Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,35

not afraid of the gentleman’s conduct but rather more fearful for Miss Mullins and what such a threat would mean to her.

“I have no other choice,” the gentleman replied with a hoarseness to his voice that had not been there before. “The truth must come out. And you, young lady, must prepare yourself.”

“There is no need for that.”

Timothy could not believe his eyes as Lady Newfield marched forward, delivering a resounding slap to the gentleman before them.

“How dare you have one of your acquaintances waylay me?” she snapped, pointing one finger at the gentleman in question. “Pray, sir, what is your name?”

The man said nothing, the whites of his eyes a little more visible in the dim light.

“Do not fear,” Lady Newfield continued after a moment or two of silence. “It will not be of any particular difficulty to discover it, sir. And as for attempting to ruin my goddaughter, I will make certain that your name is spoken of with contempt should you even make any such remark regarding her.”

“I hardly think—” the gentleman began, but Lady Newfield cut him off at once.

“There are many things I could do and many things I could say, sir,” she interrupted sharply. “For everyone in the beau monde has secrets I am certain they would wish to hide from almost everyone within society.” Her voice dropped and she took a small step closer, pressing a finger into the gentleman’s chest. “Is that not so, sir?”

Timothy watched in awe as the gentleman said nothing, clearly struck dumb by both the audacity of Lady Newfield and the fear that what she said would, in fact, become true. It was quite apparent that this gentleman had a number of secrets that he would wish to hide from the ton and Lady Newfield’s threat was, evidently, something he could not expect to deal with adequately.

“I suggest, sir, that you go indoors again at once,” Lady Newfield said, stepping aside to let the gentleman pass. “I do not think there is any need for company at present.”

“I—I did not...” the gentleman began, only for him to lose his concentration and hurry forward, leaving Timothy, Lady Newfield, and Miss Mullins to stand alone together.

Lady Newfield was the first to speak, her voice low and yet filled with fervor.

“We must return together,” she said, emphasizing the last word. “I do not know that particular gentleman well, if at all, but I do not believe he will say anything to anyone. That being said,” she continued before either Timothy or Miss Mullins could protest, “you and I shall walk in together, Delilah, and Lord Coventry, you shall follow after.”

Miss Mullins nodded at once and dropped his arm, going to join Lady Newfield.

“I think a few things will need to be discussed with my godmother, Lord Coventry,” Miss Mullins said quietly, her voice disappearing into the gloom. “Might you call tomorrow?”

He did not hesitate. “But of course,” he answered quickly. “Tomorrow, I should be glad to call upon you, Miss Mullins.” A small, quick smile caught one side her mouth, illuminated by the moonlight, and Timothy felt some of his worries begin to fade.

“I thank you,” she said gently before turning to walk with Lady Newfield back into the ballroom, the picture of elegance and decorum. With a heavy sigh and one last look around the gardens, he walked in after them, his head held high but his nerves beginning to fray. Would the ton turn to look at him as one and demand to know what it was he had been doing with a particular young lady? Miss Mullins had enough resting on her shoulders for yet more to occur and he certainly did not want her to have to endure more than was required.

With a deep breath, Timothy stepped forward and moved back inside, feeling the enveloping sounds capture him completely. To his relief, no one turned to look and stare, no one made any remark that would bring him shame.

For the moment, it seemed, he was quite safe.

Chapter Seven

There was little doubt, Delilah realized, as she paced up and down her uncle’s drawing-room. Little doubt that someone was attempting to have all of society turn away from Lord Coventry so that he would be in complete and utter disgrace. Apparently, it was not enough for them that the beau monde should think of him as something of a fiend; they wanted him to be gone from London entirely.

But who had cause to do such a thing?

“Delilah!”

The sharp, harsh