“Oh.” He had quite forgotten that he had written his name – albeit reluctantly – down for one of her dances. “Of course. Forgive me, I quite forgot.”
This did nothing other than dampen Lady Vivian’s smile all the more. When Jonathan offered her his arm, she took it without a word, and they walked to the center of the room in silence. Jonathan did not care about their lack of conversation, not when he knew just how conniving and cunning she had been. He wanted her to understand, one way or the other, that there was to be no future for them, regardless of just how much she desired it.
“Let us join this set.”
Waiting until she released his arm, Jonathan stepped back into his place and kept his smile fixed, already growing a little impatient for the music to begin. Forced to wait for the remaining couples to find their place, he let his gaze rove over the crowd of guests, wondering just where Miss Fullerton might now be.
“Are you looking for someone in particular?”
Lady Vivian’s sharp question cut through his thoughts, and it took Jonathan something of an effort to keep his voice steady and calm.
“A little earlier this evening, I was informed that my mother had taken ill,” he answered, throwing her a quick glance. “Fortunately, as I was on my way to the parlor where she was meant to be, I was waylaid and, thereafter, found her quite well.” Lifting one eyebrow gently, he spread his hands. “I am questioning now who might have lied about such a thing, and what their purpose was for doing so.”
“Mayhap it was Miss Fullerton.”
Jonathan recoiled physically.
“I beg your pardon?”
“It would be a very strange thing for her to do, certainly, but mayhap there is a reason for such an action.”
“Such as?” Jonathan spread his hands, waiting for her to suggest something, but Lady Vivian only smiled. Letting out a breath of frustration, Jonathan glared at the orchestra, as though they were deliberately refusing to play so that this conversation might continue regardless. “I feel that is a flawed concept if you cannot make even a suggestion as to her motivations.”
Lady Vivian shrugged, her lips tugging to one side.
“Mayhap she hoped to entrap you.”
“That is not in her nature.”
“But if her father has turned his back on her, and with the Season soon drawing to a close, she likely has no other choice but to find a husband in whatever way she can! Your mother’s generosity will not last for another Season, surely?” The music began and Lady Vivian dropped into a grand curtsey. “And her father’s ignorance of the situation here at present certainly will not.”
Jonathan’s stomach dropped. Lady Vivian had spoken of Miss Fullerton’s father on many occasions but this time, there appeared to be something of a threat there.
“As I have said, I have no concerns as regards Miss Fullerton’s presence here in London and my mother’s wisdom in hiring her,” he stated, bowing rather sharply. “If I am frank, I find the suggestion of her guilt to be quite preposterous.”
His hands balled into fists as he quelled the burning fire in the pit of his stomach. Lady Vivian was more devious than he had ever imagined, for now she was attempting to place her guilt onto the shoulders of Miss Fullerton! Did she hope that, in doing so, Jonathan would turn away entirely from Miss Fullerton and, instead, pull Lady Vivian herself into his arms? His lip curled. The lady was most disagreeable, and he could hardly wait for the dance to be at an end so that he might remove himself from her company.
The lady said nothing more, and the dance continued in silence. Jonathan did not so much as glance at her, refusing to allow his gaze to land upon hers. Keeping his chin up, he breathed a sigh of relief when the music ended, and dance finally came to a close.
“I should be very careful around Miss Fullerton, Lord Havisham.” Lady Vivian took his arm unbidden, her fingers tight. “You know that I say such things only out of concern for you, do you not? I cannot think of you and your reputation being so injured.”
Jonathan shook his head.
“I have no need for your concern, Lady Vivian.”
Her hand pulled from his and she swung around to face him, her eyes narrowed and flashing with anger.
“You throw my concern for you back in my face?”
“No.” Jonathan took in a breath before he continued, fighting back the urge to simply turn on his heel and leave her standing there alone. “I do not fling it back at you, Lady Vivian, but I do not consider it. There is no need to do so. I know Miss Fullerton. I think her the finest creature in all of London, in fact, and thus have no need to worry.”
Lady Vivian took a step back as though he had struck her.
“The finest creature in all of London?” she repeated, as Jonathan nodded. “You put her above me?”
“I put her above everyone, such is my regard for her,” Jonathan answered, not hesitating for a moment. He saw the flash of understanding in Lady Vivian’s eyes as color ran from her cheeks, leaving her pale. It seemed that she now realized exactly what he meant by such statement and Jonathan, for his part, was glad of it. “I think I shall take my leave, Lady Vivian.”
Bowing, he waited until Lady Catherine had drawn near to Lady Vivian so that she would not be left standing entirely alone, and then turned away, satisfied. Lady Vivian now knew the truth about his feelings towards Miss Fullerton and that, he hoped, would be enough to push her away from him entirely.