by Rose Pearson
She turned back to Lord Barrington, wondering if she ought to say something about his letter to her today, only to realize that he was holding his hand out expectantly. A little embarrassed, she slipped the ribbon from her wrist and handed it to him quickly, daring a glance at Lady Hayward who was, much to her surprise, watching Lord Barrington with a rather sharp gaze.
“Thank you for your letter this afternoon, Lord Barrington,” Selina found herself saying, almost tripping over her words as she hurried to speak clearly. “I was very glad to receive it.”
Lord Barrington glanced up at her from under his brows, his blue eyes still bright and sending a slight tremor through Selina’s frame as she caught her breath, although she could not quite understand why such a thing occurred. The intensity of his gaze made her feel as though they were melded together and it was only when he looked away that she finally managed to take in another breath.
“I am very grateful to you, as I have expressed,” he said, quietly. “I should like to call upon you, Lady Selina, so that I might thank both you and Lady Hayward properly.” With a smile, he looked up and handed her back her dance card, although his eyes strayed to Lady Hayward rather than lingering on her. “If such a call would be welcome.”
“More than welcome, Lord Barrington,” Lady Hayward replied, as Selina looked down at her dance card. “Although there is really no need. You have already thanked us both.”
Lord Barrington shook his head.
“I know Lord Telford’s reputation, as I am sure you do also, Lady Hayward,” he answered, as Selina realized with a start that he had written his name for the supper dance. “My sister was foolish. There could have been a great deal of difficulty caused and I – I would like to express my thanks most sincerely.” Selina looked up at him just as he returned his gaze to her. “I do hope you have no objections, Lady Selina?” he asked, making her wonder if he spoke of his desire to call upon her or the dances he had chosen. “I am, of course, entirely dependent upon your agreement.”
“Of course not, Lord Barrington,” she replied quickly, praying that the warmth she felt in her cheeks would soon dissipate. “I have no objections whatsoever. Thank you for your consideration.”
The smile on his face sent another streak of warmth into her face but Selina managed to keep his gaze and did not look away, despite her blushes.
“Very good,” he said, bowing low. “Until our dance, Lady Selina.”
She smiled back at him despite the trembling in her soul, confused as to why she had such a strong reaction towards him, when only last evening, she had thought him both rude and easily displeased.
“Well, I do not think you need fear that your dance card will remain empty this evening, Lady Selina!” Lady Hayward remarked, as Selina managed to laugh, aware of just how hot her cheeks were. “You have at least two dances filled within only a few minutes!” She smiled at her. “What dance did Lord Barrington choose?”
Selina did not reply but instead handed her chaperone the card, watching for her reaction. Lady Hayward did not disappoint. Her brows rose, her eyes widened and she looked back at Selina with a somewhat astonished expression.
“The supper dance? And a second dance as well!” she remarked, as Selina nodded. “My goodness, Lady Selina. It appears that you may have something of an admirer in Lord Barrington.”
“I am sure that he is only doing so by way of thanks for what we did for Lady Amelia,” Selina replied, hastily. “I do not think there can be anything more meant by it.”
Lady Hayward considered this for a moment, then shrugged.
“We shall have to wait and see!” she declared, as Selina took back her dance card. “But do allow yourself to consider Lord Barrington, Lady Selina. He is an Earl and a very respectable one at that, with an excellent fortune and more than able to keep you very contented indeed for the rest of your days. I am sure that your father would agree.”
Finding herself laughing suddenly, Selina held up both hands, palms out towards Lady Hayward.
“Pray, do not think so quickly of what might be, Lady Hayward!” she exclaimed, as Lady Hayward looked surprised and then began to laugh also. “I do not even know Lord Barrington as yet, for we are barely acquainted! And I remind you that you have been eagerly encouraging me to consider my heart, should the opportunity for courtship or the like present itself.”
Lady Hayward lifted one eyebrow.
“Indeed, I have,” she agreed, her eyes holding something that Selina could not quite make out. “I have always encouraged you to consider what you might feel when it comes to the gentlemen of London and to those who might pay you a little more attention. However, I do not believe that there is not even a flicker of interest within your heart when it comes to Lord Barrington.”
Shock filled Selina’s heart as she looked back at her companion, flushing with embarrassment. She had thought that such emotions, such confusion had been easily hidden, that she had managed to keep any inflection from her voice every time she had spoken of him – but evidently, she had failed in doing so.
“It is only this evening that I have noticed it,” Lady Hayward continued, reaching out to press Selina’s arm. “It is not something that you need to be ashamed of, Lady Selina, and it may very well prove to be nothing of importance, for once you are a little better acquainted with Lord Barrington, you might find him to be very dull indeed, or to have a temper that you dislike intensely. But, for the moment, do not hide away what you feel from yourself. Enjoy the dances with Lord Barrington and do what you can to converse with him.” Her smile widened whilst Selina’s sense of confusion and embarrassment only grew. “There is nothing more you need do at present.”
Finishing her dance with Lord Aldridge, Selina accepted his arm and made her way back towards where they had left Lady Hayward. Lord Aldridge was a reasonable dancer, and what he lacked for in skill, he made up for with excellent conversation and an effervescent delight.
“I do not see Lady Hayward,” Lord Aldridge murmured, as they made their way back towards those who waited by the side of the dance floor. “Where might she have gone?”
“It is a very busy evening,” Selina replied, a little embarrassed that she would have to linger with Lord Aldridge a little longer. “She might well have become lost in the crowd. I am sure I will be able to find her.”
Lord Aldridge let out a rumble of laughter.
“Do not think that you are in any way importuning me, Lady Selina,” he said, gallantly. “I am very glad to have you by my side a little longer.”
Selina smiled but managed to extract her arm from his, not wanting anyone to see them still walking so and beginning to whisper about them.
“I am certain she is nearby,” she said, knowing that Lady Hayward would, most likely, be looking for her just as much as Selina was searching for her. “There are very many guests here this evening!”
Lord Aldridge chuckled.
“Just as Lord Folkstone likes it,” he replied, clearly not in any hurry to step away from her. “Shall we take a turn about the room, Lady Selina?”
Seeing that there was very little option for her to do anything but that, Selina acquiesced and together, they walked through the crowd, searching for Lady Hayward.
“Mayhap she has stepped outside?” Lord Aldridge suggested, although a cold hand of fright clasped at Selina’s heart as they passed the open doors that led to the garden. “If you would not be noticed and if it would not inconvenience you, Lady Selina, might I suggest that you wait here for my return? I shall search for Lady Hayward for a few minutes and return to you.”
Selina let out a long breath of relief, glad that Lord Aldridge did not intend to pull her out into the darkness. It seemed that he was a gentleman in every respect.
“I am sure I can wait here,” Selina replied, knowing that the situation was rather awkward and that, whilst she ought to linger with someone, it was best to find Lady Hayward as soon as they could. There seemed very little possibility that Lady Ha
yward had stepped out of doors for any reason but given that Selina could not see her anywhere else, Selina had no other choice but to permit Lord Aldridge to take a few moments to look.
“There is a seat to your left,” he said, gesturing towards it. “I will be only a few moments.”
Selina nodded and made her way there, glad that she would be out of sight of most of the other guests. Sitting down quickly, she passed one hand over her eyes and drew in a long breath, stifling any panic that tried to capture her heart. Lady Hayward would be present somewhere. And when she found her, Selina was certain there would be a reasonable and understandable explanation.
“What are you doing?”
Her heart began to thump furiously as, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a gentleman approach a lady and take her by the elbow. Remaining precisely where she was and making certain not to lift her gaze to the gentleman in question, Selina caught her breath as she realized it was none other than Lady Amelia. The lady she had been speaking with did not appear to notice what had taken place, and as Selina remained seated, uncertain as to what she ought to do, the gentleman pulled Lady Amelia away from her companions and walked past Selina. Turning her head, Selina watched as he led Lady Amelia to the door – although quite where it led, Selina did not know.
Her heart turned over in her chest. She looked back at the lady that had been in conversation with Lady Amelia and was astonished to find that she had not even seemed to notice the lady’s absence. Instead, she was busy conversing with another, laughing and smiling as though nothing was wrong.
What do I do?
With tension running through her veins, Selina returned her gaze to Lady Amelia and the gentleman. He was encouraging her to go through the door with him and Selina wanted desperately to go directly towards her and demand that she return with her at once. But her courage failed her. With bated breath, she watched Lady Amelia sigh, tilt her head and look straight up into the gentleman’s eyes, only to shake her head sorrowfully. The gentleman placed one hand on Lady Amelia’s shoulder and ran his fingers down her arm – but Lady Amelia shook her head and, much to Selina’s relief, stepped back. Within a few moments, she had walked away from him, her head held high and a slight color to her cheeks.
Selina let out a breath of relief. Relief which was short lived, disrupted by an all too close voice.
“You did not succeed then.”
Jerking her head back around – and grateful that her chair was hidden amongst the shadows of the room, Selina saw none other than Lord Telford coming to speak to the first gentleman, who still had his back to her.
“I did not succeed,” the first replied, darkly. “It seems she is not as eager as you had expected.”
Lord Telford snorted. “I hardly believe that to be true,” he said, with a smug smile. “It may be that she simply disliked your attentions! I think, come the next time, I should be the one to… encourage the lady.”
The first gentleman muttered something indistinguishable and Selina closed her eyes and turned her head away, still listening intently but wanting to give no impression whatsoever that she was watching them.
“We will have our funds,” she heard Lord Telford state, with absolute certainty ringing through his voice. “I had Lord Barrington in my sights, ready to grasp him by the arm and practically drag him to where you were with Lady Amelia, but it seems that we shall have to change places come the next opportunity.”
“But I do not know Lord Barrington.”
“Then I suggest you find a way to make your introductions,” Lord Telford stated, angrily. “Now, if you will excuse me, I intend to go and find the very best brandy and allow myself a few minutes to revel in my disappointment.”
Selina’s breathing was ragged, such was her shock. She had overheard something of a plot, it seemed, something that would bring Lord Barrington and Lady Amelia a good deal of pain. Her head began to spin as she put one hand to her mouth, realizing just what this meant.
But will Lady Amelia give in to Lord Telford’s advances?
The question in her mind did not wait long for an answer. She knew very well that Lord Barrington would have given his sister a stern talking to and that, quite certainly, Lady Amelia knew precisely what was expected of her. However, Selina also knew how Lady Amelia had behaved in the past, when it came to Lord Telford. There was a chance that the lady would refuse – but if she did so again for what would be the second time, Selina feared that Lord Telford might force her to go as he expected.
And Lord Barrington would have to witness what followed.
No doubt Lord Telford and the other gentleman intended to gain money from Lord Barrington by promising to remain silent. It was all truly disastrous and Selina knew she needed to speak to Lord Telford at once.
“Ah, there you are!”
An older lady came towards her, with Lord Aldridge just behind her.
“I have been looking everywhere for you!” the lady exclaimed, just as Lord Aldridge joined them. “Lady Hayward has had something of an accident. She will be waiting for you in the carriage.”
Alarm seared Selina’s heart. “She is injured?”
“A slight accident, as I have said,” the older lady replied, although, much to Selina’s dismay, she did not give any further details. Glancing at the gentleman and clearly recognizing him, the lady gestured to him swiftly. “Come now. You also, if you wish, Lord Aldridge. Accompany the lady.”
Lord Aldridge nodded and offered Selina his arm, which she took at once, feeling a little lightheaded as she walked alongside him.
“As I have said, she is waiting for you in the carriage,” the lady said, encouragingly. “A twisted ankle, that is all it is, I am sure. She will be quite well in a very short time indeed.”
Selina nodded but said nothing, her thoughts drifting between concern for Lady Hayward and worry over Lady Amelia and Lord Barrington. She would have to write to Lord Barrington in the morning, she determined, for he had to know of what she had overheard just as soon as was possible. To keep it to herself would not only be wrong but entirely unthinkable.
“I am sure all will be well,” Lord Aldridge murmured, as they made their way through the crowd towards the door that would lead them out of the ballroom. “No need to fret.”
Selina gave him a tight smile.
“I hope it will be, Lord Aldridge,” she murmured, throwing one last glance over her shoulder as though she might be able to see Lord Barrington. But the ballroom was too crowded and with a heavy sigh, Selina turned away from them all and made her way through the door.
Chapter Six
Charles stepped into the drawing room to what was a rather tense scene. His mother was standing, her hands on her hips, glaring at her daughter. Lady Amelia was sitting demurely in a chair, looking back at her with a calm if not somewhat supercilious expression, which Charles knew would only make his mother all the more irritated.
“Is something wrong, Mama?” he asked, closing the door behind him so that none of the staff would hear him speak. “You appear a little upset.”
Lady Barrington shook her head and let her hands drop to her sides.
“You speak to your sister, Barrington,” she said, wearily. “I did not want to inform you of this but I was told by Lady Fitzherbert last evening that your sister stepped away from Lady Pembrokeshire for a few minutes.”
Charles’ heart twisted in his chest.
“I beg your pardon?” he asked, looking towards his sister who, to his frustration, merely gazed back at him without any trace of embarrassment or shame. “What is the meaning of this, Amelia?”
Lady Amelia let out a long sigh, as though she was tired of them both.
“I did nothing of the sort,” she said. “A gentleman I am acquainted with spoke to me quietly and I returned the conversation before making my way back to Lady Pembrokeshire.”
Closing his eyes, Charles drew in a deep breath.
“You returned to Lady Pembrokeshire?” he repeated, as the
small, flickering smile faded from Lady Amelia’s face. “What do you mean, ‘returned’?”
“I – I…” She stopped for a moment, now appearing a little flustered as she tried to speak clearly. “It is not as though I quit the room or walked far from her, Barrington! I did nothing of the sort! It was only a step or two away from Lady Pembrokeshire’s side and she herself did not notice nor complain. I always remained in her view and –”
“And what is the name of the gentleman?” Charles interrupted, his voice loud and determined. “You will tell me at once, Amelia!”
She rose from her chair, her hands balling into fists by her side.
“I shall not,” she stated, firmly. “Else, no doubt, you will demand that I never be in his company again. There was nothing wrong with my behavior nor my conduct, Barrington. You take the word of someone you are not very well acquainted with over that of my own! That is entirely unfair!”
“I trust Lady Fitzherbert!” Charles’ mother protested loudly, but Charles held up one hand, asking her to be quiet for the moment.
“Amelia, there should be not even a hint of impropriety from you,” he stated, as his sister scowled and looked away. “I do not know what you were doing precisely last evening but if you were seen talking to a gentleman in a secluded fashion, then that is not at all appropriate – and you must know that!”
“I will return you to the estate if you do any such thing again,” Lady Barrington interrupted, taking a step closer to her daughter. “I have heard your brother reprimand you severely already, Amelia, and for him to continue to tolerate your behavior speaks of a greater patience than I have!” She waggled one finger at her, her irritation and upset already evident. “This is your only warning, Amelia. There can be nothing more.”
Lady Amelia dropped her head and, after a moment, nodded. Charles shook his head, running one hand over his eyes and wondering if he should be taking Amelia to this evening’s assembly. It was certainly going to be an excellent evening but there would be a great many people present and he feared that Amelia might choose to behave in a fashion that verged on impropriety, given what she had done last evening.
