Page 123 of Tempting the Highland Spy
“In a manner of speaking.”
“How long will you be in the city?”
He smiled that half smile. “That depends.”
“On the mission?”
“Yes.”
“Are you at liberty to discuss your task—or is it a matter you must keep in strict confidence?”
“I believe I can trust you with my reasons for being here.” The arm at her waist tensed. “You see, youarethe mission.”
She blinked, as if that would clear away her sudden confusion. “Whatever do you mean? Surely you don’t think to recruit me for somejobor another. I assure you those days are over.”
“It’s nothing like that.”
“Then what…what is it?”
“I had to come here…to America. I came here for you, Grace.”
Her knees went weak. She leaned into him, just a bit. “Perhaps it’s the champagne, but I’m suddenly lightheaded. I don’t quite understand.”
“You will,” he said, emotion flashing in his eyes. “It’s quite simple, really. I am a man who loves a woman. Where else would I be?”
“Love…” Happiness welled within her, ready to overflow the banks of her self-control, but she held it at bay. “You crossed the Atlantic…for me?”
A small smile played on his mouth. “Why else would I be here?”
She gulped a breath, then another. “What about your duty? As I recall, that resides in the Highlands.”
“When I’m on my death bed, I will not regret passing up another mission. I will not regret allowing some other man to chase after some treasure that will end up locked away in a vault. But Iwillregret not spending every minute of the last few months with you.”
Her pulse thundered in her ears. Joy flooded over her. “This is all so very sudden.”
“I can’t recapture that lost time, but I will do everything in my power to spend the rest of my life with you.” His voice was a husky rasp. “I love you, Grace.”
“You really mean it, don’t you?”
She held his intent gaze, etching every detail in her memory. When she was an old woman cradling her great-grandchildren, she prayed she’d remember the look in Harrison’s eyes.
“More than I’ve ever wanted anything—I want to marry you, Grace. If you’ll have me.”
“Oh my stars,” she whispered.
He brushed his lips over hers, tender and sweet. “Will you marry me, Gracie Mae Winters?”
“Yes.” The word popped out of her mouth, perhaps the most joyous word she’d ever uttered. “Harrison, I will marry you. Now, you’ve got to do one more thing to seal the deal.”
He crooked a brow. “And what, my darling Gracie, might that be?”
“Kiss me.”
And so he did. Right there, in the middle of the dance floor.
When the music stopped, they didn’t even notice. Until Belle’s delighted proclamation to her guests tore them from what seemed a delicious trance of longing.
“I’ve been waiting to introduce my guests of honor, Grace and Harrison,” she said from the small stage that had been erected for the vocalist she’d hired for the occasion. Belle directed her gaze at Harrison. “I suppose this means she said, ‘Yes.’”
“She did,” he said with a grin.
“Here’s to my dear friends.” Belle lifted a glass of champagne in their honor. Standing at her side, Aunt Thelma and Claire beamed with their happiness. “Now, to plan a wedding!”
