Making his way into the drawing room, Charles bowed to greet their host for the evening, feeling his sister tense as her hand rested on his arm. She curtsied quickly and then rose once more, with both Lord and Lady Irving greeting her warmly. There was no hint of mockery in their voice or their words which, he hoped, would be an encouragement to Amelia. She had been afraid that, somehow, the knowledge of what had occurred between Lord Havers and herself would be well known, even though Charles had promised her that he had already replied to Lord Havers and promised to pay what had been asked for.
“Please, enjoy this evening!” Lady Irving exclaimed. “The card games are in the next room, but you are also welcome to linger here.”
“Thank you,” Charles replied, making his way into the room a little more and looking around him.
He, as well as his sister, had to make it plain to the entirety of the ton that there was nothing to concern him this evening, that he had no anxiety or concern over this particular situation – that, in fact, there was no situation at all. The truth was, of course, that he was greatly anxious over his sister and worried about her reaction should she see Lord Telford or Lord Havers, but he had to hide all of that from his expression and manner.
“There, you see?” he heard his mother say, as she walked beside Amelia. “They have nothing to say about you. Everything is just as it was.”
“Indeed it is,” Charles agreed, smiling warmly at Amelia, even though he knew his own heart was swirling with tension. “Look, there is Lady Selina with Lady Hayward, talking to Lord Banfield. She has seen you, Amelia. Go and join her.”
His mother shot him a quick look.
“Will you join us?”
Charles shook his head.
“In a few minutes,” he said, quietly. “I want to see who else might be present this evening.”
Seeing the knowing look on his mother’s face, Charles gave her a quick smile and then stepped away, relieved that his sister would be in good company. Clearing his throat and collecting a drink from a passing footman, he made his way slowly through the room and then through the door into the room where the card games were to be held.
The instant he stepped inside, his heart slammed hard against his chest. There stood not only Lord Havers but Lord Telford, talking quietly together in the corner of the room. His brow lowered, his anger began to burn and, without thinking, he turned sharply on his heel and made his way around the edge of the room towards them.
Lord Telford, who had been looking rather thoughtful, caught sight of him and rearranged his features from an expression of dark consideration to geniality.
“Good evening, Lord Barrington,” he said, in a cheerful tone of voice which clashed hard against Charles’ anger. “And how do you fare this evening?”
“Spare me your false pretenses,” Charles growled, wishing that he could plant them both a facer. “I am well aware, Telford, that you are as much in this scheme as Lord Havers.”
Nothing was said in response to this for a moment, although Lord Telford’s expression of surprise lingered for a short time.
“Pretense?” he said, as Charles’ anger grew into a roaring fire. “I know nothing of what you speak.”
“You know very well!” Charles exclaimed, before forcing himself to keep his voice low. He could not risk being overheard. “You are together in this situation, are you not? You both seek to take money from me by blackmail. There is no need to feign your innocence, Lord Telford. I am fully aware of your involvement.”
Lord Telford’s expression remained innocently surprised for a moment or two longer but, after looking into Charles’ face for another short while, he eventually sighed and shook his head.
“Very well, then,” he said, with a shrug. “You are aware of us both.”
Lord Havers chuckled, his tone dark.
“But you have already agreed to give us what we ask, Lord Barrington, and I confess that I am greatly looking forward to receiving it!”
“So that you might share it between yourself and Lord Telford,” Charles bit out, barely able to hold onto his temper. “Before you then consider which other unfortunate young lady to chase after!”
“Or we may keep requesting money from you!” Lord Havers responded, gleefully. “Have you never thought of that, Lord Barrington?”
The laugh that came from him was cold and sent a chill straight through Charles’ heart, cooling his anger somewhat. Lady Hayward had, it seemed, been right in her suspicions of their intent.
Lord Telford tilted his head.
“And I must wonder how you came to know of my involvement, Lord Barrington,” he said, slowly, as Charles gritted his teeth to keep from biting out a harsh retort. “How you were so certain of it that you had no doubts whatsoever when you spoke to me.”
A vision of Lady Selina filled Charles’ head, making dread fill his heart.
“I was not fooled by you,” he stated, angrily. “That was all, Telford. You might believe that your behavior was that of a supposedly innocent man, but do not think that I missed the gleam in your eye or the falseness of your smile.”
This did not appear to convince Lord Telford, however, for the calculating, considering look in his eye did not fade. Instead, he merely held Charles’ gaze, his lips a little thin and his eyes narrowed.
“I will pay you this time, Lord Havers, but I shall not do so again,” Charles finished, trying to distract Lord Telford from what he had said. “I shall not be blackmailed!”
“We will see,” Lord Havers replied, with a dark smile. “I have come to learn that a gentleman will do anything for those he claims to care about. And I suspect, Lord Barrington, that you will do a great deal to protect your sister.”
“And any others you have
