‘Señorita Skavanga...Leila...will you do me the honour of agreeing to become my wife?’
She froze and stared at him. And then had to chew double fast and swallow before she could exclaim, ‘Are you serious?’
‘Would I be down here on the floor for any other reason?’
‘It does seem unlikely,’ she agreed, shooting him a wicked look. Then sliding off the stool, she joined him on the floor, kneeling in front of him, which was no small feat in Leila’s condition. Linking fingers with him, she stared into his eyes. ‘Raffa Leon, will you do me the honour of becoming my husband?’
‘In the interest of harmony and equality? Yes.’
‘I love you very much,’ she whispered as he kissed her hands.
‘And I love you, Leila Skavanga.’ Leaning very far forward indeed so he could reach past the bump, he kissed the woman he loved again...and again.