‘Did you not hear what I just said? They were substitutes for you. You know, like a sugar substitute. It doesn’t taste as good and it leaves a bad aftertaste, but it helps soothe the craving. I never wanted any of them. I only ever wanted you.’ He grinned. ‘You were the mothership. The everything.’ He nodded. ‘Yup, my stepmother who turned out to be my stepsister.’
‘Oh you kinky man you.’
‘Ah, talking about that. We have an appointment at Blue Butterfly tomorrow.’
‘We do?’ I beamed up at him.
‘Yes, we do.’
‘Didn’t you have enough fruit the last time?’
‘Ah, fruit platters are not the only things they do.’
‘Can’t wait,’ I said beaming happily.
‘After that we are flying off to Penyu island to have a proper honeymoon. I still need to fuck you on that swing bed.’
‘Yes, m’Lord,’ I said meekly.
‘Oh, while we’re at it.’ He reached into his pocket and brought out a little velvet box. He opened it and on a bed of midnight blue velvet sat the most beautiful ruby and diamond ring I had ever laid eyes on. I looked up at him with wide eyes. ‘For me?’ I gasped.
‘Do you see anybody else?’
‘Careful. You’re spoiling the moment,’ I scolded.
He pulled the gaudy ring off my finger and tossed it behind him.
‘Hey?’ I said.
‘It was fake by the way.’
‘What?’
‘Yeah. Part of the plan. I was prepared for the eventuality that after you’d read the letters you might go and have it valued. A fake would have cemented my motive.’
‘My God! You thought of everything.’
‘You didn’t really think I was going to let my wife walk about with that tasteless rock on her finger, did you?’
‘Well, it was a bit Mariah Carey weds James Packer.’
‘This,’ he said, slipping the beautiful ring on my finger, ‘has belonged in my family from the time we stole it from the Indian maharajas.’
I held my hand out and laughed.
‘We’re starting again, Tawny Greystoke, and this time we’re going to make the stars come out just to watch us.’
I looked into his silver eyes. My heart felt as if it would burst with happiness. ‘What will they see, these stars that come out to watch us?’
‘They will see me loving you like no man has ever loved a woman before.’
I smiled happily. ‘Who’d have thought I’d fall for a dirty aristocrat.’
‘Who’d have thought I’d be a total sucker for a country girl,’ he said with a twinkle in his eye.