Page 65 of Dropping the Ball

“I must go,” Lady Alyce said quickly to Bernadette, then peeled away from the rest of the crowd to dash toward the house.

“I believe my assistance is required,” Kat said. She had been standing near Bernadette and Alden, Napoleon in a decorated basket over her arm, but she stepped away and walked swiftly after Lady Alyce.

“Well,” Bernadette said breathlessly, glancing up at Alden, barely unable to contain her mirth. “It seems as though this ball has been filled with the unexpected.”

“Agreed,” Alden laughed. He turned to the guests and asked, “Would anyone else like to declare anything strange or shocking before we continue with the dancing?”

“Yes!” one of the young bucks called out, startling everyone. When he had the crowd’s full attention, he said, “I wish to declare that Lady Vera is the prettiest young lady at this ball, and if she will have me, I would like to dance with her.”

“No, no,” another young gentleman called out. “Lady Wendine is the prettiest of the ladies assembled. If she would like, I should like much more than simply to dance with her.”

Bernadette clapped a hand to her mouth, wondering how wicked the young man intended those words to be. Either way, it did not matter. The young gentlemen fell all over themselves to ingratiate themselves to the young ladies present, and as soon as the orchestra began to play once more, a great many couples made their way to the dance, including Bernadette and Alden.

“It would seem your ball is a great success, whether you have used it to choose a bride or not,” Bernadette said as she began the first steps of the dance with her beloved.

“It is your ball,” Alden said, gazing at her adoringly as they turned a circle around each other. “It always was your ball. If it is a success, it is because of you.”

Bernadette blushed, feeling happier than she should have. The steps of the dance broke them apart for a moment, but when they were brought back together, with steps that allowed them to grasp and lock hands, she said, “To be fair, I think it was Lady Gladys that made the ball such a success. She was the one who invited all the young men.”

Alden hummed judiciously. “I believe you are right,” he said. “It would appear that bad motivations can produce wonderful results.”

“Just, I suppose, as good motivations can produce problematic results,” Bernadette said, glancing off to the side, where Lord and Lady Hethersett stood.

There was no question in Bernadette’s mind that she would forgive Lady Hethersett for her duplicity, even though ithad, arguably, kept her from learning the truth about her circumstances for a very long time. She considered the woman a friend and very much looked forward to knowing her better, openly and as a friend.

“You will invite Lord and Lady Hethersett and their children to stay for a bit after the ball, will you not?” Bernadette asked Alden as the dance ended and they were able to have a moment to themselves. “Even though the circumstances surrounding their arrival are awkward?”

“Of course,” Alden said, taking both of Bernadette’s hands and drawing her behind one of the flower decorations as another dance began. “I will grant you anything you wish, my darling. You have made my life richer and more beautiful just from being in it.”

Bernadette smiled bashfully, her entire body pulsing with love. “You have given me more than I ever expected I would have,” she told him in return. “And you have opened my eyes to a great many things in this world.”

“What, do you mean lizards and snakes and poison frogs?” Alden laughed.

“Yes,” Bernadette laughed with him. “But also hope and creativity and a never-ending sense that everything will work out for the best, no matter the obstacles set against us.”

“But those are things that you taught me,” Alden said, looking surprised. “And they are lessons that I have very much taken to heart.”

“It would seem we truly are well-matched, then,” Bernadette said, feeling as though everything had turned out exactly the way it should have. She was so confident in her and Alden’s love that, despite the ball filled with guests around them, she dared to lift to her toes and kiss Alden scandalously. Let the gossips of thetonsay what they would, she had never been so happy.

Epilogue

Godwin Castle – One Month Later

Alden was anxious for the entire journey from Lyndhurst Grove to the Isle of Portland, and for far more reasons than one. He bobbed his knee restlessly as the carriage crossed the causeway onto the island itself, he picked at an imaginary spot on the interior of the carriage, and he sighed for the dozenth time once the carriage made the turn into the castle’s courtyard.

“Calm yourself, dearest,” Bernadette said, barely concealing a grin, as she reached out to rest a hand on Alden’s knee, stilling it. “All will be well.”

“Are you certain of that?” he asked as the carriage rocked to a stop and one of the castle footmen stepped forward to assist them.

“He is your uncle, is he not?” Bernadette asked, her eyes dancing with mirth. “He loves you and wants what is best for you, doesn’t he?”

Alden hummed, low and doubtful. “There are times where I wonder about that,” he said. “Times such as this one.”

Bernadettetskedas she scooted forward on her seat, preparing to alight. “Do you truly think your uncle would hold a grudge against you for not inviting him to our wedding last week, especially given the circumstances?”

Alden glanced askance at her. The circumstances were precisely why he worried Uncle Gerald would not forgive him.

The ball had provided Alden and all of Lyndhurst Grove with enough diversion to last a lifetime. As glorious as the moment of their engagement was, and as much support as they had been surprised with from their guests, as soon as the sun had risen the next morning, an entirely new chapter of bustle and activity had begun for Alden and Bernadette as they saw most of their guests off while welcoming others.

---