No doubt, in not returning to her, she would think all the worse of him. It would not be his impression of her that now mattered, but her impression of him—especially given that they were now meant to be courting rather than immediately becoming engaged!
“What has happened to this fellow?”
Timothy closed his eyes tightly, hearing the brusque voice of their host, Lord Fotheringham.
“I believe,” he heard another voice say, the voice filled with a gravity that seemed to spread to every corner of the room, “that someone has deliberately and viciously attacked Lord Robertson. But as yet, Lord Fotheringham, we do not know who has done this terrible thing.”
There came a pronounced silence and Timothy shivered involuntarily. Should he be discovered, then the blame for Lord Robertson’s attack would land squarely on his shoulders. Perhaps that was precisely what had been intended.
“Then let us hope that we soon discover the culprit,” Lord Fotheringham grated. “Once Lord Robertson has roused, have a footman alert me at once. I must ensure that my guest is returned home as well as he can be.” There came a moment of silence. “And I do not want any of this to be mentioned to another living soul!” he declared, his voice rising just a little. “Lord Hewlett? Should there be a mention of this to anyone, should I hear a single rumor of what occurred, then I will know precisely where it came from!”
His eyes still closed, Timothy felt a shudder run down his spine. This was a very grave matter indeed.
Chapter Five
Delilah flushed as a lady glanced first at her and then at Miss Jamieson before turning her head away, making to ignore her. Her companion, however, smiled slightly as they passed, removing the threat of the cut direct.
“You should not be out walking with me, Miss Jamieson,” Delilah said helplessly. “I can see that your reputation will be damaged merely by being in my company.”
Miss Jamieson, however, merely laughed and linked arms with Delilah as Lady Newfield walked a little behind. “I care nothing for such a thing,” she said with alacrity. “And I am quite certain that the gentleman I am to marry cares naught for such things either.”
Delilah blinked rapidly, turning her head to look hard at Miss Jamieson. “You—you are engaged?” she said slowly. “I did not know.”
Miss Jamieson shrugged. “We have been betrothed since infancy. I find him a very suitable match indeed, for he has an excellent title and is quite handsome. Although, I confess that his kind manner and generosity of spirit are what makes me so contented with the arrangement.”
Wishing that she could say the very same, Delilah tried her best to smile. “Then I am very glad for you.”
“He is back at his estate, and we will wed by summer’s end,” Miss Jamieson continued, with a small smile. “I am only in London to purchase all I shall need for my trousseau—and, of course, to enjoy what I can of the Season.” She smiled at Delilah. “My mother and younger sister are equally pleased for the opportunity to be present, of course.”
Delilah, who had met both of the ladies earlier, nodded in understanding. “Did you enjoy the evening assembly last night?”
Miss Jamieson nodded. “I did, very much,” she said, looking at Delilah with a sudden curiosity in her eyes. “Lord Coventry was present also, I saw, although he did not linger for long.”
Her heart twisted in her chest as Delilah looked away from her friend. “Indeed, he did not,” she admitted, not wanting to speak of the pain that had lanced her heart when she had realized that Lord Coventry was not about to return.
“But I noticed that he made a particular effort to speak to you, Miss Mullins,” Miss Jamieson continued with a warm smile. “Do you think he has an interest in you?”
Delilah did not know what to say. Miss Jamieson had revealed so much to her already when they were not particularly well acquainted. Did that mean that she was required to do the same?
“I think,” Delilah began, as Miss Jamieson looked at her with great interest, “that yes, there is a particular interest there, Miss Jamieson. It comes from my uncle’s eagerness to push me towards him.”
Miss Jamieson’s eyes flared. “Goodness.”
“I confess that I was not aware of his reputation before this Season,” Delilah said slowly. “Lord Chesterton, was it not?”
“Indeed,” Miss Jamieson muttered with a shake of her head. “His sister was very much endeared towards Lord Coventry, from what I have heard. However, Lord Chesterton would not allow it. He had the lady’s husband already chosen and agreed upon, despite his sister’s protests.”
Frowning, Delilah shook her head. “That does not seem particularly reasonable,” Delilah replied softly, “but I can well understand that this is the way of things.”
Miss Jamieson gave her a sympathetic smile. “Indeed,” she said with a small sigh. “It is. The lady is now married and settled and all is at an end.”
“And is Lord Chesterton present in London this Season?” Delilah could not help but ask. “Is his sister?”
“The Marquess and Marchioness Parrington are in London, yes,” Miss Jamieson replied, with a twinkle in her eye. “And Lord Chesterton is also present, yes. I saw him at the assembly last evening.”
A little surprised, Delilah lifted an eyebrow, only to realize that she did not know what Lord Chesterton looked like in any way, and thus, there was no reason for her astonishment. “I did not perhaps expect him to be at the same occasion as Lord Coventry.”
Miss Jamieson let out a laugh. “I am sure that he did not expect Lord Coventry to be present!” she replied, making Delilah look at her in surprise. “Lord Coventry is in disgrace with quite a number of people within society—to the point that one might expect him to be entirely removed from all that the beau monde did.”
“But it is not so,” Lady Newfield chimed in, from behind them. “Some believe his word and trust what they knew of his character, and thus he has not been thrown from society’s good graces as perhaps Lord Chesterton expected.”
Delilah frowned to herself, recalling last evening’s embarrassment. When Lord Coventry had not returned to take her to the dance floor, she had felt nothing more than shame and mortification, wanting to drop through the floor. Even though no one else had known of the expectation, she had felt the sting of his rebuffing for the rest of the evening. She knew nothing of Lord Coventry’s character, of course, and thus could not decide whether or not he was guilty of such a crime.
“Good afternoon, Miss Jamieson.”
Delilah stopped dead, only just realizing that she had fallen a few steps behind her friend as she had considered what had been said. Miss Jamieson was now being greeted by a very fine young lady indeed. There was a haughtiness in her expression that immediately pushed Delilah away, and she deliberately held herself back, not quite certain what she ought to do.
“Good afternoon, Lady Parrington,” Miss Jamieson said easily, sending a sudden chill through Delilah. “How good to see you again.”
“And you,” Delilah heard Lady Parrington say. “Might I also introduce my acquaintance, Lady Fenella.”