Emma wouldn’t stand on ceremony and rushed into his arms. “Oh, how I’ve longed for your company.”
Miles took her lips in a scorching kiss that sent shivers coursing through her body. She moaned with pleasure, and her lips parted, giving him access to taste her completely. Their kiss went on and on, until finally, Miles stepped back, still holding her in his embrace.
“My darling Emma, I’ve missed you terribly as well. Every day without you seemed an eternity,” he said, gently stroking her cheek.
“I felt the same way, but Lord Harrison needed you. I’m so proud of how caring you are with your friends. How is he doing?”
“He’s coping. There’s much he needs to learn about estate management, while also dealing with his grief. Robertson is with him now.”
“That’s good.”
“But I don’t wish to talk about my friend at the moment.”
“You don’t?”
Miles shook his head. “No. There’s something much more important to talk about.”
Butterflies roiled around Emma’s insides. Would her heart’s desire propose to her? It was her most fervent wish. She dared not say another word for fear of distracting him.
“While I was away, I did a lot of thinking about my life and how I wanted to live it.”
“You did? And what did you decide?” She almost regretted asking, because what if he was saying goodbye to her? She didn’t know what she’d do if he walked away from her.
Miles gave her a brilliant smile. “Can you not guess, my darling?”
Emma shook her head.
“Come now, my dear, I know how clever you are. Surely you know what I’m about to say.”
“Miles, your decision, please.”
He chuckled. “Always so impatient. Very well. I decided that I didn’t want to spend another moment apart from you ever again. I love you with all my heart. You’re the perfect woman for me, and I crave your presence every minute of every day.”
It was Emma’s turn to smile. “You love me?”
“Oh yes, and I told your father that.”
“You spoke to my father?”
“My dear, sweet Emma, are you going to answer everything I say with a question? Very well. Let me get to the most important part. Will you make me the happiest of men and consent to become my wife?”
Tears flowed freely down Emma’s cheeks.
“Emma, whatever’s the matter? Is that not what you wanted to hear? Please don’t cry,” Miles said, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
“My darling Miles, these are happy tears. I yearned for you to say those very words to me because I’ve fallen in love with you as well. I think I fell in love with you during our first walk to the village. You were so attentive and actually listened to what I hadto say. I knew then that you were the kind of man I wanted for my husband.”
“So, is that a yes?”
“Oh indeed. Yes. Yes. Yes. Shall I shout it from the rooftop?”
Miles picked her up and swung her around. “You’re amazing. I do hope you don’t wish for a long engagement.”
When he put her feet on the ground once again, she said, “Absolutely not. I wish we could marry tomorrow.”
“My darling Emma, as much as I’d love that as well, there are protocols we must follow. The banns will need to be read, and in three weeks’ time, you’ll be mine.”
“You’re right, of course. I wouldn’t want to deprive my mother of the opportunity to plan a wedding breakfast.”
