by Jenna Brandt
Chapter 30
As the carriage pulled up in front of the Bunsdure estate, Debbey took in a deep breath. She hadn’t been at a function since realizing she was pregnant. She wasn’t sure if she was up to being around so many people considering how she felt.
William exited the carriage and waited for the footman to help Debbey down. He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. He guided her to the top of the stairs where the doors were already opened. Guests filed into the entryway. After depositing their coat and cloak, they made their way through the estate towards the ballroom.
The estate was gleaming with freshly polished gold and silver as far as the eye could see. Beautiful floral arrangements in crystal vases filled every visible surface. Illuminating candelabras were staggered along the path to the ballroom.
As Debbey entered the grand dance hall, it took her breath away. Although the Earl’s home was not the largest by the ton’s standard, what he lacked in size he made up for in opulence. The room sparkled with gold details on the walls and ceilings, and was filled with matching golden tables and chairs in each corner of the room. There was also a spread of pastries, cakes, and cookies along with several punches and teas on the far side of the ballroom.
Servants were weaving between the guests, carrying trays of champagne. William grabbed a set and handed one to Debbey. He winked at his wife, “I am glad we decided to come tonight.”
“As am I.”
Just then the Earl of Bunsdure entered the room with his daughter, Lady Madeline on his arm. They made their way into the center of the ballroom and turned to face the assembled guests.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the tenth annual Bunsdure Ball. We are glad each of you were able to attend and look forward to spending an evening of merriment with you. Ladies, I know you need a few minutes to fill up your dance cards, so the trumpet will sound for the dancing to commence at a half hour past.”
William escorted Debbey over to a group of his friends from the club. The men all quickly took her card and placed their names on the first available lines. They talked with them for several minutes before heading to another group with the same results. As he started to guide her to a third group, Debbey pressed his arm and stated, “William, I think I’m good for the evening. The front is completely full, and we’ve already started on the back. As a matter of fact, it’s lucky you placed your name upon the card early, or you wouldn’t even get to dance with me.”
He gave her a mischievous grin. “Let me assure you; that would never happen. I would find a way to dance with my wife no matter what. Proper etiquette dictates we are limited in our interaction on the dance floor tonight.”
Debbey found it ludicrous that husband and wives could only dance a couple of times an evening according to London society standards. In America, it was more common to dance with your husband than anyone else.
With a nod, he guided her to a final group that filled up her card. Debbey hoped she had the stamina to keep up.
A few moments later, the trumpet ushered in the first dance of the night. William’s first dance was with Lady Chloe, while Debbey was partnered with Lord Edward Blanchard.
Throughout the dance, William discreetly glanced towards his wife while maintaining a proper dialogue with his dance partner. No doubt, the young lord was bending his wife’s ear about Clara.
Debbey seemed happy and looked a vision on the dance floor. Her graceful ease made it appear as if she had been to hundreds of aristocratic dances rather than this being her first one. The song ended, but before William could get to his wife, her next partner was claiming his dance. It was going to be a long night indeed, not being able to be with his wife for most of it.
Debbey was enjoying the evening. Despite being on her feet for multiple dances in a row, she was managing to hide her fatigue well. Next on her dance card was the host, the Earl of Bunsdure. As he approached to claim his dance, she put on her most winning smile, knowing it was important she make a good impression.
“Good evening, Lady Deborah,” the earl stated with a bow.
“Good evening, my lord,” she replied as she curtsied.
He extended his hand to Debbey and lead her onto the dance floor. A polka started to play, and he pulled her into frame. As they started spinning around the dance floor, Debbey smiled up at the earl.
“Your home is lovely, Lord Whitmore.”
“Thank you, Lady Deborah. If I am not mistaken, you were here prior for a luncheon my daughter hosted.”
“Yes, a few weeks back. She did a wonderful job of making me feel welcome and introducing me to her friends.”
The earl frowned. “My daughter has a kind heart, to a fault. Her compassion causes her to get involved in matters that do not concern her, matters better left as they were.”
What did that mean? Was the earl upset his daughter had helped Debbey gain acceptance with the nobles? She wondered why he didn’t want his daughter to be involved in the endeavor.
Before she could find a way to question him about it, the song ended. He escorted her back over to one of the tables where William was waiting.
“Thank you for bringing my wife back to me, Lord Whitmore.”
He nodded. “If you will excuse me, I need to go take care of a few matters before the next set of songs.”
Without waiting for a response, he left them alone. William turned to Debbey with a perplexed look on his face. “He was rather short just now. Did something happen while you were dancing?”
Debbey glanced away with a small shrug. “I’m not sure. He made it seem like he was displeased his daughter had helped me make friends with some of the noble wives and daughters.”
“You must be mistaken. The earl is loyal to our family and would help our family in any situation. He would want his daughter to do the same.”
“Perhaps you are right. He didn’t say anything directly. I might have misunderstood his meaning.”
William took Debbey’s hand and placed it on his arm. “It is finally time for us to dance together. Are you ready?”
Debbey nodded her head. William guided her onto the dance floor as the music for a waltz began to play. Effortlessly, William spun Debbey around the dance floor. It felt wonderful to be in his arms as the music filled the air. Their bodies moved together in unison as his heart beat against her own chest.
About halfway through the song, William inquired, “How are you enjoying the evening?”
“I’m having a wonderful time.”
“Considering how you have been feeling as of late, I am pleased to hear it.”
Debbey looked up at her husband and wondered if this would be the right time to tell him about the baby? She was feeling good and they were having a wonderful time together. If she told him, would he receive it as good news? Would he consider having a baby a blessing or a burden?
Cautiously, she started to find a way to tell him. “I realize I haven’t been myself recently. There has been so much stress from all the new pressures, it has taken its toll on me.”
“Is that the only factor? Has there been any issue with your health?”
Debbey eyebrows shot up in surprise. Did he know somehow? Did Lily divulge the truth?
“I’ve been feeling under the weather for a bit of time now. I’ve wanted to talk with you about it—”
Before she could finish telling him the reason for her fatigue, the song ended. William glanced over to the side of the dance floor and a small chuckle escaped. “I want to finish this conversation with you but there is a young gentleman anxiously awaiting his chance to dance with you.”
Debbey’s eyes followed to where William was looking. Sure enough, a brown-haired young man—Debbey couldn’t remember his name—was watching them intently.
“He does know I’m married,” she stated with confusion.
“I am sure he does,” William confirmed as he walked with her over to the boy’s side. “It does not mean; however, he would not want the pleasure of dancin
g with the most beautiful woman in the room.”
Debbey felt herself blush from the compliment as they reached the young man’s side. It never ceased to amaze her, William’s way with words.
Two more songs passed with different dance partners before Debbey was safely deposited at a table where William was waiting.
As she sat down to rest, William offered to fetch her a glass of punch. A few moments later, he returned with the drink and plate with a slice of white cake.
“I brought you a piece of your favorite cake.”
“Thank you,” she stated with a smile.
William sat down next to her and looked around the room at the other guests. “Almost all of London society is here. Not surprising, considering the earl’s influence.”
“You never told me how your families became friends.”
“My father and the earl went to the same boarding school in London, St. Peter’s.”
“Isn’t that where you attended?” Debbey inquired.
With a raised eyebrow, William answered, “It is indeed, but how did you come by that knowledge?”
“Lady Chloe told me.”
He nodded. “We grew up together, along with Madeline. We were all childhood friends.”
Though Debbey knew William and Madeline were more than just friends, she didn’t want to spoil the perfect evening by bringing up the fact.
“I need to visit the privy,” William stated as he stood up.
“Don’t be gone too long; I will miss you.”
With a smirk, he added, “I’m sure you will be dancing with your next partner by the time I get back.”
Chapter 31
William was heading back towards the ballroom when Lady Madeline intercepted him.
“Do you have a few moments? There is a matter with which I wish to discuss with you,” she asked, placing her hand on his arm to stop him.
“What is it?” William inquired.
She glanced around with a worried look on her face. “Not here. We should speak somewhere more privately.”
Madeline turned and moved down the hall. Reluctantly, William followed behind. What did she need to speak with him about? Did it have something to do with their past? If so, he was not interested, and he needed to stop her before she embarrassed herself with more inappropriate flirting.
“Madeline, I hope your intent is not to dredge up the past again. I think I have made myself abundantly clear on the subject.”
She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “You have been perfectly explicit. This has nothing to do with our history.”
They rounded the corner and came to a closed door. “We can use my father’s study,” she stated as she pushed it open and entered. Once they were inside the room, Madeline turned to face William. “I need to speak with you about Deborah.”
With caution, William warned, “I am not sure if I feel comfortable talking with you about my wife. If your intent is to try to disparage her in anyway—”
Madeline cut him off. “You are mistaken about my purpose. It is just the opposite. As I have gotten to know Deborah, I have grown to admire her. You were wise to pick her for your wife. She is kind and loyal which is why I felt compelled to talk with you after my father told me what was going on with her.”
“To what are you referring?” William asked defensively.
“Your mother told my father about the wolf attack and how the doctor was concerned about the possibility of exposure to rabies.”
William’s eyes narrowed as he spat out, “That was a private matter. Why would my mother discuss it with your father?”
“William, my father is your mother’s confidant. They share everything.”
The way she emphasized the last word made William realize Madeline was implying they were intimate.
“I think you might be mistaken about the nature of their relationship. They are old friends.”
“That is true, but they became much more shortly after my mother’s death. I know the entire sordid past as I found my mother’s journal which detailed their affairs. My father fell in love with my mother the moment he met her. He was close with your mother which she mistook for love and assumed meant marriage. She was devastated and out of retaliation married your father.”
William was shocked to hear the secret past their families shared. “That does not explain why you think they have been carrying on an affair all these years.”
“That I have witnessed for myself. Your mother has made many visits to our home late at night. I think your father looked the other way since he was involved with someone else as well.”
Apparently, Madeline was an informed woman. She seemed to know a lot of his family’s secrets.
“I have been away a long time. I suppose you would know better than I do about the happenings between our families.”
“Now that you are aware of how I know what I do about Deborah’s condition, please believe me when I tell you, I only want to help.”
With a dismissive tone, William stated, “There is no need for intervention. My wife is fine.”
“Is she?” Madeline asked with suspicion.
William crossed his arms. “What did my mother tell your father exactly?”
“Lady Almonbury said that Deborah has been acting peculiar lately. She is not remembering events correctly or in some cases at all. Additionally, she has been fatigued and reclusive.”
“None of that points directly to a problem.”
“Are you certain, William? Your mother told my father she has brought it up to you on more than one occasion. You shut her down, exactly as you are doing with me right now. Do you think it is possible you are so afraid of the truth you are refusing to see it?”
William’s hand slipped to his side as his head fell down. His eyes focused on the ground as he tried to swallow the lump that had formed at the back of his throat.
In a whisper, William stated, “I am afraid.”
Madeline moved towards William and placed her hands on his chest as she looked up into his eyes. “You should talk with her about it.”
“I do not want to scare her. I told her about the possibility in the beginning, but I do not think she remembers. As time passed after the incident, it just became easier not to discuss it again.” Tears formed in the corner of William’s eyes as he tried to keep from crying. “None of her behavior has gone unnoticed. I just do not know what to do about it. The thought of living without her frightens me.”
Despite his best resolve the tears broke free, falling down his cheeks. Madeline wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into an embrace. His fear took hold and he reached out in return for comfort.
From the side, the door creaked open. William heard Debbey’s voice falter in shock, “What is the meaning of this?”
William’s head jerked up and his eyes flew to meet Debbey’s own. Before he could get out a word to defend the seemingly scandalous situation, she bolted from the door and down the hallway.
William stepped back from Madeline as if she was like hot lava. “It was foolish for me to be alone with you like this.”
“Nothing happened.”
“Did you set this situation in place to make it seem that way?”
“Whatever are you talking about?”
“How did my wife know to find us here? Of all the places in the estate, she somehow knew to find us in your father’s study?”
Defensively, Madeline’s brows came together in hurt. “I did no such thing. I have no idea how Deborah found us here.”
“We both know, appearances matter often times more than the truth of a situation.”
“Then what are you still doing here talking to me. You should go to her and explain everything. She loves you which means she will forgive you.”
He nodded his head and rushed from the room.
Chapter 32
Debbey’s worst fear was coming true. She had been a fool to convince herself that she could fit into William’s world. Why did she ever th
ink she could be the kind of wife he needed as a viscount? He had replaced her with a woman more suited for the job.
She couldn’t believe how blind she had been. She had let Madeline convince her they were becoming friends—probably to get Debbey’s guard down—so she could make her move on William. Debbey had trusted her, she had trusted him, and they both betrayed her.
The tears streamed down her face as she rushed from the earl’s estate. She didn’t even care to gather her cloak or clutch from the coat closet. Luckily, they were only a few minutes away from the Almonbury estate. She could make it there on foot with little effort.
What was she going to do? She loved William so much, but she knew now he was not devoted to her in the same way she was to him. Could she stay in a marriage like that? Her heart told her no, which left her only one choice. She had to flee, and she needed to do it as quickly as possible.
As she entered the Almonbury estate, she rushed up the stairs to her rooms. She grabbed a canvas traveling bag out of the wardrobe and packed two outfits. She also took the jewelry from her vanity to pay for her passage to America. She didn’t like taking anything from the Almonburys, but considering what they had put her through, she felt justified.
Debbey glanced down at her ball gown. She realized it would not do to travel in such attire. She needed a low profile. Quickly, she switched into the least fancy traveling outfit, and grabbed a few other items she needed for her escape.
Lily entered the room with fresh linens in her arms. A flabbergasted look formed on her face as she took in her mistress’ appearance along with the bag in her hands. ‘What are you doing, my lady?”
“It is none of your concern, Lily.” She opened the bag and pulled out a brooch that was her mother’s. She handed it to the girl. “For your silence.”
The girl left the room with a worried look on her face. Debbey moved over to her desk and paused for a moment. Although no one else deserved an explanation, she couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to Clara or Aunt Beatrice. They were the only two people who had been truly kind to her. She jotted down two letters and placed each one in an envelope, addressing them with the women’s names. She took one last look around her room and hurried from the estate.