Page 112 of Undercover Savior

I threw my arms around him. “Yes, David. I’d love to be your wife.”

“Like the locket, the ring belonged to my mum. If you’d rather pick out something else?—”

My eyes filled with tears when I looked down at the ring he slid on my finger. It fit perfectly. “I love it, David, and I love you.”

We sat in the glow of the Christmas lights and the warmth of the fire, neither of us saying anything for several minutes.

“When we marry, will I become a duchess?”

“You will.”

“Is there anything specific I’ll be required to do?”

“Hmm. Only a couple of things I can think of.”

“What?”

“First, be happy.”

I thought about that for a few seconds. “You know, I think for the first time in my life, I can say that I truly am. There are still so many unanswered questions, not being any closer to finding Eric Weber or figuring out what exactly Tower-Meridian is trafficking, or whether my uncle set me up to be killed. Even with all that, I feel happy, David. Oh, I have another.”

“The second requirement of being my duchess?”

“Err, no, but it is related. Once we’re married, do we have to live in the castle?”

He cuddled me closer to him. “As far as I’m concerned, Thistle Gate is our home. Although that is somewhat dependent on the aforementioned second requirement.”

“What?”

“The duke and duchess are expected to bear an heir, at the very minimum. How many spares we choose to have after thatwill determine whether we have to add onto the cottage or move elsewhere.”

When my eyes opened wide, David cupped my cheek. “But know this, if you don’t want children, Sullivan, I’ll be blissfully happy for the rest of my life as long as you and I are together.”

“Me too. And just so you know, I’ve never thought about being a mother. My own was not the best role model. But being with you, I can see us as parents.”

“Speaking of parents, I should’ve considered you’d want to tell them about your engagement.”

“I’m okay waiting. There is someone I want to tell right away, though.”

He smiled. “Who?”

“Mairi.”

“I’m surprised she isn’t waiting outside the door.”

“Did you tell her you planned to propose?”

“Not precisely when I would, since I didn’t know myself. However, I did need her help locating the ring.”

“That doesn’t sound like her,” I said when there was a loud knock at the door.

“It isn’t.” He held up his mobile. “It’s Typhon, and he’s not alone. Viper and Lex are with him.”

“Oh dear.”

“Not to worry. I have no problem putting him off for a few more hours. Say, until tomorrow?”

The man knocked again, louder. “Ashcroft, open up.”

---