Selena did not look at him. “Do not trouble yourself, my lord. I will ask Mrs. Randall to stay with us." She swept out before he could answer her.

Once in the corridor, she smiled at the butler. “Would you mind, please? I would feel more comfortable if Mrs. Randall remained with us.” He went off in search of the housekeeper, and Selena waited outside the drawing room for her to appear.

Mrs. Randall walked down the corridor with her brisk step, and Selena gave her a nervous smile. “Thank you for coming.”

"Think nothing of it, Miss Lockhart.” Mrs. Randall opened the door in front of her and entered first with Selena trailing in her wake. "Sir Lucius. It is always good to see you at Harrowden. Might I bring you some refreshments?"

Sir Lucius shot a glance at Selena that she had not the faintest hope of interpreting. It looked a cross between guilt and pleading. He returned his gaze to Mrs. Randall. "I would be much obliged. I have come without having any breakfast."

"Very well, sir. I shall return directly." Without another word, Mrs. Randall left the room, and Selena was alone with Sir Lucius.

So much for having Mrs. Randall as chaperone. However, alone with nearly any man was preferable to enduring more of Lord Harrowden’s insufferable presence. Selena came to stand in front of Sir Lucius, and he bowed, his eyes raised to hers as he stood. Sir Lucius’s growing sense of unease did not escape her, and when the silence between them stretched, she decided she must break it.

"Will you sit?"

Sir Lucius nodded and waited for her to take her seat in one of the armchairs facing the fire. He chose one at her side, rather than the one placed at a more respectable distance.

Selena sat at the edge of her chair, her spine stiff and her hands clasped on her lap. She was fairly confident her posture did not betray the turmoil of emotions she was experiencing within, and she made an effort to keep her fingers loosely clasped. She was not sure if she should be heartened or worried by the fact that Sir Lucius seemed exactly the opposite. He looked as though he had not slept. His clothing was just as careless as ever, but there were lines under his eyes that were not usually there. And his hair was more disordered than usual, as if he had run his fingers through it more than once. She lifted her gaze to his, waiting.

"George tells me you are leaving,” he said at last.

"Yes. I see no reason to stay now." Selena returned her gaze to her clasped hands. It was too unbearable to train them on him for long. She had not been aware how much her feelings for him had grown until she decided to leave and would not see him again. Mixed with his indifference last night, the pain of misplaced longing was acute.