The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel) by Janet MacLeod Trotter

Author:Janet MacLeod Trotter [MacLeod Trotter, Janet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2020-12-07T18:00:00+00:00

As they made their way back down to the hotel, Stella’s heart was still beating wildly at the intimacies they had shared under the sighing trees. She couldn’t stop exchanging grins with Hugh at what they had done. She wished they hadn’t wasted most of the week just kissing; if Hugh had proposed sooner, they could have been making love every day.

‘Can we tell the Lomaxes our good news?’ Stella asked.

Hugh hesitated. ‘I’d rather we did it properly and I bought you a ring first.’

‘But there isn’t time,’ Stella said in frustration.

‘On the day I leave,’ said Hugh, ‘come down with me to Srinagar and we’ll buy a ring.’

Stella’s spirits lifted. It would mean precious extra hours with the man she loved.

When they returned to the hotel, Stella couldn’t hide her joy or resist confiding in Esmie. ‘I’m not supposed to say anything yet, but Hugh has proposed.’

Esmie stifled an exclamation and hugged her. ‘I was hoping you’d say that! I’m very happy for you, lassie. I can see how much in love you are.’

‘We’re going to buy a ring in Srinagar when he leaves. I hope that’s all right for me to take one more day off from my duties?’

‘Of course it is,’ said Esmie.

Then Stella told her about Hugh being sent to Singapore. ‘I don’t know when we can get married,’ she said, feeling a wave of unhappiness again.

Esmie tried to reassure her. ‘Maybe he won’t be gone that long. You can still plan for a wedding. You know that you can use either of the Raj Hotels for your wedding party whenever you want.’

‘Thank you!’ Stella smiled in gratitude. ‘Do you think Mr Lomax would agree to give me away?’

Esmie looked overcome by the suggestion. Her voice trembled as she replied. ‘Dear lassie, I think he would be honoured. You’re like a daughter to him.’

They clasped each other in a tight hug.

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