A Love Unbroken - Rose Pearson Page 0,61
should something similar happen to you.” Selina’s skin crawled and she attempted to remove her hand from his arm, only for Lord Havers to reach across and grasp it with his own. “Now, if you struggle and attempt to go anywhere other than remaining by my side, Lady Selina,” Lord Havers continued, his voice now low and grating hard across her skin, “I shall bend my head and kiss you in the most improper manner. And then what will become of your reputation?”
“I…”
She hoped that her hesitant word sounded convincing. Her breathing was coming quick and fast as Selina forced herself to remain precisely where she was, even though everything within her was crying out to step away from him, to run away from this situation. Praying silently that she would have enough strength to continue and fixing her mind solely upon Lord Barrington, Selina walked alongside Lord Havers and allowed him to lead her forward.
“Now, we are to walk together to another small room and there, Lady Selina, you will wait until Lord Barrington is brought to you,” Lord Havers continued. “Your reputation will be sullied enough in the ton’s eyes to find you in a room alone with a gentleman – and Lord Barrington will know that also. He will pay whatever is demanded. I have no doubt about that.”
“You are despicable.”
Selina’s whispered words only caused Lord Havers to laugh cruelly, as though he found her quite ridiculous. Biting her lip, Selina steadied her breathing as best she could and reminded herself that, as she had been dancing, all manner of things had been occurring. Lord Banfield would have fetched her father. Lady Hayward, Lady Amelia and Lady Barrington would have waited together to watch her dance, to make certain of where she was, and Lord Barrington himself would now be following her, albeit at a distance. She had no need to worry. Everything would be just as they had planned.
“Through here, if you please.” Selina caught her breath as he gestured to a door which led them away from the ballroom. Looking all about her, she let out a quiet yelp of pain as Lord Havers pushed her bodily through the door, before grasping her arm in a tight grip. “And then through here,” he said, pushing open a door and thrusting her inside.
Selina stumbled in, with Lord Havers letting out a cry of laughter, which faded away in an instant as the door behind him was shut tight, closing them into the room, and none other than Selina’s father rose from his chair, his eyes wide with horror.
“Father!” Selina went to him at once, wanting to reassure him that she was not injured. “You were summoned, then?”
“I was,” the Duke replied, although his eyes remained fixed on Lord Havers who was now beginning to back away towards the door. He turned, only for Lady Hayward and Lady Barrington to move to stand in front of it, barring his way. He could not leave now, other than by physically moving both ladies aside, which Selina knew he would not do.
“Explain to me what has just occurred, Selina!” the Duke exclaimed, putting one hand out to her. “Why did this gentleman thrust you into this room in such a fashion? I thought that–”
“Lord Havers and Lord Telford have been determined to do to me what they did to Lady Amelia, Father,” Selina explained, as the Duke’s face slowly infused with color. “Lord Havers told me so explicitly.”
The Duke drew in a long breath, his shoulders lifting.
“Is that so, Lord Havers?” he bellowed, as the gentleman shrank back, no trace of his arrogant nature present any longer. “You thought to shame my daughter in order to force money from me?”
Selina turned to face Lord Havers, her confidence beginning to overflow now that she was quite safe with her father, Lady Hayward, and Lady Barrington.
“I believe, Lord Havers, that you are the one who now finds himself trapped,” she said, lifting her chin. “Now be seated. Lord Telford is due to arrive at any moment and I am sure that both you and he will be required to give a long and detailed explanation to my father, the Duke of Landon.”
She glanced up at her father and saw the glimmer of anger in his eye, wondering if he knew that she had arranged this precisely so that he would be able to bring his judgement down upon these two gentlemen.
Lord Havers said nothing, but sat down heavily, before putting his