Page 50 of Scottish Seducer
One day, maybe I’d be used to this, but as we settled in—with plenty of room for more—Charlie asked his brother, “Why have you decided to join us while we pick out a ring for Stephanie?”
Logan passed out water to everyone, but he stalled near Charlotte as he said, “I took your advice last night.”
Charlie wrapped his arm around me and asked, “What advice?”
Logan’s face turned red, but he said, “Charlie said if I don’t love Caroline, I need to stop inviting her to things, so I have formally ended our friendship.”
My sweet friend Charlotte reminded me a bit of Jane inPride and Prejudice, making those googly eyes at Charlie’s brother. Sophia normally helped, but it was time for me to ask the point-blank question. “Did you ever…make her intimate promises, Your Grace?”
Sophia twitched, which made me laugh, but she scooted closer to Charlotte.
Charlie’s brother chuckled when he said, “Logan is fine. I’m not uppity like the British lords. And your forthrightness is unexpected and welcome, as my future sister-in-law.”
Good. I needed Charlie to be happy after all this, so I took his hand in mine, but my friends were my friends, too. So I said, “Thank you. So, did you?”
He tugged his ear and turned away. “No. Caroline and I never dated. The most we ever did was kiss on the cheek, but next time, let’s not embarrass me publicly.”
I caught another glance between Logan and Charlotte. I pivoted back to poke the ribs of the best man I ever met or ever would, and said, “A duke and a gentleman, huh? What happened to you, Charlie?”
He winked at me as the car stopped and he whispered in my ear, “He got all the genteel parts, but we both know I’m the one you want.”
My skin had warm goose bumps. Others hopped out of the car, but I curled my hands around his neck and said, “Of course I do. I love you.”
And he kissed me.
I forgot we weren’t alone for a moment and hoped to stay in his arms, but a loud whistle caught my attention and I hopped out.
Charlie followed, and we all crowded into the store. Happily, the jeweler was prepared for a large party, and set it up so we could all study the rings.
Amelia handed me a diamond ring to try. It was more a statement ring now, but my heart beat faster.
I put it on, and Sophia said, “Stephanie, it’s gorgeous.”
Technically, it wasn’t an engagement ring, but I met my friend’s interest and said, “I do actually like the Georgian collar mount with all those Regency details.”
Amelia took the original, simple Jane Austen ring back as she said, “So not a turquoise?”
Statement versus understated and more unique to me. I tried to take the diamond off my hand and said, “Diamonds are good, though I like the simple Bluebird turquoise, too.”
“We’ll take them both,” Charlie told the jeweler.
I glanced back at the sweetest man ever and asked, “We will?”
He shrugged and asked, “Why not? You should have what you like.”
It was now my turn to show him I wasn’t here for his money. I leaned closer and whispered, “No. I don’t want you to spend more money.”
Sophia patted my shoulder, and I turned to my friend, who said, “Stephanie, we flew here in a helicopter and get to lounge around Royal Crescent with rooms that have unlimited spa access and we’re going on the Hidden Gardens of Bath tour as a private group. Take the ring.”
I pivoted and met his gaze. “Charlie…”
“Your friend is right.” He kissed the back of my hand and said, “Besides, I owe you something nice as an apology.”
Guess we were both still new at this whole “being in love” thing. I gave him a great big smile and said, “Wearing that costume with the tartan cravat you bought for me at the ten-day Bath experience next year will be enough.”
Logan opened the door for us to depart and said, “Tell me you’re not making my brother a bloody English bore.”
Charlie slipped the statement ring on my finger and we headed out. This time, we walked to the hotel, which took about fifteen minutes. The streets weren’t jam-packed with people in costume, but it didn’t matter. I walked in the park with Charlie as I replied to Logan while also telling my friends, “No. We agreed to a Gretna Green wedding, in Scotland, and to go to the Highland Games.”
