He rode back to the farmyard at full pelt, jumped off his horse before it stopped moving and burst into the kitchen. The Trenchards, seated round the table, looked up in surprise. Marching straight up to Rosie he hauled her to her feet.

‘I’m no good at this courting business, Rosie Trenchard, but I want you to know this very minute that I love you with all my heart and I want you to be my wife and I don’t want to live another minute of my life without you. I’m going now but I’ll be back at the same time tomorrow for my answer, yes or no.’

He let her go so abruptly Rosie fell back on her chair and was gone before she could catch her breath.

He wanted to gallop off without delay but his nag had walked across the yard and was drinking from the trough. Matthias went over to it and patted its back. He watched the animal drinking with his head bent, breathing in deep lungfuls of air to stop the dizziness in his head. He tried not to think about what he had just done. Better to concentrate only on his breathing and go home. When the nag lifted its head he began to mount, then stopped. Rosie was standing a few feet away. She did not move or speak. She just stood and looked steadily at him.

‘Rosie…’

He held out a hand to her then dropped it. She put a hand up to her hair and quickly lowered it. They seemed to be standing on the edge of time.

She took a single step towards him.

Instinctively, he did the same.

She ran straight into his receiving arms. He held her close as could be. Although he had never kissed anyone before Matthias found her lips as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do. Warm, dizzy waves of ecstasy joined them together in their first kiss and when it ended it was an experience they both wanted again and again.

When he could find his voice at last, he breathed, ‘I can’t believe it. Oh Rosie, does this mean I won’t have to come back for my answer tomorrow?’

‘You can have it now if you like,’ she said softly, her head tucked in under his chin.

His shyness and awkwardness were gone now she was in his arms. He moved both hands behind her neck and entwined his fingers in her hair, moving them down gently, down and down until all the glossy mane was loosened from the plait. The ribbon at the end fell away to the dusty ground and her hair was free. And so was Matthias. Free to touch and lift and swirl the glorious crowning beauty of the girl he loved. He looked into her face.