Selena did not know why she needed to tell such a fib. If they did not have the money now, they would not have it later. Perhaps it was to save her own face and not have to relive the trauma of being dunned by tradesmen. Or maybe she wished to spare Lady Harrowden—she could not discern the workings of her heart. But she simply could not tell that man they had no money when she still hoped it might be found.

Selena took a deep breath and turned to go inside. She had to consult with the countess. Selena climbed the steps quickly and rapped on the door. When she heard the call to enter, she did so and found Lady Harrowden directing one of the servants to pack the collection of embroidered linens that had been laid out for her perusal.

Selena stepped forward and waited until the countess turned her attention. “My lady, might I have a word with you?"

Lady Harrowden snapped her fingers at the maid who seemed to be moving too slowly for her taste. "Hurry up, girl. We will soon need to get ready for tonight's dinner party at the Holbecks. You are moving much too slowly. The sooner I can remove to the dower house, the better it will be for me." She then turned to Selena. "Must you interrupt me now? Cannot you see I am too busy. What did you do with Rebecca? Have you finished your training today?"

Selena gathered her courage. "My lady, it is a matter of great urgency that I must speak with you alone. Please."

At last, Lady Harrowden turned her full attention on Selena, although a look of fresh irritation crossed her features. "Very well. Everyone leave the room."

When the maid and footman had left, Lady Harrowden sat with a groan. She was surely unaccustomed to so much activity, even though she had not left her own chambers.

"Well, out with it,” she said. “What seems to be amiss? Did you get Rebecca ready for tonight? You understand you are not to go with us this time. I believe that horrid gentlemen will still be there, and I do not want any more embarrassment, either for you or me.”

“Yes, I understood that,” Selena said, “and it accords perfectly with my own wishes. I am happy to comply.”

Selena took the chair across from her. She needed to be eye level with the countess. “My lady, Mrs. Randall has just informed me that many servants have walked off today because their wages have not been paid in months. People are beginning to suspect they will not be paid at all.”

Lady Harrowden pinched her lips so tightly that the lines around her mouth turned white. Although Selena feared for Lady Harrowden, she thought it best to say everything.

“And when I was in the entryway, there was a knock on the front door. I opened it because there were no servants there to do it, and it was the apprentice to the butcher, who came to have his bill paid. He knocked at the front door because no one answered at the servants’ entrance, and he was told that he could not leave until he had delivered his message. He said there will be no meat brought to this house until we have paid the bill. It has been several months since they have received anything from us."