“This was my grandmother’s,” he whispered against her hair. “I knew from the moment I saw you that I would be needing it soon. Fortunately, Archer was able to retrieve it for me yesterday. Otherwise we’d have been forced to make do with my signet ring. Which isn’t nearly as pretty.”
Pulling back a little, Georgie looked down at the ring on her finger. It was pretty. A sapphire surrounded by tiny winking diamonds.
Looking into Con’s eyes, however, she said only, “You’re prettier. And stronger. And more beloved.”
At her words, his expression softened and he kissed her. “Not as beloved as you are, my dearest Georgina.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb, staring at her every feature as if he were memorizing her for posterity. “I thought I’d lost you up there on that tower,” he whispered.
“You didn’t, though,” Georgie said, looking into his eyes. “I had too much to fight for to ever let her take me.”
“And I had too much to lose to let her win,” Con said, leaning his forehead against hers. “I love you, Georgina,” he said quietly. “I love you more than I ever thought possible.”
“I had a suspicion,” she said with a crooked grin. “What a lovely coincidence that I love you too.”
“Promise me you’ll never put yourself in danger like that again,” Con said fiercely. “I don’t know if I’d be able to handle it.”
“I shall certainly try,” Georgie said, “but you must know there are certain things that we simply cannot control. But I assure you that if it is at all in my power, I will try never to frighten you like that again. But the same goes for you.”
“I think I can make that promise,” Con said, giving her a hug. “Now, I suppose we’d better stop embracing and share our joy with our friends. All right?”
Georgie nodded, and turned around in his arms. “We’re betrothed!” she cried, holding up her newly beringed finger.
And their friends responded with a resounding huzzah.
“I can think of worse ways to begin life as a couple,” Con said to her with a grin, “than with cheers.”
Georgie heartily agreed.