Page 72 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
She cuffed him on the shoulder. But he leaned forward and planted a kiss on her cheek. “I don’t like stolen moments. I want to whisk you off your feet, and I plan to make your heart melt.” Maximillian sat on the settee beside her. “I make good money now, Ruby. I can provide for us, set up a nice household. Can even ask Violet to be your roommate again, if you want.”
Ruby cuffed him again on the shoulder. “Full of jokes today, aren’t you?”
“Anything to make you smile as much as you make me smile, Ruby Jackson.”
In spite of herself, she giggled.
Before she knew it, Ruby was whisked upstairs by Lady Andrepont to dress with her and her sister-by-marriage. They talked and laughed, drank sparkling wine that Mrs. Arthur claimed was better than she expected it to be.
As she descended the staircase after Mrs. Arthur and Lady Andrepont, Ruby felt gratified to see Maximillian as she came down. The dress fit perfectly, no doubt Lady Andrepont knew her measurements, and the subtle gold threading and simple accents fit Ruby’s tastes. She felt her name for the first time, a jewel in its own right.
They arrived at the Pearlers’ home, and as Ruby and Maximillian descended from a carriage with Corinthian John and Mrs. Arthur, and Lord and Lady Andrepont, she was struck speechless. Who was she, to be cavorting with such fine company, in a dress like this, at a house like that?
Their party entered the Pearler household, and then splintered off in separate directions. Maximillian steered her out to the veranda and down into the back gardens.
“I loved being in these gardens when I worked here,” he admitted. “This tree was a particular favorite.”
Ruby gazed up at the massive oak, its gold and red leaves gently rustling in the breeze, lit only by the moon and the glow of the party inside. “It’s beautiful here.”
“This is where I wanted to take you. The ball because you missed it last year, but in all of London, this tree, in this garden, is the most beautiful place I could show you.”
He took her roughened hands covered by supple gloves. “Since I’ve met you, my life has only gotten better. I’ve found a direction, taken chances that played to my favor, and found more contentment in my Sunday afternoons with you than any other time in my life.”
She squeezed his hands, his also in white gloves. “I never had anyone who believed in me no matter what. Any support I had before felt like it might evaporate on a whim. I’m not sure many men would understand wanting this life, a fighter’s life, but you never questioned me. Never thought I was strange or odd or unwomanly for doing so.”
Maximillian grinned. “The Sweet Science is a part of you, and I love you, Ruby Jackson. All of you.” He dropped to his knee. “Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Ruby nearly cried, so full was she with emotion, but she couldn’t help but give him one last jab. “If Violet is to remain my roommate, then no.”
“I would haul her out by her great, oversized feet if she tried to stay in our bed.”
Ruby laughed, pulling him to standing. “Yes, Maximillian Vaughn. I will be your wife. Now, let’s go dance before you spill a tray of buttered parsnips on me.”
Maximillian slid his hands on either side of her jaw and pulled her lips to his. Ruby closed her eyes and pressed herself against him. She kissed him with every emotion she’d ever felt, letting the flow of disappointments and pains ease out of her, evaporating in the darkened sky above.
“The banns cannot be read fast enough for me,” he said.
Ruby winked at him one more time. “Me neither. Now let’s go dance.”
