“No,” Charles agreed, slowly, looking away from his friend and returning his gaze to the fire which still burned merrily in the grate. “It does not. And that is a very great relief, Banfield, for I still have no solution as to what we might do to prevent Lord Telford and Lord Havers from doing as they wish.”
Banfield’s smile began to fade as he lifted his brandy glass to his mouth.
“Nor I, I confess,” he replied, with a shake of his head. “They appear to have the upper hand.”
Charles let out another great sigh and shook his head, wishing that he had come to some sort of conclusion about the matter.
“I have put Lady Selina in danger also,” he muttered, a little ashamed. “After last evening, I now expect to receive a note requesting further funds in order for them to remain silent about my sister – and all because I prevented Lord Telford from taking Lady Selina far from her chaperone.”
Seeing Banfield’s confusion and recalling that he had not yet told his friend about what had happened, Charles quickly told the tale. He did not fail to mention that he had lost his temper and had practically thrown accusations at Lord Telford, such that there had been very little doubt in the gentleman’s mind that someone must have known of his and Lord Havers discussions.
“You cannot blame yourself,” Banfield said, once Charles had finished. “I am certain that Lady Selina does not.”
“No, she does not,” Charles replied, with a wry smile. “She should be holding me responsible, of course, but she does not do so. Instead, she is kind and generous of spirit, which is just as I would expect from the lady.” Banfield’s brow rose but he said nothing. “If there was a way for me to return the very same to Lord Telford as he gives to others, then I would do so in an instant,” Charles finished, heavily. “But as it stands, my mind simply cannot come up with any solution.”
Banfield took another sip of his brandy and then turned quickly back towards Charles. His eyes widened and leaning forward, he reached across to slap his hand down on the arm of Charles’ chair.
“That is it precisely, old boy!”
Charles frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“To do the very same to him, as Lord Telford does to others!” Banfield exclaimed, excitement filling him. “The gentleman must be lured into a trap, the like of that which he has designed for others to fall into. Lord Havers also! We must find a situation where they are caught in a compromising circumstance, one way or the other and, in doing so, we will have enough hold over them to make certain that they do not do any such thing again!” Charles let the idea rush through his mind for a moment or two before, slowly, he began to nod. “I do not know what such a situation could be,” Banfield continued, speaking very quickly indeed, as though he had to have his thoughts spoken before they flew from him. “But I am certain that, together, we might think of something!”
“And there would be a good deal still to plan, given that we would have to somehow convince both gentlemen to place themselves in such a situation without any awareness that they might be in danger,” Charles added, as Banfield nodded fervently. “But you are correct to state that they would not be able to return to what they have been doing thus far, if we were to seize control of such a situation.” The idea began to blossom in his mind, sending a surge of hope all through Charles. “I am aware, of course, that you would be protecting Amelia should she become your wife, but I do not want Lord Telford and Havers to continue on this path, regardless of just how protected my own sister might be.”
“Neither do I,” Banfield replied, firmly. “Might I suggest, then, that we discuss the matter over dinner tomorrow evening? Lady Hayward and Lady Selina are still attending, are they not?”
Charles nodded, his sense of brooding melancholy leaving him at once.
“They are,” he said, as Banfield nodded in satisfaction. “Finally, it feels as though we are in control.”
“All we need now is a real plan,” Banfield quipped, as Charles chuckled. “But I am sure that, come the morrow, we will have something in place.”
“I have little doubt of it,” Charles replied, grinning. “Lord Telford will find himself entirely undone – and I, for one, shall be very glad to see it.”
“Lady Selina.”
The way she smiled up at him made Charles’ stomach twist as a flush of heat began to rise up his neck. There was such a beauty about her that he could hardly take it in, knowing that her character was one of kindness, of consideration and of generosity. The flecks of gold he had seen before in her hazel eyes were all the more obvious this evening, reflecting the light from the candles and making his breath catch in his chest.
“Good evening, Lord Barrington,” she replied, as Lady Hayward moved to speak to his mother, leaving them to converse alone. “Thank you for inviting us this evening.”
He inclined his head in the desperate hope of hiding the heat which had climbed into his cheeks.
“But of course,” he replied, looking back at her. “I am very glad you are able to join us. I have come to greatly appreciate your company.”
Her cheeks colored just a little and she dropped her gaze for a moment.
“You have not seen Lord Telford again, I hope?” he asked, as Lady Selina shook her head. “I hope that, this evening, we will be able to discuss a way forward with this matter. A way that
