“What do you mean?” Charles asked, finding himself all the more intrigued with the lady. “You felt the urge to replicate your sister’s behavior?”
She nodded.
“That is it precisely, Lord Barrington. But Lady Hayward has encouraged me to be as I truly am, without any requirement to hide my character away. She was correct.” Her smile lit up her eyes. “I have found a confidence within myself that has been brought about solely by my acquaintance with both you and Lady Amelia, Lord Barrington. I have found myself struggling with fear and tension but have stepped out of their grasp and faced things that I dread with a confidence which I have never experienced before. And now that I am to face Lord Telford, being fully aware of his plans, I find that I do not have that same fear any longer.” She smiled at him, her eyes dazzling him with their beauty. “I am certain that much of my assurance comes from the knowledge that you will be watching me, Lord Barrington. That you will step in when it is required, that you will not allow me to come to harm.”
“And that I will beg of you to remain by my side when the time comes.” The words hung in the air between them for a moment and, as Charles watched the lady, he saw how her brows flickered, how a line formed gently between them. Did she realize what he meant? Emboldened, he continued quickly, wanting to speak honestly before Lady Hayward returned. “Lady Selina, it is true that I will do all I can to protect you,” he said, urgently, “but it is more than that. There is a great affection for you within my heart, Lady Selina. Once this matter is brought to a close, once Lord Telford and Lord Havers are brought low, I will have a matter of urgency still heavy upon my shoulders.”
He was surprised to hear just how swiftly she caught her breath but, studying her face, he was sure that it came from a place of hope and of expectation, rather than anxiety or worry.
“A matter of…?”
“I should not like to speak out of turn,” he continued quickly, aware that Lady Hayward could return at any moment. “But I must be frank, Lady Selina. I – I do care for you - deeply.”
Those last few words had been a little stuttered and Charles found himself now struggling for breath, as though it had taken all of his energy to speak of such a thing to her. As he looked directly into Lady Selina’s eyes, Charles felt his heart lift with joy as a beautiful smile began to spread across her face. It lifted her expression entirely, her eyes sparkling with evident happiness, her cheeks still gently flushed with color. She had never looked more beautiful.
“You speak the truth?”
He nodded fervently.
“I do,” he said, his voice a little softer than before. “I speak it with great eagerness also, Lady Selina, for I wish you to know of my intentions.”
“And they are?”
Her smile was a little teasing now, her head tilting to the left just a little. Charles laughed and she laughed along with him, both sharing in the happiness which seemed to wrap itself around them.
“I should like to court you, Lady Selina,” he said, after a moment. “Of course, I am aware that I will need to speak to the Duke himself, and I will be glad to do so, but only if you would be happy for me to do so.”
She let out a long sigh, although her smile did not diminish.
“I should be very happy indeed, Lord Barrington,” she answered, as Charles closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, feeling the last strands of tension leave his frame. “For what you have spoken of is within my heart also.”
It was at that very moment that Lady Hayward decided to make a reappearance, her footsteps breaking any further conversation between Charles and Lady Selina. But the smiles that they shared spoke of the joy that now settled in each of their hearts, and despite all that faced them both, Charles truly believed that he had never felt such a happiness as this before.
Chapter Thirteen
Speaking to her father about the matter at hand had not been an easy task.
Selina had deliberately kept many things from him, knowing in her heart that he would refuse to permit her to attend the ball that evening should she tell him everything. Lady Hayward had been present with her at the time of the discussion and Selina had not missed the frown which had crossed her chaperone’s brow upon occasion. She herself was greatly appreciative of Lady Hayward’s willingness to allow her to continue as she had planned, although she was also fully aware that the lady would have stepped forward and refused outright had she any great concerns over Selina’s safety. As things stood, there was a clear plan ahead of them, one which made certain that Selina herself would not be left alone at any time, even if Lord Telford or Lord Havers believed her to be so.
“And so, if I recall correctly, I am to go with Lord Banfield at a time of his choosing?” the Duke said, as the carriage rumbled on its way towards the ball. “To a particular room?” He frowned. “I do not fully understand.”
“I know you do not, Father,” Selina replied, gently. “All will become clear, but I assure you it is for a worthy cause.”
The Duke harrumphed, but said very little in response.
Selina had told him of the
