Mr. Woodsley fingered the sword hilt as if he still hoped it might come to a challenge. Fool. The young man would not come off the victor.

“But what kind of propriety does that woman lend?” Mr. Woodsley asked, as he glanced at Miss Lockhart’s outdated attire with an expression of aversion. “How came she to be in a bachelor’s establishment without accompaniment?”

Miss Lockhart astonished Lucius by leaping to her feet and taking her own defense. “My situation is none of your concern, sir. But if we are looking to point out irregularities, I might ask the same of your sister.”

“Wh-why, I don’t see how that is any of your concern—”

“Precisely,” Miss Lockhart responded, her eyes flashing dangerously.

“Spiked your own guns,” Lucius murmured, as he gestured for the hovering footman to bring the second course. The evening that had so threatened to cut up his peace was beginning to look quite promising. He wasn’t even bored.

However, it was time to put this farce to an end. “I can see how concerned you were for your sister’s welfare and how lucky to discover her whereabouts. You must be reassured to find her reputation intact. Your arrival is timely. I was about to escort your sister, along with Miss Lockhart, to Harrowden, where Miss Lockhart will be residing with the countess.”

“Lady Harrowden?” the man exclaimed, sending a startled glance at his sister.

“How relieving that I shall not need to inconvenience Lady Harrowden by foisting an unexpected guest upon her, as I had planned to do until I could restore your sister to her friends on the morrow. Briggs, will you see that our guests have everything they need to continue their journey?”

Miss Woodsley’s silverware clattered on the plate as she stood, her face livid. Without sparing Lucius a glance, she swept past her brother, who had been rendered momentarily speechless, and made her way to the door.

“Well, sir…I am, of course, much obliged to you. I see I quite misread the situation, and if I’ve caused you any inconvenience, why, I apologize for it.” Mr. Woodsley attempted a placating smile. “I wouldn’t want this to bring us any discomfort should we meet again in London—”

“Joseph, let us go.” Miss Woodsley cut his effusions short, much to Lucius’s relief. Before the door closed fully, her exasperation led her to betray herself. “You’re late.”

Her brother’s muffled reply came through the shut door. “Don’t imagine I am always to appear at the snap of your finger, even if you do discharge my debts. Save that for your suitors.” Their footsteps and voices trailed away as Briggs escorted them out.

Miss Lockhart locked eyes with Lucius, who gave a shake of his head and the hint of a smile. She took her seat again. “I had convinced myself I’d landed in Bedlam upon arriving here, and I am still not entirely sure that is untrue. However, I see it is not all of your own making.” Her expression was severe, but he thought he detected a flash of something in her eyes—if not humor, then relenting.