A Love Unbroken - Rose Pearson Page 0,63
eyes. And Amelia, who was a little pale, sat close to where Lady Selina stood, her hands in her lap but with a look of great relief etched across her face.
“It seems that we have managed to achieve our aim,” Charles said, his voice filling the room. “You see, Lord Telford, Lord Donaldson has not been slighted by Lady Selina, as you might have believed. In fact, he is very eager to make certain that both you and Lord Havers are no longer permitted to do anything such as this again!”
Lord Telford half turned, only for a quiet groan to come from Lord Havers. He, at least, appeared to realize that there was nothing more they could do.
“You mean to say, Lord Barrington, that both Lord Telford and Lord Havers, having already done such a cruel thing to Lady Amelia, now turned their attention to my daughter?”
These last words were practically shouted, filling the room with the Duke’s vehemence.
“I knew that they were attempting this, father,” Lady Selina said, her voice a gentle wind to the Duke’s furious outburst. “But I could not tell you, for it had to be proven. You had to see it with your own eyes, for then consequences could be brought to these gentlemen for what they had tried to do.”
“It would have been no good with merely hearsay,” Lady Hayward added, looking steadily back at the Duke who had slowly begun to loosen his tight fists, clearly becoming a little calmer. “You had to know the truth of what these gentlemen were doing. You had to see it for yourself.”
“And so I have done,” the Duke grated, his voice low and his expression one of utter rage. “You attempted to force my daughter into a situation where her reputation would have been at stake, solely for your own gain.” He held up one hand as Lord Telford began to stammer. “You need not attempt to find any excuses, Lord Telford. I am fully aware of what you have done to Lady Amelia and what you have demanded of her brother. For you to think that you could demand the same from me is even further beyond the pale!”
Lord Havers lifted his head and looked at Lord Telford, and Charles found himself very satisfied indeed with the look of sheer despair on the gentleman’s face. They had been outwitted and Charles was very glad of it, for now not only was his sister safe from any further demands, the two gentlemen would not be able to carry out their scheme against any other young ladies of the ton either.
“There will be consequences for this,” the Duke continued, as Charles nodded fervently. “Have no doubt, gentlemen. I will make quite certain of it!”
“As will I,” Charles added, as both Lord Banfield and Lord Donaldson said the same. “You will find yourselves removed from society entirely, gentlemen.”
Lord Telford lifted his chin, although there was a paleness about his lips that betrayed his ongoing dismay.
“What will you do?” he asked, as though this was nothing more than foolishness. “If you tell any others about what has occurred, then you risk your sister’s reputation, Lord Barrington!”
Charles’ mouth lifted in a half smile and he took a small step towards Lord Telford.
“Lady Amelia is to be wed very soon,” he said, calmly. “She has found the most excellent of gentlemen and will not be injured in the slightest by what I might have to say to the beau monde of your cruel attempts to manipulate her.” He gestured towards the Duke. “And do you truly believe that His Grace would do anything to jeopardize the reputation of his daughter?”
The Duke’s jaw tightened.
“I should think not,” he grated, as Lord Telford’s shoulders dropped and his head lowered. “But surely you must realize that, as a Duke of the realm, there are a great many things which I am able to influence. Many things that I am able to say. And certainly, a great deal that I can do to make sure that you will never be able to lift your heads in society again!”
This seemed to finally defeat Lord Telford, for a groan escaped his lips as he ran one hand over his eyes. Lord Havers remained where he was, his head in his hands again and a great heaviness about his frame.
“Might I suggest that the rest of us depart and leave Lord Telford and Lord Havers to consider their actions?” Charles remarked, as a bright, contented smile spread across