“You think that if you take her as a wife, you can simply continue living as you please, without concern.”
“Precisely! She will do as I ask without question, most likely be pleased to stay at the estate whilst I return very often to town, and will bear the required children for me and thus preserve the family line.” The rage which began to boil up within Jonathan’s heart was difficult to control. He could not explain it but the mere thought of Miss Fullerton being treated so brought such a fierce anger that it shot fire through each of his limbs, with his hands curling tightly into fists. “I shall make certain to speak to her at length this evening, I think.”
And so saying – clearly unaware of Jonathan’s anger – Lord Harrogate turned on his heel and made his way directly towards the lady in question, leaving Jonathan to force down his ire and wonder silently just why he felt so strongly in the first place.
Chapter Six
“Lord Thornley appeared to be most interested in your company!”
Deborah smiled softly but did not reply. There had been a strange array of emotions for her to comprehend the previous evening, but she certainly had enjoyed the company of one or two gentleman in particular.
“And Lord Harrogate!” Lady Havisham exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “He is a great friend of Lord Havisham and whilst I do not know much of his character, I–”
She stopped, turning as the door opened.
“Ah, Havisham! We were just about to discuss your friend. Mayhap you would be good enough to grace us with your presence for just a few minutes?”
All too aware of how Lord Havisham frowned, Deborah sighed inwardly and turned her head away. No doubt the gentleman would have many better things to do than spend time with his mother and would have some excuse as to why he would not oblige them.
Lord Havisham cleared his throat.
“Are you speaking of Lord Harrogate?”
A little surprised, Deborah glanced at him.
“We are!” Lady Havisham cried, still seemingly delighted at the success of the previous evening. “I was informing Miss Fullerton that you consider him to be a very close friend which, of course, must speak of his good character.”
Lord Havisham shot a quick look towards Deborah, but she turned her head away, just waiting for his dismissive answer. After what he had said to her – indirectly, of course – the previous evening, Deborah had very little by way of kind consideration for him.
“Lord Harrogate is a gentleman I would consider to be a very close friend, certainly.” Coming a little more into the room, he paused as he glanced at Deborah. “However, I would not allow him to court Miss Fullerton, if that is what you are proposing, mother.”
Deborah closed her eyes. There was no surprise in her heart upon hearing those words. In fact, part of her had expected them.
“Lord Harrogate is a Viscount, is he not?” Lady Havisham sounded a little confused, but Deborah merely drew in and then let out a long, slow breath, finding herself just as she had been only a few moments before Lord Havisham had entered. Of course, he would not think her a suitable match for his friend, evenifshe were the daughter of a Viscount and Lord Harrogate himself carrying the title of Viscount!
“He is.”
“Then, what can be your concern?”
There was nothing but silence to answer Lady Havisham’s question and, as Deborah turned her attention back to the gentleman in question, she saw him shifting from foot to foot, his brow furrowed and his lips tugging to one side.
She rose.
“I shall take my leave, if you will excuse me.”
Bobbing a quick curtsey, she made her way to the door, only to be prevented by a word from Lady Havisham.
“Wait, my dear, if you please. I am sure that my son will soon enlighten us as to the reason he believes Lord Harrogate to be so unsuitable. A fact which, I confess, I cannot yet understand.”
Tilting her head, she lifted one eyebrow in question and Deborah looked back steadily at Lord Havisham, waiting for him to explain himself.
No explanation came.
Lord Havisham rubbed his chin and then gave a small shake of his head.
“Is it not enough to say that I think him unsuitable? I do not consider it important for me to go into particular detail.”
A fire began to smolder within Deborah’s chest. It seemed that, whilst Lord Havisham had taken on his mother’s reprimand about speaking callously, his view of her was entirely unchanged.