"That is impossible," Lady Harrowden snapped, but she had gone pale, and her eyes were wide. "You must be mistaken."

Selena shook her head. "I had it directly from his lips, and I met Mrs. Randall in the kitchen. She appears to be in a bit of shock.”

Lady Harrowden lifted a shaking hand. “Call Mrs. Randall to me. And tell Morgan to prepare something for me, for I am feeling faint.”

Selena rang the bell, then took her place at the countess’s side. Lady Harrowden stared blankly in front of her before seeming to come to a decision.

“This is what we are to do, Selena. You will go in my stead tonight, and you will tell the Holbecks that I am unwell. Tell Maria to send Sir Lucius to me, if he is not there for you to tell him yourself, and you will keep an eye on Rebecca. I don't care if my nephew goes or not. That is not my concern. But we must keep up appearances as long as we are able. We must fix this mess before things go too far, if such a thing is possible.”

Mrs. Randall entered, her face pinched in worry, and Selena stood. She would see Sir Lucius this evening. Then again—she would likely be forced to see Matthew Downing. Pleasure did not live without pain in the world of a Lockhart.

"Very well, my lady,” she said. “I will do as you say.”

Chapter Twenty

Selena left Lady Harrowden’s presence and went in search of Rebecca. She found her in her room with stacks of dresses strewn about—as if each one had been pulled out for her inspection. Alice was holding a dress up to her mistress, and they both turned to look at Selena when she walked in.

Rebecca huffed in frustration. “The modiste has not brought the silk gown she promised for tonight. She sent someone with her apologies, but she must not think I will be using her services again. Now what shall I do? I have absolutely nothing I can wear."

Selena stepped forward, eyeing the mounds of dresses that covered the bed and armchairs. Rebecca had more gowns than Selena had ever possessed, even during her London Season.

"I am certain you will find an appropriate dress from this pile. You have plenty of choices. It is not as if people will see you in something you've worn before; you have not been here long enough.” She eyed the one Rebecca’s maid had held up and gestured to that one. “This will do very well—the color suits your complexion. I have come to see to it that we are on time. Lady Harrowden will not be joining us tonight at the Holbecks. She has asked me to accompany you in her place."

Rebecca took the news without question but fretted and mourned the loss of the dress that would not arrive. Selena did not have the patience to coax her into a better humor. "Alice, please ensure that Rebecca is ready by eight o'clock."