“We do not require your presence, Lady Vivian.” He did not hold back from speaking with great frankness. There was enough to consider at present without Lady Vivian’s spiteful presence. “Lord Thornley, Lord Harrogate, I believe that your bet is quite at an end.” With a sidelong glance, he saw Lady Vivian come to stand directly opposite Miss Fullerton, making no attempt to remove herself from their company. “Miss Fullerton has not given her affections to either of you – and I have not said anything to her as regards the bet, so I cannot be asked to pay anything either.”
Lord Thornley grimaced.
“That is entirely unfair. You have done all you can to steal Miss Fullerton’s affections for yourself, knowing that this is the only way to end our bet! Is that not so?”
Jonathan spread his hands, releasing Miss Fullerton.
“I have done nothing of the sort.”
“Indeed, he has not.” Miss Fullerton’s voice was quiet, but her words clear. “I have been struggling with my own feelings for some time, but it was not until yesterday that–”
“You mean to say that youreturnsuch feelings?” Lord Thornley interrupted, turning disbelieving eyes onto Jonathan. “Good gracious, I thought you a little wiser than that!”
Anger burned hot in Jonathan’s cheeks and, whilst he did not immediately respond, the glower he sent in Lord Thornley’s direction was enough to silence the man. Another quick glance towards Miss Fullerton showed Jonathan that she was a little red in the face, but still with her head held high. Unconsciously, he moved a little closer, wanting to be near her.
“I see nothing unwise in attaching myself to the daughter of a Viscount.”
Lord Thornley’s lip curled into a sneer, but it was Lady Vivian who spoke next.
“But what if she isnotthe daughter of a Viscount?”
Miss Fullerton’s gasp seemed to echo around the room and Jonathan became slowly aware that there were many others in the room who were now listening to what was being said. The anger which had curled through his veins initially now burst into a furious ball of heat and rage and he took a step forward, ready to speak to her in such a way that Lady Vivian would never dream of talking of Miss Fullerton again.
“You do not believe me?” Lady Vivian looked up at him without any flicker of hesitation in her eyes, her lips curved into a smirk. “I have no fear of your response, Lord Havisham, for it will die away the very moment you look into Miss Fullerton’s face.”
Jonathan’s whole body was tight with anger, his brows knotted together.
“I care not, Lady Vivian,” he hissed, as she continued to smile in that most infuriating way. “If she were the daughter of a pauper, I would not care!”
“Are you quite certain?” Her sing song voice grated on him all the more. “This young lady has not told you the truth, Lord Havisham! She is not the daughter of a Viscount. She is a disgraced, tarnished creature who ought not to be permitted even tostandnext to you.”
“That is enough, if you please.” Miss Fullerton’s voice was shaking terribly but, as he looked back at her, Jonathan saw the paleness of her cheeks and the way she blinked furiously.Can there be any truth in what Lady Vivian has said?“I have never lied to Lord Havisham.” Miss Fullerton gazed fixedly at Lady Vivian whose smile faltered for the first time. “I have not told him all that there is to know about my father, because there is no need to do so – and this on the direction of Lady Havisham also. She is aware of it all and has encouraged me throughout to make very little of the matter.”
“Your father does not know that you are here in London, presenting yourself as an eligible young lady, does he?” Lady Vivian planted both hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing. “That is something which has been deliberately kept from him.”
“It has.” Miss Fullerton shrugged one shoulder. “Although I cannot see why such a thing would concern you.”
Lady Vivian’s hand flung out towards Jonathan.
“Because you are attempting to steal the heart of one of London’s most eligible gentlemen! It is not right that someone such asyoushould do such a thing! A gentleman of Lord Havisham’s standing ought to wed someone a good deal more suitable.”
Jonathan cleared his throat.
“I think thatIcan decide who or what is best for me, or the most suitable for me, Lady Vivian.” He gestured towards Miss Fullerton. “Which, as you can see, is exactly what I have done in choosing to pursue Miss Fullerton.”
“But you do not know the truth about her!” Lady Vivian exclaimed, drawing the attention of many of the other guests. “Her father does not want her! He does not even acknowledge her any longer.”
“Then there should be no concern on my part that he will cause any difficulties for our future,” Jonathan quipped, trying hard to bring the conversation to an end. “I thank you for your concern, Lady Vivian, but it is not required.”
He did not understand fully all that Lady Vivian was saying and certainly did not know why Miss Fullerton’s father did not acknowledge her, but that was not something which he needed to discuss at this present moment. That could be discussed just between Miss Fullerton and himself at a later, more private, opportunity. He did not want to prolong the conversation here any further, not with so many other people listening in.
Lady Vivian threw up her hands.
“Miss Fullerton is not Lord Ingleby’s legitimate daughter!”
Her exclamation seemed to bring the room to a standstill. Jonathan closed his eyes briefly, his heart slamming hard against his chest as he waited for the murmur of conversation to begin again. Opening his eyes, he glanced at Miss Fullerton and saw that she had not moved an inch. Her eyes were still fixed on Lady Vivian, her hands clasped lightly in front of her – but her face was sheet white.
“Is that you, Lady Vivian?”