All Maddie could do was happily nod.
They stepped out into the soft night and the breeze caught the wisps of hair at Maddie’s nape as they strolled toward the balustrade together, arm in arm. When they came to a stop, Justin handed her one of the flutes.
Maddie took a tentative sip. “This is truly a dream come true,” she said with a sigh, lifting her chin in the air, closing her eyes, and allowing the breeze to caress her cheeks.
“Not quite. Not yet,” Justin replied solemnly.
Maddie opened her eyes to see a recalcitrant look on his face. “What do you mean?”
“I doubt in your dreams you were escorted to the ball by a complete fool.”
Maddie pressed her lips together and took another sip of the light, crisp champagne. “I was told there would be groveling.”
“And so there shall be,” Justin said with a laugh. He took her flute and set both atop the balustrade, then he pulled one of her hands to his heart and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Madeline. It’s not enough and it’s not an excuse, but the truth is I didn’t think I was the kind of man who could ever deserve your love or treat you like the treasure you are. And although I was a complete fool, I thought I was doing the right thing for you when I sent you away. I thought I was being selfless and noble. Instead, I only missed you terribly.”
“You missed me?” she sniffed.
“Every second. It took my sister pointing out the fallacy of my idiotic beliefs to make me see clearly. If I could take back every single word I’ve said to you since we first met, I would. I would do it all again and declare myself to you and tell you how much you mean to me and beg you to marry me.” He dropped to one knee, still holding her hand. “I am begging now. Please forgive me for being an idiot. Forgive me for sending you away, for offering you money, and for being a complete cur. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, and I certainly don’t deserve your love, but I’ll spend every day of my life trying to earn them both. I love you madly, Madeline. And I have discovered that I simply cannot live without you. Please say you’ll marry me.”
Tears stung Madeline’s eyes. She hadn’t expected the groveling to make her cry. She had to take several deep breaths before she could respond. “First,” she began, “I shouldn’t want you to take back every word you said to me since we met. You’ve said some lovely things. I believe my favorite was when you told me I was the only woman you could think about.”
“I’m a fool,” he cursed. “I should have asked you to marry me that night. I knew then how special you were to me.”
“You’re not a fool, Justin.” She shook her head softly. “I couldn’t love a fool.”
“Does that mean…?” A smile spread across his face. “You love me?”
She pulled him up into her arms and hugged him fiercely. “If I were a different person, I might ask you to grovel longer, but I cannot stand it. Yes. I love you, Justin, and yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
He stepped back and looked her solemnly in the eye. “I need you to know I’m not asking you to marry me out of guilt or only because I’ve learned about your family.”
“I know that,” Maddie replied. “I wouldn’t agree if I thought any differently.”
“But I do have to ask you, my love. Why didn’t you tell me who you were?”
Maddie swallowed. “I wanted the best for my sister. Letting the ton know I was working as a maid would have damaged her prospects.”
“But Henrietta Hazelton knew,” Justin prompted.
“Yes, she knew, and she held it over my head every chance she got. Paid me a pittance to keep my secret.”
Justin squeezed her hands. “If you had told me, I could have helped you.”
Maddie shook her head. “I couldn’t have accepted your help.”
“Why not?”
“You know why not. I’m far too proud for that.” She laughed.
Justin nodded. “Seems we’ve both been stubborn. Veronica will never let me forget this, you know? Which reminds me, there’s something else I must promise you. Something Veronica helped me realize.”
Maddie nodded. “Go on.”
Justin took a deep breath. “Trust is something earned over time. But I promise I’ll never betray you. And I’ll aways put you first. And tomorrow morning we’re going to Devon to fetch your sister. You will both live at Veronica and Sebastian’s house until our wedding.”
Maddie jumped into his arms and hugged him. “Truly?” she squealed.
“Yes, and Mama has already agreed to sponsor Molly next Season.”
