Selina smiled, although her heart became a little sorrowful. She had slowly begun to realize that Lady Amelia’s change in expression and manner had come solely from the realization that Selina was the daughter of a Duke - and that fact did not please her very much at all. Was Lady Amelia somewhat arrogant in her status as the daughter – and now sister – of the Earl of Barrington? If that was the case, then Selina did not think that she wished to develop any sort of friendship with the lady.
“Tell me,” she began, changing the subject entirely and refusing to state anything that might sound like an agreement to do as Lady Amelia had suggested. “Have you found society to be welcoming toward you? I do hope so. A debut year can be very exciting indeed.”
Lady Amelia clasped her hands together and gave a deep, contented sigh.
“Oh yes, very much indeed,” she gushed, quickly going into a long, extended speech about all that had occurred and just how much she had enjoyed it all.
Selina listened as best she could, but slowly became aware of Lord Barrington watching them, his brow lowered and his eyes a little sharp. Daring a glance at him, she saw his expression quickly change as she caught his eye, perhaps causing him, only then to realize that he had been watching them both with such intensity. He cleared his throat, his brow lifted, and the tightness left his jaw. Whatever it was that had been troubling him, he quickly hid it, leaving Selina wondering just what it was about her company that seemed to displease him so.
“I do hope that we might take tea together some day, Lady Selina,” Lady Amelia finished, reaching out to touch Selina’s arm for just a moment, drawing her attention back to the lady. “I am sure we will become very good friends indeed.”
Selina murmured something indistinct and smiled, just as another young lady came to approach them. Without seeming to even pause for breath, Lady Amelia turned away from Selina and grasped the hands of the young lady, turning so swiftly that Selina was left looking at the vacant space where Lady Amelia had stood only moments before.
She blinked her astonishment away, composing herself, and making certain that no expression of surprise remained on her face before turning towards Lady Hayward in the hope that they might extricate themselves from Lord Barrington’s company altogether. Given that Lord Barrington had frowned at her, evidently displeased with her company, and now Lady Amelia had turned away from her so quickly, Selina was both embarrassed and a little frustrated. She had no understanding as to why Lord Barrington appeared so, and certainly Lady Amelia had behaved in a rather rude fashion also. They did not know of her struggle to make her way in society with confidence of course, but certainly she was not inclined to remain in their company any longer.
“Lady Selina,” Lord Barrington rumbled, catching her attention. “I –”
“Ah, Lord Barrington!”
Another voice came from over Selina’s shoulder and, in an instant, she found herself swiftly removed from whatever conversation Lord Barrington had intended to have with her, replaced with a young lady and her mother who practically pushed Selina out of her way as she drew close to Lord Barrington. Selina did not hear what was said, her face beginning to burn with embarrassment as she finally caught Lady Hayward’s eye. Thankfully, her chaperone seemed to understand Selina’s distress and took her leave of Lady Barrington quickly, coming to Selina’s side as they bid the lady good evening.
“Are you quite all right?” Lady Hayward asked urgently, as they made their way across the room and through the door into the adjoining music room, which had been opened for the guests also. “Is something wrong?”
Selina did not immediately answer, taking in quick breaths in the hope of composing herself further before she chose to respond. Lady Hayward did not hurry her, waiting quietly until Selina was ready to speak.
“Lady Amelia was not at all eager for my company until she learned that I was the Duke of Landon’s daughter,” she said slowly, as Lady Hayward frowned. “She made it quite clear that she would be very pleased if we could continue our acquaintance, but I find that I am not inclined towards it.”
“That is perfectly reasonable,” Lady Hayward said, but Selina had not finished speaking, finding her embarrassment now turning to anger. It was not an emotion she often felt, but now that it had taken a hold of her, it began to lick hot flames all through her heart.
“Whilst I was conversing with Lady Amelia, Lord Barrington did nothing but frown heavily at us both,” she continued, her own brows lowering. “As though to state that he was displeased with my company! Lady Amelia, however, then displayed a great rudeness of manner in turning away from me the moment another young lady of her acquaintance came towards her, only for Lord Barrington, who seemed about to speak to me, to then be distracted in much the same way.”
Lady Hayward sighed and shook her head.
“I am sorry to hear what occurred,” she said, gently, “but mayhap Lord Barrington’s frown was not aimed towards you, my dear.”
Selina glanced at her. Lady Hayward’s calm words had quietened her anger somewhat, although her face was still flushed and a tension still ran through her frame.
“What do you mean?”
“It may have been his sister,” Lady Hayward suggested, as Selina’s brows knotted once more. “Mayhap he was displeased with her over some matter that we are, as yet, unaware of, and that contributed to his expression as he watched and listened to the conversation.”
It was not something that Selina had considered, but the fact that Lord Barrington had been so quickly distracted by the young lady and her mother, rather than
