He kept walking towards her in that maddeningly slow walk.
“Is it finally over?” she asked, shakily.
“It is,” he said, reaching her.
“Thank God for that,” she said. He was standing so close she had to lean back to look up at him. Lord, he’s a tall one.
“Now it’s time for me to ask you a question,” he said.
Sebastian got down on one knee and gazed up at her.
Her heart hitched and she would have sworn the green flecks in his eyes sparkled.
“Miss Katie Latham, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife so that I can spend the rest of my life making you happy?”
She gasped. And then she burst into tears. But they were happy tears. So she didn’t mind. They spilled down her face as she looked into his beautiful sable eyes. “Yes, yes, yes!” Katie got down on her knees with him and hugged him. “I thought you had given up on us,” she breathed. “It’s been an eternity since I saw you, and…”
He didn’t let her finish. “I love you, Katie, and there’s no way I can live my life without you by my side. When I thought I’d lost you, my world almost crashed down around my head. I was so afraid I wouldn’t get there in time.”
“I’m so glad you got there in time.” Fresh tears poured down her cheeks.
He withdrew a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.
“I owe you so many handkerchiefs,” she said in a wobbly voice.
“It’s all right,” he said tenderly. “I have a lifetime supply.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, reaching up to caress his face. “But why didn’t you send word?”
“Forgive me, my love. I was working day and night and had to tie up the investigation and make sure no one and nothing was left that could hurt my beautiful Katie.” He placed a soft kiss in the palm of her hand.”
She almost swooned.
“And then, there was the trip to Sussex. I had to ask for your brother’s permission,” he said.
“You did?”
“I did.”
“What did my brother say?”
“He said it’s about time.”
The thump of a cane echoed behind them, and they stood and turned to see the dowager with Paula.
“Here, here!” the dowager said. “I heartily second that!”
“Honestly, I’m just glad I won’t have to look at another scarf collection again!” Paula chimed in.
Everyone laughed.
Sebastian wrapped his arms around Katie and hugged her close.
“There is one other thing I was taking care of this week.”
“Yes?”
He reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. When he opened it, he placed a ring on her finger. “I had this ring made for you.” The ring was gold with a large oval sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds. “There is not a jewel that could possibly match the beauty of your eyes. But this one comes close. I love you, Katie Latham,” Sebastian said, cupping her face.
