tension leave his frame. “For what you have spoken of is within my heart also.”
It was at that very moment that Lady Hayward decided to make a reappearance, her footsteps breaking any further conversation between Charles and Lady Selina. But the smiles that they shared spoke of the joy that now settled in each of their hearts, and despite all that faced them both, Charles truly believed that he had never felt such a happiness as this before.
Chapter Thirteen
Speaking to her father about the matter at hand had not been an easy task.
Selina had deliberately kept many things from him, knowing in her heart that he would refuse to permit her to attend the ball that evening should she tell him everything. Lady Hayward had been present with her at the time of the discussion and Selina had not missed the frown which had crossed her chaperone’s brow upon occasion. She herself was greatly appreciative of Lady Hayward’s willingness to allow her to continue as she had planned, although she was also fully aware that the lady would have stepped forward and refused outright had she any great concerns over Selina’s safety. As things stood, there was a clear plan ahead of them, one which made certain that Selina herself would not be left alone at any time, even if Lord Telford or Lord Havers believed her to be so.
“And so, if I recall correctly, I am to go with Lord Banfield at a time of his choosing?” the Duke said, as the carriage rumbled on its way towards the ball. “To a particular room?” He frowned. “I do not fully understand.”
“I know you do not, Father,” Selina replied, gently. “All will become clear, but I assure you it is for a worthy cause.”
The Duke harrumphed, but said very little in response.
Selina had told him of the difficulty with Lady Amelia, whom she now considered a particular friend and had, in addition, spoken at length of Lord Barrington. Her father had shown a little interest in that, which, Selina knew, was entirely to her advantage. When she had told him of the blackmail and all that Lord Havers and Lord Telford were attempting to do, she had seen the dark anger flash in his eyes and had felt her heart swell with both relief and admiration for her father.
The fact that he was not a particularly effusive father did not mean that he lacked compassion for anyone in trouble. His expectations for the behavior of gentlemen were fixed, and his outrage at hearing that Lady Amelia had been treated so poorly was entirely genuine. Selina had not told him the details of what would occur this evening, but had stated that his presence as a Duke was required at a certain time, and that Lord Banfield – whom her father had been introduced to on a previous occasion – would be the one to fetch him. Her father was, of course, intending to make his way to the card room almost at once, having no interest in dancing or the like, but he had promised to go with Lord Banfield the moment it was required.
“And this Lord Barrington of yours, Selina,” her father said abruptly, as the carriage began to slow. “Once this matter with his sister is at an end, I believe that he and I are to converse on a particular subject!” Selina caught her breath, staring across the carriage at her father and barely able to make out his features in the dim light. “He wrote to me,” her father explained, speaking a little more gently but with a smile in his voice. “He has requested to call at my earliest convenience. I am sure that you must know what it is he wishes to speak to me about?”
“I – I do, Father,” Selina replied, her voice a little thin, such was her surprise at hearing that Lord Barrington had been so eager. “You do not think to refuse him, I hope?”
The Duke laughed loudly and slapped his knee, making Selina smile with relief.
“Refuse an Earl?” he asked, as chuckles still escaped from him. “A gentleman who is more than suitable for my daughter and who, according to Lady Hayward, has been most attentive to you?” He shook his head as the carriage door was opened. “No, my dear Selina. I shall not refuse him. I only hope that he will continue to prove himself worthy.”
“I have no doubt that he will, Father,” Selina replied, her whole