“She tried to,” he answered, wanting to make certain that Amelia understood that Lady Selina was not at fault. “She wrote me an urgent letter, as she was prevented from attending the ball due to Lady Hayward’s injury. I – I did not read the letter, Amelia. I was much too busy and, not realizing that she would not be present, thought to speak to her in person. I am sorry.” His brow furrowed as he realized just how much he had to apologize for. “I am truly sorry, Amelia. I should have considered the urgency which the footman who delivered Lady Selina’s note mentioned and set time aside to read it. Had I done so, then you might now be quite contented, rather than facing this problem.”
Amelia let out a long breath but said nothing more. After a moment or two, she lifted her chin, straightened her shoulders and preceded him towards the drawing room. Charles followed after, a heavier burden settling over him than he had ever felt before.
“And so you are to pay this money to Lord Havers.”
Charles nodded, just as his mother let out a small gasp of dismay.
“I have no other choice,” he stated, as Lady Barrington’s eyes widened. “If I do not, then Amelia will be unjustly punished by the ton for something I know that she did not do.” He glanced at his sister, who was sitting by their mother, sniffing just a little as he spoke. “I cannot let such a thing occur.”
Lady Selina, who had been both apologetic to Lady Amelia for not making certain that her brother had read her letter, as well as angry that she had been unable to prevent what had occurred, let out a small sigh.
“I cannot imagine that Lord Telford has chosen to do this to you only, Lord Barrington,” she said, slowly. “I must confess, I think that the success of this particular endeavour will only inspire him to do more.”
“It is only the first month of the Season,” Lady Hayward remarked. “Therefore, he has many weeks left for him to attempt to do so again, to some other unfortunate young woman. It is not something he can simply do without due consideration and effort.”
Charles frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Lord Telford or Lord Havers must ingratiate themselves with the lady in question, as well as her companion, chaperone or parent,” Lady Hayward explained. “They cannot simply meet a young lady and then steal her away in an instant! They must choose the young lady carefully, must make themselves as trustworthy and as gentlemanly as they can before attempting to convince her – as they did with Lady Amelia – to join one of them in a less than proper situation. It speaks well of you, Lady Amelia, that you did not do as Lord Havers asked.”
Lady Amelia sniffed and nodded but did not smile. Charles’ heart ached. He could not imagine all that his sister was feeling and to know that he had only increased her suffering made him all the more frustrated.
“If they do not succeed, then I suppose they would do as they did with Lady Amelia,” Lady Selina added, quietly. “They would gain wealth either way, although the latter approach is, most likely, less than agreeable to them.”
“I would agree,” Lord Banfield said, firmly. “There must be a way to put an end to this, without compromising Lady Amelia’s reputation.”
“I do not see how,” Charles’ mother replied, shaking her head. “They are behaving in such a secretive manner that I am quite at a loss as to how such a thing could be prevented!”
Charles lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to rid himself of the tension which flooded him. He wanted to think clearly, wanted to find an answer to the question of how to stop Lord Telford and Lord Havers’ scheme, but nothing came to mind.
“For the moment, at least, you must continue on as you are, Lady Amelia.” Charles looked up, seeing Lady Selina speaking gently but directly to his sister. “You must continue to go out into society, you must make it plain that you have nothing to fear or to hide. Let Lord Telford and Lord Havers see you. They might come to believe that your brother has told you nothing about the money they have requested and, therefore, you will be able to go about society just as before.”
Amelia shook her head.
“I have no wish to,” she replied, haltingly. “It is already too humiliating.”
“You must,” Charles replied, although he spoke gently. “The ton will notice, should you remove yourself from their company. We cannot allow whispers to be spread, Amelia. Havers’ note asks that the money be paid within the sennight, so we have at least a few days before they will act in any way.”
Looking earnestly at his sister, he waited until, finally, she gave a small nod, although she did not hold his gaze for long.
“We will be with you,” Lord Banfield added, in an encouraging manner. “You are not alone in this predicament, Lady Amelia.”
“Indeed, you are not,” Lady Hayward stated, firmly. “Lady Selina and I shall be with you, as will your mother, your brother and Lord Banfield. We will support you, Lady Amelia. Of that, we give you our word.”
Charles had to confess himself astonished at just how readily Lady Selina agreed to such a thing, thinking to himself that the young lady showed a remarkable character – one that he was coming to admire more with almost every day that passed. She appeared to be kind, caring and generous in spirit. The fact that she had shown so much concern for
