corner of the room. His brow lowered, his anger began to burn and, without thinking, he turned sharply on his heel and made his way around the edge of the room towards them.
Lord Telford, who had been looking rather thoughtful, caught sight of him and rearranged his features from an expression of dark consideration to geniality.
“Good evening, Lord Barrington,” he said, in a cheerful tone of voice which clashed hard against Charles’ anger. “And how do you fare this evening?”
“Spare me your false pretenses,” Charles growled, wishing that he could plant them both a facer. “I am well aware, Telford, that you are as much in this scheme as Lord Havers.”
Nothing was said in response to this for a moment, although Lord Telford’s expression of surprise lingered for a short time.
“Pretense?” he said, as Charles’ anger grew into a roaring fire. “I know nothing of what you speak.”
“You know very well!” Charles exclaimed, before forcing himself to keep his voice low. He could not risk being overheard. “You are together in this situation, are you not? You both seek to take money from me by blackmail. There is no need to feign your innocence, Lord Telford. I am fully aware of your involvement.”
Lord Telford’s expression remained innocently surprised for a moment or two longer but, after looking into Charles’ face for another short while, he eventually sighed and shook his head.
“Very well, then,” he said, with a shrug. “You are aware of us both.”
Lord Havers chuckled, his tone dark.
“But you have already agreed to give us what we ask, Lord Barrington, and I confess that I am greatly looking forward to receiving it!”
“So that you might share it between yourself and Lord Telford,” Charles bit out, barely able to hold onto his temper. “Before you then consider which other unfortunate young lady to chase after!”
“Or we may keep requesting money from you!” Lord Havers responded, gleefully. “Have you never thought of that, Lord Barrington?”
The laugh that came from him was cold and sent a chill straight through Charles’ heart, cooling his anger somewhat. Lady Hayward had, it seemed, been right in her suspicions of their intent.
Lord Telford tilted his head.
“And I must wonder how you came to know of my involvement, Lord Barrington,” he said, slowly, as Charles gritted his teeth to keep from biting out a harsh retort. “How you were so certain of it that you had no doubts whatsoever when you spoke to me.”
A vision of Lady Selina filled Charles’ head, making dread fill his heart.
“I was not fooled by you,” he stated, angrily. “That was all, Telford. You might believe that your behavior was that of a supposedly innocent man, but do not think that I missed the gleam in your eye or the falseness of your smile.”
This did not appear to convince Lord Telford, however, for the calculating, considering look in his eye did not fade. Instead, he merely held Charles’ gaze, his lips a little thin and his eyes narrowed.
“I will pay you this time, Lord Havers, but I shall not do so again,” Charles finished, trying to distract Lord Telford from what he had said. “I shall not be blackmailed!”
“We will see,” Lord Havers replied, with a dark smile. “I have come to learn that a gentleman will do anything for those he claims to care about. And I suspect, Lord Barrington, that you will do a great deal to protect your sister.”
“And any others you have come to care about,” Lord Telford added, making Charles’ frown deepen all the more. “I think we have said enough for this evening, Lord Barrington.” He cleared his throat and inclined his head mockingly, a grin plastered across his face. “Good evening.”
Charles watched them go, unable to give any retort, as a feeling of dread continued to make its way through him. He had, it seemed unwittingly, managed to invoke Lord Telford’s suspicions and, given Lady Selina’s new closeness to Lady Amelia as well as to himself, Charles feared that it would not be long before Lord Telford might come to realize that she had been the one to inform him of Telford’s involvement.
He dropped his head and let out a long, heavy breath. Just what had he done?
Chapter Nine
“Do you think they are here this evening?”
Selina smiled and squeezed Lady Amelia’s arm gently.
“I am sure they are,” she said, gently, “but there is nothing to fear.”
Lady Amelia let out a long breath and nodded, although Selina could practically feel the tension pouring out of her.