He angled himself more towards her. “I am not sure what you’re about to say, but I think it might be pretty much along the lines of what I was planning to say myself.”

Her heart began to race. That smile of his, she wasn’t imagining the tenderness in it. Despite earlier exhorting herself to exercise caution, Margaret had plunged headlong into this declaration without any preparation, but she was sure it had been the right thing to do. “A wise friend once told me, when I was appealing for funds, to always speak from the heart,” she said. “I love you. I have never stopped loving you, but I thought you married and thought nothing could come of it.”

Donald let out a long sigh, taking her hands, edging closer to her. “You must know that I still love you. I tried, but I haven’t managed to find anyone who came close to taking your place.”

“Oh! You put it so much better than I can.” His hands tightened on hers, but he made no move to kiss her. “You want to know what has changed, don’t you?” Margaret said. “I suppose the simple answer is that I have. I know that it would be a huge step for both of us. We would both have to adapt, but I don’t see that as a compromise anymore.” She was conscious of his gaze fixed on her, their hands twined, their knees touching. “I want to share my life with you and be part of yours,” Margaret said, with every word becoming more certain. “I could carry on as I am alone and be perfectly content, but with you by my side I would be so much happier and I think—I hope—that you feel the same?”

For a terrifying moment he said nothing, and then he pulled her into his arms. “Oh, Margaret, I feel exactly the same. I love you so much.”

At last, their lips met and clung and then opened into a kiss that was tentative and just a little strange. They stopped, smiled at each other, then kissed again, more deeply this time. Donald murmured her name, and this set her body alight, urging her to close any gap there was between them, wanting and caring for nothing save more kisses, and more of him.

She wasn’t sure if it was the world which was rocking on its axis or the boat on the waves when Donald gently eased her away, shifting uncomfortably on the seat, adjusting his kilt, swearing under his breath. “We need to talk about what we’re going to do.”

“Get married?”