“I see.” Lady Havisham smiled, although there was a question in her eyes which Deborah prayed she would not ask aloud. “Although my son did permit you to dance last evening, which I was glad of. Did you enjoy the evening? Lord ThornleyandLord Harrogate were both very attentive, although I am sure that you preferred the company of one over the other.”
Deborah gave her a small smile.
“Lord Harrogate is not a gentleman I would permit to pursue me, given all that Lord Havisham has told me of him,” she agreed. “Lord Thornley is most attentive also, however, as you have said.”
“And do you think well of him?”
Chewing over her answer, Deborah took a few moments to respond.
“I think Lord Thornley an engaging gentleman, and would accept his court, should he offer it.”
A dull clang sounded in her heart as though she were sealing her fate somehow, but Deborah did her best to ignore it. If Lord Havisham was either betrothed or considering betrothal to Lady Vivian – which was quite right and proper and to be expected – then she could not allow her feelings for him to hold her back from her own future.
“Good.” Lady Havisham tapped the table with one finger. “Then I think we shall make our way into town and purchase you a gown for the ball this evening. Something a little finer.”
Deborah’s eyes opened wide.
“Lady Havisham, there is no need! I am truly grateful for all that you have given me thus far and do not require anything more.”
“Nonsense!” Lady Havisham beamed as she rose from the table. “You deserve a great deal more, my dear. We must make sure that particular gentlemen realize the depths of your beauty so that they will make up their minds to act rather than simply to stand and admire you.”
A small knot of fear tightened in Deborah’s stomach.
“And you do not think that my father will hear of any of this?”
“No, I do not.” Lady Havisham’s confidence assuaged Deborah’s fears. “You know that he cares nothing for London or theton,and will push away even the smallest mention of it! Besides which, who would tell him of your presence here?”
That was a question which Deborah could not answer and, with her spirits lifted and her fears pushed away, there was nothing for her to do but rise and follow Lady Havisham.
* * *
“Good evening, Miss Fullerton.”
Deborah smiled, her blush a little increased even though she did not think much of the gentleman. His admiration of her was more than obvious in the widening of his eyes and the way he cleared the surprise from his throat.
“Good evening, Lord Harrogate.”
“You are dancing this evening, I hope?”
“But of course.” It was as though she were not a companion at all, as though this evening, she was naught but a lady in her own right rather than a paid worker. The gown she wore had gold and silver threads running through it, which Deborah knew caught the light whenever she moved. Lace adorned the sleeves, the neck, and the hem, and new soft slippers encased her feet. It had taken Lady Havisham a good deal of effort to convince Deborah to accept the gown, but in the end, she had succeeded. Now, standing here in the ballroom, Deborah was glad that she had chosen to accept. Regardless of what came from this evening, she would not forget this night.
“Thank you, Lord Harrogate.”
“I look forward to our dances together, Miss Fullerton.”
She smiled again, but watched him depart with sharp eyes. Lord Harrogate was not a gentleman whom she was at all inclined towards, not now after Lord Havisham had told her the truth of his motivations. And yet she appreciated his willingness to stand up with her. Her gaze strayed across the room until they caught and held onto another, her breath hitching as she did so.
Lord Havisham was looking at her as though he had never seen her before. His gaze was fixed and staring, his eyes rounded and his jaw slack. Someone was speaking to him, but he was not responding to them in any way, as if he had quite forgotten that he was in the middle of a conversation.
Her stomach flipped over as he began to walk towards her, his expression never changing. Her heart began to beat hard against her chest, making her breathless with anticipation. She did not know what she expected from him, but even just to have him near would bring her a great deal of happiness.
“Miss Fullerton.” Lord Havisham’s voice was low and a little husky. “Good evening.”
She dropped into a curtsey.
“Good evening, Lord Havisham. I received your note earlier today. I thank you for your consideration.”
He blinked at her owlishly.