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Turning, Deborah looked into the face of a young lady she did not know. With fiery red hair and deep blue eyes, the young lady was certainly striking, but did not appear to be overly confident, given the way that she bit her lip.
“Good evening.” Deborah tried to smile, wondering why this lady had approached her. “I do not think that…”
“We have not been introduced. I am Miss Judith Newfield.”
“Oh.” Deborah’s small smile faltered. “Miss Deborah Fullerton. I am companion to Lady Havisham.”
Miss Newfield nodded.
“Yes, I am aware. I came, Miss Fullerton, to apologize for my friend’s remarks, which I am certain you overheard.” Her eyes drew towards the two young ladies just beyond Deborah, the ones she had overheard speaking of Lord Havisham. “I am quite certain that they were all too aware of your presence and spoke as they did with the sole intention to harm you. I stood there with them and now feel myself culpable. Therefore, I went in search of you so that I might apologize and, for my part at least, beg your forgiveness.”
This was all said in a great rush, the words tumbling out as though she only had a very short time to speak and had to do so at once. A little taken aback, Deborah stammered something incomprehensible and then gave herself a small shake, clearing her throat as she did so.
“You have quite astonished me, Miss Newfield.” The young lady dropped her head but the redness in her cheeks, Deborah was sure, came from naught but embarrassment. “But I certainly do appreciate your consideration. However, there is nothing you need apologize for, given that you said nothing at all.”
Miss Newfield lifted her head, although her sorrowful expression remained.
“I do not like that they consider you to be a good deal lower than they are,” she stated plainly. “If I am to be frank, I believe them a little jealous of your waltz with Lord Havisham.”
Deborah’s brows lifted.
“But he only did so in order to encourage other gentlemen to consider me.” Seeing the way Miss Newfield’s eyes rounded, Deborah dropped her gaze, a little embarrassed at having spoken so openly. “I am Lady Havisham’s companion, yes, but she is quite determined that I should find a suitable match. I am very blessed indeed.”
Miss Newfield’s lips twisted.
“My brother insists that I wed this Season also,” she replied, sending sympathy spiraling into Deborah’s heart. “But it is difficult when I am in the shadow of Lady Vivian and Lady Catherine.”
“I think you quite striking,” Deborah replied, now beginning to have a sense of solidarity with the young lady and rather touched that she had thought to come to her directly, to apologize for something that she had taken no part in! “I am sure that you will find a good match very soon.”
Again, the young lady did not smile, although the frown on her forehead softened somewhat.
“You are very kind. I am hopeful that Lady Vivian will soon find herself betrothed and then I might, perhaps, be able to step forward a little more.”
Deborah’s stomach tightened.
“Do you know if she has anyone particular in mind?” she asked, stepping a little closer. “It is only that I could not help but overhear some particular remarks as regards Lord Havisham.”
Miss Newfield nodded.
“He has shown a particular interest in her, I think. Lady Vivian expects his court very soon.”
“Oh.” Suddenly, her concern did not seem to be so very important. “I did not realize that Lord Havisham had expressed any eagerness to further their acquaintance.” Catching Miss Newfield’s slightly lifted eyebrow, Deborah flushed with embarrassment, her chest a little tight. “That is not to suggest that he often shares such things with me, nor that I would expect to be aware of any such preferences.”
“Of course.” Miss Newfield finally smiled and the tension which had wrapped itself all around Deborah quickly unraveled. “He appears to be a very considerate gentleman.”
Deborah laughed.
“I did not always think so, Miss Newfield. Indeed, I believe that Lord Havisham himself would state that he was not at all inclined towards my company when I first arrived, but things are much improved now.”
“You think his character has improved?”
Considering this, Deborah tilted her head gently to one side.
“I think that I would state that it has.”
“Then it is little wonder that Lady Vivian is so inclined towards him,” came the reply. “I shall hope and pray that their courtship will soon take place so that thetonwill no longer consider her to be eligible – although that is for an entirely selfish reason, I confess.”
“I shall not think worse of you for it,” Deborah replied, as Miss Newfield smiled for what was now the second time. “Thank you for coming to speak to me, Miss Newfield. You have no need to apologize, I assure you.”
