‘I say a lot of things, not all should be acted upon.’
‘You are refusing me?’
Grace, horrified he would jump to that conclusion, spoke more sharply than she intended. ‘Goodness, no!’ She smiled, embarrassed. ‘I’m sorry. I did not mean to scold you. You’ve taken me by surprise. It’s not every day that—’
‘I should hope not.’
‘Your proposal . . . has shocked me.’
‘And me too.’
She looked at him surprised. Talek did not strike her as the sort of man who did anything on impulse. ‘It has?’
He nodded.
‘That must be unsettling for you.’
‘Extremely, but it was also a pleasant surprise. The question is, was it a pleasant surprise for you too?’
Grace stared at him. This virile, handsome man had just asked her to be his wife. To have his children, to grow old with him, to end the day in his arms and wake beside him in the morning. To share everything that life has to offer and make new discoveries along the way. An unbreakable bond that only strengthens with each adversity and pain they have to endure. His hazel eyes grew concerned.
‘Grace?’
‘Marry you and live here?’
‘The clay lands do not have the beauty of your moor, but I will be a loyal husband to you and provide you with everything you want and need.’
‘I have no doubt about that. But, Talek, you know so little about me.’
‘I know I love you.’ He stepped forward, taking her hands and drawing her gently towards him. ‘And I hope you will grow to love me in time.’
‘I don’t need to grow to love you.’
‘Then you are accepting?’
She nodded dumbly. ‘Yes. I believe I am.’ She found herself smiling too.
He drew her even closer, circling her waist with one hand as he did so.
‘I was growing concerned,’ he whispered as he traced her jawline with the fingers of the other. ‘For a moment I thought . . .’ His smile broadened as he looked at her. ‘What a formidable team we will make, Grace Kellow. With you by my side, I believe I could take on the world.’ He kissed her before she could reply and, just as it was on the beach, his kiss cast a spell to keep the worries of the world at bay.
The kiss quickly deepened, spurred on by her response and a desire for more. He was staking his claim upon her, but she did not care, for she was staking her claim on him too. They were now betrothed by both promise and kiss, two bodies becoming as one and hinting at the pleasures that lay ahead. They broke apart, their hearts racing and bodies trembling.
‘I must speak to your father and ask his permission,’ he murmured. He gently kissed her again, before withdrawing at arm’s length. ‘I don’t want to upset my future father-in-law without asking for his consent.’
Her father.Suddenly all the secrets she held rose up between them.
Grace touched his cheek to soothe him. ‘Talek—’
‘I love the way you say my name,’ he said, turning into her palm to kiss her there too.
‘Be serious now. We need to talk.’
‘Now you are reprimanding me,’ he teased.
‘This is so sudden. It is beyond my wildest dreams.’
‘And mine.’
