“I…”
She hoped that her hesitant word sounded convincing. Her breathing was coming quick and fast as Selina forced herself to remain precisely where she was, even though everything within her was crying out to step away from him, to run away from this situation. Praying silently that she would have enough strength to continue and fixing her mind solely upon Lord Barrington, Selina walked alongside Lord Havers and allowed him to lead her forward.
“Now, we are to walk together to another small room and there, Lady Selina, you will wait until Lord Barrington is brought to you,” Lord Havers continued. “Your reputation will be sullied enough in the ton’s eyes to find you in a room alone with a gentleman – and Lord Barrington will know that also. He will pay whatever is demanded. I have no doubt about that.”
“You are despicable.”
Selina’s whispered words only caused Lord Havers to laugh cruelly, as though he found her quite ridiculous. Biting her lip, Selina steadied her breathing as best she could and reminded herself that, as she had been dancing, all manner of things had been occurring. Lord Banfield would have fetched her father. Lady Hayward, Lady Amelia and Lady Barrington would have waited together to watch her dance, to make certain of where she was, and Lord Barrington himself would now be following her, albeit at a distance. She had no need to worry. Everything would be just as they had planned.
“Through here, if you please.” Selina caught her breath as he gestured to a door which led them away from the ballroom. Looking all about her, she let out a quiet yelp of pain as Lord Havers pushed her bodily through the door, before grasping her arm in a tight grip. “And then through here,” he said, pushing open a door and thrusting her inside.
Selina stumbled in, with Lord Havers letting out a cry of laughter, which faded away in an instant as the door behind him was shut tight, closing them into the room, and none other than Selina’s father rose from his chair, his eyes wide with horror.
“Father!” Selina went to him at once, wanting to reassure him that she was not injured. “You were summoned, then?”
“I was,” the Duke replied, although his eyes remained fixed on Lord Havers who was now beginning to back away towards the door. He turned, only for Lady Hayward and Lady Barrington to move to stand in front of it, barring his way. He could not leave now, other than by physically moving both ladies aside, which Selina knew he would not do.
“Explain to me what has just occurred, Selina!” the Duke exclaimed, putting one hand out to her. “Why did this gentleman thrust you into this room in such a fashion? I thought that–”
“Lord Havers and Lord Telford have been determined to do to me what they did to Lady Amelia, Father,” Selina explained, as the Duke’s face slowly infused with color. “Lord Havers told me so explicitly.”
The Duke drew in a long breath, his shoulders lifting.
“Is that so, Lord Havers?” he bellowed, as the gentleman shrank back, no trace of his arrogant nature present any longer. “You thought to shame my daughter in order to force money from me?”
Selina turned to face Lord Havers, her confidence beginning to overflow now that she was quite safe with her father, Lady Hayward, and Lady Barrington.
“I believe, Lord Havers, that you are the one who now finds himself trapped,” she said, lifting her chin. “Now be seated. Lord Telford is due to arrive at any moment and I am sure that both you and he will be required to give a long and detailed explanation to my father, the Duke of Landon.”
She glanced up at her father and saw the glimmer of anger in his eye, wondering if he knew that she had arranged this precisely so that he would be able to bring his judgement down upon these two gentlemen.
Lord Havers said nothing, but sat down heavily, before putting his head in his hands and his elbows on his knees, as though he wanted to hide himself away before them all. Selina let out her breath slowly, feeling a great sense of relief rush through her. All they required now was Lord Telford’s presence and, thereafter, this matter would come to a swift and decisive end.
Chapter Fourteen
“Lord Barrington.”
Charles, who had, before returning to the ballroom himself, made certain that Lady Selina had been brought to the green room by Lord Havers, turned his head to look directly into the eyes of Lord Telford.
“I have nothing to say to you, Telford,” he stated, before making to leave. “Good evening.”
The gentleman reached to grasp Charles’ arm, and it was all Charles could do not to physically push him away.
“I would not walk away from me, Lord Barrington, if I were you” Lord Telford said, with a grim smile. “Not when Lady Selina is, at present, in much the same situation as your sister recently was.”
Charles felt his stomach twist, a sense of victory already rising up within him as he forced a dark frown to furrow his forehead.
“What do you mean, Telford?”
Lord Telford chuckled.
“You have not heard of the bet, then?” he said, airily. “Lord Donaldson, it seems, has been slighted by Lady Selina and, as such, has begged for someone to slight her in much the same way – a way guaranteed to see her rejected by much of society.” He shrugged one shoulder. “It seemed the perfect opportunity to not only win the bet, but also to make certain that you increased your payment to us significantly.”
Setting his jaw, Charles glared at the man.
“And why should I do such a thing?”
“Come now!” Lord Telford laughed, folding his arms across his chest. “You are not going to deny that you care for Lady Selina, I
