Lord Cleverley’s eyes flew wide, his breath catching in an audible gasp.
“You do not mean to say that you will stand up with him?”
“I had thought I would, yes.”
Deborah turned her attention toward Lord Cleverley, lifting first one eyebrow and then the other as Lord Cleverley’s mouth dropped open.
“I considered you many things, Miss Madeley, but I certainly did not think you unwise.”
Deborah released a small chuckle, unable to keep it back. It was not a sound of mirth, however, but rather of frustration that he should think to speak to her so. He was not her parent, not her companion or guardian. Why should he think of himself as having any right to dictate who she stepped out with?
“In dancing with Lord Brookmire, I do not consider myself unwise, Lord Cleverley.”
Her short, sharp answer appeared to have caught his attention, for he immediately flushed and then dropped his gaze. His words did not cease, however.
“Perhaps it is that you have no awareness of the reputation of the gentleman who stands before you.” Deborah sighed inwardly. She had thought that Lord Cleverley might apologize for his forwardness but, whether he realized it or not, he was once more insulting her by suggesting that she was either not intelligent enough, or considered enough to realize what she was doing.
“Lord Brookmire is a gentleman who holds the very worst of reputations. He is not a gentleman that any young lady ought to be considering.” Lord Cleverley threw out one hand towards Lord Brookmire, his lips curving into a sneer. “And you, as a young lady of quality, ought not to even be conversing with Lord Brookmire, never mind dancing with him!”
Deborah put both hands on her hips, her anger rising quickly.
“And you are very forward with your opinions about what I should do, Lord Cleverley.”
Her sharp retort had him again looking at her with wide eyes, his lips flattening as if he had only just realized precisely what he had said.
“I am only concerned for you, Miss Madeley.”
Putting one hand to his heart, he went to say more, but Deborah cut him off with a swipe of her hand through the air between them.
“That may be so, but there are ways to discuss your concerns – none of which consist of dictating who I should speak with or dance with.” Her eyes narrowed and her head tilted back a little, heat burning in her chest and, no doubt, sending fire into her expression. “I am sure that you mean well, but I am very well able to decide which persons I dance with, and which I do not.”
“It may be that Lord Cleverley is correct, however.” Lord Brookmire lifted his hands a little. “Mayhap it would be wiser for you to consider your own reputation when it comes to standing up with me. It was my mistake, Miss Madeley. I ought not to have asked.”
More than a little frustrated by Lord Brookmire’s change of heart, thanks solely to Lord Cleverley’s interruptions, Deborah drew in a long breath, which she then let out slowly between clenched teeth in an attempt to rein in her still growing anger. Lord Cleverley was smiling delightedly, clearly pleased that his attempts to rescue Deborah had, in his mind, been very successful indeed. Lord Brookmire’s head was lowering, his gaze turning to the ground, and Deborah’s heart suddenly lurched.
“Is something amiss?”
Her mother’s voice floated towards them and, turning her head, Deborah closed her eyes briefly, but said nothing. She had no need to, for Lord Cleverley had already interrupted with what sounded like an exclamation of victory.
“Lady Prescott! No, no, indeed, there is nothing of concern. I came upon your daughter, having heard her just accept Lord Brookmire’s offer to dance, and was quickly able to inform her of the dangers of dancing with a gentleman who holds such a poor reputation. You will be glad to know that Lord Brookmire has rescinded his offer.”
Lady Prescott’s eyebrows lifted. She did not thank Lord Cleverley, nor did she berate Lord Brookmire for requesting such a thing from Deborah. Instead, she turned her gaze to Deborah, who again, remained silent. She did not know what to say, and feared that, if she were to speak honestly, nothing but fury would escape from her mouth and she would shame herself in front of both gentlemen and her mother.
“I see.” Lady Prescott spoke slowly. “Lord Brookmire, you asked to dance with my daughter?”
He inclined his head.
“Forgive me, Lady Prescott. Mayhap I was little too hasty in my thinking. I had not thought about the damage it might cause Miss Madeley’s reputation.”
“As though you cared a jot about that!” Lord Cleverley’s lip curled. “You only took back your offer once I was present. No doubt you do so now to save face, though why you should need to do such a thing given your standing in society, I cannot imagine.”
Lord Brookmire’s jaw jutted forward. His eyes narrowed a little and his face warmed but, much to Deborah’s surprise, he did not respond to Lord Cleverley’s caustic remarks. She glanced again at her mother, who was looking at Lord Brookmire with obvious interest, eyeing him carefully and seeing the same expression that Deborah considered.
Then, she smiled.
“I have no doubt, Lord Cleverley, that you meant well in speaking to my daughter so.” Lord Cleverley immediately beamed, his smile spreading wide across his face, but Lady Prescott was not finished. “However.” she continued, quickly, “my daughter does not require your advice nor your guidance. She has both myself and her father for such things and, while your input was well meant, I am sure, my daughter has already spoken to me about Lord Brookmire. It seems now that you and I do not share the same opinion.” As Lord Cleverley’s smile immediately changed to an expression of some startlement, Deborah’s heart began to slow from the furious beat it had been pursuing. Her mother was not speaking sharply, but her words were firm enough for Lord Cleverley to realize that he had made a mistake. “Now, Lord Brookmire.” Lady Prescott turned her attention to the other gentleman, who quickly lowered his head for a moment before returning his gaze to the lady. “I have heard from my daughter that you seek to reform yourself. I am not certain whether or not I fully believe this particular tale but, nonetheless, it is interesting for me to hear that a gentleman who has borne such a dreadful reputation now wishes to change. Lady Yardley accepts your word on it and, therefore, because of her standing and her trust in your promises, I have told Deborah that she may be in your company on occasion.”
“You are more than generous, Lady Prescott.” Lord Brookmire inclined his head again. “I can see where Miss Madeley gets her compassionate heart from. I am entirely undeserving – I am all too aware of that – and yet, Miss Madeley has been generous enough to offer me another opportunity, so that I might have a chance to prove myself and gain a stellar reputation rather than the dark one I currently bear.”
