Page 79 of Teacakes & Tangos
‘You look gorgeous,’ he murmured, standing up and taking my hand.
‘Thank you.’ I smiled shyly at him. ‘So do you. You look really handsome.’
‘Come on, then. What are we waiting for?’ He nodded at the couples whirling around the floor. ‘Let’s join them.’
I laughed, thinking he was joking. ‘Stop it! Let’s just sit down. I can’t wait to tuck into this gorgeous afternoon tea.’ I eyed the well-stocked cake stand and the delicious-looking sultana scones... the dainty dishes of butter and strawberry jam. ‘This is so lovely. Thank you, Rory.’
I sat down but Rory remained standing, folding his arms and looking down at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
‘Don’t you want to dance with me, then?’
‘Well, no. Because you really don’t like –’
‘That’s a shame. I won’t be able to show off my newly-acquired skills, then.’
I laughed. ‘What do you mean?’
He cocked his head, hearing the music change. ‘A tango, I believe?’
‘Yes.’
‘Come on, then.’ He held out his hand and feeling as if I was starring in a fairy-tale, I took it and stood up again. And Rory calmly led me onto the floor, where he took me in a firm hold.
I gazed up into his eyes. ‘How did you... where did you learn such good posture?’
‘Ah, well.’ He smiled. ‘A very nice woman taught Lois and me to dance.’
‘Does this woman live in Lockley Meadow, by any chance? And does she run a B&B as well as working as a dance teacher?’
I smiled at the surprise on his face. ‘Irene saw you and Lois disappearing into her house when she was at the Wednesday market there.’
‘Did she? Well, it was an hour’s lesson, once a week for three weeks.’
‘Right. So what can you do?’
He grinned. ‘The waltz, a quickstep and the basic tango steps. On a good day. Although you might have to make allowances for me as a more or less complete beginner.’
I chuckled. ‘I don’t care. Let’s go!’
So we did.
I danced a rather sexy tango with Rory and it was everything I could ever have dreamed of – even if he did go wrong a couple of times! Well, quite a lot, actually. But that just made us laugh, which was exactly what I needed after all my recent feelings of uncertainty and despair.
I’d never doubted Rory’s loyalty to me, although I’d definitely had my suspicions about Lois. But in the end, she’d only proved to me what a wonderful sister she was – by helping Rory organise this fabulous surprise for me!
As the music ended, I smiled up at him and turned to go back to our table, expecting Rory to follow.
But he grabbed my hand to stop me and I spun round.
He was gazing at me with such love in his eyes that my heart melted.
And then, as I stood there motionless, he dropped to one knee, still holding my hand.
He cleared his throat. ‘Clara, you’re the love of my life. I can’t imagine a future without you in it and I never want to be withoutyou. So... will you consider making me the happiest man on earth by agreeing to marry me?’
I gazed down at him, tears of amazement and happiness in my eyes as I smiled and quickly nodded.
‘Yes, Rory. Oh, yes! I love you so much. You’re everything to me. OfcourseI’ll marry you!’
