Chapter 11：CHAPTER 9

Proposal

Orland POV

Edmund scowled. "Ashbourne step away from my daughter this instant!" He boomed.

I was too happy to spare him my time but Yna pulled away from my arms and faced Edmund.

"Dad." She looked over her shoulder at me. "Orland, Dad wants to talk to you." Her eyes uncertain.

I didn't want to talk to Edmund as he lead the way. We entered in his office a very professional looking room. He coughed.

"Drinks?" He asked waving a hand in the general direction of the wine and whiskey collection on the left wall of his office. I nodded needing the support of a good whiskey for the talk I was going to have with him.

He proud generous amount of whiskey in two glasses and handed me one. He sat in his chair and motioned me to sit on the chair from across him. I complied.

He cleared his throat and I took a sip of the whiskey. He cleared his throat again.

"For the love of God, man. Speak up." I said in a bored voice. But I was actually quite curious about what he wanted to say.

"You know about Violets death, do you?" He asked.

I went instantly still. "Yes." I replied my voice curt.

"I said—some—I said some, things which I—I regret more than

anything." He hesitated for a full minute. "If I could go back in past I would take every single word I said—said to Norman that day." A single tear rolled down his cheek. I grew uncomfortable to see him cry.

"It's my fault that—Norman Ashbourne my dearest friend died of grief and misery. I shouldn't have blamed him." He choked out.

I felt a strange lump forming in my chest as I sat there watching the old man's distress and I found that I no longer held him in the bad light. I nodded towards him and stood up the glass of whiskey forgotten on the table.

"You were wrong in blaming him. I will say that, but you are wrong again if you blame yourself for my father's death as I did." My voice firm.

"I have learnt that sometimes the grief of losing someone muddles your brain to a great degree." I said in a soft voice.

"And I want to apologise for doing the same with you. I too blamed you for father's death and I'm sorry for that Mr. Carson." My heart felt so much lighter as I got that weight off my shoulders.

He nodded and smiled the lines at the corner of his eyes becoming prominent. He looked so old from the last time I saw him. But he was a strong man. A strong man with a beautiful and equally strong daughter.

I grinned at him. "Well all those old matters aside. Mr. Carson—I would like to request your permission for your daughter's hand in marriage if she will have me." I asked.

The old man scowled half-hearted. "Oh she will have you—you scoundrel and you damn well know it."

I laughed and decided that Edmund Carson was quite likeable.

When we joined Yna she was frowning in worry and pacing the room. She rushed towards us soon as she saw us.

"What—what happened?" She whispered

I looked at Edmund and he nodded.

I knelt in front of her and placed my right hand on my heart, looking into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes.

"I realise that I would rather die than not have you at my side. When I looked into your eyes at the beach that day I felt strange soul kissing connection to you. And I am proud to say that you are the only women who can bring me to my knees." I could see her eyes moistening.

"My life would be a big, great and happy if you hold my hand and become my partner in the eyes of God." I held our, my other hand for her.

"Will you marry me?" I asked.

She burst out crying and took my hand in a crushing grip. "Oww—women! I said hold not crush!"

She laughed and I hugged her breathing in her familiar scent and it felt like coming home.