She took his hand and laid it over her heart. Then kissed him. The taste of happiness, right there on his lips. ‘I’ll see you on Sunday, then.’
‘You can rely on it. Eleven o’clock.’
* * *
At five to eleven on Sunday morning Isaac jumped down from his perch at the sitting room window and thundered into the hallway. ‘He’s here...’
‘Open the door, then.’ One last look in the mirror at her hair and make-up, and the pretty white top that she’d splashed out on yesterday, and Charlotte hurried downstairs to find Isaac and Edward deep in conversation in the hallway.
His smile, when he caught sight of her, told her everything she needed to know.
‘You look gorgeous.’
‘Thank you. You look pretty gorgeous yourself.’
Edward grinned, pressing on with what was clearly a well-planned preliminary to their afternoon. ‘I’ve just been asking Isaac, as the man of the house...’ he glanced conspiratorially at Isaac ‘...whether it’s all right to kiss you.’
Charlotte could feel the happiness radiating from her. ‘And what did he say?’
‘I said yes. That will be quite all right.’ Isaac seemed to be taking his duties seriously.
‘Good.’ She grinned at Edward and he took a step forward, kissing her lightly on the lips.
‘Is that all?’ Isaac sounded disappointed.
‘You think I should kiss her a bit more?’
‘Yes.’
Edward took the hint. Taking her in his arms, he bent her backwards until she would have slipped over if he hadn’t had her safe in his embrace. He kissed her on the lips until she was dizzy.
‘Better?’ He set her back on her feet.
‘Much,’ Charlotte whispered into his ear.
‘Yes.’ Isaac gave his blessing to the proceedings. ‘Can we go now? I want to fly my kite.’
Edward laughed. ‘That’s all part of the plan.’
They drove to the same spot where they’d flown their kites the last time, carrying their bags up the steep slope to the summit. Laying a rug out on the grass, Edward opened the picnic basket she’d prepared, inspecting its contents.
‘Strawberries?’ He grinned up at her.
‘Yes. And I’ve saved some more for later. When Isaac’s in bed.’ She grinned back at him.
‘That I like the sound of. Come here.’
They sat together in the sun, watching Isaac, who was running around in circles, emulating one of the gliders they’d seen in the sky.
‘I still can’t believe it.’
‘What can’t you believe?’
‘That you’re here. That I love you so much.’ She shifted into the circle of his arms. ‘You and Isaac. I don’t think I could ask for anything more than the both of you.’
‘Shame. You won’t be wanting any of this, then.’ He reached for the cool bag he’d brought and drew a bottle of chilled champagne out of it.
She chuckled. ‘Well, maybe just a glass. But won’t it be a waste? You won’t be able to finish the rest; you’re driving.’