Sebastian’s lips twitched. “Because you wouldn’t have listened, of course. We all know how stubborn you are. Just like your grandfather,” he finished in a singsong voice.

Veronica’s frown turned into a smile, and then she laughed. “Hmm. I suppose you have a point.”

“You cannot be angry with us, dear,” Mama continued. “We did it for your own good.”

“I, for one, was a mass of nerves,” Grandmama added, a soft smile on her face. “Especially when Justin started asking his questions at dinner that first night. I was so worried I’d say the wrong things.”

Veronica and Sebastian exchanged a glance. “Are you telling me that entire conversation was planned?” Veronica asked her grandmother.

“Of course, my dear,” Grandmama replied. “You didn’t think we’d leave something this important to chance, did you?”

“You mean the heir to the Edgefield dukedom?” Sebastian asked, frowning.

“Well, yes,” Grandmama replied. “But much more importantly, our granddaughter’s happiness. And yours, Edgefield. You’re like a son to us, you know.”

Sebastian gave the older woman a kind smile. “Thank you, my lady. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be a part of this family.”

Veronica turned to look at Sebastian. “Did you know about any of this?”

Sebastian shook his head. “I’m sorry to say that I did not, but I certainly would have willingly participated had I known.”

Veronica had to grin at that.

“Look,” Jessica chimed in. “We all know you two have been madly in love since you began courting. Now, will you please kiss so we know you’re in love again?”

“That is an excellent idea,” Sebastian said, pulling his wife into his arms and kissing her soundly.

A few moments later, he let her go amid a handful of uncomfortable coughs and throat clearings.

“So romantic,” Jessica said with a sigh, clasping her hands together near her cheek. “I cannot wait until the Season begins.”

“I can,” Elizabeth added from beside her twin, her arms tightly crossed over her chest. “This all looks dreadfully boring to me,” she added, glancing back into the ballroom.

They all laughed.

Veronica shook her head. “I suppose I have Justin to thank for all of this as well.” She glanced around. “Where is he?”

Mama glanced around too, a frown on her face. “Yes, where has Justin gone?”

Sebastian, who was a good foot taller than the rest of the company, looked over the tops of the heads of the people standing nearest to their group. “I don’t see him, but earlier he mentioned there was a particular young lady he was looking for this evening.”

“What?” Mama’s eyes looked as if they might pop from her skull.

“What?” A wide smile covered Grandpapa’s face.

“What?” Grandmama echoed, her brows lifting.

“What?” Jessica and Elizabeth chimed together, sharing a surprised look.

“A young lady?” Veronica repeated incredulously. “I don’t believe I’ve ever known him to look for any young lady in a crowd.”

Sebastian cleared his throat. “Yes, but—”