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Chester returned his attention to Eden, regarding him with such tenderness, moisture stung his eyes.

“Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and led her through adjoining doors, then into the rose gardens.

Amid the backdrop of blooming roses, he gathered her into his arms and pressed a kiss to her welcoming mouth. “Say you’ll marry me, Eden. I do love you. More than I even knew I could love anyone. I’ve waited a lifetime for you.”

“Are you positive, Chester?” She hugged his waist, her head resting against his chest. “Even knowing who I am? Even knowing your father is set against it?”

He tipped her chin up. “My mother was a wise woman. She said if I were ever lucky enough to find a woman I loved more than life itself to toss everything else aside to be with her. So, yes, Eden. I am absolutely sure.”

Her gaze strayed to the doors they’d just exited. “I cannot live here.”

“Neither can I. We’ll go to the seashore. There’s a ducal estate near Brighton.” He kissed her nose. “Yes, you can have your chickens and bees and Peony. As bitter as my father is now, I pray when the grandchildren begin arriving—and I hope we have a passel—he’ll come around.”

Eden stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head down until their lips met. She kissed him, and as her soft mouth moved beneath his, Chester’s heart burgeoned with joy.

He had his answer.

Breathless, her eyes glowing, she touched his face.

“Yes, Chester. I’ll marry you.”

“Eden? Look.” He rotated her until she saw what he’d spied. Almost reverently, he snapped the blossom from the bush and presented it to her. “It’s an omen. I’m sure of it.”

She smiled into his eyes. “The first Blue Damask rose to bloom in decades. It’s as if some force knew we were meant to be together.”

“Indeed, my love. And who am I to argue with a legend?”