Lady Selina blinked, then smiled.
“Oh, I should be very glad to hear of any suggestions!” she exclaimed, as Charles smiled at her obvious eagerness. “I do hope I will be able to contribute something, of course. Lady Amelia has become something of a friend and I confess that I am very concerned for her.” Her eyes drifted towards where Lady Amelia and Lord Banfield stood, talking quietly together. “Although,” Lady Selina continued slowly, allowing her gaze to rest upon Charles once more. “I have wondered if she has more of a protector in Lord Banfield?”
Charles looked towards his sister and saw Banfield press Lady Amelia’s hand for just a moment, before releasing it. There was a happiness in his heart that had not been there before, a happiness that he was now glad to share.
“It seems that Banfield has taken something of a liking to my sister, even though he has known her for some time,” he said, as Lady Selina’s eyes flared. “He asked me only last evening if he might be permitted to court her.”
Lady Selina pressed one hand to her heart.
“And what did you answer him, Lord Barrington?” Her eyes widened and she dropped her head. “Forgive me, that was not a question I should have asked. It is an entirely private matter, of course.”
Charles laughed softly and Lady Selina looked up.
“My dear Lady Selina, you have nothing to apologize for,” he said, warmly. “And you have every right to ask, given that you have become so closely acquainted with my sister – something I am very grateful for.”
Lady Selina said nothing, but lifted her eyes to his, clearly waiting in anticipation for what he would say about Lord Banfield.
“And, of course,” he continued, “I told Banfield that I should be very happy indeed for him to court my sister. I believe that he is an excellent gentleman and, whilst I will confess myself surprised that such an intimacy has grown between them, I am very glad indeed for the connection.”
“As am I,” Lady Selina replied, surprising Charles somewhat. Evidently, it seemed, his sister had spoken to Lady Selina of her eagerness for Banfield’s courtship before it had even been mentioned to him! “I believe they will do very well together,” she finished, as Charles nodded.
“I could not agree more,” he said, just as dinner was announced.
Offering her his arm, he waited as she looked up in surprise, before accepting with a glad smile. Together, they walked through to the dining room to sit down for dinner.
“And so, we must find a way to ensure that Lord Telford and Lord Havers are themselves found in a situation where they cannot escape without great consequence,” Lord Banfield finished as the others listened. “We have not yet been able to think of such a situation, however.”
Charles nodded as the others glanced at each other, clearly thinking hard.
“Might they be tempted with a gamble?” Lady Hayward suggested, as Charles’ mother nodded fervently. “I know that many gentlemen might be willing to do such a thing.”
“I do not think they would do so,” Lady Selina replied, her cheeks coloring as everyone looked at her at once. “They are very eager to keep the wealth that they have gained for themselves, before going out to seek more. Surely they would not, therefore, be willing to gamble some of it away?”
“I am inclined to agree with you there,” Charles rumbled as Banfield rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “And such a situation might appear much too obvious.”
“They will be on their guard,” Lady Barrington said slowly. “They will be aware, Barrington, that you are most displeased and might wish to retaliate in some fashion.”
“Which means it cannot appear to come from you,” Lady Selina added, as Lady Barrington nodded. “They must believe that they have the upper hand. That they are in control.”
Charles hesitated, an idea beginning to form in the very edges of his mind.
“Might I suggest, then,” he said, speaking quietly, “that we place a bet in White’s betting book?”
He looked to Banfield, who frowned.
“Is betting not the same as gambling?” Lady Amelia asked, but Charles shook his head.
“A bet can be made on any given subject, - it is not always a matter in which chance plays a part, but may be something where skill or other influences may affect the outcome,” he said, slowly. “And if you are quite determined that you can achieve whatever the bet requires, then a vast deal of money is within your grasp. And given that both gentlemen are eager to add to their wealth, it would seem that their willingness to achieve such a thing might overtake their sensible considerations.”
Everyone nodded, but there still remained a great many questions which Charles knew he would have to answer.
“What bet is it that you are thinking of presenting to them?” Banfield asked, as a murmur or interest ran around the table. “It will have to be something they can achieve.”
Charles’ heart began to burn in his chest as he glanced towards Lady Selina. He knew what he might suggest, knew what he could put in place, but the risk to her was great. She met his gaze, looking back at him steadily and, within a few moments, her eyes had widened and her color faded entirely as she somehow realized what he was thinking.
“You would use me,” she said, breathlessly. “Is that not so?”
Profound silence filled the room as everyone first turned to Lady Selina and then, with wide eyes and shocked expressions, looked back towards Charles.
“It would be a bet which they would both wish to achieve, and would believe they could achieve,” he said, reluctantly. “We would have to be on our guard, of course, and make certain that, when they step forward to achieve their goal, they are discovered and shamed for their actions.”
“Which would, in turn, leave them to your mercy,” Lady Amelia said, as Charles nodded, barely lifting his
