Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,54

wise.” Wincing as though the words that had been flung at him by Lady Parrington had left jagged wounds all over him, he continued, “She is still displeased that we are to wed.”

“Because she wanted you to have a life of solitude?” Miss Jamieson asked, looking a little confused as she glanced from Lord Coventry to Delilah and back again. “She was not satisfied with you merely being viewed as unworthy by the majority of the ton?”

“It would seem that she was not,” Delilah answered with a shake of her head. “She is quite determined to bring you down to the depths, Lord Coventry, in any way she can.”

Lord Coventry shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment. “It is as though I never knew her,” he said as though speaking entirely to himself. “It is very strange to now think of the lady in question as the one I once cared for so very much.”

Something about what he said made Delilah’s heart drop to the floor and then hit her back hard in the chest. She did not know what to say for a moment, wanting to tell Lord Coventry that she was very glad to hear him speak in such a way and yet, at the same time, finding it very difficult to form the words that were required.

“And now we have the worry regarding Lady Newfield,” Miss Jamieson added when no one spoke. Turning to Delilah, she frowned. “I saw Lord Chesterton speak to you also. Did he say something about her?”

Lord Coventry frowned, looking back at Delilah with a worried gaze. “Do you mean to say that there is something wrong with Lady Newfield?” he asked, frowning. “Where is she?”

“I—I do not know,” Delilah answered truthfully. “I have been looking for her ever since my dance with Lord Robertson. When I returned to where she was meant to be, I found that she was gone.” Her heart began to quicken with a sense of panic, but she fought it. “Lord Chesterton came to speak to me, however.”

“Lord Chesterton?” Lord Coventry said sharply, his brow furrowing all the more. “Why was he—?”

Delilah put a hand on his arm. “He came to inform me that Lady Newfield has taken ill,” she said by way of explanation. “And that she is has gone to her carriage to return home. I am apparently requested to join her.”

“Then you must go!” Miss Jamieson exclaimed, but Delilah shook her head.

“No, Miss Jamieson, I must be on my guard,” she said, trying to explain without stating too much about what she suspected. “Recall that Lord Chesterton has already attempted to harm Lord Coventry by claiming that he injured him without cause.” She lifted one shoulder. “And his sister, Lady Parrington, does not want Lord Coventry to have any joy.” Briefly, she told Miss Jamieson about the very strong reaction that had come from Lady Parrington when she had first heard of Lord Coventry’s engagement. Miss Jamieson’s eyes widened and her cheeks paled just a little.

“So,” Miss Jamieson said slowly, “you believe, therefore, that something untoward might occur if you go in search of Lady Newfield alone?”

Delilah nodded. “That is it precisely, Miss Jamieson,” she said as Lord Coventry reached out to touch Delilah’s fingers with his own, his expression grave. “I did not want to go with Lord Chesterton to find Lady Newfield, only to discover that it was not as he said.”

“You are being cautious,” Lord Coventry muttered, rubbing one hand over his eyes. “That is wise, Miss Mullins. Although, I should inform you that I spoke at length to Lord Robertson earlier this evening.” His hand dropped to his side, and he looked at her steadily. “He informed me of the name of the lady he had been intending to see the night of the great assembly.” Delilah saw his eyes slide towards Miss Jamieson before returning to her, clearly a little uncertain as to whether or not he should say more in front of the lady.

“Please,” Delilah said, a little breathlessly. “Who was it?”

Miss Jamieson looked confused, putting a hand on Delilah’s arm. “Is there something wrong?” she asked as Delilah continued to look up into Lord Coventry’s face. “I do not feel as though I understand all that is going on.”

Lord Coventry held Delilah’s gaze and did not answer Miss Jamieson. “It was Lady Fenella.”

Delilah caught her breath, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes widened. “Can it be?” she whispered, not understanding in the