The dance progressed and Selina found herself remaining entirely silent as they went through the steps. Neither she nor Lord Telford shared a word with each other, and nor did he even attempt to smile at her. They must have looked as though they were the most miserable of all the dancers, although Selina was doing her best to keep her composure, to not give in to the spiraling fear within her heart.
Lady Hayward is watching me, she told herself, over and over again. There is nothing to be worried about. I will return to her side and all will be well.
The end of the dance came and Selina curtsied as Lord Telford bowed. He offered his arm and she accepted reluctantly, expecting to be turned towards Lady Hayward once more.
Lord Telford did not do as she had expected.
“It is a very great shame that you do not think well of me, Lady Selina,” he said, beginning to walk with her in the opposite direction, pulling her away from Lady Hayward. “I assure you, I am quite amiable.”
Selina’s heart began to pound furiously as panic took hold. The other dancers were beginning to disperse and she felt herself trapped as Lord Telford continued to lead her away from Lady Hayward. Attempting to pull her hand from his arm, she heard his dark laugh as he placed his hand over her wrist, keeping her beside him.
“If you are attempting to make a more favorable impression, Lord Telford, then I can assure you that you are failing entirely,” she replied, slowly her steps and forcing him to do so also. “Unhand me!”
Lord Telford chuckled and Selina’s panic grew. She looked all about her, praying that Lady Hayward would come after her, would have seen her difficulty, for unless she screamed and fought Lord Telford – which would, of course, cause a great scene and, no doubt, have Lord Telford exclaim that he had been merely returning her to her chaperone and had no understanding of her behavior – she was trapped beside him.
“It was you, I suppose,” Lord Telford continued, his voice now low and filled with malice. “It was you who informed Lord Barrington about my involvement in the matter with his sister?” He looked at her and smiled grimly. “Yes, I have noticed your closeness with Lady Amelia these last few days. How extraordinary, given that there was no such friendship between you before? I –”
“That is enough, Lord Telford!”
Selina came to a halt, using every bit of strength she had to remain steadfast as he attempted to tug her forward. She stumbled but continued to do her utmost to remain where she was, with Lord Telford’s face darkening with every moment that passed. They were now very close to the other guests, the dance floor cleared entirely, and others now moving towards it, to form up for the next dance set, but Selina knew that she could not permit herself to be taken any further. Quite what Lord Telford now intended, she did not know, but it was not as though she wished to find out! If her resisting him was noticed, people would talk, but she feared that less than what would happen if she allowed him his way.
“Unhand me,” she bit out, her breathing coming more quickly as she fought to remain steady, with Lord Telford glaring down at her as he tried to have her walk forward. “I will not –”
“I should do as the lady asks.”
Selina felt her whole body sag with relief as the voice of Lord Barrington reached her ears. Lord Telford stopped attempting to force her to walk forward, but turned sharply, which movement made Selina stumble forward a few steps.
A strong hand caught her arm and she looked up into Lord Barrington’s face. It was dark with anger.
“Release her, Telford,” he said and, much to Selina’s relief, the gentleman did so – although she was certain that, had he any other choice, he would have refused entirely.
“I was merely searching for Lady Hayward!” Lord Telford exclaimed, his wide eyes and spread hands speaking of nothing more than innocence. “I cannot understand you, Lord Barrington!”
“Lady Hayward has been held back from coming after her charge by one Lord Havers,” Lord Barrington replied, as Selina gasped with horror. “He was quite determined to keep her where she was, refusing to move from her side and indeed, stepping in front of her when she attempted to depart from him. How glad I am that I saw her distress and realized what was occurring.”
Lord Telford’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightened and his shoulders lifted just a fraction.
“I think we will be writing to you again, come the morrow, Lord Barrington,” he said, his words threatening and cruel. “There was no need for you to become involved with this matter, but now, it seems, you are eager to protect both your sister and Lady Selina! That, of course, must incur another payment.”
Selina gasped and made to protest, but Lord Barrington reached out and took her hand, pressing it tightly with his own so that she lapsed into silence.
“You will not succeed, Telford,” he stated.
Selina closed her eyes and drew in a long breath so that she might steady herself and regain her composure. It would not do to have the ton notice her in her present state.
“I do not see how you can prevent my success,” Lord Telford replied, with a shrug. “Good evening, Lord Barrington.” He swept into an ostentatious bow. “And to you, Lady Selina. I do hope our conversation will not be so interrupted again.”
Selina shuddered as he walked away, her eyes lingering on the gentleman as though she wanted to make quite certain that he had left her side.
“I am sorry that I did not notice your predicament sooner, Lady Selina,” Lord Barrington said, turning to her, his blue eyes swirling like the dark clouds of a storm. “I do hope that you
