Page 144 of The Seaside Homecoming
“My dear Claire, you are already forgiven. Don’t you know I am in love with you?”
“Even now you’ve learned who I really am?”
He took her other hand as well. “Do you mean now that I know you are a kind, gentle, warmhearted woman who loves my daughter and treats me with far more consideration than I deserve?”
“William...”
Voice rumbling low, he said, “How you undo me when you call me by my given name....”
“I have been afraid to hope. I was not sure you could ever care for another woman as you did Vanita.”
“If you had asked me a few months ago, I might have agreed. I never thought I would love anyone, body and soul, as I do you. But I do. I love you, my dear, beautiful Claire.”
“And I love you.”
He loosed one hand to trace a finger along her cheek. “How I long to kiss you....”
“Then please do.”
He framed her face with his hand and lowered his head, his face nearing hers. Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips touched hers in a warm, sweet kiss.
Then he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again more firmly.
Oh, heavenly ...She melted against him.
She had been kissed before. Lord Bertram’s drunken kisses. This was something else entirely. Something wonderful.
William released her and sank to his knees before her, right there on the damp turf of Salcombe Hill.
He pressed his hands to her waist and looked up at her. “Will you marry me, Claire Summers? Be my better half forever? For I shall be satisfied with nothing less than endless nights and months and years with you.”
Her spirits soared. “Are you in earnest?”
“I would not stain the knees of my best trousers for just anyone.” His lips tipped into a teasing smile.
Happiness bubbled through her. “Then, yes, I will marry you, William. With all my heart!”
She bent down and kissed that beloved, crooked smile right off his face.
As they gathered for luncheon that day, William told Mira the news.
“Well, my dear pumpkin seed. I have asked Miss Claire to marry me, and she has agreed. What do you say to that?”
The girl gasped. “Will she be my new mamma?”
“Would you like that?” he asked.
Claire hurried to say, “Your second mamma.” She knelt and touched a gentle finger to the girl’s chest. “You will always have your first mamma—youramma—in your heart and in your memories.”
“And my painting.”
“That’s right.”
Mira threw her arms around Claire’s neck. Near her ear she whispered, “I prayed it would be you. I like Sonali, but I love you.”
“And I love you too.” Claire wrapped her arms around the little girl and held her close. Tears in her eyes, she looked up at William and saw his eyes were wet too.
A moment later the spell was broken when Mira pulled away and declared, “That means you can always oil my hair!”
