“I quite understand,” Charles replied, with a grin. “Then yes, of course, I should be glad to join you.”
“And your sister and mother also, of course,” Lord Banfield replied, making Charles groan audibly. “Come now, you cannot think that I would only invite yourself to such a gathering! What would your mother think of me?”
“I cannot escape them, it seems,” Charles replied, with a shake of his head. “Very well, I shall, of course, take them with me.”
“Capital!” Lord Banfield boomed, as Charles felt his heart slowly sink to the floor with dismay.
This Season would certainly be very different to the others he had enjoyed before.
Chapter Three
“It is very generous of you, Lord Banfield, to invite me.”
Selina rose from her curtsy and tried to smile at Lord Banfield, who merely laughed and shook his head.
“Not at all, Lady Selina!” he cried, bowing low. “It is my honor to have you here this evening. And you also, Lady Hayward.”
“Lord Banfield.” Lady Hayward curtsied as she greeted him and then smiled. “I am very glad to see you again. Has London been favorable for you thus far?”
Lord Banfield laughed again, his eyes twinkling.
“I have only been in London for less than a fortnight, Lady Hayward, but certainly, I have enjoyed being back in society again. Particularly when there is such fine company to be had.”
His eyes turned back to Selina and she found herself blushing, relieved when Lady Hayward took her leave of Lord Banfield and they made their way further into his drawing room.
Lord Banfield was an Earl, from what Selina recalled, and a man of very good character also. Last Season, when they had been introduced, there had been no particular interest on her part and, it seemed, on his either, but she had been glad to know him. Therefore, this evening, she felt a little more at ease, praying that she would not embarrass herself in any way. Over the last few days, she had found social occasions to be a little easier and had managed to relax just a fraction, although certainly she found them still trying. She had never truly realized just how much she had come to rely on Anna’s presence by her side, had never understood just how much she needed her. Now that she was alone, she felt a deep failing of confidence in herself, and that left her severely lacking compared to the other young ladies of the ton. She was not a wallflower by any means, but neither was she the confident, assured young lady that she was expected to be by the beau monde.
“Look, there is that gentleman you danced with during your first ball of the Season!” Lady Hayward said quietly, gesturing with her fan towards the man Selina remembered to be Lord Barrington. “I am sure that he will converse with you, should you wish it.”
Selina swallowed hard. It took strength of character to merely make one’s way towards a group in the hope that they would be willing to greet her. If they did not, then she would be forced to turn to her right and attempt such a thing again. Lady Hayward appeared to be quite confident in the belief that Lord Barrington would not only recall her, but greet her, which was not something Selina herself believed. She doubted, was fearful, and already embarrassed at the mere thought of being ignored.
“Ah, Lady Selina!”
Looking over her shoulder, Selina let out a long breath of relief as Lord Banfield came towards her, evidently having something further to say.
“You recall Lord Barrington, do you not?” he said, walking alongside her towards the gentleman, whose eyes quickly darted towards Lord Banfield before glancing at her. “Lord Barrington, might you introduce your sister to Lady Selina? I am sure that Lady Amelia would be glad of a new acquaintance.”
Selina caught her breath as Lord Barrington frowned. Was he displeased with her in some way? Had she made such a poor impression upon him during their first meeting that he did not want her to be anywhere near his sister?
“Good evening, Lord Barrington,” she managed to say, bobbing a quick curtsey. “You remember Lady Hayward?”
“Your chaperone, of course,” he said, bowing towards Lady Hayward and then to her. “Good evening to you both.” His frown had lifted and no longer did he appear at all irritated with her, as she had feared. “Might I introduce my sister to you, Lady Selina?”
“Of course.”
Selina smiled at the young lady in question who, much to her surprise, had something of a disdainful look on her face. There was a flash of irritation in her eyes, as though she was upset that Selina had decided to interrupt her conversation with her brother.
“Amelia, mother, might I introduce Lady Selina Forrest, daughter to the Duke of Landon,” Lord Barrington said, gesturing to Selina. “Lady Selina, this is my sister, Lady Amelia.” He turned to an older lady to his left. “And my mother, Lady Barrington.”
“How very good to meet you both.” Selina curtsied quickly, noting with surprise that Lady Amelia’s expression had changed almost at once. “And this is my chaperone, Lady Hayward.”
Once all of the introductions had been made and a few words of greeting exchanged, Selina allowed herself another look towards Lady Amelia. No longer was there any sort of disdain in her eyes, no look of frustration or irritation but rather, instead, a keen awareness of who Selina was.
“Lady Selina, I am so very glad to make your acquaintance,” Lady Amelia said, as Lady Hayward was drawn into conversation with Lady Barrington, although Lord Barrington remained silent.
Lord Banfield had melted back into his crowd of guests, leaving Selina to converse with Lady Amelia.
“Have you been in London for long?” Selina asked. “I have only been present for a fortnight or so myself.”
“As have I,” Lady Amelia replied, her eyes bright and her smile ready on her lips. “I must say, Lady Selina,
