He wiped his mouth with the thick cloth napkin. “Some women are…determined.”

Miss Lockhart lifted her chin and drew in a sharp breath. “Let me be perfectly clear. I am not one of them.”

Lucius nodded, oddly chastened for having jumped to the wrong conclusion. He looked at her more closely and was struck by her mouth that was tinged the natural hue of raspberries and her eyebrows that arched perfectly over gray eyes that had already expressed many emotions in their short time together. Miss Lockhart had arrived dressed in a red cloak from several seasons ago, and the gown she wore underneath was almost shabby. For all that, as soon as she spoke, her quality became apparent. He would have to remember not to be hasty in his judgments.

Briggs opened the door. “Sir, your carriage is ready when you wish for it. The snow has nearly ceased.”

“Very good.” Lucius turned to Miss Lockhart, feeling more kindly disposed toward her now that the worst of his concerns had been dealt with. “We are not in a hurry. May I offer you some pudding? You were nearly blue with cold and will need to be warmed before we venture out again.”

Selena felt much more cheerful after having eaten, and now that she was thawed from the chill, knew a great temptation to stretch out on the sofa that was placed temptingly before the fire and go to sleep. This could not be, of course, and she forced herself to remain alert. Harrowden Estate would be her home now. Please God, let it be a welcoming one.

Before long, Sir Lucius was ready to set out, and she reluctantly put her cloak back on, knowing the cold would feel cruel after the all-too-brief reprieve. The cloak had not thoroughly dried before the fire, but the baronet surprised her with his thoughtfulness. She not only had a hot brick at her feet, but Sir Lucius tucked blankets securely around her in his phaeton.

At least now she knew his name. Sir Lucius Clavering. Selena chided herself against thinking kindly of him. It would only be a matter of time before he reminded her of her station and the chasm that separated them. It was better that she accepted his brief gesture of condescension for what it was.

Apart from the horses’ hoofbeats and the carriage wheels rolling over the snowy path, all was quiet as Sir Lucius drove, his groom perched behind them. Selena was overcome by fatigue from the combination of warmth under the blankets and the frigid air outside—that and the comforting sensation of having someone else in charge for the first time since she’d left the safety of her mother’s house. Despite her resolution to remain alert, the sensation of protection settled about her like a warm cloud. She yawned.

"You are under no compulsion to tell me, of course, but how came you to be companion to the countess? Where do you come from?” Sir Lucius looked down at her, and his superior height, coupled with his handsome and imposing demeanor, weakened her defenses. It had been some years since she’d encountered a man she felt to be a paragon—that is, if she overlooked his initial arrogance—and it was harder to bear when she knew she stood no chance at winning his good opinion.