A Love Unbroken - Rose Pearson Page 0,23

present somewhere. And when she found her, Selina was certain there would be a reasonable and understandable explanation.

“What are you doing?”

Her heart began to thump furiously as, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a gentleman approach a lady and take her by the elbow. Remaining precisely where she was and making certain not to lift her gaze to the gentleman in question, Selina caught her breath as she realized it was none other than Lady Amelia. The lady she had been speaking with did not appear to notice what had taken place, and as Selina remained seated, uncertain as to what she ought to do, the gentleman pulled Lady Amelia away from her companions and walked past Selina. Turning her head, Selina watched as he led Lady Amelia to the door – although quite where it led, Selina did not know.

Her heart turned over in her chest. She looked back at the lady that had been in conversation with Lady Amelia and was astonished to find that she had not even seemed to notice the lady’s absence. Instead, she was busy conversing with another, laughing and smiling as though nothing was wrong.

What do I do?

With tension running through her veins, Selina returned her gaze to Lady Amelia and the gentleman. He was encouraging her to go through the door with him and Selina wanted desperately to go directly towards her and demand that she return with her at once. But her courage failed her. With bated breath, she watched Lady Amelia sigh, tilt her head and look straight up into the gentleman’s eyes, only to shake her head sorrowfully. The gentleman placed one hand on Lady Amelia’s shoulder and ran his fingers down her arm – but Lady Amelia shook her head and, much to Selina’s relief, stepped back. Within a few moments, she had walked away from him, her head held high and a slight color to her cheeks.

Selina let out a breath of relief. Relief which was short lived, disrupted by an all too close voice.

“You did not succeed then.”

Jerking her head back around – and grateful that her chair was hidden amongst the shadows of the room, Selina saw none other than Lord Telford coming to speak to the first gentleman, who still had his back to her.

“I did not succeed,” the first replied, darkly. “It seems she is not as eager as you had expected.”

Lord Telford snorted. “I hardly believe that to be true,” he said, with a smug smile. “It may be that she simply disliked your attentions! I think, come the next time, I should be the one to… encourage the lady.”

The first gentleman muttered something indistinguishable and Selina closed her eyes and turned her head away, still listening intently but wanting to give no impression whatsoever that she was watching them.

“We will have our funds,” she heard Lord Telford state, with absolute certainty ringing through his voice. “I had Lord Barrington in my sights, ready to grasp him by the arm and practically drag him to where you were with Lady Amelia, but it seems that we shall have to change places come the next opportunity.”

“But I do not know Lord Barrington.”

“Then I suggest you find a way to make your introductions,” Lord Telford stated, angrily. “Now, if you will excuse me, I intend to go and find the very best brandy and allow myself a few minutes to revel in my disappointment.”

Selina’s breathing was ragged, such was her shock. She had overheard something of a plot, it seemed, something that would bring Lord Barrington and Lady Amelia a good deal of pain. Her head began to spin as she put one hand to her mouth, realizing just what this meant.

But will Lady Amelia give in to Lord Telford’s advances?

The question in her mind did not wait long for an answer. She knew very well that Lord Barrington would have given his sister a stern talking to and that, quite certainly, Lady Amelia knew precisely what was expected of her. However, Selina also knew how Lady Amelia had behaved in the past, when it came to Lord Telford. There was a chance that the lady would refuse – but if she did so again for what would be the second time, Selina feared that Lord Telford might force her to go as he expected.

And Lord Barrington would have to witness what followed.

No doubt Lord Telford and the other gentleman intended to gain money from Lord Barrington by promising to remain