‘I’ve had such a miserable time trying to get close to you and tell you how I feel, but I can say it now. I love you, Rosie, and I’m going to ask you again, in a proper manner this time. Rosie, will you marry me?’

‘Yes, Matthias.’ She hugged him tightly. ‘There’s nothing I’d rather do.’

After more kisses, he asked her, ‘Had you no idea I was falling in love with you?’

‘I couldn’t be sure,’ she said, smiling into his gentle eyes. ‘When you gave me those lovely flowers I hoped it was the beginning of something. But then you became all serious and treated me like a child again.’ She took something out of her apron pocket. ‘Look, I kept the purple ribbon that was round the flowers and have carried it around with me ever since. I’ve even dried some of the flowers so I could keep them for ever.’

‘I’m sorry I put you through all that. I was afraid,’ he admitted.

‘I thought p’raps you were. I wanted to give you a bit of encouragement but I was afraid it would frighten you away.’

Matthias was overwhelmed. ‘So all the time you were hoping I was interested in you?’

‘The thought that you might be took me by surprise at first, but when I got used to it I liked the idea. I knew what that gesture with the flowers must have cost you. I’ve had a really miserable time too hoping and waiting for you to say something to me, Matthias.’

He kissed a handful of her flowing hair, then her lips, before saying, ‘Seems rather silly now, the both of us being afraid and miserable all this time. I’ll make it up to you, my own sweet Rosie, and in the future we must say whatever is on our minds. Agreed?’

‘Agreed,’ Rosie said happily, kissing his chin then pressing her head against his chest. ‘I’d rather stay here like this but I daresay the twins will be out in a minute to see what we’re doing. Are you coming inside to eat?’

‘Yes, all right,’ he replied, putting a hand behind himself to tug at his wet breeches. ‘The others will think I’ve fallen in the horse trough. But I’m not going in before one, no, two more kisses first.’

Rosie returned his wonderful passionate kisses then took his arm as they walked back to the farmhouse kitchen.

She said happily, ‘If I’d thought a dip in the water trough as well would have got you to propose to me, Matthias Renfree, I would have pushed you in there myself.’

Chapter 28