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 Hayward 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
