look so fearful,” Miss Jamieson said gently, as though she could see what Delilah was thinking. “I am quite determined to be your friend, Miss Mullins, and nothing that anyone might say shall push me from that path.”
A sudden small cough had Delilah turning at once to see none other than Lady Newfield standing a little behind her, looking at Miss Jamieson with an enquiring look on her face. She was studying the lady curiously but there was no immediate sense of dislike.
“Lady Newfield,” Delilah said quickly, “this is Miss Jamieson. Miss Jamieson, this is my godmother, Lady Newfield.”
Lady Newfield smiled as Miss Jamieson curtsied. “How very good to meet you, Miss Jamieson,” she said in a tone that was neither welcoming nor condemning. “And you are only just acquainted with my goddaughter?”
Miss Jamieson nodded. “I am,” she said, a slight pink in her cheeks. “I thought to introduce myself, which I know is most improper, but—”
“You are not, then, aligning yourself with the other young ladies who left this shop only a few minutes ago,” Lady Newfield interrupted, her eyes still searching Miss Jamieson’s face. “I heard some things from them that I will admit to being rather displeased about.”
Miss Jamieson held Lady Newfield’s gaze steadily. “I can assure you that I have no interest in mocking nor injuring your goddaughter, Lady Newfield.”
“Indeed, Lady Newfield, she has been offering her friendship,” Delilah said hastily, praying that her godmother would not judge the lady incorrectly. “I feel quite blessed.”
Lady Newfield studied Miss Jamieson for a short time and then smiled—much to Delilah’s relief.
“Then I look forward to furthering my acquaintance with you, Miss Jamieson,” she said, linking one hand through Delilah’s. “You must excuse us now, for I must take my goddaughter away. I confess I am quite fatigued after all that has been done this afternoon!”
Delilah smiled and excused herself, feeling her heart lift just a little as Miss Jamieson smiled and promised that she would see Delilah again very soon. Leaving the shop—with many parcels promised to be delivered to Lord Denholm’s house that very afternoon—Delilah let out a long breath as she and Lady Newfield climbed back into the carriage.
“You heard what some of the other ladies were saying, I suppose,” Delilah murmured as the carriage began to pull away. “Miss Jamieson was the only one who did not.”
“That must bring you a little joy,” Lady Newfield said, her eyes steady and her expression worried, with a furrowed brow and tightness about her mouth. “But I would advise you to be careful, Delilah.”
“Careful?” Delilah repeated, not understanding. “What can you mean?”
Lady Newfield’s lips twisted. “I mean to suggest that not everyone who comes to you seeking an acquaintance is true in their desire to befriend you, Delilah. Some might come to do so to mock or to tease. Some might do so to share with others what you say or do so that rumors and gossip might come all the more readily to society.”
Delilah hesitated, realizing what Lady Newfield meant. “I understand, godmother.”
“Then be careful and be wise,” Lady Newfield said softly. “It may be that Miss Jamieson is just as she appears and that you have nothing to concern yourself with. It may be that there is nothing about her that is ambiguous and that her eagerness to acquaint herself with you is nothing other than friendship and kindness.”
Delilah felt her spirits sink a little lower, the happiness that had been there only a moment or two ago already fading. “I understand, Lady Newfield.”
A sympathetic smile tugged the corners of Lady Newfield’s lips. “I do not mean to upset you, Delilah, only to remind you to be careful; that is all.” With a sigh, she sat back in her seat, her head resting. “Now, there is an evening assembly we are to attend today, yes?”
Delilah tried to remember, her brow a little furrowed. “Yes, Lady Newfield, I believe so.”
“And if Miss Jamieson is there, then, by all means, speak to her and spend time in her company,” Lady Newfield continued with a wave of her hand. “But do not express to her anything personal, anything of deep emotion that is within your heart. Not until the acquaintance has been a little more firmly established.”
Delilah nodded, biting her lip and wondering if perhaps, through all of this, she had betrayed a little more foolishness than she had first realized. Was society truly as cruel and as disingenuous as Lady Newfield suggested? Or was there a chance that