"I hope I do not need to say that my attentions have been respectful," Ambrose began.
"There wasn't anything very respectful about the way you were kissing my mother just then," John pointed out.
Lady Evelyn giggled,
"There wasn't, was there?"
"Mama!"
"Oh, don't be so stuffy, John dear! Really, the young can be so conventional. Gina, I rely on you to improve him."
"I will do my best ma'am, but it will be hard because I think he is nearly perfect as he is."
"Of course, I realise that I am far below Lady Evelyn in station," Ambrose said.
"And I am just a little older than you," Lady Evelyn sighed.
"I don't believe it," Ambrose declared gallantly. "You are as young as springtime."
John pulled himself together. He was a good son and a kind hearted young man and his mother's happiness was important to him.
"Look, old fellow," he said, "don't worry about anything. If you are trying to ask me for my mother's hand in marriage, I grant it."
His Mama gave a gasp of indignation.
"I haven't granted it yet."
"Well, grant it then," her son advised her.
"But he has not asked me," she replied in high dudgeon. "A lady likes to be proposed to properly."
"I doubt if he will propose," John said airily. "He is too conscious of being a poor relation and other things that don't matter. So if you just say 'yes' that will save him the trouble."
John clapped Ambrose on the shoulder and kissed his mother's cheek.
"Bless you my children," he intoned.
Then he took Gina's hand and whisked her out of the room. The last glimpse he saw as he closed the door was Ambrose going down on one knee.
Safe outside the door John and Gina leaned against the wall and collapsed with laughter.
"Oh, dear, oh, dear!" Gina gasped. "Why are we laughing? It is so beautiful."
"Yes, it's beautiful, but it's also crazy," John choked. "Mama isn't 'just a little older' than Ambrose. She is ten years older than Ambrose."
"Well, of course he knows that," Gina pointed out. "The details of a Ducal family are no secret. He knows her age, but he will pretend not to if it makes her happy."
"If he doesn't make her happy, I will have his hide," John observed.
"I am so glad you made it easy for them," Gina sighed. "That was a very kind thing you just did."
"It's just that I want the entire world to be as happy as I am," John said, taking her into his arms again.
"As happy as we are," Gina added.
"I will devote my life to making you happy," he told her seriously. "If only you will say that you love me, Gina."
"I love you with my whole heart and soul and I always will."
"Your love is all I want. And now that I have it, I have the miracle you once promised me. And I know that there will be a new miracle every day for the rest of our lives."
Love Finds the Way Page 14