Wed in Disgrace (Convenient Arrangements #3) - Rose Pearson Page 0,6

that such a thing is necessary at this time.”

Lady Newfield let out a huff of breath. “Do not be so foolish, Denholm,” she said abruptly, gesturing furiously. “If she is to meet the gentleman tomorrow at the ball, then why should you not give her his name at present?”

Lord Denholm drew himself up. “I do not think that this is any of your business, Lady Newfield,” he said with great dignity. “After all, you—”

“I am to be accompanying Delilah through the Season, as you well know,” Lady Newfield interrupted, her voice ringing out across the room. “Given that she has no mother to guide her, as well as the fact that you have no real interest in doing anything other than marrying her off to whomever you have chosen, you can, at the very least, inform the girl as to who her husband will be!”

Lord Denholm gritted his teeth, anger burning in his eyes, and Delilah felt herself shrink away, daring to look at Lady Newfield and expecting her to be doing the same as she.

However, Lady Newfield’s back was straight, head up and her gaze fixed to Lord Denholm. Her eyes were blazing, her chin lifted and her hands tight on the arms of the chair. It was clear that she had no fear when it came to Lord Denholm and that, Delilah realized, was the sort of courage she wished she could have.

“I do not think it necessary,” Lord Denholm snapped, his eyes hard. “But given that your godmother insists...” The word was spoken with venom and Delilah felt herself shudder, hating the feeling that came with it. “I shall do what she has asked.”

“Good,” Lady Newfield retorted, sitting back in her chair a little more. “It is the very least that your niece deserves.”

Even when she had gained what she had wanted, Lady Newfield did not remain silent. She had every intention of showing Lord Denholm that she was not someone who would hide from him and remain silent and obedient as he hoped. Delilah herself kept quiet, finding it difficult enough to look directly into her uncle’s face but forcing herself to do so regardless.

“An arrangement has been made with a gentleman of the ton,” Lord Denholm said with a tight smile that looked almost like a snarl. “He does not require a great dowry—which is just as well given that you have very little.”

Delilah closed her eyes for a moment, a shudder running through her. She knew that she had once had an excellent dowry, and certainly did not think that her father would have removed it from her before he had passed away. Which meant, as far as she was concerned, that her uncle had taken some of it for himself, reducing her value significantly.

“The gentleman is an earl, with excellent connections, a good amount of wealth, and an eagerness to ensure that his family line continues,” Lord Denholm finished as though this should satisfy Delilah’s curiosity. “You will give him what he desires.”

“And in return, you are to gain something from him, I suppose,” Lady Newfield said sharply. “Might I ask what it is?”

Lord Denholm’s eyes glittered. “There is nothing that I am to gain,” he snapped, although Delilah was certain he did not tell the truth. “The gentleman is to meet you for the first time tomorrow evening, and all shall go from there.”

“Might I ask what that entails?” Delilah found herself asking, her breathing a little tight as she tried to speak to her uncle without fear. “Do you expect us to become engaged immediately?”

Her uncle opened his mouth but glanced at Lady Newfield before closing it again. When he finally spoke, it was with consideration.

“I should prefer it to be at once,” he said, his lip curling. “But Lady Newfield insists that there is a short time of courtship beforehand, and thus, I have agreed.”

Delilah frowned, wondering what it was that had Lady Newfield speaking so openly and being able to demand so much from Lord Denholm. Yes, she had a very strong presence indeed, but that could not be all that was pushing Lord Denholm to do as she requested.

“The name of this gentleman, Lord Denholm?” Again, Lady Newfield’s voice was filled with authority, and Lord Denholm frowned harder than before, his brows knotting into a dark line.

“Very well, Lady Newfield!” he grated. “It is the Earl of Coventry.”

This name meant nothing to Delilah, but to Lady Newfield, it evidently meant a great deal. She clutched at her heart,