“That does not have to be the case,” Nicholas pointed out. “What about Elizebeth Arburn?”
“What about her?” Deborah was caught off-guard as her brother mentioned her favorite writer to her. “I do not see how she is relevant to this discussion in any way.”
“I know that she is a married woman,” Nicholas replied. “And that she first took up writing only after getting married. I remember you telling me this once.”
Deborah felt pleasantly surprised that her brother even remembered something that she had told him so long ago. But his tangent worked, and she found herself listening to him instead of reacting defensively.
“Yes, but that was because she had a supportive husband.”
“And what makes you believe that you will not be able to find the same thing?” Nicholas questioned, raising an eyebrow at her. He had made his point.
“Frankly, I have not come across a man like that yet,” she replied, her tone now noticeably softer. “And even if I do, it is certainly not going to be Lord Macaulay.”
“It does not have to be,” Nicholas said. “I am only saying that you need to stop associating marriage with something that entails an end of your freedom. You are a remarkable woman, and I am sure when the day comes, you will find your match. Till then, know that I stand behind whatever decision you make.”
She felt moved by her brother’s words. It was a rare moment of tenderness from him when he wasn’t too busy teasing her about one thing or another.
“Thank you, Nicholas. I appreciate your words,” she said earnestly. “But you must tell me what am I to do about this gentleman whom Peter has spoken to about me? He mentioned that he will be present at the ball tonight.”
“Play along.” Nicholas smiled. “You can engage him in a conversation.”
“Oh, that sounds impossible,” Deborah groaned. “He had the most predictable opinions about everything.”
“Just speak to him long enough so that Peter is satisfied that you gave him a fair chance,” Nicholas said. “Besides, it does not help having a man by your side if you wish to get the attention of the one you really want.”
He winked at her, and she glared at him.
“Oh, for a moment you were being so sweet to me, I almost forgot about how insufferable you are capable of being.”
He chuckled loudly in response, having achieved his purpose of lightening her mood. “I am just saying. I saw the look on your face when Emma mentioned that the Duke is away with Lady Joanna at the orchard today.”
“It is quite ironic that the one man I want is already taken.” Deborah let out a resigned sigh.
“Not yet, dear sister,” Nicholas reminded her. “He is not engaged yet. By all means, he is a single man. You should not give up so easily. I know I do not intend to.”
“Do you not intend to give up on who?” Deborah asked, narrowing her eyes at him in suspicion.
“Oh, no one,” Nicholas replied casually. “We will let time decide what ends up happening.”
“You are being quite cryptic,” Deborah said, looking at him with a suspicious expression.
“Forget it, my dear. I see that you are feeling better now, and my job here is done.”
With that, he gave her one final smile before walking out of the room.
How strange.
But then again, she was used to Nicholas being somewhat of a mysterious character. He marched to the beat of his own drum.
Looking at herself in the vanity mirror in front of her, she tucked away a strand of her hair that had fallen out. The look of despair was now replaced by one of determination as she decided to take Nicholas’s advice.
However, whether the reason was that she wanted to appease her brother or that she wished to get the Duke’s attention by appearing alongside another man, she could not say just yet.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
“Careful, please,” Deborah said, as a sewing needle pricked against her skin. “I do not want to get injured before I even have a chance to make an appearance tonight.”
Deborah’s maid nodded apologetically. “I am sorry, My Lady. I will try and be more careful from now on.”
