This did not seem to comfort Lord Barrington.
“Then they know of my irritation and upset about my sister’s conduct,” he said, darkly. “And they have used it against me.”
He was unable to say more, for the butler returned with a small stack of letters on a tray. Handing them to Lord Barrington, he was dismissed and closed the door tightly behind him, leaving Lord Barrington, Selina and Lady Hayward to stare down at the letters before him.
“I recognize this seal,” Lord Barrington muttered, setting one note aside. “And this is an invitation, given the ribbon.”
This continued on for some minutes, until he was finally left with two letters which he did not recognize.
Selina sat up straight.
“The one in your left hand is my own,” she said, a flush of color hitting her cheeks. “I am sure of it.”
Lord Barrington nodded, an apology in his gaze as he looked back at her.
“Then it is this one,” he said, heavily, breaking open the seal of the other and unfolding it. Dropping his eyes to it, he read it swiftly before letting out a heavy sigh, telling Selina that it was, indeed the letter they had expected, the blackmail demand. “It is as you have said, Lady Selina,” his words were tainted with frustration and sorrow, “Lord Havers, it seems, has demanded quite a large sum in order to keep what he has done entirely to himself.”
“And if you do not pay it?” Lady Hayward asked, as Lord Barrington threw her a wretched look. “Then he will tell the ton everything?”
Lord Barrington raked one hand through his hair, his eyes dropping back to the letter.
“Then I believe that my sister’s reputation will be quite ruined with a mixture of both truth and lies,” he said, throwing the letter onto the table. “Lord Havers states that he will do whatever is required, and say whatever he needs to, in order to make certain that Amelia will never be able to lift her head in society again. She will never marry, unless it is to a gentleman in desperate need of her dowry.” His eyes lifted to Selina’s and she was shocked by the sheer desperation that shone there. “I have been entirely taken in,” he finished, as she swallowed hard. “Just what am I to do now?”
Chapter Eight
Charles rapped quietly on the door to his sister’s bedchamber.
“Amelia,” he said, gently. “My dear sister, I must speak to you.” There came no response and Charles closed his eyes, knowing that his sister had every right to refuse his company. “I have learned of something,” he continued, speaking as firmly as he could. “Something that has proven to me that you are not at fault, Amelia.” Leaning his head against the door, Charles let out a long breath, knowing that he had caused his sister a great deal of distress. Inadvertently, yes, but there still lingered a burden on his heart. “Please, sister,” he said, a little more urgently. “Lady Selina and Lady Hayward have come to call on me. Lady Selina overheard Lord Telford and Lord Havers speaking. She knows what was done. It was planned. It was all planned. And I –” He broke off as the sound of a key scraping in the lock caused him to step back. The door opened, just a crack, and his sister peered through the gap, her eyes wide but her cheeks pale. “But I did not believe you,” he finished, reaching out one hand to her. “Amelia, I am sorry.”
She sniffed but did not open the door further, nor take his hand. It was clear that she had been crying for some time, for there was redness all about her eyes.
“The servants have been putting my gowns back in my wardrobe,” she said, her voice hoarse. “Does that mean I am to remain in London?”
Charles kept his hand outstretched.
“It does,” he told her. “Please, will you not come down with me? Lady Selina and Lady Hayward still remain and I have sent for Lord Banfield also. I think that it is important for him to be aware of this situation, for he might well be able to give us some advice.” Amelia slowly began to open the door and Charles caught it, stepping aside to give her a little more space. “Mama has been asked to join us also.”
“Lady – Lady Selina is here?”
The incredulity in her voice told him that she was just as astonished as he had been.
“She overheard the plan to deliberately make this situation what it was,” Charles told her. “This was planned by both Lord Telford and Lord Havers, Amelia.”
“For what purpose?”
Wincing, he shook his head sadly.
“To gain money from me,” he said, as Amelia’s hand flew to her mouth. “In order to protect your reputation, they are demanding money from me, as the price of their silence.” He shrugged. “That is to say, Lord Havers is demanding it, although I am certain that Lord Telford will receive some also.”
Tears began to fill Amelia’s eyes and she dropped her head.
“I did try to stop him,” she said, hoarsely. “I tried, Barrington, but he would not release me! And if I had screamed, then that would have drawn so much attention and I–”
“There is no need to explain, Amelia.” Charles stepped forward and put one hand on his sister’s arm, seeing how she flinched and cursing himself for being so unthinking. Dropping his hand, he waited until she finally lifted her head to look at him. “Please, come and join the others, Amelia. There is much to discuss and I can promise you that none present think poorly of you. Indeed, Lady Selina is most concerned for your welfare.”
Amelia sniffed.
“She
