She said, “So many happy memories. And now I have one more.”
“Being here with me?”
“Of course.”
He pulled away from her and whispered, “Alice, you have become everything to me. I’ve never felt this way before. I didn’t know I could feel this way. I love you, and every day I fall even more in love with you.”
“I love you too.”
He dropped to one knee and took her hand. “Alice, dear Alice, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She heard the words, but it took a moment for her to take the meaning. “John, you know that I’d love nothing better . . .”
He stood up, a grin across his face. “I’ve already asked your father, and he’s granted us permission. Say yes. Please say yes.”
“My father agreed to this?” She sounded skeptical, but hopeful.
“Yes, he did. I even told him about my great-grandfather, and he still approved the match. I told him our engagement can last until I finish school. I know it’s a long time to wait, sweetheart, but I will write to you every day and visit whenever I can.”
“My father said yes.” She shook her head incredulously. “I can’t believe it.”
“I don’t have a ring for you yet, but I have money saved and will get one for you soon.”
“I don’t care about a ring. I only care about us.” Alice couldn’t believe it. She’d been so happy at the dance, happier still when they’d arrived on the island. She would not have thought it possible to surpass that feeling, but now the joy in her heart swelled beyond anything she could have envisioned. John wanted to marry her, and her father had given his permission.
“You have not answered my question. Will you marry me, Alice?”
“Yes. Oh yes.”
He lifted her off her feet and swung her around in a circle, making her laugh, then gently set her down, holding her in a firm embrace. Putting his lips next to her ear, he breathed a question. “May I kiss you, Alice Louise Bennett?”
It was a good thing he was holding her close, because now she felt her knees weaken. “Yes, you may,” she said, and then his mouth was against hers, his lips warm and tender. It was everything she’d ever dreamed it would be and yet not nearly enough. She marveled at how natural it seemed and felt elated to realize that this was just the beginning. They could kiss like this for the rest of their lives. The other part, the married intimacy, was something she was not entirely clear on, but with John, it could be only an expression of love. And then someday, besides having each other to count on, they’d have a family and a home. A few minutes ago, she’d dreaded her life after John left for school. Now she saw the years ahead unfolding in beauty like rose petals come to bloom.
She was still kissing John when they heard the sounds of a boat scraping onto the shore. They pulled apart, and she froze, listening. She was alarmed to hear footsteps on the path coming in their direction. She whispered to John, “We’ll be discovered together.”
“Don’t worry, Alice,” he said, not even lowering his voice. “We are engaged to be married, and we have your father’s consent.”
Alice stepped back even farther and smoothed her hair. If they left right now, darting through the trees away from the path, they might be able to avoid whoever was coming. It was no doubt another couple wanting privacy for lovemaking, which would not put them in a position to judge Alice and John, but still, she worried for her reputation. Until now, it had been completely untarnished.
“Maybe we should go,” she said, motioning to one side. “We could circle around to the path and go unnoticed.”
“I am not scurrying in the grass like a rat being hunted,” John said, taking her hand. “We will leave the same way we arrived. There’s no cause for alarm, Alice. We’ve done nothing wrong.”
Alice listened as the rustling got louder, a feeling of dread building. When Pearl and Frank came into the clearing, she gave a sigh of relief. Oh, thank goodness it was them and not one of the chaperones. A second later, when Frank angrily opened his mouth, her sense of ease drained away, replaced by alarm.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Frank yelled, pointing a finger at John. “I know what you are.”
Alice caught the slight slur in his words. Frank had been drinking. Pearl held a finger up to Frank to indicate he should wait.
“We’ve been looking for you,” Pearl said, her eyes darting nervously from Frank to Alice and John. “I can’t believe you left the dance. Father will not be pleased to hear this.”