A Love Unbroken: A Regency Romance (Landon House Book 3) Read online

For what felt like an eternity, Lord Barrington said nothing at all. He held Selina’s gaze and she looked back at him without hesitation, even though her own heart was pounding with both anxiety and embarrassment at how she had spoken to him. The gentleman sighed on multiple occasions before rubbing one hand down his face, clearly a little confused.

  “My sister cried into my shoulder,” he said quietly, his expression now growing a little wretched. “When I found them, she was attempting to remove herself from this gentleman’s grasp. I did not believe her, of course. I presumed that she was simply doing such a thing, having regretted allowing him to take her out to the garden in the first place. I never once imagined that….”

  He trailed off, a groan escaping his lips as he shook his head.

  “You did not believe her,” Lady Hayward said gently, as Lord Barrington nodded, dropping his head. “Might I ask how she fares today?”

  “She has kept to her room and will not come out,” Lord Barrington replied, heavily. “I have already told the servants to begin packing her things so that she might be returned to the estate. My mother is in great distress also, believing that her daughter has made some of the most foolish choices imaginable.”

  “But she did not,” Selina said, firmly. “I am sure that the gentleman in question forced your sister from the room, given what you say of how she responded to your presence when you found her. It was clearly relief that you had come for her, that you were present there with her. Although I expect that the damage has been done and that, very soon, you will receive a note demanding that you pay a certain sum to this gentleman in order to keep his lips sealed about what happened. No doubt he will share this with Lord Telford.”

  “If he does not continue to ask for more,” Lady Hayward added, darkly. “There is no reason for him not to do so. Blackmail tends to be a never-ending thing. I am sure that most gentlemen would do anything they could to protect such a secret as this.”

  Selina watched as Lord Barrington let out a long breath, rose and then rang the bell.

  “I did not read your letter yesterday, Lady Selina,” he admitted, going to the corner of the room so that he might pour himself a drink. “I found myself quite caught up with things – ironically, things to do with my sister - and, come the evening, I thought to simply speak to you in person, so that I might apologize for being unable to read it, and to ask you what was contained within the missive.”

  “But you could not have known that I would be absent entirely,” Selina replied softly. “That is not your fault, Lord Barrington. I quite understand.”

  He grimaced and made to say more, only to be interrupted when the butler tapped on the door.

  “Enter.”

  “Should I send for tea, my Lord?”

  “Yes. But also instruct the staff to stop packing away Lady Amelia’s things and return everything to its place,” Lord Barrington said, slowly, as the butler nodded. “And, tell me, have I received any correspondence today?”

  The butler nodded.

  “Indeed, my Lord.”

  “Bring it to me at once.”

  Again, the butler nodded, then stepped away, leaving Selina, Lady Hayward and Lord Barrington together once more.

  “We will see if you are right, Lady Selina,” Lord Barrington said, heavily. “I feel such a burden of guilt at present, for my poor sister has…”

  “Now is not the time to berate yourself, Lord Barrington,” Lady Hayward interrupted, gently. “Will you pay the money?”

  Lord Barrington sighed and nodded.

  “What else can I do?” he asked, as Selina watched the flickering emotions dart across his face. “If I do not, then I fear for what might happen to Amelia. She is my sister, as you have said, and I am entirely responsible for her. I must protect her, especially if she is not at all at fault for last evening events.”

  “I am sure that she is not,” Selina replied, softly. “I am aware that you have found her, in the past, lacking in some respects, Lord Barrington, but last night, she was not eager to step out of doors with this gentleman. Lord Telford told you of it in the hope that you would believe her to be entirely guilty, and would not question what you had witnessed.”

  This did not seem to comfort Lord Barrington.

  “Then they know of my irritation and upset about my sister’s conduct,” he said, darkly. “And they have used it against me.”

  He was unable to say more, for the butler returned with a small stack of letters on a tray. Handing them to Lord Barrington, he was dismissed and closed the door tightly behind him, leaving Lord Barrington, Selina and Lady Hayward to stare down at the letters before him.

  “I recognize this seal,” Lord Barrington muttered, setting one note aside. “And this is an invitation, given the ribbon.”

  This continued on for some minutes, until he was finally left with two letters which he did not recognize.

  Selina sat up straight.

  “The one in your left hand is my own,” she said, a flush of color hitting her cheeks. “I am sure of it.”

  Lord Barrington nodded, an apology in his gaze as he looked back at her.

  “Then it is this one,” he said, heavily, breaking open the seal of the other and unfolding it. Dropping his eyes to it, he read it swiftly before letting out a heavy sigh, telling Selina that it was, indeed the letter they had expected, the blackmail demand. “It is as you have said, Lady Selina,” his words were tainted with frustration and sorrow, “Lord Havers, it seems, has demanded quite a large sum in order to keep what he has done entirely to himself.”

  “And if you do not pay it?” Lady Hayward asked, as Lord Barrington threw her a wretched look. “Then he will tell the ton everything?”

  Lord Barrington raked one hand through his hair, his eyes dropping back to the letter.

  “Then I believe that my sister’s reputation will be quite ruined with a mixture of both truth and lies,” he said, throwing the letter onto the table. “Lord Havers states that he will do whatever is required, and say whatever he needs to, in order to make certain that Amelia will never be able to lift her head in society again. She will never marry, unless it is to a gentleman in desperate need of her dowry.” His eyes lifted to Selina’s and she was shocked by the sheer desperation that shone there. “I have been entirely taken in,” he finished, as she swallowed hard. “Just what am I to do now?”

  Chapter Eight

  Charles rapped quietly on the door to his sister’s bedchamber.

  “Amelia,” he said, gently. “My dear sister, I must speak to you.” There came no response and Charles closed his eyes, knowing that his sister had every right to refuse his company. “I have learned of something,” he continued, speaking as firmly as he could. “Something that has proven to me that you are not at fault, Amelia.” Leaning his head against the door, Charles let out a long breath, knowing that he had caused his sister a great deal of distress. Inadvertently, yes, but there still lingered a burden on his heart. “Please, sister,” he said, a little more urgently. “Lady Selina and Lady Hayward have come to call on me. Lady Selina overheard Lord Telford and Lord Havers speaking. She knows what was done. It was planned. It was all planned. And I –” He broke off as the sound of a key scraping in the lock caused him to step back. The door opened, just a crack, and his sister peered through the gap, her eyes wide but her cheeks pale. “But I did not believe you,” he finished, reaching out one hand to her. “Amelia, I am sorry.”

  She sniffed but did not open the door further, nor take his hand. It was clear that she had been crying for some time, for there was redness all about her eyes.

  “The servants have been putting my gowns back in my wardrobe,” she said, her voice hoarse. “Does that mean I am to remain in London?”

  Charles kept his hand outstretched.

  “It does,” he told her. “Please, will you not come down with me? Lady Selina and Lady Hayward still remain and I have sent for Lord Banfield also. I think that it is important for him to be aware of this
situation, for he might well be able to give us some advice.” Amelia slowly began to open the door and Charles caught it, stepping aside to give her a little more space. “Mama has been asked to join us also.”

  “Lady – Lady Selina is here?”

  The incredulity in her voice told him that she was just as astonished as he had been.

  “She overheard the plan to deliberately make this situation what it was,” Charles told her. “This was planned by both Lord Telford and Lord Havers, Amelia.”

  “For what purpose?”

  Wincing, he shook his head sadly.

  “To gain money from me,” he said, as Amelia’s hand flew to her mouth. “In order to protect your reputation, they are demanding money from me, as the price of their silence.” He shrugged. “That is to say, Lord Havers is demanding it, although I am certain that Lord Telford will receive some also.”

  Tears began to fill Amelia’s eyes and she dropped her head.

  “I did try to stop him,” she said, hoarsely. “I tried, Barrington, but he would not release me! And if I had screamed, then that would have drawn so much attention and I–”

  “There is no need to explain, Amelia.” Charles stepped forward and put one hand on his sister’s arm, seeing how she flinched and cursing himself for being so unthinking. Dropping his hand, he waited until she finally lifted her head to look at him. “Please, come and join the others, Amelia. There is much to discuss and I can promise you that none present think poorly of you. Indeed, Lady Selina is most concerned for your welfare.”

  Amelia sniffed.

  “She is kind,” she said, her voice tremulous as she stepped from the room and pushed the door closed behind her. “But, Barrington, if she knew of this plan, why did she not tell you of it?” She stopped dead, her eyes wide as she looked up at him. “Why did she not prevent it?”

  “She tried to,” he answered, wanting to make certain that Amelia understood that Lady Selina was not at fault. “She wrote me an urgent letter, as she was prevented from attending the ball due to Lady Hayward’s injury. I – I did not read the letter, Amelia. I was much too busy and, not realizing that she would not be present, thought to speak to her in person. I am sorry.” His brow furrowed as he realized just how much he had to apologize for. “I am truly sorry, Amelia. I should have considered the urgency which the footman who delivered Lady Selina’s note mentioned and set time aside to read it. Had I done so, then you might now be quite contented, rather than facing this problem.”

  Amelia let out a long breath but said nothing more. After a moment or two, she lifted her chin, straightened her shoulders and preceded him towards the drawing room. Charles followed after, a heavier burden settling over him than he had ever felt before.

  “And so you are to pay this money to Lord Havers.”

  Charles nodded, just as his mother let out a small gasp of dismay.

  “I have no other choice,” he stated, as Lady Barrington’s eyes widened. “If I do not, then Amelia will be unjustly punished by the ton for something I know that she did not do.” He glanced at his sister, who was sitting by their mother, sniffing just a little as he spoke. “I cannot let such a thing occur.”

  Lady Selina, who had been both apologetic to Lady Amelia for not making certain that her brother had read her letter, as well as angry that she had been unable to prevent what had occurred, let out a small sigh.

  “I cannot imagine that Lord Telford has chosen to do this to you only, Lord Barrington,” she said, slowly. “I must confess, I think that the success of this particular endeavour will only inspire him to do more.”

  “It is only the first month of the Season,” Lady Hayward remarked. “Therefore, he has many weeks left for him to attempt to do so again, to some other unfortunate young woman. It is not something he can simply do without due consideration and effort.”

  Charles frowned.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Lord Telford or Lord Havers must ingratiate themselves with the lady in question, as well as her companion, chaperone or parent,” Lady Hayward explained. “They cannot simply meet a young lady and then steal her away in an instant! They must choose the young lady carefully, must make themselves as trustworthy and as gentlemanly as they can before attempting to convince her – as they did with Lady Amelia – to join one of them in a less than proper situation. It speaks well of you, Lady Amelia, that you did not do as Lord Havers asked.”

  Lady Amelia sniffed and nodded but did not smile. Charles’ heart ached. He could not imagine all that his sister was feeling and to know that he had only increased her suffering made him all the more frustrated.

  “If they do not succeed, then I suppose they would do as they did with Lady Amelia,” Lady Selina added, quietly. “They would gain wealth either way, although the latter approach is, most likely, less than agreeable to them.”

  “I would agree,” Lord Banfield said, firmly. “There must be a way to put an end to this, without compromising Lady Amelia’s reputation.”

  “I do not see how,” Charles’ mother replied, shaking her head. “They are behaving in such a secretive manner that I am quite at a loss as to how such a thing could be prevented!”

  Charles lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to rid himself of the tension which flooded him. He wanted to think clearly, wanted to find an answer to the question of how to stop Lord Telford and Lord Havers’ scheme, but nothing came to mind.

  “For the moment, at least, you must continue on as you are, Lady Amelia.” Charles looked up, seeing Lady Selina speaking gently but directly to his sister. “You must continue to go out into society, you must make it plain that you have nothing to fear or to hide. Let Lord Telford and Lord Havers see you. They might come to believe that your brother has told you nothing about the money they have requested and, therefore, you will be able to go about society just as before.”

  Amelia shook her head.

  “I have no wish to,” she replied, haltingly. “It is already too humiliating.”

  “You must,” Charles replied, although he spoke gently. “The ton will notice, should you remove yourself from their company. We cannot allow whispers to be spread, Amelia. Havers’ note asks that the money be paid within the sennight, so we have at least a few days before they will act in any way.”

  Looking earnestly at his sister, he waited until, finally, she gave a small nod, although she did not hold his gaze for long.

  “We will be with you,” Lord Banfield added, in an encouraging manner. “You are not alone in this predicament, Lady Amelia.”

  “Indeed, you are not,” Lady Hayward stated, firmly. “Lady Selina and I shall be with you, as will your mother, your brother and Lord Banfield. We will support you, Lady Amelia. Of that, we give you our word.”

  Charles had to confess himself astonished at just how readily Lady Selina agreed to such a thing, thinking to himself that the young lady showed a remarkable character – one that he was coming to admire more with almost every day that passed. She appeared to be kind, caring and generous in spirit. The fact that she had shown so much concern for his sister, when Amelia had been both disingenuous and rude, spoke very highly of her and Charles could not help but think well of her. In fact, he conceded to himself, he did not think he knew any other young lady like her.

  “We will think of something,” Lady Selina finished, smiling warmly at Lady Amelia. “This has been something of a shock for many of us, remember. It is only because our shock and surprise are so very great that we now struggle to think of a way forward. I am certain it will become clear to us very soon.”

  “Thank you, Lady Selina,” came Lady Amelia’s reply. “I will do as you ask.” She swallowed hard. “Are you to attend Lord Irving’s soiree and card party this evening?”

  Lady Selina glanced to Lady Hayward, who immediately nodded.

  “Yes, of course,” she answered, with Charles quickly recalling that Lady Hayward’s ankle still pained her. “Lady Selina and I fully
intend to be present.”

  The look of relief that filled Amelia’s face told Charles that she needed Lady Selina to be present before she could even feel remotely comfortable with being back in the company of the beau monde.

  “You must also prepare yourself for the fact that Lord Telford and Lord Havers might also be present, however,” Lady Selina added, speaking with great gentleness. “Of course, you will have your friends with you and that will encourage you, but be aware of their presence and do not allow it to overwhelm you.”

  For a moment, Charles feared that his sister might collapse against their mother and refuse to attend this evening’s soiree, such was her fear, but after a moment or two, Lady Amelia dragged in a shaking breath and nodded, a slight gleam of determination coming into her eyes.

  “We should take our leave,” Lady Hayward said, removing herself carefully from the chair and standing tall, despite the injury to her ankle. “Thank you, Lord Barrington, for allowing us to speak to you – and to the rest of you also.”

  “I will send out a dinner invitation so that we might converse about this matter again very soon,” Charles replied, rising from his chair so that he could offer Lady Hayward his arm, given the pain to her ankle. “I do hope that you will accept?”

  “Of course.”

  She took his arm gratefully and, after bidding the rest of them farewell, walked with him to the door. Lady Selina joined them, walking just a little behind them both, although Charles remained acutely aware of her presence.

  “Thank you, Lord Barrington.”

  Lady Hayward took the arm of a footman and was helped carefully into the carriage, leaving Charles to turn to speak to Lady Selina. She was standing quietly just behind him, clearly waiting until her chaperone was seated before she herself climbed inside.

  “Lady Selina, you cannot know of the depths of my gratitude,” he told her, speaking the truth from his heart. “or of my guilt and sorrow that I did not treat your letter with the seriousness that it deserved.” She did not smile at him, nor tell him that he did not need to feel any such thing. Instead, she held his gaze, as though considering what it was that she was going to say. “You are very good to my sister,” he continued, as Lady Selina finally dropped her gaze. “I know that she has not always behaved correctly towards you and even I myself must have appeared rude on occasion, but –”