Mills and Boon Christmas Joy Collection. Liz Fielding

lifted. She felt the same as he did. ‘Ruby, I love you. I want you to stay with me in Euronia. I don’t want you to be Annabelle’s speech therapist. I don’t want you to be an employee. I don’t want you to be waiting in the wings. I’m ready, Ruby. I’m ready to tell the world that I love you and I want you by my side.’

      He held his hand up to the fireworks.

      ‘This is for us, Ruby, and I’ll recreate these fireworks every year for us. Eleven years ago was the start. I wish we’d had a chance to continue from there. And while I wish my friend Sophia hadn’t died I couldn’t ever wish my daughter Annabelle wasn’t here. Maybe it was always destined that our two countries would be united. But what I know in my heart is that I was always destined for you.’

      He knelt down on one knee and pulled the ring he’d had made out of his pocket.

      ‘I love you, Ruby Wetherspoon. Will you do me the honour of agreeing to become my wife? I promise to love and cherish you for ever. I promise to be by your side no matter what happens. Whatever you want to do, you will have my full support. And I hope I will have yours. What do you think, Ruby? Can we create our own fairytale here, in Euronia?’

      The fireworks continued to explode behind her. The shimmering silver dress reflected every one of them in the dark night. The colours lit up Ruby’s face and there it was—the sparkle in her eyes again. The thing he’d longed for and hoped to see for the last two weeks.

      She reached down and pulled him up. She was smiling. ‘Don’t kneel for me, Alex. That’s not where I want you.’ She slipped the custom-made ruby and diamond ring on to her finger. ‘I want you right by my side.’

      He slipped his arms around her. ‘Is that a yes?’

      She slid her arms around his neck and tipped her lips towards his. ‘That’s definitely a yes.’

      And he kissed her as the fireworks lit up the sky behind them.

      Princess Ruby was here to stay.

EPILOGUE

      RUBY ADJUSTED HER veil nervously while Polly fussed around her.

      ‘How long is this train?’

      They were currently all enveloped in the back of the car by mounds and mounds of jewelled pale cream satin. She practically couldn’t even see her father at this point.

      ‘Twenty-five feet.’ She smiled, even though she was afraid to move. ‘Apparently it’s a tradition.’

      ‘It’s a tradition, all right. Can you even walk with this thing?’

      Ruby nodded. ‘I’ve been practising.’

      Polly’s eyes widened. ‘You have? When?’

      She smiled again. ‘At night. Rufus—Alex’s private secretary—has helped me for the last few nights. We’ve practised up and down the main staircase and out through the main doors.’

      ‘Wow.’ Polly handed Ruby her red flowers and lifted her hands to straighten the ruby and diamond tiara on Ruby’s head. ‘Seems like someone has introduced a few traditions of their own.’

      ‘Ooby—look!’ Annabelle was practically standing on one of the other seats, waving at the crowds as they passed, her short red bridesmaid dress bouncing around her.

      Ruby stretched over. ‘Come here.’ She gave Annabelle a hug. ‘You look beautiful, Annabelle. You’re going to be the most gorgeous girl anyone has ever seen.’

      The little girl couldn’t stop smiling. Her speech was improving every day. Simple words...

      The car pulled up outside the church and Ruby couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. This was it.

      It seemed to take for ever for Polly and her father to unwind her dress and the train from the car. Then there was a nod as Polly took Annabelle’s hand and led her ahead.

      She waved to the crowds and headed to the church door, the heavy train hampering her steps. If she had her way she’d be running down the aisle to meet Alex.

      The crowd in the church was hushed. Queen Isabelle turned from the front pew and gave her the tiniest nod of her head. But Ruby’s eyes were fixed on Alex.

      There was no tradition here. Her groom would never stand facing the front, waiting for her to appear.

      Alex had turned around to face her, his bright blue eyes fixed firmly on hers, smiling from ear to ear. He’d never looked more handsome. She’d never been so sure.

      Ruby’s father took her arm. ‘Ready?’

      She nodded. ‘Always,’ she said, and took the first steps that would start her new life.

      * * * * *

       Amnesiac Ex, Unforgettable Vows

      Robyn Grady

      ROBYN GRADY left a fifteen-year career in television production knowing that the time was right to pursue her dream of writing romance. She adores cats, clever movies and spending time with her wonderful husband and their three precious daughters. Living on Australia’s glorious Sunshine Coast, she says her perfect day includes a beach, a book and no laundry when she gets home.

      Robyn loves to hear from readers.

      You can contact her at www.robyngrady.com.

       This book is for my fellow Romance Writers of Australia and Romantic Book of the Year finalists.

       Couldn’t have wished for better company!

       With thanks to my fabulous editor, Shana Smith, and super agent, Jennifer Schober

       One

      A muffled conversation, barely audible, filtered in through the closed hospital room door. Laura Bishop raised her bandaged head off the pillows and, concentrating, pricked her ears. One voice was female, the other distinctly male—her fiery sister and equally passionate husband. Laura rolled her teeth over her bottom lip and strained to make out the words. No luck.

      But neither Grace nor Bishop sounded pleased.

      When Laura had taken a tumble at her home this morning, Grace, who was visiting, had insisted they have the bump on her head checked out. Waiting to see a doctor in a cell phone-free waiting room, Laura had asked Grace to contact Bishop at his Sydney office. She hated to bother him but stints at Casualty could wind on forever, and she didn’t want her husband coming home to an empty house and worrying.

      Besides, Bishop would want to be informed. He was a protective man…at times, overly so. With her congenital heart condition—and his own family history—Laura supposed he had good reason to be.

      The door clicked. When it cracked open an inch, Laura propped up on her elbows.

      “I won’t have her upset,” Laura heard Grace hiss from the corridor.

      Laura’s husband growled back. “I haven’t the least intention of upsetting her.”

      Wincing, Laura eased back down. How she wished the two people she cared about most could get along, but Grace seemed to be the one woman on earth who was immune to Samuel Bishop’s compelling brand of charm. Laura, on the other hand, had been smitten by his sizzling charisma and smoldering good looks from the moment they’d met. Even so…

      Lately she’d begun to wonder.

      She loved Bishop so very much. She was