Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,12

lady’s forthrightness, Timothy could only nod.

“Delilah—Miss Mullins—has only just come to London,” Lady Newfield explained, her sharp blue eyes still searching his face as though she might be able to discover the truth of his character simply by looking at him. “And when I say that she has only arrived, I mean to say that she came to town yesterday afternoon.”

It took all of Timothy’s strength not to gape at the lady, astonished that Miss Mullins would be out in London after only a day. Most gentlemen and ladies took at least two days to rest themselves after what was usually an arduous journey.

“In addition,” Lady Newfield continued with a small sniff of what Timothy considered to be disdain, “her uncle only informed her of the agreement between himself and you, Lord Coventry, yesterday afternoon.”

This time, Timothy could not hide his shock. He stared at Lady Newfield, his mouth a little ajar as all manner of emotions slammed through him. How could he judge the lady for being too quiet and much too shy when it now appeared that she had only been aware of the arrangement since yesterday?

“She did not know of your...reputation,” Lady Newfield finished, a slight flickering frown telling him that she herself was not quite certain what or who she believed. “I had to inform her of that myself.”

Timothy blew out a breath and shook his head, wishing he could step away from Lady Newfield and allow this news to wash over him so that he could take a little time to consider what to do next. “I see,” he muttered, dropping his head, feeling unable to look at the lady. “Thank you for informing me, Lady Newfield.”

“I do so only for my goddaughter’s sake,” she informed him in clipped tones. “I know that you must consider her and decide whether or not you think her suitable for you, and I would urge you, therefore, not to take your first impression of Miss Mullins to be the one you most consider.”

Timothy did not immediately say what was on mind—which was that, had not Lady Newfield said something, he would have certainly had a very poor impression of Miss Mullins and would have questioned all that Lord Denholm had said. Now, at least, he could understand her shyness and what he hoped was surprise rather than fear. If she had only just been told of her engagement to him, had only just discovered the truth of his reputation, then it was more than understandable that she had behaved as she had done.

“I thank you, Lady Newfield,” he said gruffly. “I am grateful for your honesty.”

“Good,” she said briskly as the dance came to an end and Lord Fitzherbert began to lead Miss Mullins back towards them. “Should you ever have need to ask me anything, Lord Coventry, you will find me very honest indeed.”

Timothy did not respond but pushed that particular comment to the back of his mind, watching Miss Mullins intently as she came back towards them. To his surprise, she was looking up at Lord Fitzherbert intently, clearly listening to him speaking and, as they drew closer, he saw her smile. In that instant, his heart slammed into his chest as he saw her face transformed. Her eyes were bright, there was a touch of color in her cheeks, and her smile was quite wonderful. There came a sudden urge within him to make certain that he could make her smile like that also, but he pushed the feeling away almost at once. That was foolishness itself. He was there to meet his potential bride and to assess her suitability: that was all. He did not need to allow his emotions to become involved in any way, not when this was nothing more than a business arrangement that suited both himself and Lord Denholm.

“Miss Mullins,” he said as Lord Fitzherbert bowed towards her, taking his leave. “I must hope you have another dance free so that I might step out with you,” he said, only for Miss Mullins’ eyes to flare wide, looking at something—or someone—just behind him.

“Delilah!” The voice was hard and sharp. “Did I see you dancing? I did not think that—oh! Good...good evening, Lord Coventry.”

Timothy swung around and looked directly into the face of Lord Denholm. “I confess myself to be a little disappointed, Lord Denholm, if you do not intend to allow Miss Mullins to dance this evening,” he said, keeping his expression grave. “Is there some reason as to why