Nicole Richie, Joel Madden Probably Got Engaged

Are congratulations in order for Nicole Richie and Joel Madden?

After a Friday night performance with his band, Good Charlotte, at the Hot 99.5 Lil' Black Dress Party - hosted by Perez Hilton - in Arlington, Va., Madden was walking offstage when Hot 99.5 morning show deejay Kane said to the crowd:

"He got engaged yesterday. Congratulations, Joel!"

To that, Joel Madden quickly glanced back over his shoulder, but was otherwise unresponsive as he made an exit from the stage behind his brother, Benji.

"We heard this morning," Kane told People following Good Charlotte's 40-minute set. Crediting he got the word from "good sources," Kane said he hadn't seen Richie since hearing the news, but added he had offered congratulations to Madden earlier in the night.

"He said, 'Thank you so much,'" recalled Kane. "They're very excited about the baby and the wedding. They want to keep their personal life personal."

Right. Nicole Richie has always sought privacy, not attention.

On Thursday, during a visit to Live! With Regis and Kelly, Madden was asked by cohost Philbin about "a little ring, or something."

"I was hoping it would be a surprise, but now..." Madden responded.

While there were no sightings of Richie at the party, she and Madden, expecting their first child together, were spotted in Washington, D.C., earlier that day.

The pair, with entourage in tow, popped into Nathans of Georgetown restaurant for a late lunch before making their way to the upscale baby boutique Dawn Price Baby.