Courting Misfortune by Tracy Blalock

Author:Tracy Blalock [Blalock, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Astraea Press, LLC
Published: 2014-10-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

In front of the crème of society, during her father’s toast to the happy couple’s future, Maddie spilled champagne down the front of her splendid gown, leaving a wet stain.

“Oh, Madeline!” her mother voiced her dismay. “We must withdraw to repair the damage.” And she whisked her daughter from the ballroom.

Maddie allowed the older woman to lead her to the retiring room, and she sat in silent misery while her maid attempted to remedy the disaster.

Was it cowardly to hope her dress was past saving, thus preventing her return to the ball?

It was far from the first time she had made a cake of herself, but generally she did not do so in front of countless curious onlookers. What must Jonathan think of her? What must his relations think? They had been coolly polite when welcoming her to the family, and she would not have endeared herself to them with her impromptu champagne shower.

A quarter hour later, Maddie was pronounced acceptable to return to her guests, and she reluctantly traversed the corridor. Nearing the open doors leading to the ballroom, she chanced to hear her brother’s voice.

She stopped short, shamelessly eavesdropping.

And found the old adage to be true.

It was immediately obvious her brother was speaking to Jonathan, and equally apparent Morgan was not saying anything complimentary about his accident-prone sister. “I hope you can provide her with a large enough allowance. She seems to ruin gowns at an alarming rate. I pray she does not bankrupt you, Jon. And you may count yourself lucky if Madcap Maddie does not maim you for life into the bargain.”

Her cheeks burned with humiliation. Morgan’s low estimation of the coming union was clear, and he doubtlessly knew what had precipitated his friend’s sudden proposal.

How many others were of the same mind as her brother? It was distressing to even consider, but he would not be alone in his opinion. Everyone was surely thinking the same thing as he.

How could she return to the focus of all eyes now?

“Madeline, why are you hovering in the corridor?” Lady Cranston questioned from behind her.

A glance over her shoulder revealed her mother advancing toward her. Maddie prayed the other woman had not been privy to Morgan’s unkind remarks. She could not bear another pitying look from her parent if she was to have any hope of holding her head high in the face of societal censure.

“I was waiting for you, Mama,” she excused her hesitation.

“Well, I am here now; you may proceed.”

“Yes, Mama.” She turned back to the open double doors and, taking a deep breath for courage, stepped forward into the bright light of the candlelit room.

It was a relief to find neither her brother nor Jonathan remained near the entrance. But her mind replayed Morgan’s comment.

Though hurtful, his words were all too true. Jonathan’s limp seemed much improved since that fateful night, but he must nonetheless be deeply regretting the necessity to form an alliance with her.

Had she done him a grave disservice by meekly

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