by Rose Pearson
“I will do as you say,” Lady Amelia said, her voice low with no trace of a smile on her face. “I did not mean to upset you both.”
Charles did not know whether to believe this or not but after stating one more time, very clearly, that there would be no further opportunities to prove herself should she continue along this path, he gestured to his mother and the three of them made their way to the door.
“My Lord?”
The butler was waiting for him.
“Might I remind you, my Lord, that you have still urgent correspondence?”
Charles hesitated, his mother and sister going on ahead of him. He had slept for a longer time than usual that morning and thereafter had spent the afternoon in town and accompanying his sister during her walk in Hyde Park for the fashionable hour.
“Might you remind me who it was from?” he asked, as Jamison inclined his head.
“A Lady Selina, if I recall correctly,” came the reply. “The fellow who brought it stated that the lady begged you to open it at once.”
“Do hurry up, Barrington!”
The call of his mother sent a slight wave of frustration through Charles but he kept his expression entirely blank.
“I am sure I will see Lady Selina this evening,” he said, with a small shrug. “I will speak to her of her letter and apologize for my lack of response.”
The butler nodded, wished him a pleasant evening and withdrew, although Charles’ frown remained as he made his way to the front of the house, ready to step out into the carriage. Whatever had Lady Selina written that was of such great importance? Part of him wanted to hurry back to his study, to find the letter and read it so that, at the very least, he would know what it was that she had said before he saw her again that evening, but he knew he could not do so, not when his mother and sister were waiting.
“Do not forget what was said, Amelia,” Charles warned, as the carriage pulled away. “Nothing will be tolerated. One foolish choice and we shall make our way back to the estate where you will spend the rest of spring and all of the summer regretting your ridiculous decisions. Am I quite clear?”
There was silence for a moment or two and then, after a moment, Lady Amelia sniffed and murmured that she understood. Satisfied, Charles leaned back against the squabs and closed his eyes, his thoughts returning to Lady Selina.
She was, he had to admit, a very lovely young lady. She bore no ill will, it seemed, for even though his sister had changed her manner towards Lady Selina upon discovering she was the daughter of a Duke – a change that he was certain Lady Selina herself had noticed – the lady was gracious enough to continue a conversation with his sister. And then, when Amelia had turned towards her friend without even ending her conversation properly with Lady Selina, Charles had felt such an embarrassment rise within him that he had wanted to apologize, only to find himself distracted in a very similar fashion!
Being quite certain that the lady would no longer wish to remain in their acquaintance, he had been astonished to see her standing with Lady Amelia and Miss Newington only a short time later. His admiration for her had grown all the more as he had realized what she had done, and since that moment, he had found himself thinking very well of her indeed. Certainly, she appeared to be a little quiet and reserved, and on some occasions, her conversation was a little lacking, but there was a heart of great compassion and consideration within her, he was sure of it. She was, he considered, the sort of young lady he wished might become a very close acquaintance of his sister, merely so that she might choose to behave a little better, but given that Lady Amelia and Lady Selina were of such different characters, he doubted such a thing would ever occur.
His thoughts drifted back towards the letter that Lady Selina had sent to him, wondering again at its urgency. What had she written that demanded his immediate attention? Sighing, he shook his head to himself and pinched the bridge of his nose as though to rid himself of an irritation. Whatever it was, he would find Lady Selina that very evening and apologize to her for his lack of time in reading the letter. No doubt she would be able to inform him of its contents this evening. Charles just had to hope he was not too late in learning of it.
“Have you seen Lady Selina this evening?” Lord Banfield’s eyebrows rose with such swiftness that Charles wanted to laugh aloud. “I seek her only to ask about a letter she sent to me,” he continued, before Banfield could even begin to exclaim over Charles’ request. “And not for any other reason, I assure you.”
The surprise and evident delight that had been beginning to spread across Banfield’s face immediately fell away.
“I see,” he muttered, as though he was a little disappointed. “And I thought that you were going to be in search of her for some other purpose!”
Charles grinned.
“I am very well aware of that,” he replied, as Banfield sighed heavily. “No, it is only that she wrote to me this afternoon – an urgent letter, by my butler’s account – and I did not have the opportunity to read it.”
“An urgent letter?” Banfield replied, now looking a little surprised. “And you have no knowledge of what might be contained within it?”
“None,” Charles replied, with a shake of his head. “I do feel a little embarrassed that I did not have time to read it, and wanted to speak to her this evening, not only to apologize, but to ask her what was contained within it.”
“I do not think that you will find her here this evening,” Banfield replied, with a small frown. “I did hear that Lady Hayward, her chaperone, had encountered something of an accident.”
A frown caught Charles’ brow.
“Oh?”
“It was at last evening’s ball,” Banfield explained. “I do not know the particulars, but I did hear Lord Aldridge say that he had been required to accompany Lady Selina to the carriage, where Lady Hayward was waiting. Apparently, some oaf had knocked into her – having been somewhat inebriated, I believe – and she stumbled and injured her ankle.”
“And therefore, you would not expect her to be present this evening,” Charles finished, a little frustrated. “Well, I can do nothing else but return home and read this letter, then!”
Banfield shrugged.
“I am sure that, had it been of great urgency, she would have written to you again, or called upon you in person,” he said, in a clear attempt to quieten Charles’ frustration. “You can read it the moment you return home from this evening.”
Nodding, Charles let out a long breath, passing one hand over his eyes.
“Indeed,” he agreed, heavily. “I confess I have had a good deal on my mind of late. My sister is, yet again –”
“Let me guess,” Banfield interrupted, with a small smile. “She has not done as you asked?”
Finding nothing to laugh about, Charles grimaced.
“My mother, at least, is being a good deal more supportive of my actions, but it seems that Amelia is refusing to do precisely as she is told.” He shook his head. “I believe that last evening, she stepped away from her companion in order to talk to another gentleman in private.”
Banfield frowned, the smile fading away.
“I see.”
“This evening, I fully expect her to stay directly by my mother’s side, however,” Charles continued, with a shake of his head. “She did attempt to defend her behavior last evening but I have warned her that there shall not be even a hint of impropriety this evening, else she shall be returned to the estate without hesitation!”
Tilting his head, Banfield considered for a moment.
“Mayhap I could assist you a little, should you wish it?” he asked, as Charles frowned. “I could make certain to dance with Lady Amelia at each ball, make sure to converse with her at every soiree and the like?”
“That is very generous of you, Banfield,” Charles replied, a little surprised at the gentleman’s suggestion. “But there is no need, unless you truly wish to do so. I know that you are, yourself, seeking a bride.”
Ban
field shrugged.
“It would not be overly difficult,” he replied, with a smile. “Besides which, it would allow you opportunity to converse with someone such as Lady Selina, should you wish it! And I do not mind dancing and conversing with a beautiful young lady such as Lady Amelia!”
Not wishing to remind Banfield that he had his mother to take over supervision of Lady Amelia whenever he wished, Charles gave his friend a broad smile.
“Then I will accept your offer,” he answered, appreciating his friend’s consideration. “She is with my mother at present. I think that…”
He trailed off, suddenly spying his mother and noting with concern that his sister was not with her. His heart quickened as he made his way towards her, Lord Banfield following after him. He tried to convince himself that there was nothing to be concerned about – there was dancing this evening after all, and his sister was, most likely, standing up with someone. Surely, she would not be as foolish as to behave improperly now!
“Barrington.” His mother smiled brightly as they drew near, greeting Lord Banfield with the same warm smile she had given to Charles. “Are you quite all right?”
Glancing at the lady who his mother had been talking with, only to see her turn away to speak with another, Charles let out a long breath.
“Amelia,” he said, as his mother’s eyes flared wide. “Where is she?”
Lady Barrington reached out and pressed his arm.
“She is dancing,” she said, quietly. “My dear son, you are very good to be so concerned about your sister and, believe me, I quite understand your concern, but the gentleman she was with was most proper and promised to return her the moment the dance came to an end.”
Charles’ heart slammed hard into his chest as he looked up, suddenly realizing that there was no longer any music. He looked back at his mother, his mouth pulling into a grim line.
“Then, where is she?”
Silence grew between Charles and his mother as they looked all about them, with Lord Banfield’s brow furrowing hard where he stood beside them. The couples who had been dancing were now moving away, the ladies being returned to their mothers or companions, and the gentlemen bowing in evident gratitude. However, of Lady Amelia and her gentleman, there was no sign.
“This gentleman,” Charles said, firmly, looking towards his mother and seeing the paleness in her cheeks. “What was his name?”
“I – I have been introduced to him before,” his mother replied, weakly. “Amelia has been also. They have danced before. They –”
“His name, mother.”
Lady Barrington took in a long breath and closed her eyes, evidently steadying herself.
“It is Lord Havers,” she said, as Charles held his gaze fixed to her own, seeing how her eyes fluttered open. “As I have said, Barrington, he is not a new acquaintance.”
Charles grimaced.
“Which might make things all the worse,” he growled, looking to Banfield. “Are you acquainted with the gentleman? I do not think I –”
“Lord Barrington?”
Turning sharply, Charles looked at the gentleman who had approached him, his heart still filled with anger towards his sister and dread at what he might discover.
“Yes?”
It was none other than Lord Telford. Charles’ expression darkened all the more, for he thought very little of the gentleman and, given what had occurred recently with his sister, he was not at all inclined to engage with the gentleman in any way.
“I do not mean to speak out of turn, Lord Barrington,” Lord Telford began, taking a small step closer and lowering his voice so that even Lady Barrington struggled to hear what was being said. “But I am certain that I observed your sister being led out of doors by a gentleman. I am aware that I have no right to criticize given my own behavior of late, but it is your sister that I think of.”
Sucking in a breath, Charles felt his chest tighten.
“Indeed,” he said, a trifle coldly. “And you thought to come and inform me of this, rather than gossip about it?”
Lord Telford nodded and Charles felt a slight stab of guilt press against his heart.
“Then you have not spoken to anyone else of this?”
“I have not,” Lord Telford replied, earnestly. “Pray, might you attend with me? I will show you where she has gone at once.”
Charles had no other choice but to agree.
“Might you stay with my mother?” he asked Lord Banfield, reaching out to press his mother’s hand. “I will return very soon. And hopefully with Amelia.”
Lord Banfield nodded, whilst Charles’ mother made to say something, only to press her hand to her mouth. Charles stepped away from them, following Lord Telford, and wondering at what he might discover. His heart was pounding furiously, his anger growing with every step. He had warned Amelia, had he not? He had made it quite clear that she was not to do anything that might damage her reputation – and yet she had done precisely that. The sense of disappointment which enveloped him was utterly overwhelming. He had never wanted to force his sister into matrimony, had always wanted to give her the opportunity to find a suitable match herself, but if she intended to continue in this vein, then what choice did he have?
Unless I am too late already.
His brow furrowed and he shook his head as Lord Telford took him the open doors which led outside. There were only a few lanterns, meaning that he was enveloped in near darkness almost at once.
“I am sure that I saw them turn this way,” Lord Telford murmured, his voice a good deal quieter than before. “If we might –”
Stopping dead, he held up one hand, as though to silence any response that might come from Charles. For a moment, Charles heard nothing, only for a quiet voice to float towards him.
“I have asked you to unhand me!”
Amelia.
Closing his eyes, Charles took in a long breath and then stepped forward, pushing past Lord Telford and stepping further into the growing darkness.
“Come now, Lady Amelia!” he heard a gentleman say. “There is no need for any reluctance!”
“Unhand me!”
Charles frowned. There was a tremor in his sister’s voice which spoke of fear and upset, rather than any sort of delight. She was not laughing nor teasing the gentleman in question but, it seemed, was asking him to leave her alone. The gentleman was refusing.
It is a little late to have regret now, Charles thought to himself grimly, finally coming across the two figures in the darkness.
“Amelia!”
The gentleman released Amelia’s arm and stepped back, whilst Amelia herself let out first a gasp, and then a cry of relief, before flinging herself into Charles’ arms.
Charles stiffened.
“An explanation, if you please,” he said, only for the gentleman to laugh harshly and then quickly step away from them both in the darkness, leaving Charles all the more furious. Grasping Amelia’s shoulders, he bent his head and looked at her, trying to make out her features in the gloom. “You must understand the consequences of this, Amelia,” he said, forcing himself to keep his temper. “We are leaving at once.”
To his very great surprise, Amelia did not let him go. She did not step back and flounce away, nor try to defend herself. Instead, she began to sob against his shoulder, her whole body shaking.
“Amelia,” he said again, firmly. “That is enough. You must –”
“He would not let me go!” she cried, lifting her head to look up at him as Charles pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. She fumbled for a moment but took it, wiping her eyes and sniffing wretchedly. “I am telling you the truth, Barrington,” she continued, a little more calmly, her voice still shaking. “He would not let me go and I could not scream for fear of causing such a disturbance that you might be all the more ashamed of me.”
“Home,” he gritted out, his whole body burning with an anger that he knew he could not express. “At once, Amelia.”
Her sho
ulders slumped, her head dropping low.
“Of course, you do not believe me,” she said softly. “I speak nothing but lies to you, is that not so?”
Charles said nothing, for fear that he might explode with fury. Instead, he grasped her shoulder and turned her bodily towards the door.
“Charles,” Amelia whimpered, although she did move forward slowly. “Please, I –”
“Control yourself, Amelia,” he retorted, relieved beyond measure that none of the other guests had seen Amelia. “We will go back inside, find Mama, and then make our way to the carriage. And we will speak of this again in the morning. Plans will be made and you will do as I tell you.”
His sister lapsed into silence, although Charles could still hear her sniffing now and again. His heart was hardened towards her suffering, believing that everything she had said and done was entirely her own fault. She would not be able to escape from this situation now. It was much too serious and Charles knew the consequences had to be severe.
“Amelia!”
The way his mother reached for her daughter made it all too apparent that she had been anxious about her and thus, Charles gave her a small shake of his head.
“You have discovered her, then,” Lord Banfield said, quietly, as Amelia dropped her head, lifting Charles’ handkerchief to her eyes. “Lord Telford returned to the room shortly after you both stepped outside.”
Quickly directing his mother to take Amelia to the carriage, Charles waited until they had left his side before allowing himself to reply.
“It appears I owe Lord Telford a great deal of thanks,” he said, discovering that his hands were now clenched tightly into fists, his nails digging into the soft skin of his palms. “And he is a gentleman I never expected to have to thank.”
Banfield nodded, his expression serious.
“What will you do?”
“There is only one thing I can do,” Charles replied, heavily. “Return her to my estate and seek a suitable gentleman on her behalf. She has disgraced herself and come very close to disgracing the family name also.”