A Love Unbroken - Rose Pearson Page 0,59
being flooded once more with happiness and relief. “Thank you.”
“Lady Selina.”
Selina felt herself stiffen at once as she heard the voice of Lord Havers near her. She did not turn around but rather remained precisely where she was, waiting for the moment to pass. Would Lord Havers insist on coming to speak to her? Would he insist on dancing with her, as he had already said he would do? Part of her struggled with the idea of being in his company for so long but, of course, she knew that she had no other choice. If the plan was to go ahead, then she had to make a show of being unwilling to dance with him whilst evidently being aware that she had no other choice.
“Lady Hayward.”
The tightness in her frame did not leave her as Selina turned her head to see Lord Havers bowing towards Lady Hayward. He had chosen his moment well, for she stood in a small group of gentlemen and ladies, who were all conversing with each other. To refuse him a dance now would mean making her dislike of the gentleman obvious and to do such a thing would, she was sure, only bring trouble and difficulty for Lady Amelia.
“You do recall our introduction, I hope?” Lord Havers continued, as Selina narrowed her eyes just a fraction. “I had hoped to peruse your dance card, Lady Selina.”
Hearing the small murmur of conversation from the others within the group, Selina let out a slow breath and lifted her chin.
“I do believe you will already be aware of my answer, Lord Havers,” she said, speaking so quietly that she was sure he would have to strain to hear her. “Why you should ask me such a thing again, I cannot imagine.”
“Because I simply must be permitted to dance with you, Lady Selina,” he replied, with another sharp inclination of his head. “Pray do not make me beg, Lady Selina, although I shall do such a thing if it is required. You will find me quite determined.”
“Lord Havers, good evening!”” came the voice of one of the young ladies in the group, who had clearly been listening to what was said, given the sharp look in her eye. “Are you seeking a dance partner for this evening?” She gestured to the others who stood nearby. “I am sure that you will find many a willing young lady here.”
Lord Havers chuckled and bowed again.
“Miss Lindale, you are very kind,” he said, with a smile that did not reach his eyes. “I shall be certain to ask as many as wish it from me, once I have chosen a dance from Lady Selina’s card.”
Selina closed her eyes for a moment, her lips pulling flat as Lord Havers grinned back at her, very aware of the situation he had put her in. With great reluctance, she handed him her dance card and he practically snatched it from her fingers, before hurriedly writing his name in not one but two spaces. With a triumphant look, he handed it back to her and Selina took it from him, hiding her satisfaction. Thankfully, Lord Barrington had written his name down for the waltz, which meant that Lord Havers had been required to choose from some of the others – although Selina was certain that he would have taken the waltz, had he been able to.
“And the first of our dances is to be in only a moment!” Lord Havers exclaimed, looking delightedly at her. “The cotillion. Now, if you will excuse me for a moment, Lady Selina, I must go and ask Miss Lindale for her dance card, which I am sure she will give me without any sort of reluctance.”
Selina remained silent until he had made his way past her, before turning to glance at Lady Hayward.
“The cotillion and then the country dance,” she said, slowly. “I cannot tell which one he means to –”
“We did not expect him to pick two dances,” Lady Hayward murmured, as Selina shook her head. “The cotillion is a very busy dance indeed. I am sure that Lord Barrington will be stepping out to dance it also.”
Selina swallowed hard and nodded, feeling a small swirl of fear begin to wrap itself around her heart. They had not expected Lord Havers to write his name down for two of her dances and, thus, she was now uncertain as to which one he intended to bear her away from once it had come to an end.
“There is no time