“It is about the gambling evening.” Looking over his shoulder, she managed to smile, praying that he could not hear the thump of her heart which, to her, seemed overwhelmingly loud. “Lady Yardley has come up with a plan for how we might make certain that Lord Marchmont escapes from Lord Anderton’s endeavor.”
His swift catch of breath had her looking back at him, seeing his eyes widen.
“Truly? What is it that she plans to do?”
Lord Brookmire had stepped closer in obvious anticipation, and Deborah’s awareness of how near he now stood to her stole her words away for some moments. Instead of responding, she simply looked back into his eyes, seeing the shards of emerald amongst a forest of leaves and shrubs. It was not until he smiled at her that she found her voice, her face hot with embarrassment.
“Yes, Lady Yardley. She…” Closing her eyes, she took in a steadying breath. “Lady Yardley is to ask her husband – and Lady Sherbourne the same – to be of aid to you. They are both to attend and will sit at the same table as you and Lord Marchmont, bringing with them gentlemen who are known to cheat at cards. In addition, Lord Sherbourne will insist that no liquor is permitted at the table so that heads might be kept quite clear for the game. During the game, Lord Yardley and Lord Sherbourne will keep watch and will, we hope, catch whoever has cheated long before you are required to.” Lifting one shoulder, she smiled a little ruefully. “It is risky, of course,” she finished, seeing how his eyes shuttered for a moment. “There is no guarantee that another gentlemanwillcheat, but we must hope that one will do so, particularly if he is known for it.”
To her surprise, Lord Brookmire ran one hand over his forehead, dropping his head low as though he did not agree with this plan. She waited for him to speak, to make his concerns known, only for his hands to find hers, his fingers curling around her own as he let out a long, slow breath.
“Once more, it seems, I am to be shown a kindness which I do not deserve.” There were shadows about his eyes, as though a single word of harshness from her might break his spirit entirely. “I do not know what to say.”
“There’s a good deal of kindness in this world, I think.” Murmuring softly, she tilted her head, regarding him carefully. “Kindness comes in many forms. Lord Sherbourne and Lord Yardley do not want Lord Anderton to be successful with his schemes. As I have said, there is still something of a risk, but I must hope that their plans will be successful.”
Lord Brookmire nodded.
“Thank you, Miss Madeley.” He let out another breath, then smiled. “I am grateful. Lord Sherbourne and Lord Yardley would have every right and reason to stay far away from me, given my reputation, but now here they are, willing to do whatever they can to save me from my own foolishness and, by doing so, to save my friend also.”
An overpowering desire to throw her arms around his neck and pull herself close to him enveloped her, so strongly that Deborah had to suck in air, clench her fists, curl her toes in her shoes, and press her lips tightly together so that she remained precisely where she was. She believed him. She believed his every word. He was not, as she had first considered, saying such things simply to garner her consideration. Instead, he was truly aware of his past sins and was slowly coming to realize what sort of gentleman that had made him. It had not seemed to be at all concerning to him before but now, his expression spoke of a brokenness which she believed would lead to an entire renewal of his character.
“And what is it that I am to do?”
“Absolutely nothing.” Deborah smiled quickly, relieved that she had been able to contain herself. “Lord Anderton will, no doubt, be watching you, making certain that you have done as you are asked and you must make attempts to follow his directives. Do just as Lord Anderton expects. If, however, as we hope, his plans are thwarted by gentlemen other than yourself, then I have no doubt that he will not be able to place the blame upon you… no matter how much he might wish to do so.”
Lord Brookmire smiled at her, his fingers squeezing hers again. Did he have even an inkling of the swell of emotion which rose within her as he held her hand in his? Did he know just how much she had to steel herself against being overcome by it?
“I am once again brought low by the generosity and kind-heartedness of others.” Lord Brookmire set his shoulders, then tilted his head a little. “I shall speak with Lady Yardley now and express the same sentiment to her. Do you intend to return to her company also?”
She laughed.
“Indeed, for now that I do not need to write to you, I suppose I have every reason to return.”
Chuckling, he then offered her his arm, releasing her hand as he did so.
“Then might you wish to walk with me?”
The butler stepped out of a nearby room as though he had somehow known that they were preparing to return to Lady Yardley, and after a quick look in Lord Brookmire’s direction, began to lead them both back towards the parlor. With a smile. Deborah took Lord Brookmire’s arm and as she walked alongside him, her heart filled with such happiness, it was as though everything else which had come before was dull and grey in comparison to this moment. It appeared as though Lord Brookmire was becoming rather dear to her heart. She could not hide that truth from herself any longer and, the more she considered it, the more Deborah realized that she had no wish to.
Chapter Eleven
“Good evening.”
Phillip managed to smile, though the tension which ran through him forced it away rather quickly.
“Good evening, Lord Dalton.”
His host for the evening grinned broadly, shaking Phillip’s hand firmly.
“I am very glad to see you. It looks to be an excellent evening, does it not?” Phillip nodded but said nothing, clasping his hands behind his back so that he would pull his shoulders back rather than lifting them too high, which revealed his tension. “There are more tables in the library, Lord Brookmire,” Lord Dalton chuckled. “It seems as though my wife, in her eagerness to support my endeavor, asked Lady Yardley to place a notice in ‘The London Ledger’ that I was to have an evening of cards and the like. I was forced, therefore, to have many other tables set up for the evening, for it seems I shall have a good many more gentlemen here than I had anticipated.” He smiled broadly. “I hope this evening is an excellent time for all.”
“I am sure it shall be.”
Deeply relieved that, in that regard, there had been significant success in Lady Yardley's endeavor thus far, Phillip looked around the room and caught sight of none other than Lord Yardley and Lord Sherbourne. They were standing together, smiling, and as he caught their eye, Lord Yardley inclined his head but did nothing more. Phillip understood why for, after all, he did not want Lord Anderton, who was also present, to be aware that they were known to each other, or to become suspicious that they had colluded with respect to this evening’s activities. He made his way forward and spoke to one or two other gentlemen, only for Lord Marchmont to appear by his side.
“Good evening.” His friend smiled at him. “I suppose I should not be surprised in the least to see you here. You will, no doubt, have a pleasant evening, I am sure.”
Phillip tried to smile, anxious now that, despite their endeavor, Lord Marchmont would find himself suffering by Phillip’s hand.
