‘What do you mean –
choose my own animals?
’ he asked, still puzzled. And at last she did what she had been longing to do, and crossing to him she sat down on his lap and put her arms about his neck before kissing him softly on the lips. She was thankful that he didn’t attempt to push her away. Not now when she had finally realised just how very much she loved him.
‘This farm will be in the name of Mr and Mrs Dower too,’ she informed him with a twinkle in her eye. ‘You didn’t think I’d attempt to take a farm on without a husband to manage it, did you?’
‘Is that a proposal?’ His eyes were alight with love now and she could feel his heart beating against hers even through the thickness of their coats.
‘Well, I’ll certainly expect you to make an honest woman of me,’ she pouted. ‘I don’t think my father would be too pleased if I told him we were planning to live in sin.’
‘In that case, I suppose I shall have to accept.’ He kissed her then and she knew that she would never forget this day, not for as long as she lived. But eventually she clambered off his lap, saying, ‘Come on then, let’s go and tell everyone our news – and, of course, let your parents know that they’re landowners at last.’
And hand in hand, they headed for Kynance Farm. Briony’s war was finally over.
My love and thanks as always to the wonderful team at Constable & Robinson.
Special thanks to Victoria, my brilliant editor, Sheila, my lovely agent, Joan, my wonderful copy editor, and Laura, my fantastic publicist, for all your support and faith in me. xx