So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Til a’ the seas gang dry.’
She swallowed, dumbstruck.
‘Ross? W-what…?’ was all that Izzy could manage.
‘I love you.’
‘B-but this…’ she murmured.
‘I thought I would make a grand gesture, so that you would know how I feel. So that you never doubt it.’
‘Well, as gestures go, this is pretty big.’ She gave him a tremulous smile.
‘Is it enough to convince you that I’ve been an idiot and that I’ve come to my senses?’
‘I think so.’
‘Not good enough, Izzy McBride. I want someone who’s all in. Not someone who thinks they might be in love. Someone who’s prepared to throw themselves off a cliff,’ he said with a teasing twinkle in his eyes that was underpinned by a touch of uncertainty.
She laughed, recognising her own words. ‘Okay then, lead me to the clifftop.’
‘Oh for God’s sake, Izzy, kiss the mon,’ called Duncan.
Izzy and Ross both turned to find everyone peering through the doorway at them.
‘Don’t keep him in his misery. The poor beggar’s been dribbling after ye for weeks. He was just too stupid to ken it.’
Ross wrinkled his nose. ‘He’s got a point.’
‘Yes, Izzy, you’re not getting any younger and let’s face it, you’re not awash with offers.’
Izzy laughed. ‘Thanks, Mother.’
‘She’s got a point, too,’ agreed Ross.
‘And I’m starving,’ called Jim.
‘You’ve eaten a whole tray of pinwheels,’ complained Jeanette.
‘I can’t decide if this is terribly romantic or terribly unromantic,’ said Izzy, stepping forward to stroke Ross’s face, her heart bursting at the tenderness softening his eyes. ‘I wasn’t expecting an audience.’
‘Me neither. Maybe you could kiss me and decide after that,’ he said. ‘Or maybe I could scoop you up and carry you out to the kitchen because I really don’t want an audience while I ravish you. I’m never going to be big on drama but I can do it if I have to.’
She leaned in and kissed him. The sword fell to the floor with a clatter as he slipped his arms around her and hauled her against his big, hard body. Who needed Jamie Fraser when you had your very own Ross Strathallan?
‘Now, can we get out of here?’ he muttered.
‘Yes.’
‘By the way, I think I’ve found your sapphires.’
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Christmas Day
