Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,50

frustration.”

Timothy had not noticed the loud exclamations until now, but turning his head, he saw Lord Parrington attempting to pull Lady Parrington away from where the crowd of onlookers currently watched.

“Is it not interesting?” Miss Mullins murmured as they began to walk again, a little more quickly.

“What caught your interest?” he asked, feeling his heart fill with gladness as he realized he now walked alongside his betrothed. “Something to do with Lady Parrington?”

“Indeed,” she answered, her hands tight on his arm. “Lady Parrington spoke a great deal, did she not?”

Lady Newfield nodded. “She did.”

“But Lord Parrington said not a word,” Miss Mullins mused quietly. “In fact, when he attempted to help her, she cast him aside, did she not?”

“That is true,” he agreed, beginning to question everything he had once known about Lady Parrington. “A good observation, Miss Mullins.”

“One that would be worth considering further,” Lady Newfield said before they began to slowly wind their way back towards the carriage.

This, Timothy thought to himself, a smile lingering on his lips, had been a most interesting—and wonderful—afternoon.

Chapter Ten

Taking in a deep breath, Delilah lifted her chin and tried to smile as she stepped inside the ballroom, knowing that by now, news of her engagement was known to all contained within. Gossip had spread all across London in what had felt like a matter of minutes, and by the evening, her uncle had come to dinner to inform her that he had heard of her engagement and, whilst he was pleased to know of it, he was frustrated that she had not told him herself.

There had been a day now for the news to continue all around London and stepping in front of the ton, Delilah knew that everyone would be interested in her attendance this evening. They would look at her and know precisely who she was and who she was engaged to, and if they did not, then someone would inform them almost at once.

Her cheeks grew hot as she heard a whisper from someone near to her, but with an effort, Delilah kept herself facing straight ahead, refusing to look at the person speaking.

“Lord Coventry will be here with you very soon,” Lady Newfield murmured, walking alongside Delilah as they progressed through the room. “And Lord Robertson is also expected to be here this evening.”

Delilah nodded, seeing a small gap amongst the guests and making her way towards it, hoping that she might be able to hide herself away in the shadows for a short time. Lady Newfield went with her and within a few minutes, Delilah no longer felt as though she were the sole object of attention within the room. Letting out a long breath that she had not even known she had been holding, Delilah felt a weakness climb all through her and sat down heavily in an available chair.

“You did very well,” Lady Newfield murmured as the conversations around her continued in earnest. “I am sure Lord Coventry will be with us soon.”

“No doubt his presence will bring a good deal more attention to me,” Delilah replied, a little despairingly. She had prepared herself as best she could for this evening, had tried to find the very same courage that had filled her when she had spoken to Lady Parrington. Whilst she had been able to walk across the floor without stumbling, without looking about, and without showing any visible signs of embarrassment, inwardly, she had been deeply anxious and afraid.

“It will,” Lady Newfield agreed, speaking candidly. “But you must prepare yourself for this. I do not think that the rumors and gossip will even begin to abate until you are wed.”

Delilah nodded but said nothing, feeling her heart quake just a little within her as she tried to tell herself that she would manage to do all that was required of her so long as she had Lord Coventry and Lady Newfield by her side.

“At least my uncle is happy,” she muttered as Lady Newfield’s brows knitted together. “He spoke to me last evening.”

“He has not hurt you again, I hope?” Lady Newfield began, but Delilah quickly shook her head.

“I do not think he dares, given what Lord Coventry threatened,” she said, a little wryly. “Not that Lord Coventry would not marry me, of course, but rather that my uncle would not gain all that he had been promised.”

Lady Newfield sank into a chair, her eyes searching Delilah’s face—to the point that Delilah felt as though her godmother was looking into her very soul.

“You