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‘The Cassiopeia.’
Disbelief swirled around her and, despite the fact that her heart still felt as though it was under arrest, she was incredibly proud of Nikhil.
Her Nikhil.
‘That’s amazing.’ She threw her arms around his neck and embraced him as fiercely as she could. ‘Really, I’m so pleased for you.’
‘Well, there is something more.’ He caught her face between his hands, holding her still so that he could talk to her. ‘Dr Turner has been champing at the bit to get you back ever since you left.’
‘Sorry?’ She froze, scarcely believing it.
‘The Captain asked me if I thought you’d be interested. I told him you probably wouldn’t, but that I’d ask you just in case.’
‘You said what?’ she cried, disbelief flooding through her, moments before she realised he was teasing her.
‘Nikhil, that isn’t funny.’
‘It is from where I am standing, pyar.’
The nausea began to lift. ‘So that isn’t what you really said?’
‘Of course not.’ He looked amused. ‘I told him I would pass the message on and you would find him when you had an answer.’
‘You didn’t accept?’ she cried, appalled.
Did Nikhil not want her to join him on the Cassiopeia?
‘Of course I didn’t accept, pyar. I have long since learned my lesson regarding interfering in your career.’
‘But you want me to join you?’ She tried not to feel anxious, but it was impossible. Nikhil still had that odd edge about him, and it was disconcerting her more and more. ‘Nikhil, what is it?’
He paused, and her stomach rolled.
‘I was going to wait but...’ He didn’t quite shrug, but it was close.
‘Nikhil?’
He swept his hand around and, whatever Isla had been expecting—or fearing—it certainly hadn’t been to see a box in his hand. A small leather box with the finest gold filigree, that could surely only be one thing...
‘Nikhil...’ she echoed.
‘I was going to give you this when we reached Hamburg tomorrow. But I don’t think I can wait to hear your answer any longer.’
He opened the case, and Isla couldn’t help gasping as a stunning pear-shaped ruby set in a cluster of shimmering diamonds winked up at her, so glorious that they seemed to reflect the very beauty of the sunrise itself.
‘You saved my life, Dr Sinclair. I could never have imagined my life as full and as wonderful as it is without you in it,’ he told her soberly. ‘I love you more with each passing day, and I don’t want to spend a single one of them without you in it. You chased away all of my nightmares, so marry me, pyar, and make the rest of my life a series of dreams instead?’
‘You aren’t the only one to have been saved when we met,’ Isla choked out. ‘My life would never have been so complete if I hadn’t met you that day in Chile. I love you, Nikhil. Of course I’ll marry you. I can’t imagine my life without you.’
Slipping the ring on her finger, he finally kissed her—a kiss full of unspoken promises—and then he turned her around again. Her back nestled against his reassuringly solid chest and, his arms enveloping her, they stared towards the glorious sunrise on the horizon ahead.
It felt as if it wasn’t just a new day. It was a whole new life. And it was going to be a glorious one.
Together.
* * *
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