“Lord Anderton certainly has no desire to marry, so he does not intend to take Lady Jemima for himself, but yet my instructions are quite clear.”
“Goodness.”
Her voice was a whisper as something heavy dropped into the pit of Deborah’s stomach.
“I have heard that Lady Jemima is being courted by Lord Williamston.” Lady Yardley tilted her head a little. “I wonder if Lord Anderton has something against the gentleman.”
“He does appear to be a gentleman who holds a grudge.” Lord Brookmire spread his hands wide for a moment. “I could see him doing such a thing. It may be a good thought, Lady Yardley.”
“If he has something against the gentleman then, while he seeks to break apart Lord Williamston and Lady Jemima, he will be able to do so from a distance. That means that he has no responsibility whatsoever.”
Lady Yardley murmured her comment as Lord Brookmire gazed at her.
“Yes, that would make sense.” Lord Brookmire squeezed his eyes closed. “I confess that, had I noticed Lady Jemima myself at the start of the Season, I would have cared very little as to whether or not she was already being courted. However, with Lord Anderton asking this of me, I can see the darkness of it. I become more and more ashamed, the more I realize about myself.”
Again surprised by Lord Brookmire speaking with such apparent honesty, Deborah looked away sharply at the realization that she was beginning to believe him.
“Lady Jemima is not yet betrothed to Lord Williamston, however.” Lady Yardley mused, tapping one finger on her chin. “They have been courting since the beginning of the Season, however.”
Lord Brookmire nodded.
“Yes, I believe that is so. I was in conversation with Lady Essington, her mother, at the very beginning of this foolishness. She was attempting to not only keep her daughter from becoming distracted by other gentlemen, but also to keep Lord Williamston’s attention fixed on Lady Jemima. I do not know precisely why, but I suspect that mayhap both Lady Jemima and Lord Williamston might be inclined towards easy distraction.”
A sudden thought came to Deborah’s mind, and she chuckled, bringing two wide-eyed looks of astonishment to her. Heat ran through her cheeks as she attempted to explain her response, a little embarrassed at having to do so.
“Forgive me. It was only that I thought it sounded as though both Lady Jemima and Lord Williamston are equal in kind when it comes to their nature.” she finished, shrugging lightly as she spoke. “Perhaps it would be best for them both if theywereto be betrothed.”
It was something of an idle thought, and she was about to say that, only for Lord Brookmire to suddenly slap his knee and exclaim aloud, making Deborah jump in surprise.
“That is it then, surely?” His eyes suddenly sparkled, a smile flooding his features with new-found excitement. “They must become betrothed! A betrothal is very different from courtship, surely? It holds a good deal more weight.” A small chuckle escaped from him as he rose from his chair, suddenly striding around the room, his arms flinging up wildly. “The Marquess of Essington is not a gentleman to be feared, but to be highly respected. I do not think that Lord Anderton would instruct me to break the betrothal between Lady Jemima and Lord Williamston. He would not dare to do so, I am sure of it.”
Lady Yardley tilted her head.
“How can you be so certain of it?” she asked softly “Lord Anderton might very well state that you ought to do so, for you must recall that he is the one who will not be blamed for it in any way. Only you will carry the guilt.”
Deborah watched as Lord Brookmire’s shoulders slumped, only for him to suddenly spring to life again, his eyes blazing with hope now.
“Yes, but should such a thing happen, then I would be quite ruined. I might break the betrothal, but to do such a thing as that would make certain that I would be driven from London. I would be given the cut direct by so many people, I would never be able to show my face in London again. Lord Anderton would lose his advantage, would he not?” He slammed one fist into the palm of the other hand. “Yes, I am quite determined. I think this must be the only way forward. Thank you, Miss Madeley, for that suggestion.” His exuberance was somewhat overwhelming, and Deborah could nod before he then looked Lady Yardley. “Do you think, Lady Yardley, that it can be done?” Coming to sit back in his seat, Lord Brookmire perched on the edge of it and leaned forward. “Do you think you might be able to use the Ledger to encourage a betrothal between Lord Williamston and Lady Jemima?”
Deborah licked her lips, seeing Lady Yardley frown. There was no reason for her to do such a thing, other than to protect Lady Jemima from the machinations of Lord Anderton. But would that in itself be enough of a reason?
“I am sure that I can think of something to write.”
Lady Yardley smiled, and immediately Lord Brookmire’s head dropped forward, a rush of breath escaping from him. A small smile crossed Deborah’s lips, but she quickly fought to hide it before he looked at her. Losing her fight, she looked into Lord Brookmire’s eyes as he lifted his head, the smile still on her lips, only for him to shake his head again.
“I am profoundly in your debt.” He looked at Deborah for a long moment, and instantly, a warmth began to curl through her. She tried to tug her gaze away, but it seemed to him to be stuck steadfastly to him. It was only when Lady Yardley clapped her hands in evident relief that the moment shattered.
“This is very good.” Sounding pleased, Lady Yardley smiled towards Deborah, who nodded and then picked up her tea so that she could take a sip of it, rather than becoming distracted by Lord Brookmire’s presence again. “I confess, Lord Brookmire, that I have been a little reluctant to aid you, but in this matter, I am relieved that you came to speak to me,” Lady Yardley continued. “Both Lady Gwendoline and Lady Jemima should not be put in harm’s way by anyone, particularly not by a gentleman whose maneuverings are simply for his own ends.”
Lord Brookmire nodded eagerly.
“Yes, it is precisely as you say, Lady Yardley. Again, pray do not think that I am unaware of how little I deserve this.” Rising from his chair, he bowed to them both. “I look forward to seeing what it is that you can place in the Ledger, Lady Yardley, and thank you again, Miss Madeley, for your wonderful suggestion. I do not think that we would have come upon the idea, had you not said anything.”
Deborah too inclined her head, aware that the heat which he set in her by simply a single look still lingered.
“But of course, Lord Brookmire. I do hope that Lady Jemima and Lord Williamston soon find themselves very happy.”
Lord Brookmire smiled a little ruefully, then turned to the door.
