A Love Unbroken: A Regency Romance (Landon House Book 3) Page 5

  “Good gracious!”

  Charles looked up from where he had been sanding his letter to Lady Selina, seeing his friend standing in the doorway.

  “Ah,” he replied, a little awkwardly. “Do come in, Banfield. Ignore this mess, I beg you.”

  Clearing his throat, he glanced at the tray to his right, where nuncheon had been set for him. He had forgotten to eat even a single thing, such had been his concentration on the letter.

  Jamison, who was holding the door open for Lord Banfield, made to come in, clearly eager to help Charles tidy the mess that he himself had created, but Charles waved him away.

  “It is but a few sheets of parchment,” he said, as the butler’s eyes remained fixed on the floor. “I am more than able to place them in the fireplace. Please, attend to your duties.”

  Jamison nodded and stepped away, pulling the door closed behind him and leaving Lord Banfield staring at the many crumpled up sheets of paper that littered not only Charles’ desk but also the floor around it.

  “I have been attempting a letter,” Charles said, by way of explanation. “It has been proving difficult to put my thoughts into words.”

  “I can see that,” Lord Banfield replied, as Charles folded up his letter, ready to seal it. “It must be a letter of great importance.”

  Charles nodded, rising from his chair and collecting up all of the other letters which he had started and then thrown aside.

  “Indeed,” he said, without giving any further explanation. “I shall burn these at once. You will not mind?”

  Lord Banfield chuckled and shook his head.

  “Might I ask to whom you are writing?” he asked, a slight gleam coming into his eye. “A young lady, mayhap?”

  Picking up the strewn pieces of paper that lay across his desk, Charles let out a bark of laughter.

  “You are correct, Banfield. I am indeed writing to a young lady – but not for the reasons you yourself might believe!”

  “Oh?”

  Lord Banfield’s brows rose, indicating that he did not quite believe Charles.

  “My sister put herself in a very foolish position last evening,” Charles replied, grimacing. “It was no-one’s fault but her own and, unfortunately, was deliberately done. However, she was rescued from this particular situation by Lady Selina Forrest and her chaperone, Lady Hayward, who came to join both her and her friend as Lord Telford spoke to them.”

  Lord Banfield’s face dropped, all expression of mirth gone.

  “Telford?” he repeated, as Charles nodded, grimly. “That man is nothing more than a rogue. Your sister must be informed of his –”

  “I informed her of his reputation the very same evening that they were introduced, over a week ago” Charles replied, with a shake of his head. “Miss Newington, who I believe is one of my sister’s particular friends, has clearly a penchant for Lord Telford and, together, they made their way from my company and from my mother’s company also, so that they might speak with Telford. I am very grateful to Lady Selina for noting the situation, and stepping forward at once, along with Lady Hayward. Together, they made certain that the situation remained entirely proper and, at the same time, prevented Telford from perhaps saying or doing whatever he intended to, towards either my sister or Miss Newington.”

  Nodding slowly, Lord Banfield gestured to the papers that Charles had yet to pick up from the floor.

  “And therefore, you have been writing to Lady Selina, simply to thank her?”

  “That is what I was attempting to do, yes,” Charles replied, coming around in front of his desk to pick up the last of the papers. “It has taken me a good many attempts to write an expression of thanks that I find to be suitable. It was difficult also not to make my sister out to be the most ridiculous and foolish of young ladies, even though I am fully aware that she is so!”

  “And, no doubt, Lady Selina will be aware of it also, given that she saw what occurred,” Lord Banfield pointed out, as Charles threw the rest of his papers on the, as yet unlit, fire. “But you have found something to write that is satisfactory to you, I hope?”

  “I have,” Charles replied, quickly setting the papers alight and standing back so that they might begin to burn. He did not want any of his staff coming into his study to see the papers sitting there, for no doubt a nosy maid or two might attempt to read one and know precisely what had happened to his sister. “I have asked if I might call upon her to express my thanks in person.” When he turned back, Lord Banfield was looking back at him with a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Charles frowned. “You need not think that there is any more to my wish to thank her, save for my own feeling that it is required,” he said firmly, knowing all too well what his friend was thinking. “That is all.”

  “Lady Selina is a very kind young lady, it appears,” Lord Banfield replied, a trifle airily. “To not only take note of your sister’s situation, but also to step forward so that she might protect Lady Amelia says a great deal about her character. Besides which, she is the daughter of a Duke!”

  Charles rolled his eyes.

  “I have no intention towards matrimony, as you well know,” he said, reminding his friend of what he had said in previous discussions. “I have enough on my mind at present regardless, given my sister’s continued foolishness!”

  “And your mother?” Lord Banfield asked, quietly, looking at Charles with interest. “Does she continue to side with your sister?”

  “Thankfully, she does not,” Charles replied, sitting back down, but keeping one eye on the flames in the grate, wanting to make certain that everything was burned up. “I believe that Amelia was rather taken aback, truth be told! My mother was horrified to hear what had occurred and has stated that she will return Amelia to the estate should such a thing happen again.” He grinned broadly at his friend. “Whilst I, it seems, will be permitted to remain here to enjoy the rest of the Season. My mother has, I must confess, surprised me with her determination to steer Amelia towards the right path. I thought she might make all manner of excuses for her.”

  Lord Banfield nodded, stretched languidly and then pushed himself out of his chair.

  “I am off to take a short walk in the park,” he declared, looking meaningfully at Charles. “Do you wish to join me?”

  Charles laughed aloud, knowing precisely what his friend intended.

  “You mean to say that you want to greet those all about you who might have heard of the success of your little soiree last evening, in the hope of, perhaps, either continuing or forming an attachment with a young lady of quality?”

  He laughed all the more when his friend’s face slowly darkened, his mouth settling into a flat line.

  “That may be so, but need I remind you that I am determined to wed this Season?” Lord Banfield replied, a little tersely. “I must do all I can to make myself appear eligible and a suitable prospect to the ladies of the beau monde!”

  “And that requires taking a short walk through the park?” Charles asked, as Lord Banfield nodded fervently. “Do you mean to say that there was no-one at your soiree who caught your attention? None that you might wish to call on this afternoon?”

  Lord Banfield sighed heavily.

  “None,” he said, a little more quietly. “Although mayhap I should give a little more attention to Lady Selina, given just how highly I now come to think of her, after what you have told me.”

  Making to answer in the affirmative, Charles was surprised when he found himself frowning, lines forming across his brow and his stomach twisting in a most uncomfortable fashion. Of course he should encourage Banfield in such an endeavour! Why would he not? There was no possible reason for him to feel such a way, and so he dismissed it as quickly as he could, clearing his throat and pushing himself out of his chair in an attempt to hide the truth of what he felt.

  “That may well be a good suggestion,” he replied, as Lord Banfield eyed him carefully, evidently aware that it had taken a few moments for Charles to answer.
“I am sure that she would be an excellent match for you.”

  Lord Banfield did not say anything in response to this, merely watching Charles for another moment or two before he shrugged, sighed and made his way to the door.

  “Might you wish to join me?” he asked again, as Charles hesitated. “It is a very fine day and you might find that the afternoon air does you good.” He chuckled. “Removes some of the stress and strain that you feel at present!”

  Charles considered for another moment or two. He had been thinking of his sister for most of the morning, it seemed, although he wondered if he ought to remain in case his mother should require him. Amelia might become very upset indeed, and he would have to step in.

  However, he thought, tilting his head just a fraction, his mother had enough fortitude of her own when it was required. He had seen the flash of anger in her eyes that very morning and was sure that she would now be making quite certain that Amelia knew just how much she had disappointed her.

  “Very well!” he exclaimed, as Lord Banfield grinned. “My sister will not be permitted to set foot outside the door this afternoon, I believe, so there is no reason for me to remain. And as for this evening’s ball, I am not at all certain that my mother will still be content for her to attend!”

  “Then I pity you for the distress and upset that will follow, should such a thing occur!” Lord Banfield replied, with a grin. “And suggest to you that it is all the more reason why you might decide to join me this afternoon.”

  “Indeed,” Charles agreed, suddenly feeling a good deal more at ease. Picking up the letter to Lady Selina, he took it with him with the intention of giving it to one of his footmen to deliver. “You are quite right, Banfield. Let us take a walk in the park and see if I cannot forget about this whole, wretched business for a short while!”

  Chapter Five

  The note Selina had received from Lord Barrington was, whilst unexpected, very welcome indeed. She had found herself smiling a little as she had read his many gracious and grateful words, although when she had read the part where he begged to call upon her soon so that he might express his thanks to her in person, heat had seared its way up her spine and sent color pouring into her cheeks.

  Lady Hayward had not been present at the time, which Selina was glad of indeed, although her father had been in the same room as she – thankfully quite caught up in his own reading. The Duke of Landon was not a gentleman inclined towards noticing his daughters a great deal. Whilst she knew that he loved her and, of course, she in return loved him, there was not a closeness between them. That was why she considered herself so very grateful for Lady Hayward. These last few weeks, the lady had become something of a confidante and had encouraged Selina significantly. That did not mean, of course, that Selina’s confidence had grown to the point where she felt at ease during social occasions, but certainly, there was the beginning of the acceptance within her heart that she was not ever going to be as assured as her sister, and that such a fact was not a bad thing.

  “Lady Hayward,” she murmured, as the carriage drew near to Lord and Lady Folkstone’s townhouse. “I should inform you that I received a letter from Lord Barrington this afternoon.” Lady Hayward’s expression was half hidden by the shadows of both the carriage and the gloom of the early evening, but Selina knew that she would be very interested indeed. “He wrote mainly to thank me for what occurred with his sister,” she continued, before Lady Hayward could say anything. “I believe that Lady Amelia must have seen me approaching her, as well as how I spoke to you also, as I continued.” She waved a hand, surprised at the slight nervousness that filled her. “Regardless, he was very grateful and wishes to call upon me to thank us both in person.”

  “That is very generous of him,” Lady Hayward commented, without any other inflection in her voice. “I do hope his sister is quite all right. She was rather unwise in her choice of company.”

  “I know nothing of Lord Telford, nor of Miss Newington,” Selina replied, as the carriage trundled on. “Is there any sort of difficulty with either of them?”

  Lady Hayward sighed audibly.

  “Miss Newington, I do not know much about, whereas Lord Telford is known to have a very poor reputation indeed. I should be very glad if you would remain far from him, Lady Selina.”

  Selina nodded fervently.

  “Of course,” she agreed, not wanting to disagree for a moment. “I am sorry that he made his way to Lady Amelia’s side, then. How disgraceful!”

  “Do not think that he was not welcomed,” Lady Hayward replied, with a shake of her head. “I am certain that both of those young ladies thought him excellent company and might well have sought him out!”

  “But why should they do so?” Selina asked, horrified. “Surely they would know of his reputation?”

  “Because,” Lady Hayward replied, with a heavy sigh, “some young ladies like the attention that a rogue will give to them. They find it delightful to be in his company, to have him flirt with them and compliment them so highly that they can do nothing but blush and giggle. It is only themselves that they place in danger, however, for a rogue can have words that are so smooth that these young ladies are often pulled away from their own sensibilities.”

  Selina closed her eyes and drew in a long breath.

  “Then I am all the more glad that we spoke to Lady Amelia when we did,” she replied, fervently. “And I am sure, given what Lord Barrington wrote to me, that he will have spoken to Lady Amelia of it also.”

  Lady Hayward nodded, the carriage coming to a stop as footmen hurried to open the door for them.

  “I should think he would have done,” she agreed, with a wry smile. “And I do not think he would have held back his upset from her either which, I would state, is precisely what Lady Amelia requires.”

  Nothing more was said on the matter as Selina and Lady Hayward made their way up towards the house. There was a slight chill in the air, but Selina barely felt it, her anticipation and nervousness growing in equal measure. This evening, she would be required to dance with, and converse with, various gentlemen of the ton and, whilst most young ladies would revel in such an experience, Selina felt some anxiety building up within her. She prayed that she would not falter during any of the dances, that she would be able to converse without difficulty and that her nervousness would not show to any of those she spoke to that evening.

  Will Lord Barrington be present?

  The question came, unbidden, to her mind and Selina frowned hard, pushing it away as she came to join the line of guests being welcomed by their hosts. Lord Barrington had upset her, she reminded herself, for he had been very rude to her when they had first spoken at the soiree last evening.

  Although his letter was very well written and filled with many compliments, she considered, nodding slowly to herself as the line moved steadily forward. Perhaps he was not displeased with me last evening but, mayhap, it was his sister.

  These thoughts lingered as she greeted Lord and Lady Folkstone, thanking them for inviting her and commenting on the loveliness of the evening as well as the beautiful decorations she had seen upon arrival. She knew precisely what to say and what was expected of her and Lord and Lady Folkstone appeared very satisfied with what she had said. Making her way into the ballroom alongside Lady Hayward, Selina held her breath and tried to push away the swirl of anxiety which swayed her stomach. The ballroom was already very busy indeed, with the musicians playing for those who had taken to the floor to dance.

  “A very crowded evening, I should think,” Lady Hayward remarked, as Selina nodded, trying to smile. “We shall have to be careful not to lose each other this evening, Lady Selina.”

  “I will do my best to always return to you immediately, should I be asked to dance,” Selina replied, her heart thumping in a most uncomfortable manner. “Although there may not be any such requests!”

  “Lady Selina, how wonderful to see you this evening!”

  She turned hastily, recognizing one Lord
Aldridge, who had evidently seen her enter the room and had made his way towards her. He was a handsome gentleman and very kind indeed, but with only the title of Viscount, Selina knew that he would never be accepted by her father as a suitable match and that, most likely, Lord Aldridge knew that also. Still, that did not prevent him from seeking out her company!

  “Might I hope that I am the first to ask to peruse your dance card this evening?” Lord Aldridge asked, after quickly greeting Lady Hayward. “I must hope that I am, for I should very much like to choose the very best two dances to claim for myself!”

  Selina smiled at him and handed him her dance card without hesitation, seeing Lady Hayward’s knowing look and finding herself resisting the urge to laugh. After saying, only a moment before, that she was not certain that anyone would ask her to dance, she now had Lord Aldridge placing his name down for a dance!

  “The cotillion,” he said, handing her back the card and bowing low. “I do hope that is satisfactory?”

  “You are very kind,” Selina replied, accepting it back from him. “Thank you, Lord Aldridge.”

  The noise of someone clearing their throat caught Selina’s attention and, as she turned, she was astonished to see none other than Lord Barrington approaching, a twinkle in his eye and a small smile on his lips.

  “I do hope that Lord Aldridge has not stolen you for all of the dances left on your dance card this evening,” he said, as Selina’s stomach twisted with a sudden, inexplicable tension. “I should like to ask you to dance also, Lady Selina.”

  “Of course I have not!” Lord Aldridge replied, with a hearty chuckle. “But I will say that I am very glad indeed to have been the first to write my name down upon Lady Selina’s dance card, for now I feel quite happy that I have chosen the very best of dances.” He bowed again, his boyish face lighting up with good humor. “Until the cotillion, Lady Selina.”

  “Thank you, Lord Aldridge.”