The Marriage Rescue. Joanna Johnson

her silhouette was visible to Edward’s gaze, outlined in sparks and tongues of curling flame. He could see the tension in her back and knew it was only by sheer willpower that she was maintaining her composure.

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘I think I may have a solution to your current dilemma—depending on your answers to two questions.’

      ‘Have you?’ Her tone was flat and devoid of curiosity. ‘And what would those questions be?’

      Edward ignored how dull she sounded, feeling his hopes beginning to build. ‘The first is: What is your age?’

      She didn’t turn to look at him, her eyes still fixed on the flames before her. ‘How is that of any relevance?’

      ‘Please. Humour me.’

      She sighed, as though it was an effort to find the words to reply. ‘Very well. I am recently turned twenty.’ The fire crackled, sending sparks swirling into the night sky. ‘Your second question?’

      Edward reached for her. At the first touch of his hand on her shoulder Selina jumped and swung round to face him, a frown of distrust clouding her features. Edward smiled as the expression in her dark eyes, at first wary and fearful, turned to frozen astonishment as she watched him drop to one knee and take her small hand in his own.

      ‘Selina Agres. Will you marry me?’