Innocent in the Ivory Tower (18 page)

Gently disengaging her hands, he dropped down onto one knee and looked up at her. ‘I love you, Maisy Edmonds. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

Maisy stared at him for what felt like the longest time. He was in love with her and he wanted to marry her.

‘Oh, yes, I’m sure I can do that,’ she responded, a big smile breaking out across her face.

Maisy’s eye caught the glitter of the ring he had produced and she swallowed hard.

‘Take a deep breath,’ he murmured. ‘I know you’re not that keen on diamonds.’

She had a hard time not snatching it from him. Then she realised the ring was glittering because Alexei’s hands were shaking.

Alexei slid the ring onto her finger. It fitted almost perfectly.

‘It’s so beautiful,’ she whispered.

‘
You’re
so beautiful.’

‘That’s my line,
dushka
.’

He was on his feet, gathering her into his arms. The relief on his face was almost as touching as his sweet, old-fashioned proposal. Maria had once told her that underneath all the surface swagger Alexei was as traditional as they came, but she hadn’t listened.

She was listening now.

‘I love you, Maisy.’ His eyes deep in hers, his voice was heartbreakingly sincere. ‘Let’s go home.’

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

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First published in Great Britain 2011
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

© Lucy Ellis 2011

ISBN: 978-1-408-92618-5