“I’ll consider myself warned,” he said right before he pulled her close and swept her over the ballroom floor.
To finally have Eunice in his arms, her closeness allowing him to breathe in the scent of her perfume, was something he’d dreamed about often during the time they’d been apart. He pulled her closer still, unable to help but wonder if he should have planned a more intimate affair when he’d been planning out the evening because he was hard-pressed to resist kissing her, something that would certainly set society agog.
He’d not kissed Eunice since her birthday, but he was fullyintending, if she cooperated with his plan, to kiss her whenever possible from that day forward.
“I seem to be leading, if you neglected to realize,” she whispered in his ear. “You’re letting yourself become distracted.”
“And thank goodness you’re capable of taking the lead,” he whispered back, grinning as she led him in a turn before relinquishing the lead to him.
Before he knew it, the music came to an end, and with a bow to Eunice and then to the guests, he took hold of Eunice’s hand, pulling her to a stop when she began walking off the ballroom floor.
“We’re not done yet,” he said.
“But the music stopped.”
“It did, but the best part is just about to begin—or so I hope.” He stepped closer to her. “Just remember, though, if this goes badly, it’s all your fault for reminding me I’m a romantic at heart.”
As Eunice blinked, he dropped to one knee, which had the ballroom falling silent. Taking her hand in his, he met her gaze, finding her eyes already suspiciously bright. Blinking a few times because his vision was turning blurry as well, he smiled. “Eunice, er, Howland.” He winced and lowered his voice. “I almost called you Holbrooke, and wouldn’t that have been tricky to explain to society, but ... I’m getting distracted.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “You were the most annoying young lady I ever met seven years ago, but even then, not that I told you this, I found everything about you fascinating, and that’s still true today. I love how you can argue with me one moment and laugh with me the next, and I adore how you read dime novels and romances, and how straightforward and practical you are. But what I love most about you is your heart, one I believe you’ve kept hidden for far too long, but one you’ve now let into the light, which makes me love you so much more.”
Eunice raised a hand to her throat. “I’m sorry, but did you just say you love me?”
“I thought you would have figured that out by now.”
“Well, no. I mean, I thought you might hold me in a slight bitof affection, given the, ah, well”—she leaned closer to him—“kiss we shared, but I had no inkling you might love me, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to hear that tonight.”
“I thought it would be romantic to take you by surprise, while also thinking it would be romantic to have all your friends present to watch.”
A single tear trailed down her cheek, one Eunice ignored. “You thought right because this is very romantic.”
He smiled. “Thank goodness because, for a moment there, I thought I misjudged this, but now for the second surprise, although I’m not sure you’ll find it a surprise since I am on bended knee.” He withdrew a blue box from Tiffany & Company and opened it, revealing a brilliant circular diamond that was ringed with smaller diamonds. “And now, with all of your friends watching, as well as our families, Miss Eunice Howland, would you do me the very great honor of becoming my wife?”
She managed a whispered “yes,” which had him on his feet, taking her hand in his and then placing a chaste kiss on her cheek, which was what society expected even if he knew he was going to kiss her more thoroughly once they repaired from the ball, which was going to be soon.
As the guests erupted into applause again, this time a little louder than was considered exactly proper, everyone crowded around them to extend their congratulations until Ivan edged his way through the crowd, picked Eunice up, and gave her a hug. He set her down, then nodded to Arthur.
“It’s waiting for you out front.”
“What’s waiting?” Eunice asked.
Ivan sent her a wink. “You’ll see.”
Eunice caught Arthur’s eye. “We’re not staying?”
“You said you didn’t care for society events so, no, we’re not staying.”
Her eyes began to sparkle. “Where are we going?”
“First, I’m taking you for a ride through the city, and then we’re going to repair to the boardinghouse, met there by Aunt Hazel andmy grandfather, who will act as our chaperones, as we’re served a lovely dinner by Alma in the parlor. After we’ve enjoyed our meal, I’m then going to begin readingPride and Prejudiceto you because you once mentioned that would be romance at its finest.”
“You remembered that?”
“I remember everything you’ve ever said.” He extended his arm to her. “Shall we go?”
She shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because I think I’ve neglected to tell you something. Something important.”
