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She offered her hand He slid the ring on her finger

"Oh, Aaron" Emotion frayed her voice "It’s beautiful"

"Not as beautiful as you"

He cupped her cheek in one of his strong workman’s hands and tilted her face to his

And when he kissed her, the world went away

"Wh-Oh, where am I? Oh, my nerves"

Diana winced, suddenly conscious of their surroundings Heratop the bar counter, coated in flour and mud and soot, and locked in a deep, passionate kiss

"Wonderful news, Maer "I’ Blinked at Aaron

And proain

A feeeks later

"Are you very sure, e your mind"

Diana shook her head

Fro aisle of St Ursula’s, festooned with bunting and posies of daffodils All their fa the pews in anticipation

"Main anyto change my mind"

"I had to ask" Her irls thinkbut entlemen But it’s only because I love you so"

Diana softened "I know, Mama"

"After we lost your father, I was anxious every o? How could I provide the best for you?" She dabbed at her eyes "I only wanted to spare you girls the same nervousness"

Diana’s heart twisted in her chest "I understand I do, and I love you for it Please be happy for ain With Aaron, I will be loved and safe and protected Always"

"I suppose that is all I can ask" Mama noisily blew her nose into the handkerchief "Oh, but I had such dreams for you My intuition insisted that one day a handsoe, ready to choose his bride But I suppose it’s not likely to happen"

"I suppose not," Diana said "And even if it did, I would still rasped her hand and squeezed it fondly "Mr Dawesis nicer than Minerva’s There is that"

Diana sed

"Are we ready?" Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, appeared in the vestibule, looking as handsomely attired as always and quite ready to have this done

He offered an arm to Ma with joy for her role as bridesmaid--or at least, for the new frock it occasioned

Diana brought up the end of the procession

As she walked down the grand, carpeted aisle, ure at the front of the church, she saw their whole future painted for thelass hues They would marry here They would make Christmas and Easter memories here They would christen their children here

If her arith part in a little less than nine iven Aaron any idea--it was too early yet to be sure But she thought he anist played the last verse of the hy arh her Strangely enough, she couldn’t gather the courage to look up at his face Her whole heart would be in her eyes, she knew And though her heart would be forever his by the end of this cereuard it just a few moments more

"You are radiant," he murmured "And you look like a wo present for you," she whispered "You’ll find out later"

"Good Because I have a present for us both"

"Oh?"

He leaned and spoke in her ear "I hired a cook"

She had to clap her hand over heraloud Oh, she loved hiives this woman to be married to thisin the first row

Luckily, her brother-in-law reh of a scoundrel to be easily corrupted As she’d asked of him, he remained silent

"I do" Diana looked up at Aaron and sive myself"