Selina frowned, but then quickly wiped the expression from her face. She was meant to be amiable, happy and contented, just as any young lady of the ton might be. That meant being eager to know any new acquaintances who sought her out.
“I am not certain that the lady wishes to be introduced to you, Lord Havers,” Lord Barrington said, and instantly, Selina was on her guard.
She allowed her smile to fall away, permitted her brows to lower and saw how Lord Havers watched her closely, seeing her change of expression.
“It seems as though Lord Telford was correct in his assumption,” Lord Havers said, bowing low towards Selina. “You are aware of our involvement with Lady Amelia then, Lady Selina.”
“I am certainly aware enough to know that I have no wish to be introduced to you, Lord Havers,” Selina replied, steeling herself inwardly. “What you did to Lady Amelia is beyond the pale.”
The gentleman grinned suddenly, as though he found what Selina said to be most amusing indeed.
“But you are unable to speak of it to anyone,” he said, as Selina felt a faint stirring of anger deep within her heart. “Is that not so?”
Selina looked away from Lord Havers, knowing it was best that she ignore him at present. The urge to retort was strong indeed, but she remained silent, having nothing to say to the gentleman.
“I believe this conversation is at an end, Lord Havers,” she heard Lord Barrington say, firmly. “Good evening to you.”
Lord Havers laughed again and Selina forced herself to look back at him, seeing the dark smile on his face and finding herself caught between anger and deep displeasure.
“I will consider myself now acquainted with you, Lady Selina,” he said, bowing low again. “I do hope that you will step out onto the floor with me at the next ball. I would very much like to dance with you.”
“I think not,” Selina replied, knowing full well that she would have no other choice but to do so, albeit with an apparent and obvious reluctance. “Good evening, Lord Havers.”
She waited with her face turned away from his until, after a few moments longer, he finally took his leave. Her shoulders slumped with relief and she let out a long breath, looking up at Lord Barrington and seeing the very same anger in his eyes that she felt within her heart.
“You did very well, Lady Selina,” he said, reaching for her hand and pressing it lightly. “I thank you for your willingness in all of this.”
“He is the most odious of gentlemen!” Selina exclaimed, as Lady Hayward nodded fervently, choosing, it seemed, not to notice Lord Barrington’s hand upon Selina’s. “And so arrogant!”
“Indeed,” Lady Hayward agreed, speaking for the first time in some minutes. “And no doubt, he will come to ask you to dance at the next ball, Lady Selina, and you will have to do your utmost to refuse.”
Selina smiled ruefully.
“But you, being my eager and most supportive chaperone will encourage me not to display any rudeness of manner nor ill will. Is that not so?”
Lady Hayward laughed and nodded.
“It will be my part to play – albeit reluctantly!” she exclaimed, as Selina smiled back at her. “But it appears as though, thus far, everything is going just as we have anticipated.”
She looked towards Lord Barrington, who was beginning to nod slowly.
“Now all we need do is wait,” he said, letting go of Selina’s hand, who immediately felt a sharp sting of loss. “Lord Donaldson will inform us the moment Lord Havers or Lord Telford speak to him to accept the bet. Thereafter…” He looked at Selina and smiled and she felt her heart calm once more. “Thereafter, it will be all on your shoulders, Lady Selina. Would that I could take it from you but–”
“I am not afraid,” Selina replied, a little surprised to note that she spoke the truth, for the anxiety that she had felt, the fear that had burned within her soul, had now left her entirely. When she looked up into Lord Barrington’s face, it all seemed to melt away, leaving her to draw in nothing but new-found courage and strength. “I will do what must be done. And Lady Amelia will be free from them for good.”
Chapter Twelve
“You are going to marry the lady?” Charles looked up, astonished, as Banfield’s brow lifted slightly. His heart thumped wildly in his chest as his friend remained silent, clearly waiting for a response to his question and yet it was an answer that Charles found himself almost reluctant to give. “Come now!” Banfield exclaimed, as Charles cleared his throat, feeling a little awkward. “You must know that there is a clear and sincere affection for the lady which is seen in practically everything you do!”
“I do not know….” Charles broke off, closed his eyes and shrugged. “Yes, very well. Lady Selina, for that is whom you are speaking of, has become of significant importance to me of late.”
Banfield chuckled and lifted his glass of whisky to take a small sip.
“Great importance?” he repeated, sardonically. “That does not speak of affection, Barrington! Only of practicality.”
“Then what do you wish me to say?” Charles asked, finding it rather difficult to begin to express what he truly felt for the lady. “There is – that is to say, I have an awareness that there is something new within my heart, and as yet, I have not fully determined what such a feeling is.”
“It is either affection or it is love,” Banfield replied, practically. “It can only be one of those two things, I am sure, for there is such an obvious awareness of her presence whenever she is nearby that even I have noted it!”
Charles frowned and ran one hand over his eyes, relieved that they were speaking quietly together within his own townhouse rather than out at White’s or in some other public place.
“I can do nothing as yet,” he said, slowly. “I must deal with this situation first.”
“But of course,” Banfield
