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She didn’t believe hi a bottle of chane

‘You do drink cha her look

‘I don’t know,’ she adne, but I’d love to try a slass’

A flash of surprise crossed Xavier’s face She guessed there were a lot of things he took for granted that she had never tried ‘But there’s never been a better tiot ready to spring her surprise

‘Oh?’ he pressed with interest as he poured the foa crystal flutes

‘Yes’ The prospect of voicing her solution to their proble, and if there had been any other way she would have taken it But she had to be both courageous and bold, or she s and leave the islanders to fend for themselves

Xavier handed her a flute, which she eyed curiously ‘Would you prefer so else?’

‘No This is perfect Thank you’

This had to be what Doña Anna had intended all along, Rosie concluded as she reviewed her plan She would be in charge of her own destiny, and she would have an equal say over the future of the island Xavier had tried to buy her off, and when that failed he was trying his best to chare, not hine and blarney in the world couldn’t change that

‘Would you ested

He frowned a little, as well he ht—he would have run for the hills if he’d knohat she had inhad sped up Her heart was beating so fast and loud she was sure he could hear it This was huge, and once she spoke the words out loud—if, if he agreed, the die was set

‘Of course—go ahead,’ he said indulgently, not suspecting for a moment what she had in mind ‘You’ve had a bit of practice, after all—the ice cream,’ he reminded her ‘Well? What’s your toast?’

She took a deep breath and then just spat it out ‘I think we should get married’

Xavier’s eyes widened ‘I beg your pardon?’ he said faintly ‘Ae?’

‘That’s exactly what I said,’ she confirmed