Anything else she might have said was lost when he snatched her against him and covered her mouth in a deep kiss filled with love and hope and passion. When he finally raised his head, he said, “I thought you were going to be stubborn and say no.”
“And what would you have done if I had?”
“There are six dozen more roses in my carriage. Along with the finest art supplies I could find-in the hopes that they’d encourage you to paint something for me.”
Emotion clogged her throat at the extravagant, romantic gesture. “That’s…lovely. And so thoughtful. I’d like to do that. Very much.”
“Excellent. But in case you still proved stubborn, there is also something else in the carriage-the Kilburn sapphire.”
“The Kilburn sapphire?” she repeated weakly.
He nodded. “Ridiculously large at five carats, but in spite of its gaudiness, impressive just the same. The Kilburn diamond is a more manageable three carats, but as I recall you saying you found diamonds cold and lifeless, I thought the sapphire a better choice for an engagement ring.”
A breathless laugh escaped her. “Really, all you needed to do was kiss me and tell me you loved me.”
“Now you tell me,” he teased. “I can see you’re going to be easy to please.”
“On the contrary, I’m going to be very demanding. Especially in the bedchamber, as all Today’s Modern Women are.”
“I don’t know when I’ve heard better news.” He peeled off her gloves and pressed a dozen kisses to her bare hands. “Please tell me you don’t want a long engagement.”
Heat and love and desire and pure, utter happiness whirled through her. “There are still two weeks left in November. How do you feel about a November wedding?”
His smile dazzled her. “My darling Genevieve, it just so happens that as with everything pertaining to you, I harbor a profound weakness for them.”
Jacquie D’Alessandro
Jacquie D’Alessandro is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than thirty books. She grew up on Long Island, New York, where she fell in love with romance at an early age. She dreamed of being swept away by a dashing rogue riding a spirited stallion. When her hero finally showed up, he was dressed in jeans and drove a Volkswagen, but she recognized him anyway. They now live out their happily-ever-after in Atlanta, Georgia, along with their son, who is a dashing rogue in the making. She loves to hear from readers and can be contacted through her Web site at www.JacquieD.com.
