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CHAPTER SIX

Ava squawked as Elliot hoisted her onto the top of the fence rail. Her dress fanned out in a wide circle that glowed in the moonlight, and he steadied her by the waist.

‘Really?’ A lilt of hope caught her voice and carved a line of joy through her sadness. ‘Me?’

‘If you’ll have me, little robin.’ He brushed the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. ‘If you’ll have me.’

Ava grasped him and pecked kisses over his cheeks until he burst out laughing. She leaned back and regarded him like she had a choice. ‘I suppose I could settle.’

Elliot, the terrible cad, only smirked and plucked a loose feather from her dress. He twisted the quill and gave her a wicked smile, before he hoisted her into his arms and carried her across the field towards the willows.