He held her tighter, a fierce, protective hold, as if trying to wipe away the memory of Paisley’s grip.
“You’re safe,” he said. And by all the last straws in the world, he would never let her out of his sight again.
Already, his mind spun. There would be consequences. Paisley would pay.
And then—like justice manifesting at the perfect moment—the chapel doors opened again.
The women burst in.
Charlene. Ashley. Sera.
Maddie didn’t flinch.
She stood taller.
Let the reckoning begin.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Maddie had neverbeen so happy to see her friends pile through the chapel doors.
Charlene, wild-eyed and breathless, was first, her skirts hitched indecorously to her knees, as if she’d sprinted the last few yards. Ashley followed on her heels, stormy and fierce, and Sera swept in last with the composure of a queen surveying a battlefield.
“Oh, thank the stars!” Charlene cried, barreling down the aisle. “Are you hurt?”
“Only my pride,” Maddie muttered, still tucked tightly against Sebastian’s side. His scent—clean and familiar—steadied her. The moment he’d stepped into the church, she’d known she was safe.
No one would be hurt now.
After all, Paisley was grossly outnumbered.
And that gave her strength.
Ashley stormed up to Paisley, and to Maddie’s complete shock, slapped him. Hard. “You filthy rogue!”
Charlene followed suit before Paisley could blink.
The men surged forward, ready to restrain him if necessary, but the duke only staggered back, palm pressed to his cheek.
He let out a curse. “This is ludicrous! How dare you treat me this way!”
“You are the ludicrous one,” Sera snapped, her tone laced with disdain.
“Love,” the prince murmured, gathering her close.
Maddie smiled faintly. Right—they hadn’t seen each other in days.
She stepped forward now, finding her voice.
“He dragged me here,” she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Lied. Threatened me. Had the gall to plan this entire farce like it was a dinner party!”
“I should’ve broken his jaw first,” Sebastian growled.
Maddie reached for his arm. “No. You’d only get into trouble. Ashley and Charlene won’t.”
Ashley cracked her knuckles. “Please. I’ve always wanted to punch a blackguard. This felt like overdue justice.”
Charlene nodded solemnly. “He deserved far worse. I daresay I’d like another go.” She squared her shoulders, completely unrepentant.
