‘My suspicions were confirmed then. You didn’t even know how to take your free spin, Tabitha,’ he pointed out. ‘It was almost funny….’
Almost.
‘But you were so angry on the beach when I told you—furious…’
‘Because I didn’t want you to say it,’ he explained, his only defence the love that blazed from his eyes. ‘I didn’t want it to be over before we’d even started, and I knew that once you’d told me the truth the only decent thing I could do was offer you a chance to get out.’
‘But you didn’t?’
‘I couldn’t.’
The raw honesty of his answer moved her, and the bemusement faded from her eyes.
‘Can’t you see, Tabitha, I couldn’t risk losing you? I was just trying to buy some time.’
‘Time’s what we’ve wasted,’ Tabitha said gently, her anger evaporating as she gazed at the man she adored, finally allowing the enormity of his love to softly wrap around her, to soothe and comfort her broken, aching heart. ‘What are you doing?’ She giggled through her tears as he knelt down in the mud swamp that was her garden. ‘The neighbours will see.’
‘Good.’ He laughed, enjoying the sound of her laughter, her girlish embarrassment. The sparkle was back in her eyes now. ‘You’re not the only one who enjoys an audience, you know. This time we’re going to do things the right way.’ His voice was suddenly serious, love blazing from his eyes as he knelt before her and with shaking hands offered her the ring—her ruby ring. ‘Tabitha Reece, will you marry me?’
Tabitha took the ring and slipped it on her finger, back to where it belonged, to where it always would be.
‘Say something,’ he urged.
‘Why? I’ve already said yes to you,’ Tabitha pointed out. ‘Six weeks, two days and fifteen hours ago.’
‘But that was only temporary,’ Zavier said, doubt, angst creeping into his voice.
‘No, Zavier,’ Tabitha said softly. ‘When I said yes I meant it. It was always for ever.’
EPILOGUE
‘IT’S embarrassing,’ Aiden insisted, bouncing baby Darcy on his knee. ‘Isn’t it, sweetheart? Seeing your nanny and grandad carrying on like a couple of teenagers at your christening?’ He peered more closely at his nephew’s face. ‘Tab, why’s he going all red? Purple now—and what’s that terrible smell?’
Grinning, Tabitha relieved him of her son. ‘Well, I think it’s lovely. It might have taken forty years and a heart attack, but seeing Marjory and Jeremy so devoted to each other is a real tonic. There’s nothing embarrassing about it. Anyway, if you don’t want to be late for your date you’d better push off. I’m going to change Darcy. Thanks for his wonderful present, Aiden, you shouldn’t have.’
‘Of course I should have, and tell him to hang on to it. That painting will be worth a fortune in a few years. Actually, Zavier—’ Aiden lowered his voice ‘—I was hoping for a word before I go.’#p#分页标题#e#
Zavier rolled his eyes. ‘How much this time?’
‘It’s all right for you,’ Aiden said defensively. ‘Dad’s going to live for ever, at this rate, and maybe my paintings are taking off, but compared to you it’s peanuts. Anyway, Luigi’s got expensive tastes—I can hardly take him to the local burger bar. Have you seen the price of champagne these days?’
‘You’re supposed to be on the wagon,’ Zavier said sharply.
‘I am, but that doesn’t mean Luigi has to be.’
‘If he cares about you,’ Zavier started, in a voice that could only denote a lecture, ‘he won’t mind where you take him. And stop rolling your eyes, you two. I’m right on this.’
‘I hardly think a man who had to buy his bride should be lecturing me,’ Aiden teased, and Zavier actually blushed. ‘You’ve still never told me how much you had to offer to sway this divine creature.’
Laughing, Tabitha left them to it. After changing Darcy’s nappy she pulled on his blue Babygro, admiring his little fat legs as he kicked happily in the air. He really was the most delightful baby, and of course that had nothing to do with his having two of the most biased parents. Gently placing him in his crib, Tabitha stood watching as he rolled onto his stomach, his fat bottom sticking up in the air as he searched for his thumb.
‘Is he asleep?’ Zavier asked as he crept in behind her.
‘He’s gone straight onto his stomach. Maybe I should turn him.’