Page 81 of Lipstick Kiss

“I love you too,” she whispered behind the letter.

Luke’s face softened, and he smiled his dazzling smile.

“You have to understand that you’re going to be marrying a Turner, and one day a quarter of this island and everything on it will be ours. What comes with that is a lot of hate, animosity and history that the Turners should not be proud of. They ruled with a rod of iron and not in a nice way. They bullied, cajoled and dominated what happened on this tiny scrap of land. I opened the tin that was found in the warehouse, Freya.”

She gasped and widened her eyes. Luke’s face was crestfallen and the saddest she’d ever seen him.

“That part can wait. But you’re not just marrying me. You’re taking on getting this island dragged into the modern world, and with that comes equality, tolerance, and acceptance. It will be hard work, but I hope I can make you happy that the Mr Morris’ of this island won’t penetrate too deeply.”

“I’ll be by your side, Luke, every step of the way. I’ll support you and your brothers, their wives, Daisy, and whoever she pulls into the fold. I promise to hold your hand.”

“Okay, Freya Riley, will you marry me?” Luke grinned and held the ring box higher.

“Yes,” she shouted, throwing her arms in the air.

Somewhere off in the distance, she heard a woman shout yes back. Freya didn’t look to see where or who it had come from. She was on her knees in front of Luke, peering down at the colossal ring. She wanted her hands free for the moment he slipped it on, but she still had the letter and no pockets in her dress. Freya looked to herright, saw a loose rock in the quayside wall, and pulled it out. She shoved the letter in and pushed the stone back in place.

“Won’t that get damp? I won’t be able to read it,” Luke said.

“You don’t need to read that letter anymore.”

“Did you call me bad names in it?”

“Focus, Turner. The ring,” she said, dancing on her knees.

Luke took the ring from the box and tossed the box behind him, he slipped the ring on her finger, and it fit perfectly.

“Oh, Luke, it looks gorgeous and expensive.”

“It is. I’d be grateful if you could try not to lose this one. I don’t want to return to Cynthia if I can help it.”

“You need to kiss me now,” she whispered.

Luke took her by surprise by wrapping an arm around her back and lifting her bridal style. He stood still for a moment and stared at her like he couldn’t believe she was there.

“I’m not going anywhere, Luke,” she said, stroking his cheek.

“Okay,” he replied and then kissed her deeply.

Then he carried her to the buggy waiting for them at the end of the quayside. He placed her on the front bench seat and then returned to get the ring box. Once he was settled, he turned on the ignition.

“Let’s go to Sabrina, and you can judge where I’ve put all the furniture.”

“Luke?”

“Right next to you,” he replied as he drove them up the path.

“I want a big wedding,” she said.

“I know a wedding planner who can help,” he said, giving her a side look.

“I want to get married at Edward Hall.”

“The wedding planner is exclusive to Edward Hall, Peaches.”

“I know what dress I want,” she said.

“Erica will make your bridal dreams come true if you need a top designer.”

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