Читать книгу The By Request Collection - Kate Hardy - Страница 78

EPILOGUE

The Caversham Castle Ball

RUBY FELT AS if she were walking, floating, dancing on air as she greeted each and every guest at the ball. Time seemed spun with the shining threads of pure happiness as she rested her gaze on Ethan, listened to his speech—his words powerful, emotive and drenched with compassionate belief in his cause.

‘He’s a good man.’

Ruby turned to see Cora Brookes by her side.

‘He is.’

Instinctively she looked down at her left hand, even though she and Ethan had decided to keep their engagement under wraps until the end of the ball. Ruby had insisted that the ball was about fundraising—she didn’t want to dilute the impact in any way.

They watched as Ethan introduced Rafael and the tall, dark-haired man took the podium; his aristocratic lips upturned in a captivating smile—within minutes he had them riveted by his words as the bids climbed to outrageous heights.

Cora gazed at him. ‘He has the charm of the devil,’ she murmured under her breath.

‘He’s putting it to a good cause.’

‘Men like Rafael Martinez only have one cause—their own.’ A strand of bitterness tinged Cora’s tone. ‘I’m surprised he and Ethan are so close.’

Ruby frowned. ‘Ethan sees the good in everyone, and he is a great believer in second chances. Plus, you shouldn’t believe everything you read in the papers. Trust me on that. Unless, of course, you know Rafael?’

Cora hesitated. ‘No,’ she said finally. ‘I don’t.’ A perfunctory smile and then she gestured towards the door. ‘I’ll go and check the champagne is ready for midnight.’

Ruby turned as Ethan headed towards her.

‘All okay, sweetheart?’ he asked. ‘Why the frown?’

‘I was just wondering why Cora doesn’t like Rafael...’

‘Lots of people don’t like Rafael. But he has his good points. Or at least I hope he does. He and I have decided to invest in a business venture together. Spanish vineyard holidays.’

‘Maybe we could honeymoon in Spain?’

Ethan shook his head, his expression serious. ‘We are not going on a working honeymoon, my love. I have way better plans than that, I promise you.’

‘I can hardly wait.’

He grinned down at her—a smile that lit his face—and his blue-grey eyes were flecked with a love that stole her breath.

‘I think Rafael has everyone’s attention,’ he murmured. ‘So let me snag us a glass of champagne... I want to toast our future under the stars.’

And as he twined his strong hand in hers Ruby basked in the healing lessons learnt from the past, the wondrous glow of joy of the present, and the glorious promise of the future.

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