“Ah, and there is Miss Williams!”
Daisy’s eyes flared wide with shock and horror. Lord Watt’s words were slurred and, to her dismay, he staggered slightly as he came near to her.
“Lord…Lord Watt,” she murmured, taking a small step back and, unfortunately, nearer to Lord Fitzherbert. “Good evening.”
“Miss Williams,” Lord Watt said again, his smile turning into something of a leer. “As beautiful and as charming as ever.”
She smiled tightly and glanced towards Lord Fitzherbert, who was looking at Lord Watt with a hint of mirth in his expression. “Thank you,” she answered, her stomach tight with a sudden wave of nerves. This was not like Lord Watt! Whilst she knew he enjoyed his brandy, she had never once seen him to be in such a state as this. And nor was this the time for him to be behaving so, for was this meeting with Lord Fitzherbert not quite critical? A heat began to climb up her spine, rushing into her face as a fierce anger burned in her heart. This was not what she had expected of him.
“If you will excuse me,” she murmured, turning to move away – only for the loud voice of Lord Watt to stop her.
“Goodness, Miss Williams! You are not a rude creature – at least, not as I recall.” He arched one eyebrow, laughed, and gestured towards Lord Fitzherbert. “You are not going to leave without introducing me to your friend here?”
Daisy blinked. This was what she was meant to do, of course, but in her anger and her upset, she had quite forgotten. Her eyes narrowed just a little. Was Lord Watt as drunk as she thought him? Or was this an act?
“Yes, of course,” she said primly, turning back to Lord Fitzherbert, who shot her a sympathetic look. Quickly, she made the introductions, watching Lord Watt closely as he rose from his bow. There was no stumble now, no wavering or bobbing to indicate that he might be in his cups – but when he spoke, there was still that slur that betrayed him.
“Thank you, Miss Williams, you have been very kind,” Lord Fitzherbert said, smiling at her with evident kindness. “Do not let us keep you from your next conversation. I am sure Lord Watt and I can exchange pleasantries for a few minutes.”
She smiled back at Lord Fitzherbert, ensuring to put a grateful expression on her face as she did so. “I thank you,” she murmured, bobbing a quick curtsy and then turning around to walk away from them. Such was the sensation of their eyes watching her depart that it was all she could do to prevent herself from turning around and looking back at them. Her face grew warm, but she lifted her chin and carried on regardless, smiling delicately at one or two others whom she knew.
It was a relief to reach her sister again and, quite soon after, Daisy was drawn into conversation with one Lady Spencer, who was more than a little interested in Daisy’s return to society. Whilst Daisy was glad to have a conversation to distract her from what Lord Watt and Lord Fitzherbert were speaking of, she could not help but continue to think of Lord Watt, wondering silently whether his apparent drunkenness had been genuine or if it had been merely a ploy by which he might gain some sort of acquaintance with Lord Fitzherbert.
“Miss Williams?”
She turned her head to see none other than Lord Stevenson bowing to her, surprising her by his sudden presence beside her. “Lord Stevenson,” she said, curtsying quickly and throwing a small, apologetic smile towards Lady Spencer, who with a smile of her own then began to speak to Susanna instead. “Are you enjoying the soiree this evening? There is to be some music and mayhap some dancing later also.”
Lord Stevenson cleared his throat and did not smile. “Might you take a turn about the room with me, Miss Williams?”
A sudden rush of tension ran straight through her. “But of course,” she murmured, wondering if she ought to look towards Lord Watt but choosing instead not to do so. “Is there something the matter?”
Lord Stevenson said nothing for a moment or two, walking near to her with his hands clasped tightly behind his back. Daisy walked with him in silence, very confused by his sudden presence and then his sudden silence. She did not
know what to do and certainly did not want to start making conversation, so decided to simply remain quiet until Lord Stevenson was able to speak openly to her.
“Miss Williams.” Lord Stevenson’s voice was heavy, his words labored as though he was trying to think of the right thing to say and was choosing each one with great care. “You are quite wonderful.”
She blinked in surprise. This was not at all what she had expected from him. Lord Stevenson, whilst they had danced together on occasion, had shown her no interest whatsoever, and she could not understand the reason for him to be so intrigued now. “I thank you,” she answered carefully, glancing at him and seeing how he did not so much as glance at her. “That is very kind of you to say.”
“I should like to court you.”
Daisy caught her breath, coming to a sudden stop as she took in what Lord Stevenson had said. She could not quite believe what she had heard.
“I know this is very sudden indeed,” Lord Stevenson said quickly, turning to face her and his eyes, which were usually darting from place to place or gazing dully at something with nothing other than boredom, were filled with an intensity that she had never seen before. It was so strong that she felt herself tremble, as if a little afraid. “I am in need of a wife, and I think you would do me very well indeed.”
Trying to find something to say in response to this, Daisy found herself searching for the right words which would convey her sense of gratitude as well as the desire to consider what he had asked of her. Nothing came to mind. It was as though she could form nothing of sense.
“If you will permit me, I will speak to Lord Northgate of my intentions.”
“Please.” Her hand shot out, and she grasped his arm tightly, having not had any intention of doing so but finding herself in that position, nonetheless. “Please, Lord Stevenson, you must understand that this has come as something of a surprise to me. Perhaps…” She hesitated, seeing how he frowned. “Perhaps you might allow me to consider your request for a few days? Before anything further is done.” Her heart began to beat a little more quickly, wondering at his intentions. Was he the man responsible for her father’s death? Did he think that she knew something about it, and therefore intended to use his courtship as a guise to silence her? Letting go of his arm quickly, she tried to smile but found herself growing all the more anxious. “It is just a very great surprise, that is all. I am very honored at your consideration of me.”
This seemed to relax Lord Stevenson a little, for he nodded, smiled briefly, and inclined his head. “But of course,” he answered, filling her with relief. “I quite understand. I am sure we will see each other again very soon.”
“Very soon,” she repeated, feeling herself growing desperate to find Lord Watt and tell him what had just been said. “Thank you again, Lord Stevenson. I am very grateful for your kind offer.”
He nodded, his lips pulling thin. “Ensure you consider it with all seriousness,” he said, his voice a little darker than before. “It is not something you should ignore, Miss Williams.”
There was a warning there, she thought, feeling a tremor run through her. “I will give it a good deal of thought,” she promised. “If you will excuse me, I should return to my sister.” Excusing herself, she hurried back towards Susanna, throwing a glance around the room in search of Lord Watt. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him watching her – but knew nothing could be said at present. There would be a good deal to discuss later, but for the moment, she had to keep up the appearance of being a lady of the ton, caring for nothing more than conversation, dancing, flirtations, and finding herself an excellent match.