Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,11
studied the lady in question, wondering just how he was meant to introduce himself without coming across as rude and improper. Even though there was a great stain about his name, he did not want to make his reputation all the worse in her eyes! That would not be a good introduction to his future wife, should she be as suitable as he hoped.
Muttering darkly to himself, Timothy looked all around for Lord Holland, wondering if his friend might be able to offer some advice, but the gentleman was nowhere to be seen. Wondering if there was someone else in the room who might know Miss Mullins or Lady Newfield, Timothy frowned hard and pondered what to do.
Then, much to his relief, he saw Lord Fitzherbert, a gentleman he was acquainted with, going to greet Lady Newfield. Without moving forward himself, he watched as Lord Fitzherbert nodded to Lady Newfield and then bowed to Miss Mullins. She executed a perfect curtsy, her eyes remaining fixed to the ground as if she were very shy or behaving with a demureness that pleased him. Lord Fitzherbert sought the lady’s dance card, but she shook her head, only for Lady Newfield to take a small step closer and speak to her charge, a bright smile on her face but a firm look in her eyes. With interest, Timothy saw the young lady give the gentleman her card and, at this, he took his cue to step forward.
“Ah, Lord Fitzherbert,” he said, as the gentleman took his leave of Miss Mullins. “How good to see you again.”
Thankfully, Lord Fitzherbert was not one of the gentlemen who had turned his back entirely on Timothy and he greeted Timothy with a warm smile.
“Good to see you in society,” Lord Fitzherbert said with a grin. “They have not chased you away as yet, then?”
“No,” Timothy replied ruefully. “Not as yet.” That would change soon, however. The moment he had ensured that Miss Mullins was just as her uncle had described, he would set a wedding date and do whatever preparations required of him before returning directly to his estate. He did not want to linger in London for long. “Might I ask if you could introduce me to the ladies you have just finished speaking with?” Turning a little more towards Lady Newfield and Miss Mullins, Timothy put a smile on his face and ignored the biting nerves in his stomach. He did not want to feel anything other than calm composure.
“But of course,” Lord Fitzherbert replied, as the two ladies turned their attention towards him—although Miss Mullins did not look him directly in the face but rather towards his left shoulder. “Might I present the Earl of Coventry?” He smiled as Timothy bowed low. “This is Lady Newfield, and her goddaughter, whom I have only just had the pleasure of being introduced to. Miss Mullins.”
“Lady Newfield,” Timothy said with a tight smile as he noticed the flicker in the lady’s eye. Did she know who he was? “And Miss Mullins.” Again, he inclined his head, seeing the way that the color began to drain from her features, leaving her a sickly pale. “Good evening.”
“Good evening.” Her whisper was barely audible, and Timothy’s heart sank. She appeared more than timid—as though she were afraid of him and what he would do. He did not want a fearful wife. He expected his wife to have all the elegance and sophistication that would be required of a countess, meaning that she would not be able to be shy and unable to converse.
“Ah,” Lord Fitzherbert interrupted before the conversation could go on. “Miss Mullins, you must allow me to take to the floor. It seems that the quadrille is about to take place!”
Miss Mullins nodded but did not smile, glancing at Timothy as though she expected him to forbid her from doing such a thing. Instead, Timothy stepped aside and spread out one hand towards the dance floor, attempting to make it quite clear that he was not about to prevent her from doing so. Tentatively, Miss Mullins took a few steps forward and Lord Fitzherbert immediately caught hold of her hand, setting it on his arm as they walked towards the dance floor.
Timothy’s frown lowered all the more. This was not at all what he had expected.
“If I might, Lord Coventry,” Lady Newfield said, her gaze assessing him as he looked towards her. “I will speak candidly with you for the sake of my goddaughter.”