One of the women squeaked.
At least Addie didn’t faint in his arms.
Chapter Eleven
“Oh my goodness. What a surprise,” Lady Stevenson narrowed her eyes. “I hadn’t realized you even knew each other.”
Surprise? Despite the horror of the situation, Addie almost laughed at Lady Stevenson’s words since she had seen them arrive together. The woman had whisked Grayson away so quickly to meet her niece that she’d almost run him into the wall.
Addie would call the situation more shock than surprise. She felt as though she was in a play where everyone knew their lines except her. Damn—the situation called for strong language—she didn’t even know if she should laugh or cry.
Or possibly swoon.
In less than a few seconds, more people joined them at the door to the library. “What’s this?” Lord Stevenson moved past the three ladies still blocking the doorway and lit two of the gas lamps on the large wooden desk, casting light onto the tableau.
Grayson straightened his shoulders. “I’m afraid Lady Stevenson, Lady Stratford, and Lady Diana happened upon my betrothed and I just as she accepted my hand in marriage.”
“You don’t say,” the man declared with a huge smile. “That is truly good news, young man.” He turned to a footman who had joined the group. “Let’s have a toast to the newly betrothed couple. I believe champagne is in order.”
Celebrate? Addie felt as though the remains of her last meal was about to make a reappearance at her feet. She stood, only half-dressed, in front of all these people who had rejected her so many times during her Seasons, and Grayson who had just casually announced their engagement as if he did this sort of thing every day.
Whatever had possessed him? Not being a stupid woman, and well aware of the workings of Society, she knew that being found together in a dark room would cast dispersions on her reputation. But for Grayson to quickly make that announcement rattled her to her very bones.
They didn’t live in London. They would be back at home in Bath in a matter of days. Did it truly matter if her sterling reputation was smudged? Being a spinster and store owner wasn’t exactly the epitome of ton. What was one more mark against her?
Grayson bowed. “Thank you, my lord. That is very kind, however, my fiancée is not feeling well, and I believe she wishes to return home.”
It appeared their plan to casually stroll out of the ball with Grayson covering her back was not going to work. “In fact, she is suffering from chills right now.” He quickly removed his jacket once again and placed it over Addie’s shoulders.
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Lady Stevenson eyed her with concern. Or was it suspicion? “Most likely all the excitement.”
Grayson nudged Addie. She hadn’t said a word since they were stumbled upon.
She jerked. “Yes, my lady. I’m afraid the excitement was too much for me.” She offered a weak smile, quelling the urge to place the back of her hand on her forehead and sigh with maidenly air. Lord knew her knees were having trouble holding her up and her heart pounded so fiercely she was growing lightheaded again.
“I must agree that Miss Mallory does look a bit peaked,” Lady Stevenson said with a smirk. Well then. Yes, let us get in some nasty words before the disgraced couple left.
Grayson placed his hand on her lower back and moved her forward. “I wish you all a good evening, and hope you enjoy the rest of the ball. We will be leaving now.” He turned to the footman who was still waiting for instructions about the champagne. “Will you see that my carriage is brought around?”
The crowd separated like the Red Sea as Addie and Grayson moved toward the door. She could feel the eyes of the ladies in the room burning a hole in the back of Grayson’s jacket.
She should have known better than to go to a London ball. They never turned out well for her. Of course, getting engaged had never been one of the things she’d worried about before tonight.
They both remained silent as they waited for the carriage to arrive. Grayson deftly switched his jacket for her full-length wool cape when the footman presented her with it.
Addie’s fingers clutched the high neck collar of the cape, rubbing the soft wool against her cheeks, trying her best to cover every inch of her body. She felt as though everyone in the ballroom could see the back of her gown, even though that was impossible. More than anything, she wanted to be home in Bath, in her cozy house with no condemning eyes staring at her.
Once she and Grayson were settled in his carriage, he tapped on the ceiling to have the driver move forward. The jerky motion of the carriage soon smoothed out over the cobblestones.
He leaned across the space separating them and took her hand. “I am sorry for what happened tonight. Not sorry I kissed you, but sorry we were stumbled upon.”
“I agree.” Addie’s voice shook. She was shivering, unable to control herself. Even though the air was a bit chilly, her shaking was more from nerves than anything else. The entire matter was now just sinking in, forcing her to think about her future life.
“Come here.” Grayson tugged her forward until she was sitting next to him. He reached under the seat and pulled out a wool blanket that he wrapped around her shoulders, then pulled her close to his side.
The warmth radiating from his body, contained by the blanket, began to ease her shivers. “What are we going to do?” she asked, once her teeth stopped chattering.
“Well, it appears the next step will be to meet with your father and work out the marriage settlements.”