Beyond Compare. PENNY JORDAN

but before Drew could say a word Jane and Guy joined them, Jane hugging Rosamund and congratulating Howard, and then stepping back to say excitedly, ‘Rosamund, you’ve been keeping me in the dark. You wrote to tell me about you and Howard, but you never said a word about Drew and Holly.’

      ‘Drew and Holly?’

      The sharpness in Rosamund’s voice made it carry, and several other people looked over to them, curious to know what was going on. Everyone went silent, and Holly felt as though the whole room was staring at them. Instinctively she nestled closer to Drew’s side, welcoming the protective comfort of his arm around her.

      To her relief, Drew broke the expectant silence, saying calmly, ‘We weren’t going to say anything yet. We didn’t want to spoil your thunder, did we, darling?’

      Darling? Holly gulped and looked up at him, and for a moment was so dazzled by the look in his eyes that she could hardly even think, never mind articulate any thoughts.

      ‘I see. So you’ll be up here permanently from now on, will you, Holly?’ Rosamund questioned coldly. ‘Where will you be staying? Your parents’ house still has tenants, doesn’t it?’

      ‘She’s staying at the farm with me,’ Drew announced quietly.

      Now they really did have everyone’s attention. A dark flush of unattractive colour stained Rosamund’s face. Howard was staring at her as though he had never seen her before, Holly recognised, his eyes both accusing and angry.

      ‘Good heavens, Holly,’ Rosamund exclaimed brittlely, ‘how very brave of you. I’m afraid I’m a little too old-fashioned for that kind of thing, and to be honest Mummy and Daddy would go spare if I even suggested it. Aren’t you afraid that Drew will change his mind and refuse to marry you?’

      To her own astonishment, Holly heard herself saying calmly, ‘The days are gone when a woman needed to barter her virginity in exchange for the sometimes doubtful security of marriage, Rosamund. I think both Drew and I know what we’re doing.’

      She looked hesitantly at Drew, her eyes unconsciously pleading with him for help. He gave it promptly, dropping an unexpected kiss on her nose and saying, ‘You’re the one who’s insisting on waiting. If I had my way I’d marry you tomorrow.’