Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,26

we—”

“Can it be Lord Coventry?”

The harsh, arrogant sound of Lady Parrington’s voice cut through their conversation, and Delilah saw Lord Coventry startle. Slowly, his eyes turned towards the lady, his face paling as he quickly bowed.

“Good afternoon, Lady Parrington,” he said, his voice low and filled with a gravity that sent a chill rushing through Delilah’s frame. “I did not know you were in London.”

“I have been in London for some weeks,” Lady Parrington replied, not curtsying towards him as she ought. “My husband brought me here so that we might enjoy the Season together.”

Lord Coventry flinched but replied quickly. “I do hope that you have an enjoyable time, Lady Parrington. There have been some wonderful occasions thus far.”

Delilah watched Lady Parrington smile cruelly, her eyes glinting as she looked directly at Lord Coventry, seeming to be enjoying his tension and awkwardness. Her own hands began to curl into fists. Finding herself wishing that she could say something—anything—that might help Lord Coventry in some way.

Instead, she remained silent.

“My husband was at the evening assembly last night,” Lady Parrington cooed with a wave of her hand. “You did not see him?”

Lord Coventry frowned hard, his eyes flint, his lips pulled into a taut line. His expression suddenly appeared angry, as though he suspected Lady Parrington of something but could not quite work out whether or not it was as he thought. “I did not,” he said slowly, searching Lady Parrington’s face. “I was otherwise engaged for the majority of the evening.” He took a small step forward and Lady Parrington, Delilah was pleased to note, lost something of her arrogant smile and began to look a trifle uncertain.

“Perhaps you already knew that I was otherwise engaged, Lady Parrington,” Lord Coventry continued, making Delilah frown as she tried to understand what he meant. “Were you also present last evening?”

Lady Parrington lifted her chin and looked directly up into Lord Coventry’s face. “I was not,” she said firmly. “Unfortunately, I had something of a headache and was forced to remain at home.”

There then came a short silence as Lord Coventry watched the lady for some moments, with Lady Parrington looking up at him with a haughty expression, her eyes glinting. Delilah did not know what to say, did not know what to do, for she found the conversation to be odd indeed. What was Lord Coventry trying to do? Was there something he was trying to suggest that only Lady Parrington knew about?

“If you will excuse me.” Lady Parrington arched one eyebrow and waited until Lord Coventry stepped aside. She looked up at him, reaching out to put one hand on his upper arm. Delilah felt something inside her twist as Lady Parrington did so, seeing the way Lord Coventry’s face reddened, how his eyes seemed to lose some of their anger as he looked down into Lady Parrington’s face.

She could still have an effect on him, it seemed.

“I do not think there will be much need for us to converse often, Lord Coventry,” Lady Parrington murmured, her voice smooth as silk but her words biting and cruel. “In fact, there is very little reason at all for any of us to be in each other’s company again.” Her smile was tight, her eyes a little narrowed. “Good afternoon, Lord Coventry.”

It took a moment for Lord Coventry to reply, but when he did, his voice was harsh and grating. “Good afternoon, Lady Parrington.” Delilah watched his expression change yet again, his brows furrowing all the more, his eyes fastened to Lady Parrington as she walked away from them. Now he seemed confused—and perhaps, she feared, even a little upset. Was he disappointed with the meeting? Or happy that there had been a conversation with the lady he had once seemingly adored?

Lady Newfield was the first to speak.

“A somewhat unpleasant encounter, Lord Coventry?” she murmured, snapping Lord Coventry’s attention back towards her and away, at last, from Lady Parrington. “Or were you glad to see her again?”

It was the very question that Delilah herself had wanted to ask. Her hands twisted together in front of her as she waited for Lord Coventry to respond, her heart beating so loudly that she feared he would be able to hear her.

“An encounter I was not expecting, Lady Newfield,” Lord Coventry replied with an ease of manner that Delilah had not anticipated. “I have not seen the lady since last Season and I certainly was unaware that she was—” He stopped and gave a small shake of