I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I love you,” he said solemnly, looking me full in the face. His expression was so soft and touching, my heart hurt just looking at him. “I love you. And I want to show you how much I love you every day. If you don’t want to hear any of this, just tell me to go and I will. I’ll never darken your door again.”
“Don’t you dare!” I choked, clinging to him. “Don’t you dare, Jeremy Harris!”
He grinned, and it felt like sunlight flooded through me. “And now, since you are a businesswoman, here is my proposal.” He sat up and cleared his throat. “Miss Astra Davies, I am here to offer you a house in West Sussex, an excellent private library, a garden to do with as you please … and me. Every last piece of me. And all my love and support, whatever you want to do. I promise never to treat you as a bit of decoration or to touch a penny you earn. And I offer this”—he reached into his jacket and retrieved a little velvet box, inside of which nestled his grandmother’s diamond and ruby ring, winking at me and urging, Say yes! Say yes!—“if you agree to be my wife.”
Another warm wave poured over me, and I smiled up at him. But first: “All cards on the table. I don’t come alone. Raymond is still very much my responsibility and one I have no intention of giving up.”
“Of course. And I look forward to meeting him when you feel the time is right.”
“And you should know now that I’m a fright first thing in the morning. I’m beastly when I have a cold or when I haven’t had my morning coffee.”
He laughed. “These are risks I’m willing to take.”
“Good. Because I’m excellent with strawberries. And I love you, Jeremy. I love you so much. So put that ring on me, and let’s decide on a date!”
He laughed, sounding almost astonished, and slid the ring onto my finger. I grinned at it, glittering on my hand, then looked back up and kissed him.
If our first kiss was a summer shower, then this one was a proper autumnal storm: fierce, wild, and lasting. Oh, how delicious! We twined together and my heart was going like an express train, and his was too—I could feel it through his clothes as we pressed close, melding, unwilling to separate. I thought, He’s mine! Mine! Always! And I’m his—always! I would see him every morning and take him to bed every night. Have his children and watch as he aged into a magnificent, silver-haired gentleman. I would know his secrets and have him know mine. I would tease and comfort, make plans, and love him every single day.
Every single day.
I felt giddy, happy, and warm all over. Every part of my body he touched felt hot, and now I understood Cee’s blushes and Laura’s and Joyce’s knowing looks. All these little secrets of women in love. You can’t know them until you’ve been.
The kiss tapered off, but we stayed clasped together. I traced the curves of his face—lips, cheeks, jawline—with my thumb. Memorizing him inch by inch.
“I love you, Jeremy,” I murmured. “I promise I’ll try to make you happy despite all my faults and foibles.”
He chuckled. “There are still a few I need to probe out, if I’m not mistaken.”
“That’s right,” I purred. “And you have the whole of the rest of your life to do it.”
He stayed until the shadows lengthened outside, then departed with kisses and promises to return the next day. As I closed the door, Toby appeared in the doorway of the miniscule kitchen, a bottle of champagne in one hand and two flutes in the other.
“Dandy and I went out and bought these on Mother’s account,” he proudly announced. “Congratulations, darling! Sorry for listening in, but it’s a tiny place, this, and it was impossible not to. Gosh, you really are silly over him, aren’t you?”
“Very silly, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said. “It’s been quite a year, and I’m happy to be ending it so happily.”
He handed me a glass of champagne and clinked it with his own. “I’m happy you’re happy. You’ve earned it. Now, please do me the favor of telephoning Millicent and telling her all about it. And hold up the receiver so I can hear her shrieking.”
I smiled a little but shook my head. “No. She’ll hear soon enough, and you’ll hear her bellowing in rage all the way in Chelsea. I don’t want to spoil this by being petty.”
He rolled his eyes. “Suit yourself. Now, what do you say we send Reilly to fetch some lobster for dinner? What would Mother say to that?”
“I think her shrieks would surpass even Millicent’s,” I said, handing him my empty champagne glass. “Do as you please, Toby. I’m back to business now.”
“All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl,” Toby warned, waggling his finger.
“I play plenty,” I reassured him. “Go on and order your supper, if you must.”
He bowed and meandered back toward the kitchen. I retreated to my desk, picked up the pen, and returned to my work.
Also available by Brianne Moore
All Stirred Up
Author Biography
Brianne Moore spent her childhood spinning tales of bold princesses and brilliant ladies, and developing a deep love for British history and authors. After receiving a degree in English literature from Macalester College, she embarked on a career in journalism and web publishing. Once she moved from Pennsylvania to Edinburgh, Scotland, she felt like she had finally come home. She now lives by the sea in East Lothian with her husband, two sons, and bulldog, Isla. Her debut novel, All Stirred Up, was published by Alcove Press in 2020.
This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, organizations, places and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real or actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Brianne Moore
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Alcove Press, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Alcove Press and its logo are trademarks of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication data available upon request.
ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-64385-533-2
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-64385-534-9
Cover design by Lynn Andreozzi
Printed in the United States.
www.alcovepress.com
Alcove Press
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First Edition: September 2021
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