Rebecca looked at Selena hesitantly. She had not asked in the carriage why Lady Harrowden was not coming, as it likely had not occurred to her.

Selena answered. “Lady Harrowden is not well, and she requested that I chaperone Miss Woodsley in her place." Mrs. Holbeck returned a tight smile, then left Selena and Rebecca to themselves and went to join a conversation with other guests. One of the young women standing with her mother nearby commented softly on Rebecca’s dress, and Rebecca turned to her, leaving Selena alone.

Sir Lucius entered through a door in the drawing room. When he spotted Selena, he started toward her with a smile, which she could not resist returning, although she hoped it might not be noticed.

“You’ve made it,” he said. “Maria had just told me minutes earlier that you would not be coming, as you had not been invited. I was about to leave.”

Selena’s eyes widened. She could not mistake his meaning, and it made her heart beat loudly in her chest. “Sir Lucius, I must have a word with you."

He leaned forward and put his lips close to her ear. "Lucius, if you please."

Selena darted her gaze to the side and saw Mrs. Holbeck watching them. She turned to Sir Lucius. “Lady Harrowden is under great duress. It appears several bills have not been paid at the estate, and many of the servants have quit their posts because they have not received pay in some months. A tradesman came to the door today, and he said there would be no meat delivered until the bill was paid.”

She saw her concern reflected in his eyes and felt insensibly better. She did not have to share this worry alone. “Lady Harrowden was so shocked she took to her bed this evening, which is why she is not here.”

Sir Lucius pursed his lips. “I must tell you, this comes as no surprise to me, although he must have been borrowing from the estate almost from the time of his inheritance for things to progress this quickly. My brother George returned from London this morning, where he made inquiries about Harrowden’s situation. It turns out he speculated wildly on some scheme that failed, and in addition to his own disastrous gambling habits, I fear it will not be long before he comes to ruin."

A frisson of fear stole over Selena. “What will that mean for us? Will Lady Harrowden still be able to move to the dower house?"

Sir Lucius bent his head close to Selena, as he leaned in to speak. “I will be bringing both an accountant and a solicitor to meet with the countess tomorrow, as it happens, to look into her jointure and the accounts that pertain to her. I don’t know whether the dower house was entailed along with the rest of the estate, but in all events, the consequences of Harrowden’s actions will result in pain for the countess, because her name will be attached to the scandal. There is no way to avoid it.”