Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,58
out with me, but we could not find you anywhere.”
Timothy frowned. “And you returned to the ball through the front door?”
Lady Newfield shook her head, her face filling with color. “I foolishly believed the lady when she suggested you might have gone through the servants' entrance not to make a scene upon your return. Truly, my dear girl, I am not usually as thoughtless as this, but I was very frantic indeed to find you again.”
Miss Mullins smiled gently and took Lady Newfield’s hands again. “I am quite all right, as you can see.”
“And so you returned to the ballroom another way,” Timothy said, wanting to make certain he understood everything. “Might I ask where this lady and gentlemen went thereafter?”
Lady Newfield waved a hand impatiently. “They told me they would speak to Lord Robertson, who had been with you when you had collapsed, although they were not sure where he was at present,” she said. “I was so very upset that I said I would wait by the door to make certain he would not depart without my being aware of him.”
“And now here we are,” Miss Mullins finished with a wry smile. “It appears that the intention to throw guilt all over my shoulders has been thoroughly shattered.”
“Thanks to your wisdom,” Timothy told her, seeing how Lady Newfield squeezed her goddaughter’s hand. “You knew not to follow Lord Chesterton when he told you of Lady Newfield’s supposed illness. I do not think that he expected you to be so wise, Miss Mullins.”
Lady Newfield drew in a shuddering breath, her shoulders settling. “I am so very grateful to you all,” she said, looking at Miss Jamieson and then to Timothy himself. “I behaved in a foolish manner whilst you all appear to have behaved with great purpose and consideration.” She looked at her goddaughter, tears swimming in her eyes. “I am very relieved, indeed.”
Timothy took in a long breath, looking all about the ballroom and finding himself deeply frustrated. He could attempt to seek out Lord Chesterton this evening, to throw the weight of his accusations upon the man’s shoulders—but there would not be any real opportunity to discuss the matter in its entirety. He would need Lady Parrington to be present also, and even, mayhap, Lady Fenella. This evening did not seem to be the best time for him to do so, despite his urgency.
“I think,” he said as Miss Mullins turned to him, “that it might be best to consider all that has happened and find a way to speak to Lord Chesterton and Lady Parrington without distraction.”
Miss Mullins’ expression fell.
“I should like to do so this evening, but I do not think it wise,” he said honestly. “I have an idea as to how to make the arrangements so that they are all present. Have no fear, Miss Mullins. Within a few days, we shall be able to find out precisely what has been going on and why Lord Chesterton has been so eager to punish me in this way.” Looking at Miss Jamieson, he smiled. “Might we be able to arrange the visit at your father’s townhouse?” he asked, seeing how her brows rose, her eyes widening just a fraction. “I believe, Miss Jamieson, that they will attend you without hesitation. Whereas, if any of us were to do so, the invitation would be thoroughly ignored.”
Miss Jamieson nodded, her hands held tightly in front of her, her fingers threaded together. “I shall make the arrangements this evening, once I return,” she said firmly. “Shall we say in two days’ time?”
He nodded as Miss Mullins and Lady Newfield did the same. “Two days,” he repeated, his breath easing out of his chest as a new resolve filled him. “And then, finally, all shall be made known.”
Chapter Twelve
“Miss Mullins.”
Reaching out to take her hand, Timothy felt his heart quicken, aware of just how much he owed her, how much he had come to care for her. Her nearness brought fresh joy to his heart despite the difficult circumstances.
“Good afternoon, Lord Coventry,” she said as Lady Newfield eased the door closed behind them, having been shown in only moments before by an anxious-looking Miss Jamieson. “You are prepared for this meeting, I hope?”
Seeing how Lady Newfield had wandered to the window and was now steadfastly looking out at the street below, Timothy gave in to his urgings and pulled Miss Mullins closer, his arms about her waist. She fell lightly against his chest, clearly a little surprised at