"Joanna, what were you saying!" Earl Bennett was more than mortified. "How could you be so rude to the Marchioness!"
"I am sorry, Your Grace!"
Percy's words struck Joanna with such force, that her knees almost gave way.
"I was rude! I made assumptions! I am so sorry!" she exclaimed.
Maggie sighed.
"Forget about it," she said. "I do not need you to apologize."
Tears welled up in Joanna's eyes. She gave Maggie one last curtsy before she excused herself.
"Your Graces, my daughter was out of line. We are deeply sorry!" Earl Bennett exclaimed before he too ran after his daughter.
Left behind, Nicholas gave both Percy and Maggie a disconcerting look before he too excused himself with a deferent bow.
"Thank you," Maggie choked out. "And I am sorry for everything. I didn't know that the entire society assumed that I tricked you into marrying me."
Percy laughed.