A Love Unbroken: A Regency Romance (Landon House Book 3) Page 11

  Selina smiled tightly.

  “I will,” she promised, knowing that Lady Hayward would be watching her also. “And let us hope that the dance will be of short duration!”

  “Shall we, Lady Selina?”

  Taking Lord Telford’s arm, Selina suppressed a shudder and stepped out with him onto the dance floor.

  “I am inclined to believe that you do not wish to be here with me, Lady Selina,” Lord Telford said, his voice low and grating. “Is there some particular reason?”

  Recalling the shame that had come with her lack of courage already, Selina forced herself to speak with as much honesty as she dared.

  “Do you not recall the first time we were introduced, Lord Telford?” she asked, lifting her chin as she spoke to him, although she kept her gaze averted. “I am surprised that you would expect me to think well of you after such behavior.”

  Lord Telford snorted with derision.

  “I did nothing untoward, Lady Selina,” he said, a sneer pulling at his mouth. “Lady Amelia chose to come into the room without her brother or Lady Barrington – it cannot be that you would think me responsible for that?”

  “I think you responsible for even approaching Lady Amelia when she was without proper chaperonage, regardless of whether she had chosen to be in that room alone or not,” Selina replied, her heart beating so loudly that she was certain Lord Telford could hear it. “I cannot think well of you, Lord Telford.”

  She spoke more honestly than she had ever done before to Lord Telford – and she could tell from the way his jaw set that she had angered him. Her stomach twisted, her anxiety growing steadily and, as the dance began, Selina felt herself almost overcome with nervousness. Part of her feared that Lord Telford would do something so improper, and yet so overt that everyone present would know of it, whereas another part worried that he would not return her to Lady Hayward when the dance came to an end. Would there be punishment for her words of honesty to him? Would he think of something he might do to make certain that she was humiliated in retaliation?

  The dance progressed and Selina found herself remaining entirely silent as they went through the steps. Neither she nor Lord Telford shared a word with each other, and nor did he even attempt to smile at her. They must have looked as though they were the most miserable of all the dancers, although Selina was doing her best to keep her composure, to not give in to the spiraling fear within her heart.

  Lady Hayward is watching me, she told herself, over and over again. There is nothing to be worried about. I will return to her side and all will be well.

  The end of the dance came and Selina curtsied as Lord Telford bowed. He offered his arm and she accepted reluctantly, expecting to be turned towards Lady Hayward once more.

  Lord Telford did not do as she had expected.

  “It is a very great shame that you do not think well of me, Lady Selina,” he said, beginning to walk with her in the opposite direction, pulling her away from Lady Hayward. “I assure you, I am quite amiable.”

  Selina’s heart began to pound furiously as panic took hold. The other dancers were beginning to disperse and she felt herself trapped as Lord Telford continued to lead her away from Lady Hayward. Attempting to pull her hand from his arm, she heard his dark laugh as he placed his hand over her wrist, keeping her beside him.

  “If you are attempting to make a more favorable impression, Lord Telford, then I can assure you that you are failing entirely,” she replied, slowly her steps and forcing him to do so also. “Unhand me!”

  Lord Telford chuckled and Selina’s panic grew. She looked all about her, praying that Lady Hayward would come after her, would have seen her difficulty, for unless she screamed and fought Lord Telford – which would, of course, cause a great scene and, no doubt, have Lord Telford exclaim that he had been merely returning her to her chaperone and had no understanding of her behavior – she was trapped beside him.

  “It was you, I suppose,” Lord Telford continued, his voice now low and filled with malice. “It was you who informed Lord Barrington about my involvement in the matter with his sister?” He looked at her and smiled grimly. “Yes, I have noticed your closeness with Lady Amelia these last few days. How extraordinary, given that there was no such friendship between you before? I –”

  “That is enough, Lord Telford!”

  Selina came to a halt, using every bit of strength she had to remain steadfast as he attempted to tug her forward. She stumbled but continued to do her utmost to remain where she was, with Lord Telford’s face darkening with every moment that passed. They were now very close to the other guests, the dance floor cleared entirely, and others now moving towards it, to form up for the next dance set, but Selina knew that she could not permit herself to be taken any further. Quite what Lord Telford now intended, she did not know, but it was not as though she wished to find out! If her resisting him was noticed, people would talk, but she feared that less than what would happen if she allowed him his way.

  “Unhand me,” she bit out, her breathing coming more quickly as she fought to remain steady, with Lord Telford glaring down at her as he tried to have her walk forward. “I will not –”

  “I should do as the lady asks.”

  Selina felt her whole body sag with relief as the voice of Lord Barrington reached her ears. Lord Telford stopped attempting to force her to walk forward, but turned sharply, which movement made Selina stumble forward a few steps.

  A strong hand caught her arm and she looked up into Lord Barrington’s face. It was dark with anger.

  “Release her, Telford,” he said and, much to Selina’s relief, the gentleman did so – although she was certain that, had he any other choice, he would have refused entirely.

  “I was merely searching for Lady Hayward!” Lord Telford exclaimed, his wide eyes and spread hands speaking of nothing more than innocence. “I cannot understand you, Lord Barrington!”

  “Lady Hayward has been held back from coming after her charge by one Lord Havers,” Lord Barrington replied, as Selina gasped with horror. “He was quite determined to keep her where she was, refusing to move from her side and indeed, stepping in front of her when she attempted to depart from him. How glad I am that I saw her distress and realized what was occurring.”

  Lord Telford’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightened and his shoulders lifted just a fraction.

  “I think we will be writing to you again, come the morrow, Lord Barrington,” he said, his words threatening and cruel. “There was no need for you to become involved with this matter, but now, it seems, you are eager to protect both your sister and Lady Selina! That, of course, must incur another payment.”

  Selina gasped and made to protest, but Lord Barrington reached out and took her hand, pressing it tightly with his own so that she lapsed into silence.

  “You will not succeed, Telford,” he stated.

  Selina closed her eyes and drew in a long breath so that she might steady herself and regain her composure. It would not do to have the ton notice her in her present state.

  “I do not see how you can prevent my success,” Lord Telford replied, with a shrug. “Good evening, Lord Barrington.” He swept into an ostentatious bow. “And to you, Lady Selina. I do hope our conversation will not be so interrupted again.”

  Selina shuddered as he walked away, her eyes lingering on the gentleman as though she wanted to make quite certain that he had left her side.

  “I am sorry that I did not notice your predicament sooner, Lady Selina,” Lord Barrington said, turning to her, his blue eyes swirling like the dark clouds of a storm. “I do hope that you are unharmed?”

  “I am quite all right,” she assured him, seeing the concern in his face and wanting immediately to reassure him. “But Lady Hayward?”

  “Is waiting for you,” he said, offering her his arm. “I must apologize, Lady Selina, for allowing Lord Telford to notice your nearness to Lady Amelia. I am sure that–”

  “It was not your fault,” she interrupted,
as they began to walk around the room towards Lady Hayward once more. “Surely you cannot place any sort of blame on yourself for that!”

  Lord Barrington fell silent for a few moments and Selina’s heart tightened as she saw him frown. Just what had he said?

  “I told Lord Telford that I knew he was involved with Lord Havers,” the gentleman replied, after a very long few minutes. “I was very emphatic about my knowledge of it, rather than expressing a belief or a supposition. Therefore, Lord Telford assumed that someone knew of his connection to Lord Havers and had informed me of it.” His eyes drifted to hers for a moment before snapping away again. “I believe that it did not take him long to realize that it was, most likely, you who had done so. If I had not been so foolish in my speech, then he might never have made that assumption.”

  Selina frowned hard, her hand still on Lord Barrington’s arm. She could practically feel the strain within him, as though it was effusing from his very bones. She could understand his regret, certainly, but she herself held no such ill will.

  “I am sure that Lord Telford might have come to such a conclusion himself, in time,” she answered, seeing Lady Hayward’s white face only a short distance away. She smiled warmly so as to reassure her chaperone, who then closed her eyes in great relief. “Lord Telford stated that he had noticed how close a friendship Lady Amelia and I had developed of late.” Slowing her steps, she looked up at Lord Barrington again. “You must not allow yourself to think so poorly of your behavior, Lord Barrington. I do not have any ill will toward you.”

  Lord Barrington let out a long breath, nodded and thanked her.

  “You have such a great kindness within you, Lady Selina,” he said, quietly. “My sister has come to consider you a great friend and I–”

  He broke off suddenly and Selina looked up at him, their steps slowing all the more.

  “And you, Lord Barrington?”

  “I…”

  “Selina!”

  There was no time for him to finish what he had been about to say and, whilst Selina was greatly relieved to be back by Lady Hayward’s side, there came a swell of disappointment that crushed her heart. Lord Barrington cleared his throat and allowed himself a small smile as Lady Hayward thanked him profusely for what he had done, before making certain that Selina was not harmed in any way.

  “I am quite well, Lady Hayward,” Selina assured her, as her chaperone closed her eyes again in apparent relief. “Lord Barrington came to my side at the very moment that I most needed help.”

  “You were doing all you could to stop Lord Telford yourself, Lady Selina,” Lord Barrington replied, sending a smile to Selina’s face as she glanced up at him. “You were courageous indeed.”

  His words made Selina’s smile grow all the more, as Lady Hayward reached out to press her hand, clearly overwrought now with both relief and the aftermath of fear.

  “I am so very glad that you are returned without harm,” the lady murmured, as Selina smiled back at Lord Barrington. “Thank you, Lord Barrington.”

  “Yes,” Selina added. “Thank you for watching for me, for coming to my aid. I do not think that I could have escaped Lord Telford without you.”

  Lord Barrington inclined his head, although when he lifted it again, his eyes remained fixed on hers, something now held within his gaze that Selina could not quite make out.

  “And I shall continue to do so,” he promised, his words swelling Selina’s heart in a manner that she had not expected. “I shall do so until this threat is gone, Lady Selina. Of that, you have my word.”

  Chapter Ten

  “If you frown any harder, I believe you will terrify anyone who approaches!”

  Charles looked up sharply from where he had been staring, realizing that he had been doing nothing more than staring into the fire rather than being aware of anyone else around him.

  “Banfield,” he muttered, gesturing to an empty chair. “Join me, if you wish.”

  “Join you in your brooding?” Banfield replied, with a small smile. “Very well, but I confess I shall not be permitting such dark thoughts as you have at present to linger in my mind.”

  Charles allowed himself a small smile and quickly caught the attention of a footman, ordering two glasses of their best brandy. White’s was quite busy this evening and Charles was grateful for it, feeling as though any conversation he was expected to have would have done nothing to lift his spirits.

  “Might I ask if it is Lady Selina that occupies your thoughts?”

  Snapping his head to the right, Charles fixed his gaze on Lord Banfield who, rather than apologize or look in any way contrite, arched one eyebrow and waited for Charles to reply.

  He did not quite know what to say. The truth was that, yes, he had been thinking solely of Lady Selina, for the look on her face when he had found her last evening with Lord Telford had been one that he could not now remove from his thoughts. Even though tonight’s social occasion had gone very well indeed – for it had been a small gathering of friends and acquaintances at Lord and Lady Borthwick’s townhouse, and Lord Telford and Lord Havers had not been on the guest list – he had found himself continuing to consider Lady Selina.

  “You do not answer me.”

  “I have no need to,” Charles replied, speaking a little more sharply than he had intended. “Surely you must know that I have a good many concerns on my mind at present!”

  Banfield chuckled.

  “And one of those concerns is Lady Selina,” he said, as though he knew that Charles was steadfastly refusing to state such a thing. “I do not blame you, Barrington. She is a very lovely creature and, being the daughter of a Duke, she is more than suitable as a match for you.”

  The protest that jumped to Charles’ lips the moment Banfield finished speaking was only held back with great effort. Everything in him wanted to deny that he had any sort of consideration for Lady Selina but to do so would go against the steadily increasing regard he had for her within his heart.

  “There is no shame in admitting such a thing,” Banfield continued, a little more quietly. “She is quite an extraordinary young lady, and I doubt very much that you should find another like her in all of London!”

  Charles’ brows lowered as he studied his friend.

  “It sounds as though you are a little taken with her yourself, Banfield,” he replied, his heart quickening just a little as he spoke. “If you are considering her, then I shall not –”

  Banfield laughed, cutting Charles off quickly.

  “My dear Barrington, I have no consideration for Lady Selina in that particular regard,” he said, sending such a crashing wave of relief over Charles that he was forced to take in a deep breath, surprising even himself by just how much he felt. “In fact, I believe I have found a young lady that I am considering.”

  Charles’ interest was piqued immediately.

  “Oh?” he repeated, looking back at Banfield, his brow lifting. “And who might that be?”

  Banfield’s response was held back for a moment by the return of the footman. With glass in hand, Charles gestured for his friend to continue, truly eager to know who the gentleman had discovered. These last two weeks, Banfield had done nothing other than be near Lady Amelia, and whilst Charles had been very grateful for his increased attention towards his sister, he had been anxious that his friend was missing his own opportunities to meet other young ladies, given that he wanted very much to wed.

  “If you do not take kindly to my interest in this particular young lady, I shall quite understand,” Banfield replied, slowly, although his brow furrowed and he looked away from Charles. “Indeed, I would be quite understanding, regardless of how I might feel myself.”

  Charles frowned.

  “I do not understand, Banfield. I–”

  “It is Lady Amelia.”

  Banfield’s words seemed to hang in the air between them, until Charles could hardly breathe. His eyes widened and he looked back at Banfield with shock rushing through him, whilst his frien
d merely shrugged and then, after a few moments, looked away.

  Charles could not quite take in what his friend had said. Banfield was taken with Charles’ sister? Yes, he had known Lady Amelia for longer than any other gentleman of the ton, but surely that meant that he knew all of her foibles, her faults and failings? Never once had he expected a gentleman such as Banfield to consider the flighty, foolish lady that was his sister.

  “I do not understand,” Charles replied, after taking a sip of his brandy. “Amelia? You are considering her?”

  “We – we are considering each other,” Banfield replied, slowly. “There has been an acquaintance between us for some time, as you know, but in the last two weeks our friendship has grown steadily. I have found myself eager for her company, and she the same for mine.”

  “But it is Amelia!” Charles protested, weakly. “I have spoken to you of her many times, have told you all of the frustrations and difficulties that I have had to endure because of her! Surely, Banfield, you can see the truth of her character?”

  Banfield said nothing for a few moments, although the look in his eyes told Charles that he had, in some way, upset his friend. A swirl of confusion broke through his mind and he let out a long breath, rubbing one hand over his forehead.

  “Do you not believe, Barrington, that your sister can change her ways?” Banfield asked softly, as Charles frowned hard. “The incident with Lord Telford has struck a warning note within her, and made her consider her behavior and her manner. She has spoken to me of her sorrow at causing you so much pain and frustration and, quite frankly, Barrington, I believe her to be truthful.” He shrugged. “If you do not, then I can understand your reasons for it but I will state, quite plainly, that you are wrong.”

  Charles’ frown began to lift as a slight stab of guilt jabbed at his heart.

  “I – I had not considered that,” he said, honestly. “But can you be speaking the truth, Banfield?” He searched his friend’s face and saw nothing but honesty there. “You have come to care for Amelia?”