Page 24 of The Lyon and His Promise (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)
J osephine had felt like the entire evening had been a dream. She gave a curtsey to Gyles after having performed their second dance together and wished she could have stayed in his arms forever. But that was hardly appropriate, and she reluctantly allowed him to take her hand and escort her from the ballroom. He turned her over to her brother who offered her a glass of punch. Gyles continued to appear reluctant to leave her side.
Josephine’s eyes narrowed when a woman came up to Gyles waving her dance card practically in the man’s face. Gyles’s face showed nothing but a small tick in his cheek told Josephine more than any words he could have said. As he escorted the lady toward the ballroom, Josephine leaned over to her brother.
“Who is she?” she asked trying her best to hide the jealousy that reared its ugly head.
Simon leaned down to keep their conversation between them. “Lady Juliet Dubois. She has been after Gyles’s title all Season until you, my darling sister, entered the picture. She is none too happy that she is not the center of attention from Gyles—not that he ever encouraged her. ”
Josephine’s attention was suddenly drawn to Asher’s escort. “And is Lady Maribel Johnson her friend?”
Simon nodded. “Yes, they’re the best of friends, or so I’ve heard.”
“That explains a lot,” Josephine muttered.
“Have either of them offended you?” Simon inquired with a frown of displeasure.
“No, not directly, but Lady Maribel and I have been in each other’s company at several events and her apparent animosity now is clear.”
“Don’t let them get the best of you, sister. Lady Juliet is just jealous and isn’t worth your time,” Simon drawled before he took a sip of his drink. “Besides, you are well aware that Gyles is in love with you. After these many weeks, the rest of the ton knows it, too.”
She couldn’t help the small smile that appeared on her face. Simon’s words meant so much to her. She could hardly contain her joy knowing that all she had dreamed about would one day come true. Gyles had more than declared himself to her and while the past weeks had been hard, Josephine knew they were many steps closer to becoming man and wife.
She wandered the room that had become overly stuffy since all of Society seemed to be contained in several rooms. She noticed an open balcony and decided to step outside to cool herself. She kept within view of the doors and waved her fan before her. She was enjoying the solitude thinking of Gyles as she viewed the garden below until a voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Well, well, well… if it isn’t the fallen woman who is a disgrace to every lady present here tonight,” a lady sneered in contempt.
Josephine turned to stare at none other than Lady Juliet. “Excuse me?” Josephine muttered thinking she surely misheard this woman, although on second thought, she realized that she shouldn’t have been surprised by this woman’s rudeness.
“You’re a complete disgrace. Not fit for anyone’s company. Why I’m surprised the duke and duchess even allowed you through the front door!” Juliet declared stomping her foot.
“I believe I have more than proved myself to all of Society if the welcome I have been receiving is any indication. I am accepted among them,” Josephine calmly said. Her soft words only seemed to egg on the woman before her.
“You probably slept with most of the men here!”
Josephine waved her fan in front of her face as her temper began to flare. “I will not even bother to dignify such a disgusting comment with a response.”
“People are only being polite,” Juliet tried again.
“Then thank goodness that people like the Duchess of Winshire, the Duchess of Davenport, and the Marchioness of Saxton play their parts so very well. One would never know that they didn’t consider me a friend,” Josephine replied snapping her fan shut. She had just about enough of this woman’s accusations.
Juliet step forward waving her fist far too close to Josephine’s face for her comfort. “Gyles Wickes is mine ,” she snapped with her blue eyes flashing a warning. “He will be my husband and not yours.”
“I believe Lord Wickes will decide for himself who his future wife will be,” Josephine replied wondering if someone would come to her aid against this vicious woman.
“You bitch,” Juliet snarled before she heaved her arm back and slapped Josephine across her cheek. Josephine could only stare at her in shock. She couldn’t believe this lady actually hit her!
“Lady Juliet!” a voice rang out. “How dare you assault one of my guests.”
Lady Juliet whirled around so quickly she lost her balance. “Your Grace,” she said dropping down into a curtsey to show her respect to the Duchess of Davenport. “This woman has insulted me.”
Josephine also dropped down into a curtsey and then her eyes went to those who stood at the entrance to the balcony. Not only was Gyles present but so was the Duchess of Winshire, the Marquis and Marchioness of Saxton, Lucius and Asher, and also Lord and Lady Versey. Through the tears threatening to fall from her eyes, Josephine even thought she saw the Danvers sisters hovering near the balcony door. Gyles quickly made his way to Josephine and pulled back her hand to inspect her cheek. From the heat, Josephine felt, she could only imagine Lady Juliet’s blow had left behind a red imprint.
Gyles peered down at the woman across from them. “You go too far, Lady Juliet, when you accost another guest in my parents’ home.”
“She isn’t fit to be here,” Lady Juliet declared holding out her hands.
Gyles took Josephine’s hand and placed it in the crook of his arm before he stepped forward. “Mrs. Bouchard is my intended. Isn’t that right, dear?” he asked gazing upon Josephine.
Josephine held back her tears of happiness. “Yes.”
Gyles nodded at her public answer before he returned his attention back to Lady Juliet. “When you address Mrs. Bouchard in the future, I expect you to remember that one day she will become my duchess.”
“But you promised,” Lady Juliet cried.
“I promised you nothing and certainly never made any sort of commitment to the idea that we had a future together,” Gyles answered before he patted Josephine’s hand and smiled at her. He was proclaiming his love for her in front of all these people and Josephine couldn’t be happier.
The Duchess of Winshire stepped forward. “I would have thought your parents had taught you better, Lady Juliet.”
Lady Juliet stepped forward in what Josephine supposed was going to be an attempt to defend herself. “But—”
“You are no longer welcome in my home, Lady Juliet. Please leave,” the Duchess of Davenport declared with a stern look.
Lady Juliet looked between those who now frowned at her and fled with a sob.
“Are you sure you’re alright, my dear?” Gyles asked running his thumb softly over Josephine’s cheek.
“I’ll be fine. Thank you for coming to my rescue.”
“I’m only sorry we didn’t arrive sooner,” Gyles stated with a worried look upon his brow.
His mother rushed to Josephine’s side and took her hand. “I am so sorry, Mrs. Bouchard. This incident should have never happened in my home. I just knew that woman was up to no good the moment she crossed our threshold. Please forgive me for allowing her entrance.”
“There is nothing to forgive, Your Grace,” Josephine murmured as she saw Gyles’s father join their group.
“Is everything all right out here? I just saw an irate young lady crying her head off as she left the house. I’m sure the Danvers sisters are having the time of their life with that bit of gossip,” the duke said with a look of puzzlement.
“Everything is fine, Father, but now that the three of you are here, I’d like to make this official,” Gyles said with a smile turning to Josephine. “You are the light of my life, Josephine, and I can’t imagine living my life without you. Will you do me the greatest honor and take me as your husband?”
A cry of joy left Josephine’s lips. Hearing those words after so many years was like the greatest dream come true. “Yes, Gyles! Yes. I will happily marry you,” she answered before she was crushed into his embrace.
His father cleared his throat and Gyles tucked Josephine’s hand into the crook of his arm. Congratulations were said by those who stood near and the Duchess of Winshire smiled in approval, clearly satisfied with the part she’d played in their union.
His mother clapped her hands. “This just became an engagement party! Let’s tell everyone your good news.”
Josephine barely had time to reply when the Duchess of Davenport took her arm and began leading her back into the house. The rest of the evening fled by in a whirlwind of activity and this time, she was able to dance to her heart’s content in Gyles’s arms. Everything she ever wanted in her life was finally coming to pass. She and her brother had reconciled, she was accepted back into Society, but more importantly she and Gyles had finally proclaimed their love for one another. Her life was complete and her future would be bright as long as they were together.