Wed in Disgrace by Rose Pearson

Author:Rose Pearson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2020-03-30T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Good evening, Miss Mullins.”

Delilah smiled and curtsied quickly, feeling a good deal more anxious than she had expected. This evening was to be her opportunity to have an introduction to one or both of the gentlemen in question. Lady Newfield had, somehow, managed to discover that both of them were invited to Lord Higginson’s evening soiree, although Lord Coventry had not received any such invitation.

Lady Newfield came close to Delilah after greeting their host, looking around the room and putting a smile on her face that Delilah knew hid a good deal.

“I should not rush to seek any introduction,” she said slowly, speaking quietly so that no one could overhear her. “Do not make yourself too obvious.”

Delilah nodded, spying Miss Jamieson in the corner of the room. “I shall speak to Miss Jamieson, then,” she murmured as Lady Newfield nodded. “We have not told her as yet what we intend.”

“And I would not do so,” Lady Newfield warned. “It would be prudent to ensure that only the three of us are aware of our intentions.”

Delilah hesitated. “I am sure that Miss Jamieson does not think ill of Lord Coventry,” she told Lady Newfield. “Indeed, she came to seek me out precisely so that she might tell me that she did not think poorly of either himself or me.” She shrugged. “Besides which,” she continued, a little self-consciously, “she is my friend.”

Lady Newfield did not smile nor even pat Delilah’s arm in sympathetic understanding as Delilah had feared she might. Instead, she gave Delilah a considered look and then nodded.

“Then the decision is yours,” she said without hesitation. “If you trust Miss Jamieson, then do what you think is right. I shall not judge you either way.”

Gratified, Delilah walked gracefully across the room, seeing how Miss Jamieson smiled in recognition, and excused herself from her conversation to greet her.

“Good evening, Miss Jamieson,” Delilah began. “Are you enjoying the soiree thus far?”

Miss Jamieson rolled her eyes, a teasing smile on her face. “The company and conversation have been a little lacking, I confess,” she said with a shake of her head, “but they are much improved now that you have arrived.” Glancing around her, she leaned forward in a conspiratorial fashion. “I do hope the singing and the performances on the pianoforte this evening will lift our spirits, although given some of the young ladies that are present, I fear that it may not be as wonderful as I hope!”

Delilah laughed. “I must only pray that they do not ask me, for then I am certain I should fall short of your expectations!”

“Nonsense!” Miss Jamieson declared, laughing. “I am certain that you play very well, indeed, Miss Mullins.”

Delilah, who had been well-schooled in playing the pianoforte but who also shied away from even the thought of playing for an audience, suppressed a shudder. “I do not think that I should like to perform this evening,” she answered as Miss Jamieson smiled her agreement. “There are a good many guests and the

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