Inside the ballroom, guests turned to stare at them. As Nicholas set Carrie on her feet, laughter and applause rippled through the crowd.
Gwen was not in her chair.
“She will return in a moment,” Carrie said, taking a seat beside him. “Tell me about Bella and Jeremy. Have they been enjoying themselves?”
“Yes. Fatigue finally claimed them. They retired to bed without a murmur tonight.”
She laughed. “Where did you take them?”
“The usual places, the museum for the better part of a day. Bella’s favorites were Astley’s Amphitheater with the dancing horses, a puppet show in Green park, and the Tower. Jeremy’s was unquestionably the Tattersall’s horse auction.”
“You are so very good to them.”
A smile teased his lips. “I believe I am. I intend to seek my reward.”
“And what is that?”
“It must wait for here comes my sister and the duchess.”
Gwen and Nellie hurried up to them.
“We heard the laughter,” the duchess said. “You have behaved quite scandalously, Nicholas.” She laughed. “But anything goes at a masked ball, and I am thrilled for you both. I must find Charles. He was lamenting only this morning how long it took you to realize you loved Carrie.”
Nicholas grinned. “Impudent fellow, but undeniably astute.”
When Nellie left them, Gwen wiped away a tear as she kissed them both. “I couldn’t be more pleased. Winston will be, too. I shall write to him tonight. We must have an engagement party.”
“We don’t plan a long engagement,” Nicholas said hastily, envisaging weeks of preparation for the wedding. “I intend to seek a special license. If Carrie agrees.”
A lovely pink flush colored her cheeks. “I do.”
Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “I have a bone to pick with you, Gwen.”
Gwen looked the picture of innocence. “Oh?”
“What were you thinking of permitting Barraclough to waltz with Carrie?”
Gwen shrugged while looking a trifle guilty. “I didn’t see any harm in it. I would not have allowed him to take it further.”
“You know I planned to surprise Carrie tonight.”
She laughed. “I didn’t expect you to almost come to blows.”
“Not even close,” Nicholas said. “Barraclough considers himself a lover, not a fighter.”
A gentleman appeared at the top of the stairs. “The Honorable John Winston,” the majordomo boomed, his words almost lost in the din.
“Winston!” Gwen swung around.
Winston appeared, dressed in black evening clothes which, like Nicholas’s, made him stand out among the brightly arrayed crowd.
Gwen went to meet him. Taking his arm, she brought him over to them. “Miss Caroline Leeming, I would like you to meet my husband. Winston, Carrie is Nicholas’s fiancée.”
“An engagement?” He raised his eyebrows at Nicholas. “I thought it was time I found out just what my wife has been up to,” he said, smiling at Carrie. “You are as lovely as Gwen described.” He turned to shake Nicholas’s hand with a smile of approval. “Congratulations, Nicholas. Smart of you to snap the young lady up before any of these other fellows.”
Nellie and Charles approached.
Charles held Carrie’s hands and raised her from her low curtsey. “Nicholas has told me all about you, Miss Leeming.” His blue eyes twinkled. “Thank heaven he has found good sense at last. I despaired of him.”
