“Mayhap he wishes to ask you something of the greatest importance.”
“To ask me?” Joy flushed and shook her head. “I do not think so. It is much too soon in our connection and–”
“All the same, whatwouldyou say if he asked you to marry him?”
The answer came in the form of a thrill lifting Joy’s heart, and the smile which split her features. Miss Fairley giggled again, and Joy looked away, keeping her expression as hidden from her friend as she could, but it was much too late.
“I am glad.” With a sigh, Miss Fairley looked out across the ballroom and Joy followed her gaze, aware that they had retreated a little to the side of the ballroom. “Would that I could find someone as kind and as considerate.”
“I am sure that you shall.”
Miss Fairley smiled but it did not last.
“I do not think we shall all be as fortunate as you. I am very glad that you have encouraged us to step out from the dark shadows but all the same, no gentleman has truly looked at me, as Lord Yarmouth looked at you.”
Joy reached across and squeezed Miss Fairley’s hand.
“Do not give up hope. It will happen in time, I am sure. I – good gracious!”
Both she and Miss Fairley came to a sudden stop as, directly in front of them – though a little hidden in an alcove, they saw none other than Lady Judith. She was laughing and from where they stood, Joy could spy an arm around Lady Judith’s waist.
No doubt, it was a gentleman.
“She is taking quite the risk standing there like that.” Miss Fairley turned quickly and faced Joy so that they would not both be staring. “Shall we move away?”
Joy nodded, her stomach twisting as worry for the lady in question began to run through her.
“I think that we should – though what if someone turns and sees her? Her reputation could be ruined!”
“Whereas, if we stay, then we might pretend to be chaperoning her?” The doubt in Miss Fairley’s voice had Joy sighing, her shoulders dropping. “It is not our responsibility to make certain that her reputation stays pristine, though I do appreciate your consideration. It is hers and hers alone.”
“You are right.”
As she went to turn around, Joy gasped in shock as the gentleman in question stepped out of the alcove, pointing out with one hand towards the other guests. Taking Lady Judith’s hand in his, he tugged her away, though thankfully it was back towards the center of the ballroom rather than further into the shadows. Having clamped one hand over her mouth to hide the sound of her astonishment, Joy quickly let her hand fall again, though her eyes remained fixed and staring.
“What is it?” Miss Fairley asked, urgently. “Has something happened? Have they been seen?”
“It is… it is Lord Falconer!”
“Lord Falconer?” Looking a little confused, Miss Fairley turned, only for her eyebrows to lift. “That is Lord Yarmouth’s friend, is it not?”
“It is.” Joy blinked and then rubbed one hand over her eyes, hardly able to take in what she had seen. “From what Lord Yarmouth said, the gentleman always laughed about Lady Judith’s character and mocked him for his initial interest – so why would he now be doing such a thing as to wrap his arms around her?”
Miss Fairley shrugged, clearly having no real understanding of why Joy was so surprised.
“Mayhap he is more of a rogue than we think.”
It was an explanation, Joy supposed, but all the same, there was something about the connection that confused her. Why would Lord Falconer have done such a thing to Lord Yarmouth, if he was courting the lady himself? It seemed very strange indeed.
What if… what if both heandLady Judith sought the ring for themselves for some purpose?
The thought bit down hard, and Joy could not get it to release. It was a strange consideration, for surely to do such a thing would mean that Lord Falconer was not the friend that Lord Yarmouth considered him to be, and that would be painful for Lord Yarmouth to even think!
I must be wrong. It is a foolish thought.
“Are you quite all right?” Miss Fairley touched Joy’s hand and she jumped, pulled from her thoughts. “What is wrong?”
“I was only thinking… thinking that there might be–”
