lacked, and that I have, in addition, sought desperately for myself.”
A small frown caught Charles’ brow.
“You do not lack confidence, Lady Selina.”
“It may not appear so, Lord Barrington, but I have felt it slowly increasing within me as our acquaintance has gone on,” she told him, surprising him. “When I first came to London, I felt nothing but anxiety and tension when it came to any social occasion. I was, in fact, even considering returning to my father’s estate, given just how poorly I knew I fared. However, Lady Hayward has been the most stalwart of companions and made certain that I came to understand that my desire to be as my sister is was not an ideal which I needed to reach.”
“What do you mean?” Charles asked, finding himself all the more intrigued with the lady. “You felt the urge to replicate your sister’s behavior?”
She nodded.
“That is it precisely, Lord Barrington. But Lady Hayward has encouraged me to be as I truly am, without any requirement to hide my character away. She was correct.” Her smile lit up her eyes. “I have found a confidence within myself that has been brought about solely by my acquaintance with both you and Lady Amelia, Lord Barrington. I have found myself struggling with fear and tension but have stepped out of their grasp and faced things that I dread with a confidence which I have never experienced before. And now that I am to face Lord Telford, being fully aware of his plans, I find that I do not have that same fear any longer.” She smiled at him, her eyes dazzling him with their beauty. “I am certain that much of my assurance comes from the knowledge that you will be watching me, Lord Barrington. That you will step in when it is required, that you will not allow me to come to harm.”
“And that I will beg of you to remain by my side when the time comes.” The words hung in the air between them for a moment and, as Charles watched the lady, he saw how her brows flickered, how a line formed gently between them. Did she realize what he meant? Emboldened, he continued quickly, wanting to speak honestly before Lady Hayward returned. “Lady Selina, it is true that I will do all I can to protect you,” he said, urgently, “but it is more than that. There is a great affection for you within my heart, Lady Selina. Once this matter is brought to a close, once Lord Telford and Lord Havers are brought low, I will have a matter of urgency still heavy upon my shoulders.”
He was surprised to hear just how swiftly she caught her breath but, studying her face, he was sure that it came from a place of hope and of expectation, rather than anxiety or worry.
“A matter of…?”
“I should not like to speak out of turn,” he continued quickly, aware that Lady Hayward could return at any moment. “But I must be frank, Lady Selina. I – I do care for you - deeply.”
Those last few words had been a little stuttered and Charles found himself now struggling for breath, as though it had taken all of his energy to speak of such a thing to her. As he looked directly into Lady Selina’s eyes, Charles felt his heart lift with joy as a beautiful smile began to spread across her face. It lifted her expression entirely, her eyes sparkling with evident happiness, her cheeks still gently flushed with color. She had never looked more beautiful.
“You speak the truth?”
He nodded fervently.
“I do,” he said, his voice a little softer than before. “I speak it with great eagerness also, Lady Selina, for I wish you to know of my intentions.”
“And they are?”
Her smile was a little teasing now, her head tilting to the left just a little. Charles laughed and she laughed along with him, both sharing in the happiness which seemed to wrap itself around them.
“I should like to court you, Lady Selina,” he said, after a moment. “Of course, I am aware that I will need to speak to the Duke himself, and I will be glad to do so, but only if you would be happy for me to do so.”
She let out a long sigh, although her smile did not diminish.
“I should be very happy indeed, Lord Barrington,” she answered, as Charles closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, feeling the last strands of