Page 96 of The Last Kiss Goodbye

‘In which case, I’m going to have to take you into my study and talk about your prospects,’ said Samuel, already looking giddy on the champagne.

Ros laughed. She knew how well Dominic got on with her father. When he had gone round to officially ask for Ros’s hand in marriage, the two men had disappeared to the pub and returned three hours later laughing like old friends, which had only impressed upon Ros how badly she wanted to marry him.

A few more of Ros’s friends arrived, and Dom announced that he wanted to make a speech, banging a teaspoon against a crystal glass.

‘Gather round, everyone. I’d like to say a few words.’

‘There’s a surprise,’ shouted Zander from the back of the room.

Everyone laughed, then made a semicircle around Dominic and Ros. He thanked them all for coming, and gave a few special mentions to those who had helped with the arrangements.

‘Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve wanted to be a journalist,’ he told the sea of faces. ‘I’ve always been fascinated with words, and what they can do. Words can make you laugh, they can make you cry, they can alter your opinions by giving you hope and wisdom and knowledge. They have an alchemic power to change things. Words changed my life,’ he said, clutching Ros’s hand tighter. ‘One day earlier this year, I read a blistering, roughly typed attack on Capital magazine, and I knew I had to meet its author. Words brought Ros Bailey through my door. And then one word made me happier than I have ever been in my life. That word was “yes”.’

He turned and took both of her hands.

‘Ros Bailey, I love you so much. I can’t wait to marry you and I am honoured that you want me as your husband.’

A cheer went up around the room. Ros found herself beaming at everyone until she spotted Victoria Harbord standing at the back, unsmiling, just sipping her champagne. Their eyes met, and Ros felt not triumph, but a sweet, overpowering sense of relief that everything was going to be okay.

‘I missed the speech,’ said Sam, throwing her arms around her.

‘You came!’

‘You didn’t think I’d miss a party in Eaton Square, did you? Gosh, I haven’t been here since I was a deb in ’55.’

‘Your natural habitat, then,’ laughed Ros, imagining her free-spirited friend navigating the social mores of the Season.

‘Put it this way, I know half the girls in the room from Cheltenham Ladies’,’ whispered Sam.

‘They must be glad to see you,’ replied Ros honestly.

‘Absolutely. They look at me, listen to what I do, and feel grateful for all their life choices.’

Ros laughed. ‘Well I’d rather be you than them any day of the week.’

‘Your sparkler. Let me see it,’ said Sam, grabbing Ros’s left hand and lifting it up to inspect it.

Ros fluttered her fingers to show off the beautiful ruby ring that Dom had presented her with the day after his Waterloo Bridge proposal.

‘It’s gorgeous,’ sighed Sam. ‘It makes me want to meet a man who loves me as much as Dom loves you. Is it terribly unfeminist of me to think like that?’

‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to love and be loved,’ smiled Ros, touching her arm. ‘Speaking of which, Dom wants to introduce you to his friend Edward,’ she said, waving him over.

‘Oh good. Is this a set-up?’

‘Just call him Cupid,’ whispered Ros.

Dom was feet away from them when the butler tapped him on the shoulder.

‘Excuse me, Mr Blake. There’s a phone call for you.’

Dominic frowned in puzzlement.

‘Ladies, I’ll be back in a minute.’ He winked.

‘Go on, then. Charm us out of trouble.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Sam when he’d gone.