Page 105 of Madness Becomes Her

“One order slipped through the cracks, but I’ve been so busy with your—” His eyes widen as if he’s said too much, and he clears his throat.

“My, what?”

“Finlo,” I warn, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Not here,” he whispers, kissing me in a distracting manner that works.

Damn him.

The tea party goes late into the night, and the queen remains the entire time, to my shock.

When I turn in, there’s still hoots of drunken frivolity carrying through the air, but I’m too tired to stay and keep them company.

Finlo turned in an hour ago, but I wanted to stay and play an excellent host for our guests.

When I push inside, the house is dark, save for the workshop lights that filter down the hall.

“Fin?” I call out.

“In here!”

Of course he is. With all that talk of missed orders and hats he didn’t finish, I’d hoped he hadn’t come here to punish himself.

“You know, one missed order isn’t a big deal, Fin…” My words die as I walk into the room to Finlo on one knee, holding a hat in his hands up toward me.

“Fin, what—?” I’m at a loss, but my heart knows what this is.

My eyes water with tears.

“Tiger Lily, I’ve been working on this hat since the day you popped up in my garden. It was never quite right. It was the one hat I thought I’d never finish. But when it finally came together, I was determined to find the right time to give it to you.”

“Finlo,” I whisper.

The hat is stunning. It’s large and resembles those typically worn by women at horse derbies. The shade of pink is reminiscent of a pink pearl, and the elegantly sculpted flowers and bows on the left side are simply perfect and beyond words.

“This hat is a symbol of my love for you, and it took me so long to construct because our love has so many layers to it. Like the perfect cake, one layer can’t stand without the others, so I knew it would take time to come together. Now that it has, I know it’s the right time.”

I swallow over a growing lump. “The right time for what?”

“Eleanor, will you marry me?”

I break down into tears, covering my mouth as I nod.

Finlo looks up at me in confusion. “You’re crying.”

“Yes.” I sniffle.

“But you’re nodding. Is that a yes?”

I chuckle through the tears. “Yes! Of course it’s a yes!”

“Oh, thank heavens.” Standing, Finlo walks over and places the hat atop my head before standing back and taking me in with it on. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

“It’s kind of big,” I say, toying with it to see him from beneath the brim.

He tips my chin back. “A big hat for my big-headed girl.”

“Hey!” I scold, pinching his side.