Blinking rapidly, Delilah made to turn away, made to speak to her godmother so that she would not interrupt this meeting, only to hear her name mentioned by Miss Jamieson.
“I have a new acquaintance also,” Miss Jamieson continued, quickly. “Might I present Miss Delilah Mullins? Niece to the Earl of Denholm.”
Delilah curtsied quickly, seeing the slight curl of the lady’s lip as she watched with sharp eyes as though deciding whether or not it was suitable.
“Miss Mullins, this is Lady Parrington, married to the Marquess of Parrington. And Lady Fenella.” There was a slight awkwardness in Miss Jamieson’s expression at the introduction, realizing that Lady Parrington had not properly introduced her acquaintance. Delilah saw Lady Fenella curtsy but look away, clearly used to having Lady Parrington garner most of the attention.
“How very good to meet you both,” Delilah found herself saying before quickly introducing Lady Newfield. It came as no surprise to her that her godmother did not shy away from the Lady Parrington’s supercilious expression but arched one eyebrow and looked at her steadily. Lady Parrington’s tight expression lingered but she turned her eyes away from Lady Newfield as though she could not bear to look at her any longer.
Was this the lady that Lord Coventry had thought to marry? What was it about her that had drawn Lord Coventry to her? From what she could see, it did not look as though Lady Parrington had any warmth whatsoever.
“How long have you been in town?” she asked with as much politeness as she could. “And are you enjoying the Season so far?”
Lady Parrington’s expression grew pained as though she disliked the question and now found it a great ordeal to answer it. “It is satisfactory,” she answered, turning her face away from Delilah. “I presume you are taking every opportunity to enjoy the Season, however.” Her smile was a little twisted. “You have no need to do so, of course, Miss Jamieson, given that you are already engaged.”
Delilah did not know what to say, finding the lady’s condescension very rude indeed, but at the same time, finding herself intimidated by it. She looked helplessly at Lady Newfield but the lady in question was doing nothing other than glaring at Lady Parrington, her dislike very clear indeed. Lady Fenella had moved a few steps away from them all now, evidently not wishing—or knowing that she would not be permitted—to be a part of the conversation.
Taking a deep breath, Delilah tried to add something to the conversation so that she would not be as Lady Fenella was at present. “I find that London society can be rather difficult to traverse,” Delilah answered after a few moments. “Although I am glad to be a part of it, of course.”
“Of course,” Lady Parrington remarked quickly, showing very little interest in Delilah at all and instead turning her full attention to Miss Jamieson. “I must ask you, Miss Jamieson, whether or not you have seen him within society.”
A panic came over Delilah and she felt her heart begin to pound furiously, her stomach tighten, and a cold fear rushing over her. Lady Parrington was already condescending enough, and Delilah was a little uncertain as to whether or not she would be able to withstand any more.
Try to gain a little strength.
The silent, quiet voice within her began to grow as Miss Jamieson answered that yes, she had seen Lord Coventry—as had Miss Mullins. As she gestured to her, Lady Parrington’s face was covered with evident astonishment, her eyes widening, her color pulled from her cheeks, and her mouth a little ajar.
Just whatever was the matter with the lady?
“You have seen Lord Coventry?” Lady Parrington asked as Delilah nodded. “Is that so? I did not think he was within society much at present.”
Delilah’s spine stiffened and she forced herself to reply with both honesty and whatever slivers of determination she could find. “He was very gentlemanly indeed,” Delilah replied, her voice a little louder now. “I have danced with him once already and hope to do the same again very soon.”
Lady Parrington looked at Delilah with a hardness in her eyes. “I should advise you not to do so again, Miss Mullins,” she said, her lip curling again. “He is not worth your company—and certainly not your reputation.”
“I am well able to make my own judgments on such matters,” Delilah replied stoutly, a little astonished by her tenacity. “And thus far, I find that he is quite an amiable companion.”
The harsh laugh that came from Lady Parrington shook Delilah to the core.
“My dear Miss Jamieson, how can you be acquainted with a simpleton such as this?” she cried, throwing out one hand towards Delilah. “She is to be gravely pitied indeed if she considers Lord Coventry to be a suitable companion!” The laugh continued, echoing around the park and making Delilah flush with such a heat of embarrassment that she felt as though her cheeks were beginning to burn.
“I think, Lady Parrington, that you speak rather too freely and with a little too much arrogance.”
The laughter stopped almost immediately as Lady Parrington turned to face Lady Newfield, who was looking back at her with ice filling her eyes.
“Indeed, I think you should be rather ashamed of your conduct at present,” Lady Newfield continued, taking Delilah’s arm. “Miss Mullins, as your godmother, let me take you from this particular situation. You are to be the most elegant, the most genteel, and the most excellent of young ladies and this particular lady is not a good example of how one ought to behave.” With a pointed look at Lady Parrington—whose face had now begun to turn crimson, Lady Newfield tugged Delilah in between Lady Parrington and Miss Jamieson, who was staring at Lady Newfield with wide eyes.
“Good gracious!” Delilah heard Lady Parrington exclaim as they walked away. “What sort of creature has the audacity to—”
“If you will excuse me, Lady Parrington. Good afternoon, Lady Fenella.”
Within a few moments, Miss Jamieson was directly beside Delilah, her hand catching her arm.
“I can only apologize, Miss Mullins,” she said breathlessly, clearly aware of the thundercloud that was in Lady Newfield’s expression. “Lady Parrington was always a little conceited, I confess, but I did not ever think she would behave in such an improper and rude manner.”
“It is not for you to apologize, Miss Jamieson,” Lady Newfield replied before Delilah could say a word. “But Delilah, I should tell you that I thought you very courageous indeed to speak as you did.”
Delilah let out a long breath, not realizing that she had been holding it for some time. “She was very rude, indeed, was she not?” she said, a little laugh escaping her. “I do hope I have not made things worse for you, Miss Jamieson.”
Miss Jamieson laughed and shook her head. “I was acquainted with the lady before she wed and confess myself to have been a little surprised that Lord Coventry thought so highly of her when I knew her to be so...self-interested and proud. However, that has only increased now that she has wed.” One shoulder lifted. “As I have said, I care very little for the ton at present and certainly do not feel any particular desire to remain acquainted with Lady Parrington.” She shook her head, her brows furrowing slightly, and Delilah was certain she saw a hint of regret in her eyes. “We were rather well acquainted once but I do not think that such an acquaintance can continue, unfortunately.”