“Thank you, Lady Selina.”
Much to her relief, the dance came to a close and she was able to step back from him into a curtsey.
“I am now filled with regret,” he continued, offering his arm as they turned to make their way back to Lady Hayward.
“Oh?”
She dared not look at him, wondering now if he had something to say about what she had accidentally said.
“I regret that our dance is at an end, Lady Selina,” he said, speaking with such tenderness in his voice that Selina caught her breath, her heart beginning to hammer furiously in her chest. “For I was eagerly anticipating it and now that it is over, I must wait until the next ball before I can dance with you again.” He stopped for a moment and looked down at her. Selina swallowed hard as she glanced up into his face, blushing furiously at the look in his eyes. “Say that you will save the waltz for me, Lady Selina,” he murmured, so that only she could hear, “at the next ball we attend - you will not allow another gentleman to put his name there?”
Selina did not know what to say, feeling so overwhelmed by his request that she wanted to both laugh aloud with joy and clasp her hands together with delight.
“But of course,” she managed to answer, after a few moments, her composure still entirely intact. “I should be glad to do so, Lord Barrington.”
The smile on his face spread all the more as he looked back down at her.
“Wonderful,” he said, softly. “And now, allow me to return you to Lady Hayward.”
Lady Hayward was not alone by the time they reached her. By her side there stood a tall, broad shouldered gentleman, with a strong jaw and firm grey eyes. Selina did not know him and wondered who this gentleman might be, only for Lady Hayward to smile at her and gesture towards him.
“Lord Donaldson,” she said quietly, as Selina approached. “You are meant to be introduced already, if you recall.”
Lord Barrington let go of Selina’s hand as she quickly bobbed a curtsey.
“Yes, of course,” she replied, wondering if this intimidating gentleman was as kind-hearted as Lord Barrington had made out. “We are already meant to be introduced.”
“And I am meant to be greatly angered with you,” Lord Donaldson replied, no smile upon his face. “I thought it best to be seen talking with you briefly, Lady Selina, although in a few moments, I shall storm away and speak with another,” he said, as Selina nodded. “I am very sorry to hear that you have not been treated well by Lord Telford, although I understand it is Barrington’s sister who has been in the greatest difficulty?”
“That is so, Lord Donaldson,” Selina replied, nodding. “I know that Lord Barrington is greatly appreciative of your willingness to assist us.”
Lord Donaldson lowered his head for a moment.
“But of course,” he said, grimly. “I am glad to have been asked, for such a thing deserves great punishment.”
“Have any gentlemen approached you about your bet?” Lord Barrington asked, with Lord Donaldson nodding. “They have? Already?”
“Only one,” Lord Donaldson replied, his expression returning to the rather dark look that had been there only moments before. “A Lord Smithfield. I do not know him.”
Lord Barrington chuckled, although Selina did not know why, given just how much anxiety was beginning to pile upon her heart.
“I am acquainted with Lord Smithfield,” Lord Barrington told them both, a twinkle in his eye. “I can assure you, Lady Selina, that you have nothing to fear from him. He is an older gentleman who has more eagerness than ability, no matter what he sets his mind to.”
Selina let out a long breath of relief.
“I see,” she said, as Lord Barrington chuckled again. “Then I have nothing to concern myself with at present.”
“No, you do not,” Lord Donaldson replied, although he still did not smile. “And now, I shall take my leave of you. I must make it quite clear, of course, that you have once more slighted me, Lady Selina.”
“I quite understand,” Selina replied.
She turned her face sharply away from Lord Donaldson and looked directly across the ballroom so that it appeared that she had no further interest in the man. She heard Lord Barrington laugh under his breath, as Lord Donaldson muttered something about speaking to Lord Barrington again when he had a little more news. And then, he was gone.
“I do not think anyone could mistake your acquaintance with Lord Donaldson as being a positive one,” Lady Hayward considered, as Selina smiled at her. “That was very well done.”
“I thank you,” Selina replied, softly. “Lord Donaldson seems to be an excellent gentleman.”
Lord Barrington shook his head, slicing the air between them with his hand.
“Do not allow anyone to hear you say so,” he told her, as a flush of embarrassment crashed down upon Selina, making her realize she had been somewhat ill considered in her remark. “And should any young lady seek to ask you questions about Lord Donaldson, then you must make certain to lie.”
Selina nodded, dropping her head just a little so that she would not have to look into Lord Barrington’s face.
“I understand.”
“This requires a great deal of you, I know,” Lord Barrington continued, a good deal more gently. “I am sorry for it, Lady Selina. Would that I could take your place myself!”
“I must beg an introduction!” Before Selina could answer, a gentleman came directly to stand by Lord Barrington, whose face immediately went rather pale, followed by a deep, red flush which crept up his neck. “Come now, Barrington!” the gentleman continued, grinning broadly. “I have long been seeking an introduction to the lady and you cannot allow her to escape me
