“Miss Madeley, Lord Brookmire.”
Lady Yardley came to smile at them, and Phillip immediately inclined his head, breaking his connection with Miss Madeley, and finding himself somewhat relieved that he had done so. These strange feelings were something he ought not to be thinking about at the present moment, given that his only consideration was to be Lord Anderton. That was enough trouble for the present.
“Miss Madeley was showing me ‘The London Ledger. Thank you, Lady Yardley, for what you have done.” Phillip lifted his head and smiled warmly. “It seems as though you have succeeded.”
“Only thanks to Miss Madeley.” Lady Yardley offered a quick smile to her young friend. “And also thanks to Lady Essington, who was more than happy to tell me of Lord Williamston’s visit to Lord Essington at the very start of the Season! It seems that Lady Jemima and Lord Williamston were known to each other last Season, and an interest was certainly there, but nothing certain had taken place. All that was required was a little nudge, for now Lord Williamston is determined to marry Lady Jemima as soon as he can.” Her smile was warm, her expression soft. “I am glad for them both.”
“As am I.” Phillip put one hand to his heart and inclined his head again. “And I am truly grateful to you both.”
“Lord Brookmire.”
Lord Anderton’s booming voice caught Phillip’s attention, and he turned his head sharply, only to see the gentleman jerking his head towards the wall behind him, making it quite clear that Phillip was expected to join him immediately.
“Is that Lord Anderton?”
With a small smile of regret, Phillip nodded and excused himself, catching the glance shared between Lady Yardley and Miss Madeley. Wondering what it was that Lord Anderton would say, Phillip made his way across the room and directly towards Lord Anderton, noting that his face had gone very red indeed.
“Did you want something more from me?” Phillip lifted an eyebrow. “I cannot exactly go to speak to Lady Jemima if you are determined to keep calling me over to speak with you.”
Folding his arms over his chest, he sighed loudly, but Lord Anderton only sneered.
“As though you had any intention of making your way directly to her.” Keeping his voice low, Lord Anderton poked one finger hard into Phillip’s chest. “I have seen you speaking only to Lord Williamston with some of the other gentlemen and, thereafter, with Lady Yardley and some other young lady with her. You have not yet eventhoughtto go and speak to Lady Jemima! However…” His lips flattened. “This may be in my favor.”
Phillip did not allow his lips to even twitch into a smile though inwardly, he prayed that it was as it seemed. Aware that he had to give the appearance of being entirely uncertain about what was taking place, he forced a frown in place of a smile, looking at Lord Anderton steadily.
“What is it that you are speaking of?”
“I have just heard news that Lord Williamston and Lady Jemima are to become betrothed this very evening.” Lord Anderton waved his hand and snorted derisively. “Of course, I think it a ridiculous notion, and it is most unfortunate that the gentleman intends to do this but, nonetheless, I cannot break apart a Marquess’ daughter and her betrothal. To break apart a courtship would be one thing, but to break a betrothal would be quite another. I may be a rogue, but I am certainly not foolish with it. I know the vehemence which might follow should you do such a thing and then, I would lose my advantage.”
Shrugging, Phillip attempted to appear as nonchalant as he could, whilst inwardly rejoicing that Miss Madeley’s plan had worked.
“Very well.” His hands fell to his sides. “Well, if that is all you wished to say, then I shall make my way back to enjoying the rest of this soiree.”
He turned, only for Lord Anderton’s hand to shoot out and grab his shoulder.
“Do not think that you have escaped.” His voice was low, and Phillip turned around to face him again, stepping back so that the gentleman’s hand had to fall from his shoulder. “Do not think that you will get to escape from my intentions. My threat still stands. Regardless of what it is I tell you to do, you shall do it without complaint.”
The bubbling anger returned but, controlling it, Phillip again shrugged and turned away. Taking slow breaths, he made his way directly across the room, and as far from Lord Anderton as he could go. Slowly, his furious heartbeat began to slow and then, glancing across the room, he caught Miss Madeley’s eye. She had been watching him and, with a sudden thrill, he offered her a smile and received a brilliant one in return. Warmth ran through his entire frame, filling his heart, filling his mind, and giving him the sense of standing a little taller. Thus far, Lord Anderton had been foiled, and while it would not be too long before the next request came, Phillip could only exult that his dark plans had been ruined… and he had Miss Madeley and Lady Yardley to thank for it.
Chapter Nine
“What say you to a ride in my phaeton? I do recall suggesting that to you, Miss Madeley, during some prior conversation but, as yet, we have not arranged it.”
Lord Cleverley smiled warmly at Deborah, but she did not smile in response. Even when in conversation with Lord Cleverley, her thoughts had been almost entirely upon Lord Brookmire, and whether or not Lord Anderton had made yet another demand upon him during these last few days. Nothing had been said between them since the soiree, and with every day that passed with no news coming, she was beginning to find her every moment filled with thoughts of Lord Brookmire. It was utterly disconcerting and even now, while she was in the midst of the fashionable hour in Hyde Park and meant to be speaking with Lord Cleverley, she struggled to pull her thoughts away from the gentleman.
“That is very kind of Lord Cleverley, is it not?”
Lady Prescott nudged Deborah gently, and she quickly forced a smile, having lost what Lord Cleverley was saying, given how clouded her thoughts had become.
“Yes, that is very generous of you, Lord Cleverley.” Making to smile, she tilted her head. “Of course, I should have to speak with my father before I could agree to such a thing, since I will not be able to take a maid or companion with me.”
Quickly, she glanced at her mother, who had opened her mouth, no doubt to say that she was sure Lord Prescott would be amenable, only for her mouth to snap shut as Deborah gave a minute shake of her head; an action which, thankfully, Lord Cleverley did not catch.
“Then perhaps I shall come to take tea and ask him myself… and mayhap not only about the ride in the phaeton.”
Lord Cleverley’s broad smile sent light into his eyes, but again, Deborah did not join him in his delight. Instead, her stomach twisted sharply as she looked quickly to Lord Cleverley, wondering what he meant by such a thing. To ask a lady’s father about certainty over a phaeton ride was a little overzealous. Surely could not be that he thought to ask for courtship. He had only come to take tea twice with her and they had walked it in the park only once. To be thinking of anything more would be, to her mind, a little presumptuous.
“You are very kind.” Deborah cleared her throat gently, choosing to be honest as she always had been before. “As you know, I have had other gentlemen calling upon me also, Lord Cleverley. For myself, it is rather early in the Season to be thinking about anything of a particularly serious nature. After all,” she continued, putting a smile on her face. “I am sure that I am not the only young lady you have sat down to take tea with.”
