“That may well be a good suggestion,” he replied, as Lord Banfield eyed him carefully, evidently aware that it had taken a few moments for Charles to answer. “I am sure that she would be an excellent match for you.”
Lord Banfield did not say anything in response to this, merely watching Charles for another moment or two before he shrugged, sighed and made his way to the door.
“Might you wish to join me?” he asked again, as Charles hesitated. “It is a very fine day and you might find that the afternoon air does you good.” He chuckled. “Removes some of the stress and strain that you feel at present!”
Charles considered for another moment or two. He had been thinking of his sister for most of the morning, it seemed, although he wondered if he ought to remain in case his mother should require him. Amelia might become very upset indeed, and he would have to step in.
However, he thought, tilting his head just a fraction, his mother had enough fortitude of her own when it was required. He had seen the flash of anger in her eyes that very morning and was sure that she would now be making quite certain that Amelia knew just how much she had disappointed her.
“Very well!” he exclaimed, as Lord Banfield grinned. “My sister will not be permitted to set foot outside the door this afternoon, I believe, so there is no reason for me to remain. And as for this evening’s ball, I am not at all certain that my mother will still be content for her to attend!”
“Then I pity you for the distress and upset that will follow, should such a thing occur!” Lord Banfield replied, with a grin. “And suggest to you that it is all the more reason why you might decide to join me this afternoon.”
“Indeed,” Charles agreed, suddenly feeling a good deal more at ease. Picking up the letter to Lady Selina, he took it with him with the intention of giving it to one of his footmen to deliver. “You are quite right, Banfield. Let us take a walk in the park and see if I cannot forget about this whole, wretched business for a short while!”
Chapter Five
The note Selina had received from Lord Barrington was, whilst unexpected, very welcome indeed. She had found herself smiling a little as she had read his many gracious and grateful words, although when she had read the part where he begged to call upon her soon so that he might express his thanks to her in person, heat had seared its way up her spine and sent color pouring into her cheeks.
Lady Hayward had not been present at the time, which Selina was glad of indeed, although her father had been in the same room as she – thankfully quite caught up in his own reading. The Duke of Landon was not a gentleman inclined towards noticing his daughters a great deal. Whilst she knew that he loved her and, of course, she in return loved him, there was not a closeness between them. That was why she considered herself so very grateful for Lady Hayward. These last few weeks, the lady had become something of a confidante and had encouraged Selina significantly. That did not mean, of course, that Selina’s confidence had grown to the point where she felt at ease during social occasions, but certainly, there was the beginning of the acceptance within her heart that she was not ever going to be as assured as her sister, and that such a fact was not a bad thing.
“Lady Hayward,” she murmured, as the carriage drew near to Lord and Lady Folkstone’s townhouse. “I should inform you that I received a letter from Lord Barrington this afternoon.” Lady Hayward’s expression was half hidden by the shadows of both the carriage and the gloom of the early evening, but Selina knew that she would be very interested indeed. “He wrote mainly to thank me for what occurred with his sister,” she continued, before Lady Hayward could say anything. “I believe that Lady Amelia must have seen me approaching her, as well as how I spoke to you also, as I continued.” She waved a hand, surprised at the slight nervousness that filled her. “Regardless, he was very grateful and wishes to call upon me to thank us both in person.”
“That is very generous of him,” Lady Hayward commented, without any other inflection in her voice. “I do hope his sister is quite all right. She was rather unwise in her choice of company.”
“I know nothing of Lord Telford, nor of Miss Newington,” Selina replied, as the carriage trundled on. “Is there any sort of difficulty with either of them?”
Lady Hayward sighed audibly.
“Miss Newington, I do not know much about, whereas Lord Telford is known to have a very poor reputation indeed. I should be very glad if you would remain far from him, Lady Selina.”
Selina nodded fervently.
“Of course,” she agreed, not wanting to disagree for a moment. “I am sorry that he made his way to Lady Amelia’s side, then. How disgraceful!”
“Do not think that he was not welcomed,” Lady Hayward replied, with a shake of her head. “I am certain that both of those young ladies thought him excellent company and might well have sought him out!”
“But why should they do so?” Selina asked, horrified. “Surely they would know of his reputation?”
“Because,” Lady Hayward replied, with a heavy sigh, “some young ladies like the attention that a rogue will give to them. They find it delightful to be in his company, to have him flirt with them
