Page 32 of The Companion and the Earl

“Did you speak to Lord Thornley about Lady Ensley?” Jonathan hissed, keeping his voice as low as he could manage. “That was a matter to be kept between us!”

Lord Harrogate paled, his compassionate smile fading fast.

“I did not mean to,” he replied, speaking rather quickly. “I was in my cups, and we began to discuss who we considered to be the most beautiful of ladies at present and I could not help but mention her!”

Jonathan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting to keep control of his emotions.

“You have granted Lord Thornley a boon by which he might seek to assert control.”

Seeing the puzzled frown on his friend’s face, Jonathan gritted his teeth so that he would not say more. No doubt Lord Thornley would use any interference – no matter how small – to declare that the bet was ruined, and the consequences would follow thereafter.

“I am sorry, old boy. I did not think Thornley would even inform you that such a thing had happened.” Lord Harrogate waved a hand, once more betraying his own lack of consideration and care about such things. “But you need not worry. I am sure his word can be trusted.”

“Trusted?” Jonathan repeated, disbelievingly.

“As in, he will not speak of it to anyone else,” Lord Thornley replied, dismissing Jonathan’s concern in an instant. “You need not look so troubled.”

Jonathan took a step closer, one finger pressing towards Lord Harrogate’s chest.

“You ought not to trust that particular gentleman as well as you do, Harrogate. There is more to his character than there appears.”

That was the truth of it, Jonathan realized. He himself had been a little taken aback by the threat that Lord Thornley had thrown at him, having considered the gentleman to be naught more than an ordinary, genteel fellow who posed no concern to anyone. He saw Lord Harrogate frown but turned away rather than linger. There was now such a heaviness in his heart and such a confusion in his mind that he half thought about returning home rather than lingering here. A soiree would not bring him any joy, not when he was so heavily burdened.

“Good evening, Lord Havisham.”

Turning, Jonathan was not surprised to see Lady Vivian. No matter where he was, she always appeared to be able to seek him out.

“Good evening, Lady Vivian. And where are your friends this evening?”

She laughed and settled one hand on his arm for a few moments, rendering Jonathan quite uncomfortable.

“They are not here at present, Lord Havisham, and I took it as an excellent opportunity to come to speak with you alone for a short time.”

Jonathan allowed a heavy frown to weight itself across his brow.

“I should not like to encourage any gossip, Lady Vivian.”

Again, she laughed.

“You are most considerate, but my mother is only a few steps away and, I am sure, will be watching me quite closely.”

It took Jonathan a few seconds to find the lady, only for his stomach to drop as he realized she was paying no attention to Lady Vivian whatsoever of which, no doubt, the lady herself was fully aware, despite her reassurances to the contrary. Jonathan was becoming a little concerned that Lady Vivian had formed a strong connection with him whilst, for his part, he had no eagerness to develop their acquaintance further. Quite what he was to do to disabuse her of the notion that he might be interested, Jonathan had very little idea, for she certainly appeared most persistent.

“Alas, I fear I must excuse myself and go in search of my mother, as I have promised to be a little more by her side this evening.” It was a fabrication, of course, but Jonathan was struggling to come up with a way to remove himself from the lady. “I fear I would not be considered much of a gentleman if I remained here rather than doing my duty to my mother.”

Lady Vivian laughed and did not seem a bit put out.

“But of course.” Before he could respond, she slipped her hand through his arm, coming to stand beside him. “I should be glad to greet Lady Havisham.”

Jonathan’s sigh was not held back but again, Lady Vivian did not appear to notice.

“But what of your mother? She will be concerned about your absence and again, Lady Vivian, I do not wish to make any bad impressions.”

“You areverykind to be so concerned, but my mother will have no hesitation in permitting me to go,” came the confident reply. “This is only a small gathering, and I will soon be found.” Her bright eyes looked up at him and Jonathan groaned inwardly. She was determined to stick with him, and he could do nothing, it seemed, to discourage her. Without having any other choice, Jonathan walked through the room in search of his mother who, no doubt, would be quite surprised to see him come to interrupt her conversation. Perhaps she would understand, although Jonathan did not think she would have any inclination to be of assistance to him, given just how frustrated and upset she was at present. “I see that Miss Fullerton has come to know her place.” Jonathan’s steps led them to the drawing-room door and out into the hallway which, much to his relief, was lined with various guests. The drawing room and music room were open to the guests this evening and Lady Havisham had to be in one of them! “I heard that you gave her something of a set down.”

A fire lit itself in Jonathan’s heart and he spoke with more fierceness than he had intended to let show.

“Miss Fullerton does not need to know her place, Lady Vivian. She is already very well aware of it and behaves with all decorum.”

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