Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,53

indeed if you would do so,” she agreed, taking a few steps back so that she now stood near to the wall rather than near to Lord Coventry. “I will remain here.”

Miss Jamieson smiled and then turned on her heel to walk back towards Lady Parrington and Lord Coventry. Delilah twisted her fingers together as she watched, praying that her friend would succeed so that Lord Coventry could come to join them. She needed his help to find Lady Newfield. The fact that she still could not find the lady made her afraid, for she could not understand why she had simply disappeared.

“Good evening, Miss Mullins.” A gentleman bowed before her. “Lord Chesterton. Just in case you do not recall my name.”

She frowned. “Good evening.” Her brow furrowed as she tried to recall whether or not she had ever been introduced to this particular gentleman before. She did not think that she had, but he spoke with such an ease of manner that it came across as though they had spoken previously and perhaps at great length. However, given how much Lord Coventry had spoken of Lord Chesterton, Delilah knew precisely who she was now speaking to. “If you are looking for your sister, then I am glad to inform you that she is speaking with Lord Coventry.” She gestured towards them but Lord Chesterton did not so much as glance at them.

“Lady Newfield took ill whilst you were showing off on the dance floor with Lord Robertson,” he said, a small, dark smile pulling at one side of his mouth. “I thought it best to come and inform you at once.”

Delilah’s frown remained, and whilst she was a little worried now about what had happened to Lady Newfield, a large part of her remained entirely wary. What was Lord Chesterton now trying to do? Attempting to have her go in search of Lady Newfield, only to be pulled into a trap? The same had been done to Lord Coventry, and therefore, Delilah did not immediately believe Lord Chesterton.

“That is unfortunate,” she said, letting out a sigh. “Where did she go to rest?”

Lord Chesterton shrugged. “I believe she wanted to return home and is now waiting for you in her carriage,” he said as Delilah continued to nod as though she believed every word. “You should go to her just as soon as you can.”

“I shall go once I am ready,” Delilah replied easily. “But I thank you for coming to speak to me of her whereabouts, Lord Chesterton. That is very good of you.”

For a moment, Lord Chesterton stared back at Delilah, his brow furrowing and his jaw working furiously as though he wanted to say something more to her, wanted to get her to hurry after Lady Newfield at once. But Delilah remained precisely where she was, her heart pounding and her stomach tight as she looked back into Lord Chesterton’s face, refusing to do what he expected her to do.

“But of course,” Lord Chesterton muttered eventually, lowering his head in a small bow before turning away from her. Delilah watched him leave, her heart beating much too quickly and her mind clouded with fear as to what had occurred to Lady Newfield. But still, she waited, feeling her instincts tell her to remain precisely where she was, to fight against the urge to follow after Lord Chesterton and go directly to the carriage where Lady Newfield was supposedly waiting.

Her lip caught between her teeth as she saw Lady Parrington throw her head back and laugh, although the sound was not a welcome one. Miss Jamieson stood stiffly, but after a moment, Delilah saw her bob a curtsy and turn away from the lady—and with her came Lord Coventry. Lady Parrington turned her head to watch them leave, finally catching Delilah’s eyes. She smirked, but Delilah lifted her chin and glared back at the lady, refusing to be cowed in any way. It took some moments but, eventually, Lady Parrington turned her head away again and then made her way towards the crowd of guests.

“Miss Mullins.” Lord Coventry was at her side in moments, his hands reaching out for hers. “I have tried to come to your side more than once this evening but have been prevented by first Lord Robertson—who simply would not stop speaking to me—and then by Lady Parrington, as you have now seen.” He squeezed her fingers but let them go. “You did not come to speak to the lady, Miss Mullins. That was