“There’s an American tradition. A box of candied popcorn with a prize in it. I had an urge to give you your Christmas present early.”

“I’ve always been very strict about waiting until Christmas morning.”

“I could make it a command, Hannah.” He touched her cheek again. “I’d rather not.”

“Well, since it is the Christmas Ball.” She opened the lid and for the first time in her life felt faint.

“It was my grandmother’s. I had it reset but it meant more to me to give you this than to choose another from a jeweler.” He touched her hair, just the ends of it with his fingertips. “She was British, like you.”

It was an emerald, fiery, stunning, made only more brilliant by the symphony of diamonds that circled it. Just looking at it made her light-headed. “Bennett, I couldn’t take something like this. It belongs in your family.”

“Don’t be thick-headed.” He took the bag from her to set it on the wall. The scent of chestnuts mixed with the summer fragrance of roses. “You know very well I’m asking you to marry me.”

“You—you’re carried away,” she began, and this time did step back from him. “It’s everything that’s happened. You’re not thinking clearly.”

“My mind’s never been more clear.” He took the box from her, slipped the ring out and tossed the container aside. “We’ll do it my way then.” Taking her hand, he pushed the ring on. “Now, I can drag you back inside and announce our engagement—or we can talk about it reasonably first.”

“Reasonably.” How was it she needed to laugh and cry at the same time? “Bennett, you’re being anything but reasonable.”

“I love you—unreasonably then.” He pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. He could feel her heart thud, hear her breath shudder, taste both need and fear. “I’m not letting you go, Hannah, not now, not tomorrow, not ever. You’ll have to exchange captain for princess. Believe me, it can be every bit as wearing.”

Was it magic, or was it a dream come true? Her head was still spinning as she tried to get a grip on common sense. “You know I’m not the woman you cared for. Please, Bennett, listen to me.”

“Do you think I’m a fool?” He spoke so mildly she was deceived into thinking him calm.

“Of course I don’t. I only mean that—”