“Oh?”
Lord Banfield’s brows rose, indicating that he did not quite believe Charles.
“My sister put herself in a very foolish position last evening,” Charles replied, grimacing. “It was no-one’s fault but her own and, unfortunately, was deliberately done. However, she was rescued from this particular situation by Lady Selina Forrest and her chaperone, Lady Hayward, who came to join both her and her friend as Lord Telford spoke to them.”
Lord Banfield’s face dropped, all expression of mirth gone.
“Telford?” he repeated, as Charles nodded, grimly. “That man is nothing more than a rogue. Your sister must be informed of his –”
“I informed her of his reputation the very same evening that they were introduced, over a week ago” Charles replied, with a shake of his head. “Miss Newington, who I believe is one of my sister’s particular friends, has clearly a penchant for Lord Telford and, together, they made their way from my company and from my mother’s company also, so that they might speak with Telford. I am very grateful to Lady Selina for noting the situation, and stepping forward at once, along with Lady Hayward. Together, they made certain that the situation remained entirely proper and, at the same time, prevented Telford from perhaps saying or doing whatever he intended to, towards either my sister or Miss Newington.”
Nodding slowly, Lord Banfield gestured to the papers that Charles had yet to pick up from the floor.
“And therefore, you have been writing to Lady Selina, simply to thank her?”
“That is what I was attempting to do, yes,” Charles replied, coming around in front of his desk to pick up the last of the papers. “It has taken me a good many attempts to write an expression of thanks that I find to be suitable. It was difficult also not to make my sister out to be the most ridiculous and foolish of young ladies, even though I am fully aware that she is so!”
“And, no doubt, Lady Selina will be aware of it also, given that she saw what occurred,” Lord Banfield pointed out, as Charles threw the rest of his papers on the, as yet unlit, fire. “But you have found something to write that is satisfactory to you, I hope?”
“I have,” Charles replied, quickly setting the papers alight and standing back so that they might begin to burn. He did not want any of his staff coming into his study to see the papers sitting there, for no doubt a nosy maid or two might attempt to read one and know precisely what had happened to his sister. “I have asked if I might call upon her to express my thanks in person.” When he turned back, Lord Banfield was looking back at him with a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Charles frowned. “You need not think that there is any more to my wish to thank her, save for my own feeling that it is required,” he said firmly, knowing all too well what his friend was thinking. “That is all.”
“Lady Selina is a very kind young lady, it appears,” Lord Banfield replied, a trifle airily. “To not only take note of your sister’s situation, but also to step forward so that she might protect Lady Amelia says a great deal about her character. Besides which, she is the daughter of a Duke!”
Charles rolled his eyes.
“I have no intention towards matrimony, as you well know,” he said, reminding his friend of what he had said in previous discussions. “I have enough on my mind at present regardless, given my sister’s continued foolishness!”
“And your mother?” Lord Banfield asked, quietly, looking at Charles with interest. “Does she continue to side with your sister?”
“Thankfully, she does not,” Charles replied, sitting back down, but keeping one eye on the flames in the grate, wanting to make certain that everything was burned up. “I believe that Amelia was rather taken aback, truth be told! My mother was horrified to hear what had occurred and has stated that she will return Amelia to the estate should such a thing happen again.” He grinned broadly at his friend. “Whilst I, it seems, will be permitted to remain here to enjoy the rest of the Season. My mother has, I must confess, surprised me with her determination to steer Amelia towards the right path. I thought she might make all manner of excuses for her.”
Lord Banfield nodded, stretched languidly and then pushed himself out of his chair.
“I am off to take a short walk in the park,” he declared, looking meaningfully at Charles. “Do you wish to join me?”
Charles laughed aloud, knowing precisely what his friend intended.
“You mean to say that you want to greet those all about you who might have heard of the success of your little soiree last evening, in the hope of, perhaps, either continuing or forming an attachment with a young lady of quality?”
He laughed all the more when his friend’s face slowly darkened, his mouth settling into a flat line.
“That may be so, but need I remind you that I am determined to wed this Season?” Lord Banfield replied, a little tersely. “I must do all I can to make myself appear eligible and a suitable prospect to the ladies of the beau monde!”
“And that requires taking a short walk through the park?” Charles asked, as Lord Banfield nodded fervently. “Do you mean to say that there was no-one at your soiree who caught your attention? None that you might wish to call on this afternoon?”
Lord Banfield sighed heavily.
“None,” he said, a little more quietly. “Although mayhap I should give a little more attention to Lady Selina, given just how highly I now come to think of her, after what you have told me.”
Making to answer in the affirmative, Charles was surprised when he found himself frowning, lines forming across his brow and his stomach twisting in a
