Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,19
pulled from his mouth with a great effort as though he could barely find what to say. “I met her at the last ball we attended.”
“Indeed,” Timothy remarked dryly. “I recall you thinking her quite lovely if I recall correctly.”
A strangled noise came from Lord Holland’s lips as he shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts filling it.
“I myself have no particular feelings as yet,” Timothy continued, ignoring the strange surge of protectiveness that had come over him when Lord Denholm had spoken to his niece at the ball. “I only consider whether or not she is a suitable young lady and able to be the wife of an earl.”
“I—I am greatly astonished,” Lord Holland muttered, his eyes now searching Timothy’s face as though he expected him to be telling nothing more than falsehoods. “I did not think that you would be able to court a lady, never mind betroth yourself to her!”
A ripple of anger washed over Timothy, but he remained silent, knowing that his friend did not mean to speak so ill but that he was simply displaying his usual frankness.
“And her uncle has agreed, has he?” Lord Holland continued with wide eyes. “Have you had to pay him a great deal?”
Looking sharply at his friend, Timothy saw the gleam in his eye and knew that he could not hide the truth from him. “I have made a few arrangements, yes,” he said slowly as Lord Holland nodded sagely, as if he had quite expected this to be said. “But there is nothing of great consequence. I am not at all in financial hardship due to this marriage, if that is what you are implying.”
Shrugging, Lord Holland kept his eyes fixed to Timothy’s. “I should not expect you to be so, given the coffers that belong to you,” he said softly. “Just so long as you have not degraded yourself in any way to find a wife, Coventry. Surely a lady cannot be worth that!”
“She can if she is the only means by which I might be able to continue the family line!” Timothy retorted with a shake of his head. “You might very well be able to have such a lady within a moment or two’s consideration, but I, however, find myself in a very different situation altogether.” His voice was a little louder than he had intended and garnered him one or two dark looks from all about him.
Lord Holland held up both hands, looking at Timothy with a frown beginning to knit his brow.
“I did not mean to upset you,” he said, keeping his voice low. “I am sorry. I did not think.”
“No,” Timothy grated. “You did not.” Turning away, he let his breath out slowly, trying to regain his composure. Lord Holland was always ready to make light of this situation, to make what was difficult seem to be very easy indeed. He mocked and laughed when Timothy struggled and fought against the pain and the adversity that came with the false charge. For a moment, he considered if his friendship with Lord Holland was a suitable one, whether it brought him any benefits at all. Lord Holland was not an excellent friend, did not sympathize nor even attempt to understand. What use was a friend such as that?
“I think I shall fetch a little more champagne,” Lord Holland said, his voice a little cold. “Do excuse me, Coventry.”
Timothy closed his eyes in exasperation as Lord Holland stepped away, leaving him feeling irritated and upset. Lord Holland did not understand. How could he when he had never experienced the disgrace and the shame that came with this particular situation?
“Lord...Coventry?”
The quiet, hesitant voice told him at once who had come to greet him. Trying to push the frustration from his expression, he turned to his right and bowed. “Good evening, Miss Mullins. How very good to see you again.”
She did not blush nor even smile as she curtsied, looking up at him with that same tentative gaze that had been there the first time they had met.
“Good evening,” she murmured as Lady Newfield bobbed a quick curtsy. “Do you fare well this evening, Lord Coventry?”
He winced inwardly, wondering if she had witnessed any of the discussions between himself and Lord Holland. “I am a little downhearted, truth be told,” he found himself saying, even though he had never had any intention of speaking the truth to her. “But your presence has helped lift my spirits already, Miss Mullins.”