After giving Justin one more quick hug, Maddie grabbed her champagne flute and brought it to her lips. She drained it while spinning around and around in a circle under the stars. The ball and the dancing and the beautiful gown were all absolutely perfect, but in that moment, Madeline realized that true happiness was found with the people she loved. She would be entirely content never to set foot in a ballroom again as long as she was by Justin’s side. “I’ve truly never been happier than this moment.”
Justin waited until she stopped spinning and kissed her atop the head. “I’m glad to hear it. Let’s go inside and tell Mama and my sisters we’re to marry. No doubt they have their ears pressed to the French doors.”
Madeline laughed. “Yes. Let’s go.”
No sooner had they re-entered the ballroom through the double doors, than Henrietta Hazelton appeared in front of them.
Justin cursed under his breath.
“There you are, my lord,” Henrietta said, eyeing Maddie with obvious distaste. “I believe it’s time to make our announcement.” She raised her voice so that the people standing near them could hear. “Lord Whitmore is about to announce his engagement,” she called.
Word quickly spread through the ballroom and after a few moments, a hush fell. Justin stepped forward and tugged at his coat. “Yes, thank you for getting everyone’s attention, Lady Henrietta,” he said in a booming voice. “I would like to announce that I’ve just asked the most wonderful woman in the world to marry me, and she has said yes.”
Cheers and well wishes could be heard throughout the ballroom.
When the noise quieted again, Justin continued, “Miss Atwood has agreed to be my bride. I am the luckiest man alive.”
Henrietta’s face fell, then it was covered with a look of pure rage. “I shall ruin you,” she hissed at Maddie between clenched teeth. “I saw you two kissing in the drawing room.”
Maddie narrowed her eyes on her former mistress. “If you say a word to anyone, I’ll let the entire ton know you have a habit of sneaking Jimmy, the stable hand, into your bedchamber from time to time. I’m certain your father would like to know about it for one.”
Henrietta turned white as a handkerchief and backed away quickly.
Justin grinned and pulled Maddie’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “You’re amazing.”
“She should know better than to tangle with a lady’s maid,” Maddie replied. “We know everything.”
The congratulations and well wishes continued for the better part of the next quarter hour and Justin was just about to ask Maddie to dance again when Eliza came rushing up to them.
“I’m ever so sorry to interrupt,” Eliza said. “But Mama sent me to tell you that she and Jessica and I must leave. Immediately.”
“Why?” Justin asked, his brow furrowing. “What’s wrong?”
“It seems Jessica has just publicly slapped the most eligible bachelor of the Season.”
