“I am glad.” Miss Newfield’s eyes widened for a moment and then she quickly bobbed a curtsey. “I must beg to be excused. I believe Lady Vivian is now searching for me.”
Deborah nodded and did not turn her head to look.
“But of course. Good evening.”
Miss Newfield did not reply but quickly moved away, leaving Deborah to stand alone. She did not want to turn back towards Lord Havisham for fear of Lady Vivian becoming aware of her and perhaps realizing that she had overheard some of what was said. Walking away in the opposite direction, Deborah made her way slowly to Lady Havisham, only to see Lord Havisham leading out Lady Vivian to the center of the room.
She stopped. Her heart was suddenly aching, her shoulders drooping and her gut twisting. There was no clear explanation for why she should feel such things, but her eyes remained fixed on Lord Havisham’s face and, as he turned to face Lady Vivian, Deborah saw the broad smile settling across his features.
A heavy weight pulled her spirits low.
He will court Lady Vivian.
The thought was a painful one, and Deborah frowned hard, rubbing one hand across her eyes in the hope that it would push away the sight of him dancing with Lady Vivian. These strange feelings were not ones that she welcomed, not ones that she wanted to feel, deep within her heart, and yet, they remained.
Was she jealous?
Closing her eyes, Deborah shook her head to herself.
She was being ridiculous. To have any jealousy over Lady Vivian dancing with Lord Havisham was foolishness indeed. He had danced with her to encourage other gentlemen to do the same and not for any other reason. Mayhap her feelings came solely from her concern over Lady Vivian and her intentions towards Lord Havisham, but given that Miss Newfield had told Deborah of Lord Havisham’s interest in Lady Vivian, what was there now to worry her? She ought to be glad that Lord Havisham had an interest in that particular lady, and that Lady Havisham might soon find her son wed, rather than allowing any sort of feelings of envy and upset to trouble her!
“Ah, there you are, Miss Fullerton. I thought I had lost you!”
Seeing the smile on Lady Havisham’s face, Deborah berated herself silently for feeling even a hint of envy. If Lady Havisham was happy and Lord Havisham settled on his choice of Lady Vivian, then what right had she to be concerned?
“I was speaking with Miss Newfield,” Deborah told her, as Lady Havisham nodded. “I see that Lord Havisham is dancing again.”
“Yes.” Lady Havisham’s smile dimmed for a few moments. “With a Lady Vivian. I do not know her particularly well, I confess, but she certainly seems eager to be in my son’s company.” A sidelong glance caught Deborah’s attention. “Did you see them step out together?”
Heat crawled up Deborah’s spine.
“I did.” Unwilling to admit – even to herself – that she had been watching Lord Havisham step out, Deborah tried to smile. “It has been a very pleasant evening.”
This brought a brightness back into Lady Havisham’s face and she reached out to catch Deborah’s hand, pressing it gently.
“I am so very glad. And – oh! Good evening, Lord Thornley.”
Deborah turned her head just as Lord Thornley dropped into a bow.
“Good evening, Lady Havisham, Miss Fullerton.”
A warm smile pulled at his lips and Deborah smiled back at him at once. She liked Lord Thornley. He had always made pleasant conversation and she considered him rather kind given that he was willing to converse and engage with her.
“Good evening, Lord Thornley. I do hope that you have been enjoying this evening?”
He nodded, his gaze fixing itself to her.
“I am, although it is much improved now that I have you for company.”
Heat began to billow out in her chest, spreading warmth up to her neck and into her cheeks. It was not that she found Lord Thornley particularly handsome nor that she was in any way affected by his presence, but merely that she was unused to such compliments. A little embarrassed at her blush, Deborah tried to find something to say to distract Lord Thornley from her current appearance. Thankfully, Lord Thornley continued speaking as though he had not even noticed her flushed cheeks.
“And are you dancing this evening, Miss Fullerton? I was certain that I saw you standing up with Lord Havisham!”
The astonishment in his voice made her blush all the more.
“I was, yes. Lady Havisham has given me permission and –”
“Miss Fullerton is an excellent dancer.” Lord Havisham’s voice floated towards them, but Deborah dropped her gaze to the floor, already embarrassed by Lord Thornley’s exclamation and now additionally by Lord Havisham’s interruption. “I have enjoyed her company in two dances this evening thus far.”