Page 41 of The Wallflower and the Duke
As the crowd began to filter out of the crowded hall, Alfie released Marjorie’s hand and stormed toward Percy who remained on the side of the stage.
“An apology, Percy,” Alfie demanded. “Now.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
“Not to me, you blackguard, to Marjorie.” He held his hand up, ignoring how it shook. “Now, damn it.”
Percy scoffed. “If Marjorie is so prolific?—”
“It’s not yours,” Alfie snarled.
“Like how she’s not yours?”
“Actually—” Marjorie spun from her spot on the stage and slowly walked up to Alfie. She laced her hand back into his and smiled. “I believe you told me earlier today we were never engaged.”
Alfie was a little stunned by Marjorie’s confession, fighting back a pleased smile. “When we were at Eton together, you stole my work, and I allowed it to happen because I was never like you. I couldn’t walk into a room and demand attention. I hated that about you, envied it even. But we are no longer schoolboys, and you cannot live your life taking whatever you please, Percy.”
“I didn’t realize I would be receiving a lecture from you. I heard you couldn’t?—”
Marjorie stepped forward. “An apology, Percy. And then you can be on your way.” She reached into her reticule and tossed his mask at him.
“I’m sorry.” He sneered as he lifted the mask from the floor. “Will that suffice?”
Tempting as it was, no. “A sincere apology. With feeling.”
Alfie wanted nothing more than to toss a fist into his former friend’s smug face. But he relented, falling back to Marjorie as she held up her hand.
Percy rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe I have it in me at the moment.”
“Let me help, then,” Alfie said. “You will apologize, or you can admit your theft to the entire audience. If you do not, you will be hearing from my lawyers because you will be paying back all royalties and damages to the publisher. Including the lovely advance you received, which we both know you have already spent.” He turned to Marjorie. “Is that better?”
She shrugged, swallowed by Alfie’s coat. “Yes, I think it will do fine. Given you were never able to commit to our engagement because of…” she dropped her voice to a cold whisper, “financial difficulties, I think an apology is fair given your sudden windfall.”
Faced with the audience, Percy quickly glanced between Marjorie and Alfie. “We were never engaged.”
“News to me, but please continue. I don’t think we have time for specifics.” Marjorie pasted on a shaky smile.
“I want to thank you all for attending this evening. It seems there has been some confusion.”
“Try again, Chadwick,” Alfie hissed.
“Ladies and gentleman, it appears Miss Merryweather’s contributions to this novel were more significant than I first believed, and for that I apologize. However, let us not forget it is through my influence the work found this audience, and for that, I am proud.”
It was absurd. Every last word, and yet, she found she didn’t care.
Percy turned and bowed with a smug grin on his face before storming off stage. Marjorie finally sighed, feeling the stage waver once again under her feet as she was left there to face the confused crowd. She spun toward Alfie and stepped forward until they were toe-to-toe.
“You came,” she said softly.
“For you? Always.”
“Will you marry me, then?”
He cupped her cheeks and pulled her down for a slow, lingering kiss. “Happily.”
EPILOGUE
One Year Later
