It is the day before the ball and Gabriel just has to get out of the pack house. He cannot handle Maggie and her insanity any longer. The way she is parading around, anyone would think that she is completely forgiven and that he actually wants to take her.
If he felt like answering all the questions that would be asked by not taking her, he would not hesitate to make her sit this one out. He feels like she is gone completely unpunished and that doesn't sit very well with him. But the ball is so close that he can do nothing about it now. Just has to grin and bear it and think of something for her to do after.
He wants her on her best behaviour at the ball, so he doesn't even bother to tell her that the marriage and her title is nowhere near as secure as she thinks it is. If she acts pe
