”
Apple took it from him and her heart jumped when she saw the superscription. “It is Marjorie’s hand! Oh, will she never leave me alone?”
“No need to fret, Apple. Be out of her reach in no time.”
Apple held the letter between her fingers, staring at it with a faint degree of anxiety creeping through the unaccustomed joy in her heart.
“Open it, love!”
The endearment on Alex’s lips made her look round at him, startled. “Me?”
His brows shot up. “What do you mean, me?”
“You said love.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “You are my love, aren’t you?”
Apple’s bosom felt as if it was exploding and her voice almost failed. “Yes… Yes, I am!”
His arm tightened about her. “No need to cry about it now, sweet.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks. “Oh, don’t!”
Alex removed his arm, digging into his pocket, and laughing the while. “What, I’m not to call you sweet either?”
“No! I mean, yes, please! Oh, Alex, I do love you so very much!”
