Read Online Without Saying a Word by Amanda Ward - Free Book Online Page B

mostly very English meals overdressed , Laura thought to herself. She made her decision and shut the menu with a slap.
    Louis arrived with their drinks.
    They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the ambiance and sipping their drinks. Rhean continued to stroke Laura’s hand with his own large one. It engulfed hers and was square-shaped with a smattering of dark, tiny hairs. As he stroked it, Laura could not help but be very aware of him not as her friend, but as a man—perhaps a lover.
    “I was surprised at your meal choice,” he remarked, bringing Laura out of her reverie.
    “Prawn cocktail?”
    “No. The liver and bacon. It’s not something many people like,” he said.
    “Why ever not?” Laura asked with an indignant tone in her voice. “It’s good for you, ha, n lots of iron, and anyway. My children loathe the stuff,” she confessed, “so I don’t make it at home.”
    Their starters arrived with warm, freshly made bread with butter on the side. Rhean and Laura tucked in with gusto, and gave each other tastes of their starters. When their starters were finished and cleared away, Rhean raised his glass of tonic water in a toast.
    “To us,” he said. Laura clinked her glass to his and drank. They spent the rest of the time talking about the ongoing issues with the fayre and plans for the ball.
    “Mum and Dad come back in a few weeks,” Rhean told her. “She said she will sort out the major issues just before the fayre starts.”
    “Thank heavens for that, I feel as though I’m bashing my head against a brick wall with some of the stall owners.”
    When their main courses arrived, the portions were very generous. Laura looked down at her plate. “I won’t need to eat for a few days after this,” she joked.
    After their plates had been cleared away, Laura visibly relaxed and sighed out loud.
    “Do you know this is the first meal in years that I have actually tasted?” she said. Rhean raised his eyebrows in puzzlement. “With the children and being so busy, I tend to eat what is in front of me without actually tasting it,” Laura explained, “And that meal was just wonderful. But the best part —no washing up to do.”
    The waiter appeared with the dessert menu. Laura was tempted to refuse, but when she saw the profiteroles, she really had no choice.
    “The profiteroles please, and a hot chocolate,” she said.
    “I’ll have the cheese board and a coffee,” Rhean ordered.
    “Not a big chocolate fan?” Laura asked him.
    “I am, but it will be more fun pinching them off your plate,” he teased.
    “You think I will let you steal chocolate and cream puffs from me?” she bantered.
    “Of course.” They both laughed at their silliness
    She felt the intensity of Rhean’s gaze. Glancing upwards, Laura saw the emotion radiating across his face. Unexpectedly, Rhean moved out of the booth and dropped to one knee in front of her. Laura’s breath caught in her throat at the sight.
    “Oh my God,” she whispered and hid her face in her napkin.
    Rhean took hold of one of her hands.
    “I just can’t wait anymore, Laura. I love you—have done since we met last year. Will you marry me?” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a very old, battered ring box. He opened it and inside, nestled on a cushion of cream velvet was a gold ring with a square cut, light green stone and a large diamond on either side. It looked old, yet very familiar.
    “Laura, will you marry me?” he asked again earnestly, and gave her a smile filled with longing, that sent her pulse racing. The restaurant customers were standing up to see what was going on. Laura’s mind whirled not knowing what to say. She couldn’t tear her gaze from him, as he knelt in front of her.
    A soft, loving curve touched her lips. She spoke only one word, a soft, “Yes.”
    Rhean slipped the ring onto her finger and it fit perfectly. He held her hand as Laura stood up, her stomach in knots desperately needing reassurance. She