Harriet’s heart quivered. “You are sure?”

“With all my heart.”

“But you were going to leave last night. I could tell—”

“Only because I hadn’t settled things in London. But I wouldn’t have been gone long. I couldn’t have stayed away, no matter how much I wished it. And now…now I realize that with you beside me, I can accomplish anything.”

Tears welled in Harriet’s eyes.

Devon cleared his throat. “Mr. Silverstone, I believe you have your answer. A two-month extension seems to be in order.” Devon smiled at Harriet. “Mustn’t keep the bank waiting, you know.”

Harriet found herself returning the smile. “No. We mustn’t.” She turned to Chase. “Yes,” she said softly. “Yes, I will marry you. And I already have the perfect shoes, too.”

Chase tilted back his head and laughed, pulling her into his arms and hugging her tightly.

Mr. Silverstone smiled indulgently. “I hope we receive an invitation.”

“Oh, you will,” Marcus said. “Here. Allow me to escort you out. I want to tell you what I plan on giving the couple as a wedding gift. I’m sure it will go a long way to assuring you that the payment can be made, however much it is.”

Marcus took the bankers outside while Harriet smiled up at Chase. “It seems I’ve loved you for so long. Since the first moment I saw you, I think.”

He smiled into her eyes. “I’m afraid I can’t make the same claim. You stole my heart in little bits and pieces.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake—” Derrick dropped into a chair. “Do we have to listen to this?”

Devon nodded. “Sickening, isn’t it? Personally, I prefer to do my lovemaking in private, but well…that’s just me.”

“Oh, look!” Ophelia said from her post by the window. “Here comes a very large rug!”

“A what?” Sophia asked.

Marcus reentered the room. Behind him came the largest man Harriet had ever seen. Tall and blond, he barely cleared the doorway, especially since he carried a rolled-up rug over one shoulder.

Harriet openly gaped until Chase kissed her chin and reminded her not to stare. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“That’s Anthony, my half brother.”

Anthony stopped on seeing Chase. “Good God, what happened to you?”

“Sheep. I’ll never eat mutton again.”

“I can see why not.” Anthony dropped the rug in front of Chase.

“What’s this?”

“Your birthday present,” Devon said merrily. “Open it.”

Harriet looked at the rug. To her amazement, it began to wiggle. “Chase…”

“I see, sweetheart.” Chase stood, gripped the edge of the rug and yanked. It unrolled with a thud, the disheveled figure of a man coming to rest at Anthony’s large feet.

The man looked up at Anthony and visibly started. “Argh!”

“Don’t worry, little man,” Anthony said, grinning.

“There will be no more magic rug rides if you behave yourself.”

“Oh, he will behave himself,” Marcus said, coming to stand beside Anthony. “Won’t you, Mr. Annesley?”

The man nodded, his eyes wide.

“Who is this?” Harriet asked Chase. Sophia and Ophelia were standing on tiptoe to see, while Stephen and Derrick watched with wide grins.