Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,10
young woman with nondescript brown hair pulled back into an elegant style. Her eyes were huge, seemingly a little large for her face, and she was twisting her hands in front of her in a nervous fashion. Her gown was of the highest quality, however, even if the light cream shade pulled the color from her cheeks.
“Then why do you not go and seek an introduction to her?” Timothy asked, not particularly interested in the lady. “There must be someone here who knows who she is.”
Lord Holland chuckled, one eyebrow lifting. “I do not want to make my interest too apparent,” he said with a grin. “But yes, should I see someone dancing with her that I am already acquainted with, then I shall do everything in my power to ensure that I am given an introduction.” Scanning the room, his eyes suddenly lit up. “But I see the lovely Lady Stephanie is without a dance partner at present and is speaking to Lady Arabella.” He inclined his head. “Do excuse me, Coventry.”
Timothy did not bid Lord Holland a farewell but simply watched his friend walk away, almost pitying the young ladies given that they would now have to endure Lord Holland’s company. Lord Holland would flirt and toy with them both, asking them to dance and ensuring that he picked the very best ones remaining. But it would mean naught to him other than a mere distraction.
“Lord Coventry.”
His attention was suddenly caught by the arrival of Lord Denholm, who inclined his head as Timothy looked back at him.
“Good evening, Lord Denholm,” he replied, aware of the supercilious look on the gentleman’s face and finding that he disliked this man immensely. Were it not for the fact that he had been given a marriage offer that he could not easily turn down, Timothy was certain that he would have had no eagerness to maintain an acquaintance with the fellow. “I presume that your niece is here this evening?”
Lord Denholm grinned, but it did not reach his eyes nor give him a kind appearance. “She is,” he said, his hands held behind his back. “She is quite ready to meet you.”
Timothy allowed his gaze to flick around the room. “And where is she?” he asked, making the silent point that the girl did not appear to be with her guardian. “Is she dancing?”
“No, indeed not!” Lord Denholm exclaimed as though even the thought of his niece doing such a thing was quite terrible. “She has not been permitted to dance as yet. Her godmother is with her at present.”
A little surprised, Timothy held Lord Denholm’s gaze. “I did not know she had a godmother.”
“Indeed,” Lord Denholm replied with a touch of unease. “Lady Newfield. She will be ensuring that all is well with Delilah during the Season.”
Silently, Timothy wondered if this was a way for Lord Denholm to push aside some of his responsibilities by giving them to this Lady Newfield but chose not to say anything of the sort given that it would not be of any use.
“I am sure she would be glad to make your acquaintance whenever you might wish it,” Lord Denholm continued, gesturing towards a young lady. “I will not press you to do so at present. At a moment of your choosing, of course.” And with this, he bowed his head and stepped back, leaving Timothy staring at the young lady across the room.
It was the very same young lady that Lord Holland had pointed out only a few minutes before. She was still looking very anxious indeed, and the older lady beside her was speaking words of what Timothy believed to be reassurance. Turning back to speak to Lord Denholm, to tell the man that he was quite willing to be introduced at this very moment, Timothy was astonished to see that the gentleman had disappeared. He had merely left Timothy without explanation, clearly thinking that he would introduce himself to the lady, which was, of course, quite improper.
Frowning hard, Timothy turned his attention to the lady once more. What sort of guardian allowed such a strange introduction to occur when he was meant to be taking the greatest of care with his charge? But, then again, Timothy considered, Lord Denholm had not shown any consideration for the lady thus far, given that he had now given some of his responsibilities to the godmother. Most likely, his duty apparently complete, he had gone in search of the card room or some such thing.