He pulled her closer, his arms clamping around her like iron bands. “Listen to me, Eden. Listen, because I will only say this once, and I will never let you question it again.” His voice was rough with conviction. “I regret leaving you behind more than anything in my life. You—your mind, your heart, your drive—you are all I will ever need. I love you, you magnificent, gorgeous woman. I never stopped.”
Tears welled in Eden’s eyes, but he knew they were tears of relief, not sorrow. “Then how can we make this work?” she whispered. “Where do we go from here? I know you like what you do, and when we spoke that night on the ship, you said you didn’t want a family. But I do want one. I want it so badly.”
“I didn’t say that, Eden. I said that it seemed that having a family wasn’t in the cards for me. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never have one and tried to tell myself it didn’t matter. But...” He took a deep, steadying breath, trying to wrap his head around the thought of what she was offering. A child. A life they would create together... “I am not opposed to the idea. Not at all.”
“Really?” she whispered. “I’d given up on it myself, told myself that the research and the expedition were enough. But I don’t think I’m too old. I think it could still happen.”
“I’m certain of it,” he said softly. “I would like to try.”
“Oh, Max.” The tears spilled over, and this time, when she lifted her lips to his, the kiss was infinitely gentle. “But what about your work? I can’t see you stuck on some staid English estate.”
“Can’t you?” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Because I can, my love. I would love to have some animals to take care of,to help you with your research, and to have children to love and spoil. I just hate that I don’t have more to offer you. I’m not a rich man, Eden. But I do have a bit of a nest egg.”
She bit her lip. “I have more money than we could ever spend, Max. My father saw that I was provided for after Richard’s death. Perhaps a final apology for the life he took from me. I want to share it with you. Just think of it as the dowry you would have received if we’d wed back then. Besides, having you in my life gives me far more than money could ever buy.”
He felt tears welling in his own eyes. “I didn’t know you wanted any of this. I thought you just wanted to keep exploring the world, that with your wealth, you didn’t need a man to tie you down.”
“You don’t tie me down, Max. You ground me. You make me feel seen and heard. And I am definitely done exploring for now. This trip was more than I ever dreamed of, but it was more physically taxing than I expected. I honestly can’t believe I survived it.” She laughed and brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. “But who knows? Maybe someday we can buy a steamship and map the uncharted rivers of South America. We can build our own world, outside of society’s rules. The possibilities are endless, as long as we’re together.”
“I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” he told her, hugging her tightly. “I love you, Eden. I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” she murmured, and all his uncertainties vanished. They would have a life together, and it would be wonderful.
Epilogue
One year later...
Eden sat in a comfortable chair in the beautiful garden at Seacrest, Lavender and Kendrick’s home, a smile stretching from ear to ear as she watched Max, Kendrick, and the three older children play croquet. Lavender sat beside her, holding the youngest of her brood, three-month-old Christopher, whom they called Kit.
Once she and Max had returned from Egypt, they’d stayed for a while at her London house, searching the countryside near Willoughby Hall and Seacrest for an estate of their own. She’d been thrilled when Max had declared himself as enamored as she was by the Kent seaside. After weeks of looking at every available property, they found the perfect place just a half hour’s ride from her friends.
White Cliff Manor was everything they’d wanted. The house was a magical blend of styles that somehow all fit together perfectly. The views of the ocean from the back of the house were magnificent, and they’d set about making improvements immediately. Now, it was an oasis for both of them.
They’d had a small, lovely wedding at Willoughby Hall the week they’d moved in, and the months since had been filled with laughter and making love late into the night.
Her friends all loved Max, even Daphne, who’d admitted she’d been horribly wrong about him. Genevieve had gladlygiven them her blessing, and Lavender, of course, had been nothing but supportive.
“I think they’re becoming great friends,” Lavender said with a smile, gesturing toward their handsome husbands.
“I am certain of it,” Eden replied. She’d been worried that Max would grow tired of living in the country, that he’d miss the excitement of his former life, but she’d been pleasantly surprised. He seemed more at ease than she’d ever seen him, truly happy to leave the danger and adventure behind. He loved spending time with Lavender’s rambunctious family and helping Kendrick in the garden. He had high hopes of turning their own into something just a fraction as beautiful as Seacrest’s.
“How are you feeling?” Lavender asked, her gaze dropping to Eden’s stomach, and she realized she’d been unconsciously rubbing her heavily pregnant belly.
Eden laughed and shifted in her seat. “I’m ready to meet him or her, that’s for sure. I don’t know if I have another month of being pregnant in me.”
