Without even realising it Logan started to rise to his feet to go and comfort her, only to feel his lawyer's hand on his arm, restraining him. Helplessly, he watched as Sophie's shoulders moved up and down with a deep inhalation.

Grandfather wanted to witness our wedding vows,' she continued. The whole ceremony was a surprise. But it was a welcome surprise, and...' She swallowed hard and he saw the shimmer of tears in her eyes. ...as it turned out, it was my grandfather's last night with us.' She straightened in her chair. I'm sure you'd be aware from newspaper reports that my grandfather pa.s.sed away the day after our wedding.'

Logan heard Daphne blowing her nose behind him.

I'm sorry for your loss,' the lawyer muttered. Then, as if he were unwilling to garner any of the court's sympathy for Sophie, he continued ruthlessly, It must have been a truly traumatic time for you to lose the man who'd raised you. I find it strange that your husband was not at your side to support you at the funeral.'

d.a.m.n!

Sophie's chin tilted defiantly and she delivered a steely look to her inquisitor. She didn't respond, which was a smart move, as he hadn't actually posed a question.

Objection! Your Honour, my client's attendance at Rigby Carlisle's funeral has no bearing on this court case.'

The judge stroked his chin with his thumb and forefinger for a moment before he replied, Sustained.'

Mrs Winston's lawyer wasn't deterred. You've only just married. You haven't even had a honeymoon. Do you resent your husband applying for custody of Charlotte Mannering?'

Absolutely not. Logan loves Charlotte,' Sophie stated categorically. He promised her parents he'd take care of her if anything ever happened to them, and he'll do a fabulous job of raising Charlotte because he cares about her. If the court stops to consider just how far he goes when he's fighting for something he believes in on a global scale, I believe he will be awarded custody.'

Would you care to elaborate?' The judge prompted.

Logan put his life on the line to stop the sale of conflict diamonds. Even though he was stabbed and shot by rebel militia groups and could've easily been killed, he's gone right on campaigning for something he believes in. Scott Mannering was Logan's best friend. If Logan's willing to put his life on the line to help people he doesn't know to have a better life, there's nothing he won't do to uphold the wishes of his friends, and to make sure Charlotte has a happy, secure childhood filled with love and laughter.'

Interesting that you say there's nothing Mr Jackson wouldn't do to uphold the wishes of his friends,' the lawyer repeated with a cynical twist to his mouth. Does that include entering into a loveless marriage to provide the illusion to the court that he's ended his playboy days and that Charlotte will be provided with a stable home environment?'

There was a general outburst in the court.

Objection!'

Overruled. Silence in the court.' The judge hammered down his gavel. Mrs Jackson you will answer the question.'

My husband has ended his so-called playboy days, Counsellor,' Sophie replied in a steely tone. Both of us are committed to providing a stable and happy home environment for Charlotte where she'll be surrounded by love.' At last Sophie's eyes met his as she elaborated, Surrounded by our love for her and our very deep and abiding love for each other.'

Logan hung on every word. There was no doubt she really meant it. Powerful love shone straight from her eyes into him like a bright beam of white light. He felt the strength and warmth of it in every cell of his being and it moved him to such an extent that his eyes stung with the moisture of tears.

Nevertheless, you must admit that such a sudden marriage looks suspicious when your husband is pet.i.tioning the court for custody. It especially looks doubtful when he was photographed only a couple of weeks ago in Milan with a supermodel on his arm who he was reportedly sleeping with.'

Counsellor, I would've thought you'd know better than to believe every report you read in the gutter press. As for your allusions, I believe it only looks suspicious to a person with a nasty mind, to one who has never experienced love that is so completely overwhelming or perhaps to one who is incapable of it.'

Several in the court sn.i.g.g.e.red as Sophie refuted the lawyer's words, making her reply an almost personal attack against him. Logan couldn't stop the smile that formed on his face, nor the deep feeling of pride in his capable, confident wife.

Let me make it very clear to you, counsellor,' she went on when the murmurs around the court had lessened enough for her voice to carry to every corner of the room. I married Logan because I love him and I want to spend the rest of my life with him.'

A huge ball of emotion rose up from Logan's chest and thickened his larynx. Everything in her expression was sincere. It was a public declaration of her love for him. Sophie, who'd had her heart broken before, and who'd been hurt by him, now lay her soul bare. The unfamiliar sting of tears that he'd only just managed to control p.r.i.c.ked at his eyes more persistently as he acknowledged just how much he loved this brave, beautiful woman. Here, in the courtroom, where he was bound to sit in his seat and wait for the proceedings to finish, he could only hope she would read his emotions in his expression and know that her love was reciprocated.

So you're telling the court that you love your husband?'

I am truly, madly and deeply in love with my husband.'

But, you've been married before and that didn't last. Did you feel that way about your former husband?'

Objection!'

Sustained.' The ruling was quick and stern. Counsellor, this is a custody hearing, not a trial.'

The counsellor gave a grudging nod in acknowledgement and paced away a few steps before he turned on his heel and resumed his attack. Just how much time do you think you'll be able to give Charlotte when you're in charge of a multi-billion dollar company, Mrs Jackson?'

Like most people, I'll be a busy, working parent,' she replied, looking completely unfazed. Like Charlotte, I was orphaned as a child, and I know how important it will be to her to have Logan and I as a constant presence in her life. The court may be rest a.s.sured that Logan and I will ensure Charlotte has our love and support.' She looked at Logan and smiled. We're both agreed that she will not be a child who's packed off to boarding school and that she won't be slotted into our lives like an appointment in our diaries.'

You expect us to believe she'll receive so much of your loving, undivided attention, even though she isn't your daughter and you had no close personal connection with her parents?'

The expression on the lawyer's face was an ugly sneer, and Logan knew an intense desire to haul the guy out of the room and go one-to-one with him.

It would be impossible not to give Charlotte my love and support. She's an adorable little girl who's been through the trauma of losing her parents. I may have no blood tie to her but I will always care for her, and a.s.sure you she'll never again be left unsupervised in a car in a parking lo -'

I have nothing further.' The lawyer spoke in a raised voice, attempting to drown Sophie out and cut her off before she could reinforce what the court already knew - that Charlotte had suffered at the hands of her maternal grandmother.

Logan's chest swelled once more with admiration for Sophie. Thea Winston's lawyer looked suitably rattled. He had been well and truly bested.

The counsel for Logan approached Sophie. Is it your testimony today, Mrs Jackson, that you are in a loving, committed relationship with my client, and that you are more than willing to find the necessary time to nurture Charlotte?'

Yes.'

I have nothing further for my client's wife, Your Honour,' Logan's lawyer declared.

You may step down, Mrs Jackson,' the judge instructed. Do either parties have any more testimonies to be heard?'

When both lawyers indicated they didn't, the judge said, The court will adjourn until three o'clock.' The gavel was brought down once again.

All rise,' the bailiff cried.

It was as much as Logan could do to stand still while the judge left the room. Every muscle was restrained because he wanted to run to Sophie and hold her tight. Finally the judge disappeared through a door and he could move.

Logan!' she exclaimed when they reached each other.

It's so good to see you,' he told her as he wrapped her in his embrace.

Well done, Sophie!' Daphne's declared from behind them.

Not here, you guys,' Melissa instructed.

Knowing his sister was right, Logan took Sophie's hand. Thanks for everything, ladies. We'll catch up with you later.' With that, he led Sophie through a side door wanting to escape from prying eyes.

A reporter headed toward them. Searching the corridor frantically, and seeing nowhere to have the private conversation they needed, Logan was relieved when his lawyer's clerk ushered them into a room close by.

Once the door was closed behind them, the clerk said, You can wait in here until court resumes, or at least for twenty minutes or so. I'll let the media pack think you'll be here until three o'clock.'

Thanks.'

When the clerk left, Logan searched Sophie's eyes. He noted the shadows underneath them that spoke of the sleepless nights she must've had. Did you mean what you said?'

I was under oath.' She smiled. Of course I meant it!'

That was it. He couldn't resist kissing her for a second longer. Holding her against him where she belonged, he poured his heart, soul, and all of his pa.s.sion into his kisses. As she melted against him and responded, he knew a deep sense of rightness in their being together. When he finally came up for air, he confessed, G.o.d, Sophie. I've been such an idiot.'

You have,' she agreed breathlessly. I've been in h.e.l.l being away from you.'

Yet you wouldn't let me near you,' he groaned. Thank G.o.d for Daphne and Melissa. I was pinning everything on the return of the diamond mine and signing over the share options into your name.'

Her face filled with exasperation. You really are an idiot, Logan. That wasn't what convinced me.'

It wasn't?'

Absolutely not.' She shook her head in denial. Those doc.u.ments may have been meant to provide me with proof that you weren't after control of Carlisle, but they still didn't prove that you wanted me.' Her voice softened and she dipped her hand into her shoulder bag, withdrawing the flower he'd sent. It was the single red rose that did that.'

He smiled. So you know the meaning of that rose?'

I think every woman on the planet knows that red roses are for romantic love and the deeper the colour red, the deeper the love.'

Ah, but did you notice that the red rose is also thornless?'

Tilting her head to one side she said, I have no idea what that symbolises.'

The red thornless rose symbolises love at first sight.'

Are you telling me -?'

Yes.' His arms tightened around her. I think we've established that I haven't been very good in expressing myself in our relationship to date. I couldn't when I was so busy deceiving myself about my feelings, but I realise now I truly was a goner from our very first date.'

Is your communication always going to be this complicated?' Her tone was exasperated.

He merely laughed, and was then treated to a severe look as he took her bag and the rose and set them both down on a nearby table.

Logan, are you finally going to admit out loud that you love me just as much as I love you?'

Yes,' he told her seriously. Truly, madly and deeply.'

Say the words, Logan. I need to hear them.'

Sophie Jackson,' he said solemnly, as he took her hands in his, I love you with all that I am. You mean more to me than anything I possess and if you'll only let me, I intend to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.'

Her lower lip trembled a little as her eyes became awash with tears. That sounds wonderful.'

I never believed I'd be capable of loving anyone the way I love you.' The kiss he pressed to her forehead sealed that admission.

Just as well,' she sniffed, because I meant what I said about your playboy days being over.'

Absolutely. We're married, sweetheart, and I mean to honour every word of our wedding vows.'

One lacquered fingernail jabbed against his chest in accusation as she questioned, But you just didn't know it at the time?'

I knew it deep down, but I still hid from it. I thought I needed to defend myself against what I felt for you because I seriously didn't want to fall in love. I didn't want to leave myself vulnerable to such depth of emotion.' He shook his head and his lips tightened in self-disgust. I thought love would make me weak.'

She stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss against his lips. Our love will make each other stronger.'

I understand that now. You're the most important part of my world, and I need to know that I have your forgiveness.'

Her smile was tremulous. Logan, you're not the only one here who needs to apologise. I've always known that you're a man of integrity, yet I still cut you out of my life the moment we reached our first test, and I didn't even give you a chance to talk to me properly.'

You were judging me on the basis of your past experience.' He understood why she'd reacted as she had, just the same way he knew that withdrawing behind an icy facade had been her mechanism for protecting herself.

I know the way I acted was wrong of me and unfair to you,' she said. I should never have believed you'd act against me when you'd been caring and supportive of me in so many ways.' She snuggled against his chest. I've believed for so long that anyone who is interested in me is only interested in my wealth or position, that I just automatically reacted and believed I'd been duped again.'

My darling.' His hands soothed across the taut muscles of her shoulders. I'm going to do everything I can to make you see and believe in the woman I'm in love with so that you'll never doubt my feelings or your own worthiness.'

And I'm going to make you appreciate how wonderful love is, Logan.'

I'm appreciating it. Believe me, the feeling I had when I thought I'd lost you was one I never want to know again. I hope to h.e.l.l that I never do anything that will make you want to push me away.'

You'd better not!' Her tone was severe but one of her hands squeezed his arm in a gesture of rea.s.surance. If we have an issue, I'm going to be talking to you about it. No more jumping to conclusions and running away.' She angled her head a little so she could look up at him. We're going to make this work.'

We will.'

I know it won't be easy when we both have large corporations to run, but as long as we make time for each other, we can do it.'

I promise.' He hugged her tight, resting his chin against the top of her head and breathing in the fresh scent of her hair. So, you've decided you want to continue as MD?'

Yes.' She shifted away from him a little so she could meet his eyes. The company's in a vulnerable state right now. I want to steer it through this period and after that...' She shrugged. I'm not sure whether I want to be in a top corporate role long-term. The only thing I'm sure about is that I want to be with you for the rest of my life.'

Whatever you decide, I'll support.'

Her sigh was one of pure satisfaction. I love you.' The touch of her lips against his was only fleeting. I'd like you to take Grandfather's seat on the board of directors.'

He pulled back a little from her. Are you sure?'

Completely. I want us to be able to share as much as we can of life.'

I accept.' He'd make the time for it. Being on the board would be a great way for him to be able to support her, be more involved with her business dealings and give him greater understanding of what she was facing in her corporate role. This time away from the office has made me realise I can delegate a whole lot more and the wheels won't fall off. That's important, because Charlotte will need me and we both need to have the time for our relationship.'

From a financial viewpoint, neither of us would ever have to work another day in our lives if we didn't want to,' she agreed, so as soon as I steady the Carlisle Mining ship, I'll look at ways I can delegate more responsibility as well.'

Lowering his head, Logan claimed her mouth in a kiss full of unbridled emotion. Honey, I can't wait to make love to you again, but as that's not possible right now, how about we flee the press, go to a cosy little bar I know of that's close by and plan our wedding?'

We're already married!'

Your grandfather was right. I think we need to be married again. This time we'll make our vows with both of us knowing we mean them.'

You really are romantic!'