She did not know what to say, her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth. Her uncle had never allowed her to question anything, did not expect her to remark upon anything that he had done or had chosen not to do. And now Lord Coventry was telling her that she had every right to do such a thing?
“You are unused to speaking in such a way,” Lord Coventry murmured, clearly able to see what her difficulty was. “I quite understand, Miss Mullins. But, if we are to wed, then I shall not be contented with a quiet wife who never questions what has happened or what I have done.”
“I—I do not think I can—”
“You must,” he interrupted before she could finish. “I am not your uncle, Miss Mullins, and I have no intention of ever following his footsteps. I can assure you of that.”
His words ignited a tiny spark of hope within her, but Delilah did not allow it to grow and burn. It was all too foreign to her as yet, too difficult for her to even imagine. To speak to Lord Coventry in such a manner, to demand to know what had occurred last evening when he had not returned for her, seemed much too improper.
And yet, that was precisely what he was asking for.
“Will you not ask me?” he said gently, making her flush all the hotter at the kindness in his voice. “Can you not bring yourself to do so?”
“I...” Her throat was dry, her stomach suddenly writhing. “I am sure whatever kept you, it was of great importance.”
Lord Coventry sighed, and Delilah felt as though she had disappointed him—but to her surprise, Lord Coventry reached across with his free hand and settled it on top of hers where it rested on his arm.
“I can only apologize, Miss Mullins,” he said heavily as something more began to stir in Delilah’s heart. “I did not mean to leave you for the rest of the evening. Something very strange happened, and I found myself in a precarious position from which I could not move.”
“I see,” Delilah answered, wondering suddenly if Lady Parrington had been the reason for his delay but then recalling that she had not been present at the evening assembly.
Lord Coventry stopped suddenly, and she looked up at him, astonished to see what was now a wretched expression on his face.
“Miss Mullins,” he breathed, his hand lifting from hers to pass over his eyes. “I find myself in such a state of difficulty that I do not know what it is I am to do. I fear I shall have to leave society almost immediately to ensure that I do not sink into disgrace any further, but what then of our engagement?” Dropping his hand, he shook his head, his breathing labored. “I am deeply troubled, Miss Mullins, and, truth be told, I have very few to whom I might turn. Lord Holland might well be willing to listen to me, but he does not have a seriousness of spirit and so will not be of any particular assistance.”
Delilah swallowed hard, seeing what Lord Coventry required and yet feeling so entirely inadequate that she did not know what she was to do. Could she offer to listen to him? To help him with whatever difficulty that now troubled him? It would not be a particularly arduous task, but she was not confident she could be of any use. She knew nothing of society, knew nothing of the difficulties that troubled him. Besides which, she was not quite sure whether or not she knew enough of his character to see if he was speaking the truth about Lord Chesterton and all that had gone before.
“I should not have troubled you,” Lord Coventry muttered, beginning to walk again so that they would not lose Lady Newfield. “Forgive me, Miss Mullins.”
“Wait!”
The word pulled from her mouth before she could hold it back. Lord Coventry turned to look at her, and she saw the tiny flickering light at the edge of his eyes, recognizing that it spoke of a desperate hope that must now be in his heart. She tried to consider what it was like for him at this moment, realizing the sense of loneliness that must now fill him. Taking in a long breath, she stepped closer and looked up into his face. “I will listen to whatever it is you wish to say, Lord Coventry,” she said honestly. “Without judgment or prejudice, I assure you.” Her head dropped low as she realized that he might not wish for her assistance, fearful now that he thought her foolish. “That is, of course, if you think that I can be of any use to you whatsoever.”
Lord Coventry let out a long breath and with a gentle finger, lifted her chin. A tremor ran through her at his touch, her chest tight and her stomach feeling as though a thousand butterflies now swirled all through her.
“You are a generous soul, Miss Mullins,” he said softly. “Yes, I should be glad to explain, even though I fear I might sound terribly odd in what I have to say.”
Swallowing hard, Delilah could not bring herself to look into his eyes, confused by all that she felt, all that stormed through her, capturing her heart in a firm hold.
“I shall begin,” he told her, reaching to take her hand so that he might place it on his arm. “And thereafter, I hope that you will be able to understand my absence and mayhap to forgive me for it.”
Struggling to find her voice, Delilah kept her gaze fixed on the path ahead as she walked beside Lord Coventry. “I am certain I shall be able to, Lord Coventry,” she said, aware of just how thin her voice sounded. “Please, tell me all.”
Chapter Six
Timothy saw the tentative smile on Miss Mullins’ face as she looked at him and felt his heart lift. It had been a sennight now since that strange evening assembly, a sennight since he had been forced to hide for many hours until the room had been completely empty. He could still recall the stiffness and pain in his limbs as he had tried to stand up, just how loudly his heart beat as he hurried towards the door, fearful that he would be discovered at any moment.
“Lord Coventry.”
He bowed quickly, smothering his surprise as Lord Chesterton drew near to him, a small smirk on his face as he watched Timothy.
“Chesterton,” he grated, already despising the gentleman’s company and wishing that the fellow had not chosen to come and greet him. “Good evening.” He inclined his head and made to turn away, but Lord Chesterton took a small sidestep, clearly not yet ready for their conversation to end.
“You have been invited to an occasion, I see,” Lord Chesterton continued, his eyes fixed to Timothy’s. “How...unusual.”
Timothy fought back the urge to respond with cruel words and instead merely shrugged. “I have been invited to a few social occasions,” he replied honestly. Perhaps it was not as many as the year before, but he would pretend to Lord Chesterton that he was not forced to remain at home most evenings.
“It seems you have some within society who still wish to befriend you, although I cannot understand why,” Lord Chesterton said dismissively. “It appears they do not know the truth of your character.”
Anger began to bubble up in Timothy’s chest, but he did not say a single word. He had never once laid a hand on Lord Chesterton, and yet, for whatever reason, Lord Chesterton had been the one to tell all of society that he had been the one to blame.
“You have seen that my sister is now married,” Lord Chesterton stated with a smirk. “The Marquess of Parrington is an excellent gentleman, as I am certain you know.”
“In truth, I do not know anything of his character,” Timothy replied honestly. “But I am contented if she is happy and settled.” Given his meeting with her earlier that day, Timothy now began to question just what it had been that had once drawn him towards Lady Parrington. She was not what he remembered, for her cruel, callous, and arrogant ways had stung his heart and his mind, making him wonder if he had ever really known her at all.