'It's all too much and too fast, Elliot. I can't take it in. Just to be married to you would be enough.'
He gave a fond smile. 'I couldn't see your talent go to waste—it's part of the woman I love. You're going to be number one all the way—number one in my life and number one in the charts. Trust me, Rachel. I'm going to make it all happen the way you want it.'
Eyes enormous with emotion, Rachel could only gaze at him without speaking. After the storm that had preceded it this was such a complete reversal that it was as shattering as if night had turned instantly to day. But one small thing still bothered her. Eventually she managed to ask, 'When I threw myself at you that night in the hotel in Amsterdam, why didn't you --?' She blushed and bit her lip.
'Why didn't I follow my instincts?' He squeezed her hand. 'In a way I did. I knew if I made love to you then when you were determined to say goodbye you'd hate me forever, and it would fully convince you that I was the good-time Charlie you seemed to imagine. There was also something else. My spirit rebelled at taking you in anger. And after having the seal set on my suspicions, that's exactly what I felt that night. I thought you'd been trying to make a complete fool of me.'
'I'm sorry. It all got out of hand.'
'Don't worry. I'm in charge from now on. It won't happen again!'
With a small cry she reached across the table until their lips were touching. Oblivious to the waiters and the other diners, she said, 'Elliot, I love you. I thought I would never survive the loss of you— but I trapped myself in a situation I couldn't control. And now you've made my whole life perfect.'
'Is that yes and yes to both proposals?'
'Yes, Elliot, yes. I shall never be afraid that you'll turn my life upside-down again.'
'But I fully intend to,' he warned. 'You're going to be so successful, so famous, you can't imagine it.'
'To be honest,' she murmured against the side of his head, pressing her cheek against his beloved face, 'if you had pushed just a little bit more, I would have traded in all my dreams of fame to be with you. I hung on by the very tips of my fingers to the course I'd chosen because I thought you could never want me for keeps. If you only knew what it was like to have had to let you go,' she whispered.
'No need for sacrifices any more.' He pressed his lips gently against her eyelids. 'You can have everything your heart desires. I'm going to lay the world at your feet.'
Their engagement was announced in The Times two days later and then they did the rounds of parents and relatives. It was like a triumphal progress. Rachel was in a dream of happiness. Elliot was as perfect as she had all along known—and, in those first weeks, feared. But now there was no need to run from the impact he had on her life. Their paths were not in collision but ran side by side on the summit of happiness and fulfilment. Even when the producers of the musical she had auditioned for gave her a large role, Elliot was there, safeguarding her interests, organising Press interviews and getting much-needed publicity for her. He even managed to fix up her first recording contract. Herman Ward saw that Elliot meant business and was pleased to play his part without getting in his way. Besides, he had only signed Rachel for three months and knew it would be foolish to try to hang on.
It was with a hint of nostalgia that she came to sing for the last time at the Manhattan before leaving to start rehearsals for the musical. 'I hope you'll book me for a short guest season now and then, Elliot. I shall miss this old place. It reminds me so much of you.' She ran her fingers experimentally through his hair as they sat together at one of the tables while waiters bustled about preparing to open for the evening.
'I hope the place will be able to afford you. As your manager I'm not having you singing for nothing.'
'You're very tough.' She smiled.
'With a hot property like you to handle I have to be tough.' He smiled fondly as he caught her hand where it teased down the side of his neck. 'Though if you'd seen how I was quaking inside when I asked you to marry me you'd know I'm just a kitten at heart.'
'I love kittens,' she said.
'I love you,' he murmured, pressing his lips into the palm of her hand. Her eyes shone with love. She knew it was true. And would be so for the rest of time.
Steps to Heaven Page 15