That man ought to be the one engaged to Louisa, not the proper, practical Lord Tumberland.
The thought of the stranger and Louisa made her inexplicably angry.
“Delilah, do try and smile,” Prudence murmured. “You look like an evil queen from a fairy tale, ready to smite the townspeople.”
Delilah blinked and looked around to see that indeed she had been garnering some stares from passersby. She plastered a small smile on her face and lifted her chin.
“You know we all have questions,” Pru started again.
“Why do you think I haven’t returned to the school?” she returned.
Pru huffed. “We’re just worried about you.”
“You have nothing to fear.” Delilah’s voice was pleasingly cool, wonderfully collected. “I was born and raised to marry someone of great fortune. My father has chosen Lord Everley.”
“And you are all right with that,” Prudence said, doubt clear in her voice.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Addie said—”
Delilah waved aside the protest. “Oh please. Addie is nearly as dramatic as Louisa, and of course she was beside herself when her brother was in danger. Can we really trust her word on the matter?”
Delilah didn’t have to look over to know Prudence was scowling at her. “Do you really believe that? Do you truly believe you have nothing to fear or do you just not want to admit that you might be wrong?”
Delilah opened her mouth to verbally smack down her friend but no words came out. She blamed it on the strange encounter back in Everley’s office.
Of course she’d been rattled by a run-in with a burglar. The thought of his large frame behind her, holding her tight… She shivered, but not from fear.
“Are you all right?”
Delilah huffed. “I wish people would stop asking me that. What will it take to prove that I am fine?”
Prudence was silent for too long before turning to face the dance floor with a sigh. “I do not know, Dee. What will it take for you to believe that?”
She shot her friend a glare. She hated when Pru got all high and mighty on her like this.
She hated it even more when Pru was right.
She’d been in a fog of disbelief these past two weeks as she let her stepmother arrange the wedding, and avoided seeing the people who might make her doubt her new future.
Delilah sniffed as she watched Addie and Tolston smiling at one another like lovesick fools. Louisa and Tumberland had already left the dance floor and were headed toward the balcony.
She had never expected a love match, and as such had never hoped for one. Why dream of something one cannot have? It would only lead to disappointment. She’d always known the day would come when she would marry a man who did not fit any girlish dream for a husband.
She ought to be grateful that Everley wasn’t old enough to be her grandfather, or so overweight he could hardly move, or so unattractive he made women flee the room.
No, as far as all that went, she was quite lucky. As far as looks and age went, her fiancé was better than she’d expected.
But his character…?
She found her gaze flitting back toward the hallway. He had not yet reappeared. What was his business, exactly?
Was she allowed to ask?
It was Prudence’s question that clung to her now and made her mind race. What would put her at ease?
She knew better than to trust Addie and Louisa’s suspicions, and she shouldn’t let some stranger’s accusations get to her either.
But they had.
Mr. Calloway’s words and his voice and his touch. Everything about him had gotten to her. The whole experience had rattled her. It had shaken her out of her fog. And now, despite her best efforts, she couldn’t go back. His grin just before he’d disappeared from view haunted her.
Stupid, arrogant man.
His attitude was one of challenge, and she had always risen to a challenge.
So, he thought she needed saving? She would see about that.
“You have a look about you, Dee…” Prudence was watching her closely.
“Oh yes?” she asked mildly. “And what look is that?”
“It’s very similar to the look Louisa gets when she’s about to stir up trouble.”
Delilah gave a huff of indignation. “I am nothing like Louisa. I do not seek out mischief.”
But she did seek out the truth. She’d never been one to sit by meekly and watch her life unfold, and she certainly wouldn’t start now.
She had no idea what his murder allegations were about—likely a duel gone wrong, or something to that effect. It was the smuggling charge that stuck with her and made her uneasy. Such an odd thing to accuse a gentleman like Lord Everley of, particularly without proof.
She pursed her lips as she glanced toward the hallway. Of course, that was likely why he was here. Looking for proof.
An idea took root and began to grow.
“Oh yes, you definitely look like Louisa right now,” Prudence said quietly beside her.
Delilah shushed her halfheartedly. This wasn’t mischief or mere curiosity. This was her duty…to Everley. She’d seek out the proof that the burglar was seeking, and when she failed to find it, she would know it with certainty.
She could put her own mind to rest and if she ever had the misfortune of running into Mr. Calloway again she would be able to put him soundly in his place.
She smiled.
“I’m worried about you,” Prudence said when she’d turned back to face her friend.
“Don’t be,” she said. “I’ve never felt better.”
This, she realized, was the truth. Despite the startling events of this evening, or perhaps because of them…she had a mission. An agenda.
She had a challenge.
For the first time in weeks, she was beginning to feel like herself again.
6
Delilah’s smile never faltered as she confronted her stepmother in the family’s drawing room. “Oh, but I should very much like to join you.”
Her stepmother stared at her, her eyes blank as always. She likely hadn’t
