Sarah's Duke: and Ellie's Gentleman (The heir and the spare, book 1) (23 page)

He squeezed her warm hands and dropped to both knees in front of her. If he was going all in, then he would give it his
real
all.

“Robert… No, please get up.”

Ellie’s pleading broke his heart but hardened his resolve.

Everyone in the room had gone quiet and Robert felt his cheeks heat in embarrassment. Yet he refused to look away from Ellie’s eyes.

“Ellie, I’m sorry I bungled my proposal today. I wasn’t honest with you.”

Her eyes cleared and she looked straight at him.

“What do you mean?”

There were so many things he could say, but only one thing that actually mattered.

“I mean, I’m in love with you.”

Several people gasped and tears now filled Ellie’s eyes. Robert ploughed on.

“You deserved to know the truth, but I was cowardly during our picnic. Forgive me?”

She nodded and dropped her head to hide the tears.

He moved back to his feet and cupped her beautiful face in his hands. Applying pressure he lifted her face up to his.

“Say you’ll marry me. Make me the happiest man on Earth.”

Ellie blinked and the tears rolled down her cheeks. Robert tilted his head and kissed them both, absorbing the salt on to his lips.

“Well?”

He searched her eyes for any hint of her feelings.

She smiled, but her lip trembled. “Yes.”

A triumphant grin spread across Robert’s face as happiness filled his entire being. His future had changed course, all because of one green eyed young lady. He was terrified yet elated.

Robert bent his head and kissed his fiancée with all the longing and tenderness he would show her for the rest of their lives.