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He cupped an elbow in his palm and rested his chin on his other fist.

“If I understand correctly, Father, if I concede to your wishes and propose, you’ll settle one thousand pounds on Eden?”

A tiny flicker of shrewdness entered his father’s eyes. He glanced between Eden and Chester several times.

“That’s correct.”

“Rather a stingy offer, I think.” Chester cocked his head as he brushed a bit of lint from the jewelry bag off his lapel. “Make it five thousand pounds, and include a house at the seashore, and I’ll agree.”

Eden’s stifled gasp nearly ripped his heart from his chest.

She averted her face, but not before he saw the shocked tears pooling in her periwinkle gaze. “Don’t be—”

“I agree. I agree. A house and five thousand. But she goes today.” Father pointed a spindly finger at Eden. “I can’t risk you changing your mind. We’ll have to manage the house party with the extra help. Perygrim’s been without a housekeeper this long and we’ve got on well enough. Viscountess Bickford has already agreed to act as hostess in any event.”

I’ll bet she has.

“I’ll have your word on that, Father. Swear to it. And that you’ll never harass Eden or her mother again. And that includes any sort of threat or blackmail.”

His father might be a good many ignoble things, but his word was his oath. Chester had never known him to break it.

“I swear on Byron’s grave.”

Triumph glittered in Father’s eyes and curved his mouth. He all but licked his lips in jubilation.

“If you think your heroics are necessary, my lord, they are not. Do not sacrifice yourself for me.” Eyes shooting sparks of accusation, Eden pivoted toward the doorway. Head high, spine stiff, she unpinned the chatelaine. “I told your father and I’ll tell you. I will not accept a cent. I cannot be bribed.”

With that, she dropped the chatelaine on a table. She flung her glorious hair over her shoulder as she swept to the door.

Chester rushed after her, blocking her way. He caught her hand. “You misunderstand, sweet.”

“I don’t think I do.” She tried to shake him off. “Please release me.”

“In a moment.” He leaned nearer as he drew the ring from his pocket. “I want to ask you something first.”

He slipped the ring on her finger.

Confusion combined with hope blossomed across her features.

“Chester?”

“What’s going on?” His father tried to turn his chair but a wheel had become stuck on the rug. Instead, he craned his neck. “Let the gel go. Good riddance, I say. I’ve had enough of Andrew’s spawn in my house.”

“On the contrary, Father. I’m doing as you bid. I’m proposing. Oh, and I believe I forgot to mention, Simon Andrews will be attending the house party. I, on the other hand, will not.”

“The devil you say?”

Father collapsed back into his chair, staring at Chester as if seeing him for the first time.

Clasping Eden’s hands, Chester dropped to one knee.

“Eglantina Eden Aster Haverden, the moment you plowed into me at the Fox and Falcon, I knew you were something special. And with each passing day, each hour, every minute, I’ve become more besotted, more entranced, and more convinced that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I adore you. Will you marry me?”

“What?” Father’s strangled objections sounded like something between a rooster crowing and a sheep’s bleating. He pushed to his feet. “No. No. I forbid such a misalliance. You must propose to Miss Bickford.”

Brow quirked, Chester glanced behind him.

“I never mentioned a woman’s name. I only agreed to propose. And I’ve done so, as you’ve witnessed. I shall hold you to your oath.” He spared the duke no quarter. “You are done manipulating me and others. Any children I father will be with this precious woman, if she’ll have me.”