Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,16

in her face and mock her for being so ridiculous?

“You need not fear,” the lady said, her tone a little more gentle now. “I am not about to tease you. I am sorry for what my acquaintances said.”

“You—you are Miss Jamieson?” Delilah asked tentatively. She watched the surprise fling itself into the girl’s expression, only for understanding to push it aside.

“I am,” she said with a small curtsy. “You overheard my acquaintances call me so, I presume.” Seeing Delilah nod, she gave a small smile, which lit up her green eyes and took some of the firmness from her expression. “Then you should know that I have no ill will towards you.”

Delilah pressed her lips together, trying to keep her composure, having only just realized just how quickly her heart was pounding. “Might I ask how you recognized me?”

Miss Jamieson laughed—a light, tinkling sound that stole more of Delilah’s fear. “I saw you as we came into the shop,” she said by way of explanation. “However, the moment Lord Coventry was mentioned, I noticed how you stilled. Indeed, you did not move even a little during the entire conversation!” She lifted one shoulder. “I had an inkling that, even if you were not the lady who had danced with Lord Coventry, you were acquainted with her.”

“And now my lack of denial has convinced you that I am that particular lady,” Delilah finished, feeling foolish. “Yes, I will confess that I danced and conversed with Lord Coventry.”

“Then I shall not judge you for it,” Miss Jamieson replied with a warm smile that lifted Delilah’s spirits a little. “I wanted to remain to make certain that, if you were that particular young lady, that you would not allow any guilt or shame to continue to linger.” Her smile faded and her brows began to knit together. “My acquaintances are not particularly kind. They frequently pass judgment over those they deem to have failed in even the smallest way.”

Delilah tried to smile. “You are very kind to speak to me so.”

“I should not want you to feel any lingering pain,” Miss Jamieson replied as though it was to be expected. “And I do not think that, for my own sake, I shall be in their company much anymore.” She gestured to the door, a small yet rueful smile pulling at her lips. “Can you not see? I do not think they are even aware that I am no longer with them!”

This brought a broad smile to Delilah’s lips and Miss Jamieson chuckled.

“I can imagine that you might be looking for a few new acquaintances, Miss...?” She cast Delilah a questioning look.

“Miss Mullins,” Delilah said quickly, realizing they had not been properly introduced. “And I will confess the truth to you—which is that I have no acquaintances whatsoever. I am only just arrived in London.”

This seemed to delight Miss Jamieson, for she beamed at Delilah as though she had given her the most wonderful news. “Excellent!” she declared firmly. “Then, I shall be your closest acquaintance in all of London, should you permit me!”

Delilah smiled—then hesitated. “I—I shall be in the company of Lord Coventry at times, however,” she said, wondering if his nearness to her would push Miss Jamieson away. “I understand that you are very kind in considering me to be quite innocent when it comes to the company I choose, but he is—”

Miss Jamieson waved a hand in an impatient gesture. “I have heard about Lord Coventry, of course,” she said with a frown. “I do not know what to believe, truth be told, for one gentleman says one thing whilst the other says something entirely different!” Her frown began to ease. “Therefore, I have decided to pass judgment on neither of them, unlike most in society.”

“But your other acquaintances,” Delilah protested, a little afraid that Miss Jamieson herself would do damage to her reputation merely by being in her company. “What will they think of you?”

Miss Jamieson considered this for a moment and then shrugged. “I think very little of their views, Miss Mullins,” she declared firmly. “Therefore, I do not think I can align myself with them any longer.” Her brow furrowed. “Ladies who ignore kindness and turn, instead, to spite and cruelty, are not, in fact, the sort of acquaintances I wish to have.”

Delilah hesitated, feeling herself joyous at this declaration, feeling as though she might have a friend to come alongside her, yet fearing that Miss Jamieson herself might face severe consequences for befriending her.

“Please, do not