“You can have anything you desire if you just say yes,” Miles insisted.
“But you haven’t heard what I want yet.”
Miles grinned. “It doesn’t matter, I will agree to it.”
She returned his smile. “All I ask of you is to marry me at the chapel here at Brockhall Manor. It is where my father married my mother.”
“I would have it no other way, my love.”
Her smile grew, brightening her whole face. “Then, yes, I will marry you.”
Returning to his seat on the bench, Miles cupped her right cheek and said, “I can’t believe you finally agreed to marry me.”
“All I wanted was your heart, Miles.”
“And you have it.”
“As you have mine,” Edwina said.
Miles moved closer to her. “I promise from this day forward that you will always bemine, and I will always beyours. We will never be apart.”
Edwina leaned closer to him. “Do you truly promise?”
“Yes, wholeheartedly,” he replied, feeling her warm breath on his lips. “May I kiss you now?”
“I thought you would never ask…”
Her words had barely left her lips before he kissed her. In that precious moment, the world seemed to fade away as helost himself in the intoxicating sweetness of Edwina’s embrace. And in the kiss, he felt a silent affirmation of a love that would know no bounds. He experienced a love that would endure through every trial and triumph, guiding them through their journey together.
He broke the kiss but remained close. “Will you promise to always kiss me like that?”
“Why, did I do it right?” she asked.
A chuckle escaped his lips. “It was perfect, just as I expected it to be.”
Edwina let out a relieved sigh. “Good, because I hope we can do that again, and often.”
Miles pressed his lips to hers before saying, “I can assure you that I will never tire of kissing you. I daresay that it is my favorite thing to do now.”
A clearing of a throat came from a short distance away.
Miles turned his head and saw Bennett, his arms crossed over his chest and an amused look on his expression.
“Are you two quite finished?” Bennett asked. “I merely ask because my mother wants to know if you two are ready to announce your engagement.”
A line between Edwina’s brow appeared. “How did she know we were getting engaged this evening?”
Bennett gave them a smug smile. “Why do you think my mother planned this lavish soiree?” he asked. “It was evident to everyone how deeply in love you two are- well, everyone except for Miles. It took him a bit longer to catch on than we anticipated.”
Miles stood up and assisted Edwina to her feet. “It would appear that everyone has been conspiring against us,” he said with a smile.
Edwina smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling with affection. “Indeed, but I have no complaints,” she declared.
“Nor I,” Miles responded. “This just means I can dance with you for more than one set.”
Leaning in close, Edwina pressed her lips against his.
Bennett let out a disapproving huff. “Do show some restraint, Cousin,” he chided.
