“I’m fine. I’ve recovered quite a bit already.”

Mason spoke softly and, without hesitation, knelt down on one knee.

Aurora immediately moved to follow his lead, only to be stopped by Mason. “You mustn’t,” he insisted, his voice firm yet tender. He shot her a meaningful glance, a silent request she understood all too clearly.

Obediently, she stood aside.

Kate, however, was fuming. “Your knees must not be worth anything to ...