Elusive Dawn (21 page)

Shane opened the box to reveal a beautiful marquise diamond set in delicate white gold. He slid it onto the third finger of her left hand with infinite care and then gently pressed his lips to her hand. "For my bride-to-be," he whispered softly.

Robyn stared dazedly at the lovely ring and then at him. "Shane... it's beautiful." Realizing suddenly that she was being seduced away from the subject at hand, she continued strongly, "But your mother can't-"

"Of course she can." Shane smiled at her. "Mother knows that Marty's all you have. She wants to do this, love."

"You seem to have told her an awful lot," Robyn managed weakly.

"Just that I love you very, very much.
She really didn't need to hear any more than that. Will you marry me, witch-lady?"

Robyn stared deeply into his eyes and felt her protests die into silence. "On one condition," she breathed.

"Anything."
A slow smile lit his eyes. "If you want the moon, I'll charter a shuttle and go get it."

"Not quite that." She pulled herself forward until she was a single breath away from his lips. "I just want you to put up a mast near the aerie so
George'll
feel right at home..."

"Hell, darling," Shane muttered thickly, "I'll buy Eric's boat and anchor it in the yard."

It was some time later before Robyn could gather the breath to murmur, "Abracadabra," and
wave
her hand at the lamp.

The fact that Shane's hand found the switch a moment later, of course, only proved that Robyn wove powerful spells.