remain steadfast as he attempted to tug her forward. She stumbled but continued to do her utmost to remain where she was, with Lord Telford’s face darkening with every moment that passed. They were now very close to the other guests, the dance floor cleared entirely, and others now moving towards it, to form up for the next dance set, but Selina knew that she could not permit herself to be taken any further. Quite what Lord Telford now intended, she did not know, but it was not as though she wished to find out! If her resisting him was noticed, people would talk, but she feared that less than what would happen if she allowed him his way.
“Unhand me,” she bit out, her breathing coming more quickly as she fought to remain steady, with Lord Telford glaring down at her as he tried to have her walk forward. “I will not –”
“I should do as the lady asks.”
Selina felt her whole body sag with relief as the voice of Lord Barrington reached her ears. Lord Telford stopped attempting to force her to walk forward, but turned sharply, which movement made Selina stumble forward a few steps.
A strong hand caught her arm and she looked up into Lord Barrington’s face. It was dark with anger.
“Release her, Telford,” he said and, much to Selina’s relief, the gentleman did so – although she was certain that, had he any other choice, he would have refused entirely.
“I was merely searching for Lady Hayward!” Lord Telford exclaimed, his wide eyes and spread hands speaking of nothing more than innocence. “I cannot understand you, Lord Barrington!”
“Lady Hayward has been held back from coming after her charge by one Lord Havers,” Lord Barrington replied, as Selina gasped with horror. “He was quite determined to keep her where she was, refusing to move from her side and indeed, stepping in front of her when she attempted to depart from him. How glad I am that I saw her distress and realized what was occurring.”
Lord Telford’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightened and his shoulders lifted just a fraction.
“I think we will be writing to you again, come the morrow, Lord Barrington,” he said, his words threatening and cruel. “There was no need for you to become involved with this matter, but now, it seems, you are eager to protect both your sister and Lady Selina! That, of course, must incur another payment.”
Selina gasped and made to protest, but Lord Barrington reached out and took her hand, pressing it tightly with his own so that she lapsed into silence.
“You will not succeed, Telford,” he stated.
Selina closed her eyes and drew in a long breath so that she might steady herself and regain her composure. It would not do to have the ton notice her in her present state.
“I do not see how you can prevent my success,” Lord Telford replied, with a shrug. “Good evening, Lord Barrington.” He swept into an ostentatious bow. “And to you, Lady Selina. I do hope our conversation will not be so interrupted again.”
Selina shuddered as he walked away, her eyes lingering on the gentleman as though she wanted to make quite certain that he had left her side.
“I am sorry that I did not notice your predicament sooner, Lady Selina,” Lord Barrington said, turning to her, his blue eyes swirling like the dark clouds of a storm. “I do hope that you are unharmed?”
“I am quite all right,” she assured him, seeing the concern in his face and wanting immediately to reassure him. “But Lady Hayward?”
“Is waiting for you,” he said, offering her his arm. “I must apologize, Lady Selina, for allowing Lord Telford to notice your nearness to Lady Amelia. I am sure that–”
“It was not your fault,” she interrupted, as they began to walk around the room towards Lady Hayward once more. “Surely you cannot place any sort of blame on yourself for that!”
Lord Barrington fell silent for a few moments and Selina’s heart tightened as she saw him frown. Just what had he said?
“I told Lord Telford that I knew he was involved with Lord Havers,” the gentleman replied, after a very long few minutes. “I was very emphatic about my knowledge of it, rather than expressing a belief or a supposition. Therefore, Lord Telford assumed that someone knew of his connection to Lord Havers and had informed me of it.” His eyes drifted to hers for a moment before snapping away again. “I believe that it did not take