A Love Unbroken - Rose Pearson Page 0,22

eyebrow.

“Indeed, I have,” she agreed, her eyes holding something that Selina could not quite make out. “I have always encouraged you to consider what you might feel when it comes to the gentlemen of London and to those who might pay you a little more attention. However, I do not believe that there is not even a flicker of interest within your heart when it comes to Lord Barrington.”

Shock filled Selina’s heart as she looked back at her companion, flushing with embarrassment. She had thought that such emotions, such confusion had been easily hidden, that she had managed to keep any inflection from her voice every time she had spoken of him – but evidently, she had failed in doing so.

“It is only this evening that I have noticed it,” Lady Hayward continued, reaching out to press Selina’s arm. “It is not something that you need to be ashamed of, Lady Selina, and it may very well prove to be nothing of importance, for once you are a little better acquainted with Lord Barrington, you might find him to be very dull indeed, or to have a temper that you dislike intensely. But, for the moment, do not hide away what you feel from yourself. Enjoy the dances with Lord Barrington and do what you can to converse with him.” Her smile widened whilst Selina’s sense of confusion and embarrassment only grew. “There is nothing more you need do at present.”

Finishing her dance with Lord Aldridge, Selina accepted his arm and made her way back towards where they had left Lady Hayward. Lord Aldridge was a reasonable dancer, and what he lacked for in skill, he made up for with excellent conversation and an effervescent delight.

“I do not see Lady Hayward,” Lord Aldridge murmured, as they made their way back towards those who waited by the side of the dance floor. “Where might she have gone?”

“It is a very busy evening,” Selina replied, a little embarrassed that she would have to linger with Lord Aldridge a little longer. “She might well have become lost in the crowd. I am sure I will be able to find her.”

Lord Aldridge let out a rumble of laughter.

“Do not think that you are in any way importuning me, Lady Selina,” he said, gallantly. “I am very glad to have you by my side a little longer.”

Selina smiled but managed to extract her arm from his, not wanting anyone to see them still walking so and beginning to whisper about them.

“I am certain she is nearby,” she said, knowing that Lady Hayward would, most likely, be looking for her just as much as Selina was searching for her. “There are very many guests here this evening!”

Lord Aldridge chuckled.

“Just as Lord Folkstone likes it,” he replied, clearly not in any hurry to step away from her. “Shall we take a turn about the room, Lady Selina?”

Seeing that there was very little option for her to do anything but that, Selina acquiesced and together, they walked through the crowd, searching for Lady Hayward.

“Mayhap she has stepped outside?” Lord Aldridge suggested, although a cold hand of fright clasped at Selina’s heart as they passed the open doors that led to the garden. “If you would not be noticed and if it would not inconvenience you, Lady Selina, might I suggest that you wait here for my return? I shall search for Lady Hayward for a few minutes and return to you.”

Selina let out a long breath of relief, glad that Lord Aldridge did not intend to pull her out into the darkness. It seemed that he was a gentleman in every respect.

“I am sure I can wait here,” Selina replied, knowing that the situation was rather awkward and that, whilst she ought to linger with someone, it was best to find Lady Hayward as soon as they could. There seemed very little possibility that Lady Hayward had stepped out of doors for any reason but given that Selina could not see her anywhere else, Selina had no other choice but to permit Lord Aldridge to take a few moments to look.

“There is a seat to your left,” he said, gesturing towards it. “I will be only a few moments.”

Selina nodded and made her way there, glad that she would be out of sight of most of the other guests. Sitting down quickly, she passed one hand over her eyes and drew in a long breath, stifling any panic that tried to capture her heart. Lady Hayward would be