Page 45 of A Rogue to Forget

“I believe we are very compatible.”

“In what ways?” She took his left hand in hers. “Tell me.”

“Attracted to one another. We are good friends. I enjoy our time together whether we sit in silence or have a conversation.”

Hannah nodded. “True. I suppose people with much less marry and have a good marriage.”

“What else can you think of?” Henry prodded, knowing she had to be fully convinced in order for them to move forward.

“Do you like opera?” she asked.

“No.”

She giggled. “I do not care for it either. What about dogs?” Hannah looked to her newly acquired pet who slept soundly on a bed made of a folded blanket.

“Yes, I do. I also like cats.”

“Really?” Hannah studied him. “What about…?” She stopped and smiled at him. “I cannot fathom life without you. Each day that we are apart, I miss you terribly.”

“That is exactly how I feel. If that is not compatibility, I do not know what is.” Henry pressed a kiss to her temple.

Marta appeared at the doorway. “Tea?”

“Yes, please.” Hannah stood and went to her housekeeper. “Mister Campbell has asked me to marry him, and I have accepted.” Her face turned a delightful shade of pink.

The housekeeper looked past her employer to Henry. “I certainly hope so. There has been too much familiarity between you. I know it is not my place to say so, but I was going to speak to you privately, Mister Campbell, and express my concern and ask that you marry this wonderful young woman soon.”

Henry closed the distance and met the woman’s gaze. “You would have been very right to do so.” He pressed a kiss to the startled woman’s cheek. “Thank you.”

The woman rushed to hug Hannah, her eyes bright. “I am so very delighted for you, Miss Hannah.”

When the women began crying, Henry quickly made himself useful, handing Hannah his handkerchief and Marta one he spotted on a side table.

Then he poured three glasses of brandy and, in between sniffles, they toasted to the engagement.

*

Upon arriving atthe Macleod home, they found the young couple in the parlor. It seemed as if they were having a disagreement by the lack of expression upon their entrance.

Felicity met Hannah’s gaze. “What happened? Is something wrong? You look as if you’ve cried.”

“I did a bit,” Hannah admitted. “We have news.”

Evan came and stood next to Felicity. “Come sit down, please.” He looked past them to the butler. “Pour some wine, please.”

Unsure if it should be him to tell them, Henry looked to Hannah, who seemed to be on the verge of tears again.

“Please tell me. What happened?” Felicity insisted, hurrying to Hannah and placing an arm around her shoulders.

Henry smiled. “Hannah has accepted my proposal of marriage.”

When Felicity screamed with excitement, her companion, Ana, and the butler hurried over; they stopped in the doorway at seeing Hannah and Felicity embraced and jumping up and down while laughing.

Evan came to him hand outstretched. “I knew it.” He gave him a knowing look. “It was only a matter of time before you admitted how you felt to yourself.”

“Congratulations!” Felicity rushed to him and threw her arms around his waist. “I am so very happy.”

They toasted to the engagement, the entire time Hannah looking at him with so much love that his heart melted. She expected him to be her strength, to defend her and protect her always, and he would.