A Love Unbroken: A Regency Romance (Landon House Book 3) Page 8

  With a shake of his head, Banfield let out a long breath.

  “I wish you success with whatever you discuss come the morrow,” he said, kindly. “Do inform me as to whether or not you yourself will accompany her or if you will remain in London.”

  Charles gave his friend a tight smile.

  “I will,” he promised, his heart sinking heavily in his chest. “Thank you, Banfield.”

  Chapter Seven

  Selina bit her lip as she began to pace up and down in front of the mantlepiece. Lord Barrington had not replied to her letter, as she had begged him to do, so that she might know he was aware of the danger. Last evening, had Lady Hayward not injured herself the night before, they would have attended the ball but, given her chaperone’s injury, Selina had been forced to remain at home.

  Thus far, she had heard nothing about the ball itself which, she hoped, meant that there was nothing of particular concern. However, if what she had overheard the previous evening was correct, then it meant that Lord Barrington was supposed to have discovered his sister in a certain situation, and that situation be kept as quiet as possible at the time. Lord Barrington would soon be approached, she was sure of it, if he had not been already, and told what payment was expected from him, in order to keep the gentlemen in question quiet about what Lady Amelia had supposedly done.

  “Lady Hayward, my Lady.”

  Selina started violently at the footman’s announcement, and turned to see Lady Hayward limping into the room, although the limp itself was not particularly pronounced.

  “Lady Hayward,” she breathed, hurrying forward so that she might offer the lady some assistance, but her chaperone laughed and shook her head, clearly determined to make her way to the chair herself.

  “I am not about to linger at home and wait for my ankle to recover itself,” she said, firmly. “I cannot abide sitting around and doing nothing whatsoever!”

  Selina waited until the lady sat down before speaking, her eyes filled with anxiety.

  “But you are unwell still,” she said, as Lady Hayward smiled back at her. “You should be resting.”

  “So my sons have been telling me, but I shall not listen to them,” Lady Hayward replied, firmly. “I have only just –”

  Before she could speak, the door opened again and, much to Selina’s surprise, her father stepped into the room. He did not so much as glance towards Selina herself, but rather looked towards Lady Hayward.

  “Lady Hayward,” he said, with a quick bow of his head. “I was informed that you had come to call on Selina. I thought to see how you fared.” A small frown flickered across his brow. “The butler mentioned that you were not walking as freely as one might have hoped.”

  Selina, a little surprised that her father had decided to emerge from his study simply to speak to Lady Hayward and make certain that she was well, watched the concern flicker across the Duke’s expression with interest. Lady Hayward smiled warmly at him, her blue eyes meeting his.

  “I am much recovered, Your Grace,” she replied, evidently grateful for his concern. “My ankle is still a little painful, certainly, but it is not something that troubles me a great deal.” She glanced back at Selina. “Besides which, I knew that Lady Selina would be worrying about me and so I thought it best to visit just as soon as I could.”

  “Well, I am glad to see you recovering,” the Duke replied, as Selina dropped into a chair, wisely choosing to remain quite silent.

  She listened as the Duke and her chaperone talked of a few other matters – mostly about the gentleman who had caused Lady Hayward’s accident in the first place and whether or not he was even aware of what he had done – before, finally, the Duke chose to take his leave.

  Selina rose with him and rang the bell for tea, smiling at her father as he looked towards her.

  “You will be glad to have Lady Hayward back with you, I know,” the Duke said kindly, as Selina nodded. “It is good to see you smile, Selina.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  She waited until her father had left the room before letting out a long, pained sigh, rubbing one hand across her forehead and feeling a knot of tension tighten her stomach.

  “Lady Selina?” Lady Hayward asked, as Selina looked back at her, having no urge to resume her seat. “Is something wrong?”

  Selina, who was still a little intrigued by her father’s obvious concern for Lady Hayward, chose not to speak of that particular thing but instead, realized that she could, in fact, share with Lady Hayward what she had overheard some two nights ago. There had not been an opportunity to do so before, given what had happened to Lady Hayward and her ankle, but now, perhaps, was the right time.

  “There has been a matter weighing heavily upon my mind these last two days,” she began, starting once more to pace the length of the room as her skirts swished gently. “It is to do with Lord Barrington.” Lady Hayward’s eyes flickered but she said nothing, clearly choosing to remain silent as Selina spoke. “When you had your accident, I was with Lord Aldridge, as you know,” Selina continued, forced to stop for a few moments as the maid brought in the tea tray and set it down on a side table near Lady Hayward.

  “Shall I pour?” Lady Hayward asked, as Selina nodded. “I can tell that you have a great deal on your mind.”

  “Please do,” Selina murmured. “Whilst we were searching for you, I overheard something. Something dreadful.”

  Quickly, she explained to Lady Hayward what Lord Telford had said, frustrated that she did not know the name of the second gentleman.

  “Goodness!” Lady Hayward exclaimed, the tea now steaming gently in the two china teacups. “And did you inform Lord Barrington of…” She trailed off, a look of understanding coming into her eyes. “Of course, you could not call upon him, given my inability to be present with you. And last evening, you remained at home.”

  “I had no wish to step outside into society, I assure you,” Selina replied, her fingers twisting together as she kept her hands in front of her, still pacing up and down the room. “After what I overheard, the only thing I wished for was to inform Lord Barrington of the plans that were being made for both himself and Lady Amelia. Unfortunately,” she continued, with a shake of her head, “I am not certain that he read the letter I sent him, despite my request that he do so with the greatest urgency.”

  Lady Hayward sighed with evident frustration and waved Selina into a chair. Feeling a little less tense, now that she had told Lady Hayward everything, Selina did as she was instructed and sat down, reaching for her teacup and saucer so that she might take a sip.

  “It may be that Lord Barrington did not read your letter,” Lady Hayward said softly, as Selina closed her eyes. “I have heard no gossip from last evening, but I suppose that is to be expected, given what Lord Telford intends.”

  “Precisely,” Selina replied, reaching for a honey cake. “But if Lord Barrington has still not read my letter – for I did beg him to inform me that he had done so, in order for my own mind to be at ease – then it means that something dreadful might have occurred last evening, and he will think that it is solely Lady Amelia’s doing.”

  Lady Hayward nodded, but remained silent. Sipping her tea, she waited for a few minutes before she spoke again.

  “Then there is only one course of action open to us,” she said eventually, as Selina finished the last of her tea. “We must make our way to Lord Barrington’s townhouse and demand that he speak with you.”

  Selina’s eyes flared as her heart immediately began to quicken.

  “But I –”

  “I know there is a lack of confidence within your heart, Lady Selina,” Lady Hayward continued, before Selina could finish speaking. “I know that there is a part of you which wants to retreat from society all the more, which wants to make certain that there is nothing required of you save for having written this letter, but you must be a little bolder now.”

  Selina swallowed hard and reached to set her teacup down.

  “But surely I
need not call upon him,” she said, emphatically. “I am certain that he is in a dreadful state already, and will not be grateful for my presence.”

  “I believe that Lord Barrington will be very grateful for your arrival, once you have explained all!” Lady Hayward exclaimed, a fresh light sparkling in her eyes. “Have a little more courage, my dear. Lord Barrington may, at first, state that he is not receiving calls at present, but you will be required to demand it, to force it, if you must. Do you think that you can do such a thing?”

  Selina wanted to shake her head, wanted to say that no, she could not, but the challenge in Lady Hayward’s eyes gave her pause. If she went to Lord Barrington’s townhouse, if she insisted on telling him all that she knew, then he would have no choice but to listen, and Lady Amelia’s relationship with her brother might be saved. If she said nothing, if she waited at home and prayed that her letter would finally be opened and read, then there was no promise that Lord Barrington would ever realize the truth of what was occurring. He might receive the request for funds to ensure the gentlemen to remain quiet about the matter, might be willing to pay it and would never know the truth – that his sister had done nothing wrong.

  Was that a risk she wished to take?

  “Very well, Lady Hayward,” she said, after a few moments of silence. “Very well. But only if you feel that you are able to do so.”

  Lady Hayward chuckled, her eyes dancing.

  “I am more than determined to attend, regardless of my ankle,” she said, as Selina gave her a wan smile. “Come then, Lady Selina. Let us go.”

  Standing in the doorway of Lord Barrington’s townhouse, Selina drew in a long, shuddering breath and forced herself to remain strong.

  “I am aware that your master has said that he is unable to see us at present,” she said, wishing that Lady Hayward would speak up so that she did not have to do so. “But I must insist. It is a matter of great urgency.”

  The butler looked back at her, his brows low over his eyes.

  “My Lady, I beg your understanding. The master is –”

  “Please, return to Lord Barrington,” Selina continued, her heart pounding furiously. “Tell him that what I have to say is relevant to his current situation.”

  Her mouth went dry as she finished speaking, knowing full well that what she had just said might mean nothing whatsoever to Lord Barrington, if all was well. Lady Amelia might be quite all right, Lord Telford might not have chosen to act and Lord Barrington might have another reason for being unable to see her.

  But as she watched the butler’s face, she saw something jump into his eyes, although the rest of his expression remained exactly the same.

  “Very well, my Lady,” he murmured, inclining his head and turning away from her, leaving Selina praying silently that what she had just seen meant something of importance.

  “You spoke well,” Lady Hayward murmured, as Selina closed her eyes and tried to drag a little more strength into her heart. “The butler knows that what you have to speak of is of great importance. I believe that what you overheard has already come to pass, Lady Selina.”

  Selina nodded and opened her eyes.

  “I do hope that Lord Barrington will listen,” she said, softly. “There is nothing more I can say if he refuses again.”

  Lady Hayward laughed softly.

  “Oh, but there is!” she replied, as Selina looked back at her in surprise. “Remaining steadfast and determined means that, on occasion, one might have to behave in a manner that is both embarrassing and almost a little rude! You could state that you will not leave this house until you speak with Lord Barrington, for example.” Her eyes twinkled and a smile spread across her face. “I am quite certain that no footman nor butler would be willing to place a hand upon you, my dear. Therefore, you would, in the end, be met by Lord Barrington and have the conversation you so eagerly desire.”

  “I do not think I could do such a thing,” Selina replied, doubtfully. “I do not have the strength of character.”

  Lady Hayward snorted in a most unladylike fashion.

  “Of course you do!” she exclaimed, as Selina shook her head. “It is within you, my dear. You have found a little of it already, given what you are doing and what you have said.” She smiled at Selina, who felt herself almost sick with nervousness. “You might surprise yourself with what you are able to do when you wish it.”

  The sound of footsteps prevented Selina from responding, and she looked back towards the butler as he came towards them. His face held the same muted expression as he once more inclined his head towards them.

  “If you would follow me,” he said, gravely, as Selina’s heart leapt wildly in her chest. “The master will see you now, although he begs that your visit be kept to only a few minutes.”

  This was a little surprising to hear from a butler, although Selina held her tongue and said nothing in response. Lord Barrington, she was sure, would be willing to have her in his home for a little longer once he realized what she knew. All that mattered now was to make certain that he knew everything that she herself had learned.

  Stepping into Lord Barrington’s drawing room, Selina saw Lord Barrington rise from a chair near the unlit fireplace. The room was a little cold – for the day was not particularly warm – and from the paleness of Lord Barrington’s cheeks, Selina wondered if there ought to be a little warmth brought into the room for his sake.

  “Lady Selina,” Lord Barrington muttered, bowing quickly. “Lady Hayward.” His brow furrowed as he took in Lady Hayward’s limp. “You are injured!”

  “I am quite all right,” Lady Hayward replied, sitting down quickly. “It is nothing.”

  Selina waited until Lord Barrington asked her to be seated before she too sat down, looking at the gentleman and seeing the anxiety written all over his face. His blue eyes were dark with worry, grooves forming across his forehead as he looked from Lady Hayward to Selina and back again.

  “You have something of importance to tell me, I understand,” he said, before Selina could say a word. “Might I beg you to speak to me of it with haste, Lady Selina?” A tiny smile tugged at one corner of his mouth but faded quickly. “There are some matters that have been weighing heavily on my mind these last few hours and I must have them resolved.”

  Selina drew in a long breath but forced herself to speak quietly.

  “Might it be to do with Lady Amelia?” she asked, as Lord Barrington frowned. “I do not mean to speak ill of your sister, Lord Barrington, nor to suggest that whatever has occurred is her fault in any way, however.”

  Lord Barrington snorted.

  “It is entirely her doing,” he stated, unequivocally. “It does not surprise me that you know my situation is to do solely with my sister’s behavior, Lady Selina. It shames me, however.”

  Shaking her head, Selina tried to find a way to explain what she had overheard.

  “Lord Barrington, that is not at all what I meant,” she stated, trying to find a firmness that would flood into her voice. “Might I also ask if Lord Telford is involved in any way?”

  This seemed to catch Lord Barrington’s attention, for his eyes flared and he shifted in his chair so that he was leaning a little further forward, his gaze fixed on hers.

  “You did not read my letter,” Selina finished, softly. “If only you had, Lord Barrington, you might have known–”

  “Your letter?” Lord Barrington barked, making her start violently. “You mean to say that you knew my sister intended to escape with this… this… rogue? You knew, somehow, that Lord Telford’s friend would be the one to do this to her?”

  Selina shook her head.

  “No, Lord Barrington, it is not as you think!” she exclaimed, glancing towards Lady Hayward, who was watching Lord Barrington with sharp eyes, although she said nothing at all. “This was not your sister’s doing. I wrote to you simply because I could not attend last evening and nor could I call, given Lady Hayward’s condition. I–”

  “I do not understan
d,” Lord Barrington said, slowly, interrupting her. “You come here to tell me that my sister is not the one at fault, when it is she whom I discovered in the arms of a gentleman I did not know, having made her way out into the gardens rather than returning to my mother’s side!” His tone had grown angry now, as though he was greatly displeased with Selina’s attempts to defend his sister. “There can be nothing –”

  “Lord Barrington, please!”

  Before she knew what she was doing, Selina found herself on her feet, her hands flung out and the sound of her voice seeming to echo around the room. Astonishment replaced his anger on Lord Barrington’s face as he looked back at her, his eyes a little wide and the paleness in his cheeks increasing just a little. Selina wanted to shrink back down into her seat, wanted to apologize for speaking so much out of turn, but a small, encouraging smile from Lady Hayward gave her the modicum of courage she required to continue.

  “I overheard Lord Telford and another gentleman speaking,” she said, her voice louder than she had expected. “Two nights ago. One had attempted to pull your sister far away from the rest of the guests but she had refused. This angered Lord Telford. They discussed the matter again, and I knew that they meant to try again when it came to Lady Amelia.”

  Lord Barrington rubbed one hand across his eyes.

  “And for what purpose?”

  “To gain money from you,” Selina stated, firmly. “Lord Telford stated quite clearly that this was their sole intention. I have little doubt that soon, if you have not already, you will receive a note from Lord Telford or from this other gentleman demanding a certain sum of money in order for him to remain silent and protect your sister’s reputation.” Slowly, she sank back down into her chair, her legs trembling slightly, but her hands clenched tight. “Your sister had nothing to do with what occurred, Lord Barrington. It was all planned by these two gentlemen in order to extract wealth from you.”