Eleanor's heart began to pound. "Aubrey, what are you doing?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he turned to face the crowd, his voice carrying across the hushed room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if I might have your attention for a moment."
Complete silence now. Eleanor could feel her face heating as every guest in the ballroom stared at them.
"Asmany of you know," Aubrey continued, his voice steady despite the canes supporting him, "my wife and I have been... estranged for much of our marriage. This was entirely my fault. My failing. My shame."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Eleanor's hand flew to her throat.
"But these past weeks, Lady Madeley has shown me grace I did not deserve, patience I had not earned, and love I had done nothing to merit." His voice grew stronger, filled with conviction. "She has been caring for me through my injury, and in doing so, she has healed far more than my broken body. She has healed my broken spirit. My broken heart."
He turned to Eleanor then, and the look in his eyes made her heart stutter.
"Eleanor," he said, his voice softer now but still carrying. "I have been a fool. I wasted two years of our marriage in pride and stubbornness. But I stand before you now—before all these witnesses—to tell you that I love you. I am desperately, hopelessly, completely in love with you. And I will spend every day of the rest of my life trying to be worthy of you."
Tears spilled down Eleanor's cheeks. She couldn't speak, couldn't move, could barely breathe.
Aubrey shifted his weight, balancing carefully on one cane while he reached into his coat pocket with his free hand. He withdrew a small velvet box.
"I cannot kneel," he said, a rueful smile touching his lips. "My leg won't permit it. But if I could, I would be on my knees before you now." He opened the box, revealing a ring—gold set with sapphires and diamonds, clearly antique, clearly precious. "This was my grandmother's. The Madeley family ring, passed down through generations."
He took her trembling hand in his.
"Eleanor Madeley, you are already my wife. But I failed to honour you as such. So now, before God and all these witnesses, I make my vows to you anew." His voice resonated with emotion. "I vow to honour you, to cherish you, to listen to you and value your counsel. I vow to be your partner in all things, your equal in this marriage. I vow to love you with every breath in my body, every day for the rest of my life." He slid the ring onto her finger, above her simple wedding band. "Will you accept this ring, and with it, my heart? Will you give me the chance to be the husband you deserve?"
Eleanor couldn't speak through her tears. She could only nod, clutching his hand as if she'd never let go.
"Yes," she finally managed to whisper. "Yes, of course, yes."
The ballroom erupted in applause and cheers. Aubrey pulled her close and kissed her thoroughly, propriety be damned.
When they finally broke apart, the crowd was still applauding. Ladies dabbed at their eyes with handkerchiefs. Even the men looked moved.
Lord Waverly was the first to approach, grinning broadly. "Madeley, that was the finest thing I've ever seen you do."
"Hear, hear," Cartwright added, clapping Aubrey on the shoulder.
Steven appeared next, his expression warm. "Beautifully done, Madeley. Eleanor, I'm happy for you. Truly."
More guests crowded forward—congratulations, well-wishes, tearful embraces for Eleanor. The celebration resumed with renewed energy, the orchestra striking up a triumphant tune.
But after several minutes of accepting congratulations, Aubrey swayed slightly. Eleanor caught his arm immediately.
"That's enough," she said firmly, though her voice was still thick with emotion. "Youneed to rest."
"I do," he admitted, exhausted but smiling. "Will you take me to our chamber?"
"Of course."
She helped him through the crowd, accepting final congratulations as they made their way to the stairs. The journey to their bedchamber was slow, Aubrey leaning heavily on both his canes and Eleanor, but neither of them minded.
When they finally reached the door to his bedchamber, the sounds of the ball fading to a distant hum, Eleanor turned to him.
"That was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done," she said, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "Aubrey, I can't believe you—in front of everyone…"
"I wanted everyone to know," he said simply. "I wanted you to know, beyond any doubt, that I am yours. Completely and irrevocably yours."
