He pulled her away from the pianoforte to the middle of the dais.
The crowd pressed closer, as though holding their collective breaths.
“I’ve learned life isn’t about following arbitrary rules.” He touched her cheek. “It’s about recognizing when you’ve met the right person, and creating your own rules together.”
She tilted her face into his palm.
“So romantic,” breathed one of the debutantes, before swooning into her mother’s arms.
Cynthia felt the same.
“Being a duchess doesn’t mean you must stop being you.” He smoothed a tendril behind her ear. “I love you, Cynthia Louise Finch. For exactly who you are. You helped me find joy again. Do you think you might one day come to love me, too?”
Her heart hammered.
“I love you already, you impossible man,” she choked out. “I loved you when we were playing billiards, and I loved you when we took our spontaneous tour of the castle, and I loved you when we flew down a mountain together on skis. I also love you for being such a wonderful brother to Belle, and for starting a fashion venture for the less fortunate, and for all of your work in the House of Lords. I loveyou, Alexander. I loveallof you.”
“In that case...” He glanced at their wide-eyed audience, then turned back to Cynthia with a slow grin. “May I have this dance?”
She nodded jerkily.
He lifted his gaze over her shoulder. “Lady Gertrude, would you do the honors?”
“Straight away,” came Gertie’s gleeful voice. “What shall I play?”
Alexander’s expression turned mischievous. “Do you happen to know the timeless classic, ‘A Spinster Goes A-Wenching?’”
Cynthia burst out laughing.
“Of course I do,” said Gertie. “Everything worth knowing, I learned from Cynthia Louise.”
The ballroom filled with the lively melody.
“Cynthia Louise Finch,” said the Duke of Nottingvale. “Will you marry me?”
“Of course I will.” She gave him a wicked grin of her own. “Even if it means I have to create new lyrics for the song.”
He pulled her into his arms. “This time, we can create our song together.”
And they began to dance.
Epilogue
Twelfth Night
The farewell ball was underway, and the ballroom overflowed with revelers.
A few mothers and daughters had departed the festivities early, but the rest of the party stayed to enjoy Christmastide. This had certainly become one to remember.
Once news broke of Cynthia and Alexander’s betrothal, the poor butler had been forced to prop the front door open to allow in the endless streams of gawkers and well-wishers.
Alexander had appeared in a gossip column!
The Duke of Nottingvale was scandalously in love with his new betrothed, and it was simplynot done.
All of their friends in the village of Cressmouth delighted in their obvious affection for one another, and toasted the new couple at every opportunity.
The dowager duchess would have to make her peace with the new arrangement, as would Gertie’s father.
