He grinned. ‘Very yes?’

‘Very, very yes.’

‘In that case you might want to wear this, just in case any of those doctors who keep slinking into your room to check up on you get any funny ideas.’ He slid a hand into the pocket of his trousers and withdrew a tiny box which he flipped open.

Jenny gasped as she saw the beautiful diamond ring. ‘That’s for me?’

‘Unless you want Daisy to have it.’

‘B-but when did you get a chance to buy it?’ Suddenly she couldn’t bear the fact that he might have chosen this ring for someone else.

‘I bullied the jeweller’s into opening early for me,’ Alex said, slipping the ring onto her finger. ‘I know what you’re thinking, but I’ve never bought a ring for anyone else in my life, angel—trust me on that one. This is just for you.’

Just for her?

Jenny stared down at her finger and her eyes filled. ‘This is like a fairy-tale.’

‘Not exactly,’ Alex mocked gently. ‘In the fairy-tale it wasn’t the wolf who ended up with Red Riding Hood.’

She gave him a watery smile. ‘I always thought the wolf was terribly misunderstood.’

Alex gave her a smile that was totally male. ‘I wouldn’t be so sure about that.’

And he bent his head and kissed her.

EPILOGUE

THE garden party was in full swing. An army of waiters circulated with champagne and the guests mingled in groups on the lawn.

‘I cannot believe that Dad agreed to a bouncy castle,’ Alex drawled, watching with amusement as the children slithered and jumped, shrieking with delight.

‘He didn’t.’ Libby smiled smugly at her brother. ‘I ordered it. My two absolutely adore bouncy castles and I didn’t see why they shouldn’t enjoy the party. It’s more than we ever did as children. I arranged for it to arrive a few hours ago so Dad didn’t have time to protest.’

Alex laughed and then glanced down to find Daisy tugging at his trouser leg. ‘Hello, my angel.’ He scooped her up in his arms and planted a kiss on her cheek. ‘Having fun?’

‘She’s gorgeous, Alex.’ Libby smiled as she looked at the little girl. ‘I can’t believe she’s two and a half. Just think, it’s been two whole years since I first met her. Remember my bee sting? It was so awful.’

Alex lifted an eyebrow. ‘Bee sting? What bee sting?’ But despite his mocking tone, his gaze was soft as it rested on his sister. ‘I assume you carry adrenaline?’

Libby nodded and patted her handbag. ‘Of course. Andreas is utterly paranoid about it. He has stocks of it everywhere.’

‘Good.’ Alex glanced across the lawn and grimaced. ‘Have you seen Athena? What has she been eating this time?’

Libby smiled happily. ‘Ketchup. Andreas banned it but she smiled at one of the waiters and he found her a giant bottle. I just stopped her wiping her fingers on the Prime Minister’s jacket.’

‘A Prime Minister with “red” streaks,’ Alex said, his blue eyes amused. ‘An interesting political statement.’