A Love Unbroken: A Regency Romance (Landon House Book 3) Page 14

  “I would not allow that!”

  The words shot from Charles’ mouth with such force that Banfield’s eyes flared with astonishment for a moment before he began to laugh, wiggling one finger in Charles’ direction.

  “If that is not evidence of your feelings towards the lady, then I do not know what is,” he said, as a flush of embarrassment crept into Charles’ face. “You cannot abide the idea of another gentleman courting her. Not when you hope to do so yourself.”

  Charles considered this carefully, examining his heart and discovering that everything Banfield said was quite correct. He did want to court Lady Selina. In fact, he wished for more than that, were he being entirely honest. Even the suggestion that she might be courted by another gentleman sent a bitter taste into his mouth, a hard anger beginning to form within him as he considered it. That was not something he could permit. He would speak to Lady Selina and beg for her consideration before he would allow such a thing to occur!

  “She needs to know how you feel and what your intentions are,” Banfield said, quietly. “Even if you do not wish to do any more at present – which is quite understandable given what is at hand – she will be glad to know the thoughts and considerations within your heart and mind, Barrington. It will give her hope.”

  A frown flickered across Charles’ brow.

  “Hope?”

  Again, Banfield grinned, although he shook his head in evident frustration that Charles was seemingly unaware of what he was about to say.

  “The lady cares for you also, I am quite sure of it,” he said, firmly. “But she does not know the truth of how you feel! Therefore, she considers you and wonders about you and silently prays that something will be said, something will be done which will prove to her that her affections and loyalty are not misplaced.”

  The way Lady Selina had looked into his eyes some two nights ago, when he had taken her hand, the sparkle in her eyes and the joy in her expression, slammed back hard into Charles’ mind. He had found himself reaching to take her fingers in his on more than one occasion, his eagerness to protect the lady growing steadily as he did so. Was Banfield correct? Did he need to say something to her, so that she understood what he felt and what he yearned for?

  “Consider it, at least,” Banfield replied, only to be interrupted by a tap at the door.

  “Enter.”

  Charles waited as the butler stepped in, holding out a silver tray towards him.

  “This has only just arrived, my Lord,” the butler said, as Charles picked up the sealed note. “There was no expectation of a reply, however.”

  “I see,” Charles murmured, turning the letter over and seeing the seal which he knew to be that of Lord Donaldson. His heart turned over in his chest. “Thank you.”

  “Might I fetch you anything else, Lord Barrington?”

  “No, nothing more at this point.”

  Charles waited until the door was closed tightly, then gestured to the letter.

  “It is from Lord Donaldson.”

  Banfield was out of his chair in an instant as Charles broke open the seal, his heart hammering at a furious pace as he did so.

  “‘Lord Telford has informed me that he intends to take on my bet’,” Charles read aloud, as Banfield nodded, his expression a little grim. “‘At Lord Copeland’s ball in two days’ time. I am to meet him – or his accomplice – in the green room, where I will be shown proof of their achievement.’”

  Charles blew out his breath between flattened lips, feeling both relief and burning anger growing within him.

  “Then Lord Telford does intend to take on the bet, as we had expected,” Banfield murmured, not returning to his chair, but instead beginning to walk up and down the length of Charles’ study. “Lady Selina must be informed.”

  “I will write to her at once,” Charles began, only to see his friend frown at him. “That is to say, I shall call upon her at once.”

  “An excellent suggestion,” Banfield replied, with a chuckle, lightening the tense atmosphere almost at once. “And who knows? There may be opportunity for you to speak of something other than Lord Telford’s plan!”

  Charles tried to scowl, but found himself smiling despite himself. Picking up his glass of whisky, he finished the rest and then, folding the letter and placing it inside his pocket, he rose from his chair.

  “I think I shall go at once, Banfield. Do excuse me, will you?”

  Banfield chuckled.

  “But of course,” he said, making his way to the door. “I myself have another pressing visit that I must undertake just as soon as I can.”

  “Oh?”

  Charles looked at his friend, who was now standing by the open door, waiting for him.

  “With Lady Amelia,” Banfield replied, with a broad smile. “She is waiting for me in the drawing room. I did say that I would not be long with you.”

  With happiness in his heart that his sister had not only found such an excellent gentleman in Banfield but that, in addition, Banfield himself appeared to be so very contented, Charles let a broad smile curve his lips.

  “Then I suggest that you hurry,” he replied, walking smartly towards the door. “And Banfield, if you have not done so already, then might I suggest that you tell her the truth of what is in your heart?” He shrugged and gestured with his hands, spreading them wide. “The true depth of feeling that is held there, you understand. I know for certain that she will appreciate hearing such a thing from you – or, at least, I have been told that she will do so!”

  Grinning at Banfield, he could not help but laugh at his friend’s wry expression and, stepping out of his study, made his way quickly towards the front door.

  “You are quite certain?”

  Charles nodded, taking the letter out of his pocket, unfolding it and handing it to Lady Selina, who took it at once. She read it quickly, then handed it to Lady Hayward who also read it without hesitation. When she looked up, her expression was grim and Charles felt a small stab of guilt within his heart. He was asking a great deal of Lady Selina, he knew, but she was, it seemed, more than willing to help him. She had always been so, right from the very beginning of her acquaintance with Lady Amelia, when she had gone to her aid without Lady Amelia ever truly realizing that she required it.

  “You will be able to speak to your father, I hope?” Charles asked, as Lady Selina nodded fervently. “And he will do as we ask?”

  “I am sure of it,” Lady Selina replied, with such firmness in her voice that Charles could not help but smile. “He may very well wish to know all that I intend to do, and might very well demand that I tell him all, but should he do so, then I have no qualms about speaking the truth to him. And I have little doubt that he will be most displeased and upset, but that he will, in the end, understand that I am in no particular danger.”

  “No, you will not be,” Charles promised, as Lady Hayward sighed and rose from her chair, her fingers twining together as she held them in front of her, making her way across the room to ring the bell. “You will be watched closely, Lady Selina, and every moment you spend with Lord Havers or Lord Telford, depending on who seeks you out, will be observed. You will never be without help, should they change their intentions.”

  She nodded slowly and Lady Hayward turned to look back at Charles directly, although she did not sit down.

  “Do you believe that they trust Lord Donaldson’s bet?” she asked, as Charles spread his hands. “Might Lady Selina be in even more danger than we thought?”

  Charles wanted to lie, to state that he was quite certain that Lord Telford believed every word of Lord Donaldson’s bet, but to do so would be entirely disingenuous, and he did not want to express any such thing to the lady.

  “I cannot say for certain, Lady Hayward, for I do not know the thoughts and considerations agreed between the two gentlemen. However, what I will state is that it is now well known that Lady Selina has rejected Lord Donaldson entirely and, given the outward appearance of both Lord Donaldson and Lad
y Selina when they first talked at the ball some two days ago, I think that belief has become all the more acknowledged. That is, perhaps, why Lord Telford has now decided to take on Lord Donaldson’s bet.”

  “Because he believes that all Lord Donaldson has said is true,” Lady Selina murmured, as Charles nodded. “That does make a good deal of sense, Lady Hayward.”

  Lady Hayward nodded, her eyes searching Charles’ face for a moment or two before she sighed.

  “Very well,” she said, softly. “Let us pray that the Duke himself will be just as considerate and understanding, should he have to be informed of it all.”

  “Indeed,” Charles agreed, smiling just a little.

  He looked back at Lady Selina and saw her watching him, her eyes bright despite the nervousness he knew she must be feeling. The urge to say just how much he had come to admire her grew within his heart but, with Lady Hayward present, Charles found himself reticent.

  “I must go and chase up that maid!” Lady Hayward said suddenly, as though she somehow knew that Charles had more that he wished to say, but that he did not want to do so when she was present. “I will be but a few moments.”

  Lady Selina’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “The maid will be coming very soon, Lady Hayward,” she said, as her companion made her way to the door. “I am sure that–”

  “A few moments!” Lady Hayward replied, waving a hand before stepping out of the door, leaving it wide open.

  Charles smiled a little self-consciously before looking back at Lady Selina, who had only just realized, it seemed, why Lady Hayward had left the room. Her cheeks began to infuse with color and she dropped her gaze to her hands as they rested gently in her lap.

  “You must know just how greatly I admire you, Lady Selina.” Charles had thought it would be very difficult indeed to speak the truth to Lady Selina but, as he began, he found his words coming with ease and purpose, as though he was eager to speak them to her. “I want to assure you that I will not allow any harm to come to you.”

  “I trust you entirely, Lord Barrington,” she replied, as he smiled at her, seeing the way her eyes darted to his and then jumped away again. “There is nothing that I fear which, I might add, is rather remarkable.”

  He tilted his head just a little.

  “Oh?”

  Her blush deepened.

  “I have always been rather quiet,” she told him, speaking slowly as if she needed to choose her words with great care. “My twin sister, Anna, has always been the one to speak first, to allow the ton to become aware of her presence. She has a confidence that I myself have lacked, and that I have, in addition, sought desperately for myself.”

  A small frown caught Charles’ brow.

  “You do not lack confidence, Lady Selina.”

  “It may not appear so, Lord Barrington, but I have felt it slowly increasing within me as our acquaintance has gone on,” she told him, surprising him. “When I first came to London, I felt nothing but anxiety and tension when it came to any social occasion. I was, in fact, even considering returning to my father’s estate, given just how poorly I knew I fared. However, Lady Hayward has been the most stalwart of companions and made certain that I came to understand that my desire to be as my sister is was not an ideal which I needed to reach.”

  “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 difficulty with Lady Amelia, whom she now considered a particular friend and had, in addition, spoken at length of Lord Barrington. Her father had shown a little interest in that, which, Selina knew, was entirely to her advantage. When she had told him of the blackmail and all that Lord Havers and Lord Telford were attempting to do, she had seen the dark anger flash in his eyes and had felt her heart swell with both relief and admiration for her father.

  The fact that he was not a particularly effusive father did not mean that he lacked compassion for anyone in trouble. His expectations for the behavior of gentlemen were fixed, and his outrage at hearing that Lady Amelia had been treated so poorly was entirely genuine. Selina had not told him the details of what would occur this evening, but had stated that his presence as a Duke was required at a certain time, and that Lord Banfield – whom her father had been introduced to on a previous occasion – would be the one to fetch him. Her father was, of course, intending to make his way to the card room almost at once, having no interest in dancing or the like, but he had promised to go with Lord Banfield the moment it was required.

  “And this Lord Barrington of yours, Selina,” her father said abruptly, as the carriage began to slow. “Once this matter with his sister is at an end, I believe that he and I are to converse on a particular subject!” Selina caught her breath, staring across the carriage at her father and barely able to make out his features in the dim light. “He wrote to me,” her father explained, speaking a little more gently but with a smile in his voice. “He has requested to call at my earliest convenience. I am sure that you must know what it is he wishes to speak to me about?”