His words sparked a flash of temper in Selena, who replied, “By figure, I can only assume you mean her income. By all means, pursue her. But as you are a lacking a title, I don’t believe you will find her so easy to tempt.”

Across from them, Sir Lucius laughed at something Rebecca said, and Selena thought she saw a strain around his eyes. Or perhaps she had merely imagined it. Apart from suffering more of Mr. Downing’s presence in Hertfordshire, the last thing Selena wished for was to watch Rebecca flirt with Sir Lucius.

The words came out before she could stop them. “You may find that someone else has already stolen a march on you.” She indicated Sir Lucius with the tilt of her chin. It was more from spite toward Mr. Downing than conviction that she added, "I believe his sister would like to see this match prosper. So if you intend to use this as a place to stay while you pursue Miss Woodsley, you may not have an ally in that quarter.”

Mr. Downing returned an indifferent answer, but Selena knew his wheels were turning. They had not spent a year in courtship without her learning the extent of his ambitions. It would be too much for him to let thirty thousand pounds slip through his fingers without making a push.

Eventually the interminable dinner ended, and Selena made her way to the drawing room where whist tables were being set up.

Mrs. Holbeck was directing the affairs. “Philippa, I did not count you in our number. We have enough full sets excluding you.” She glanced at Selena but did not consider it necessary to tell her that she, too, was excluded. Selena turned to the settees on one side of the room, and Philippa came over to join her with a shy smile and a remark on how much she hated whist.

Lucius listened with half an ear as Rebecca regaled him with her stories over dinner. His thoughts were on Selena, sitting close to Downing. That must have been a last-minute alteration of Maria’s, since she never would have put Lady Harrowden next to him. Her only design must have been to increase Selena’s discomfort. He would have to have a strong word with his sister.

He played one round of whist while discreetly watching Philippa in conversation with Selena. They looked upon easy terms, and he was glad that not all his siblings were as prejudiced as Maria. When the thirteen tricks had been tallied and Lucius’s partner excused herself from playing another hand, he went over to the window alcove, debating on whether he should interrupt Philippa’s conversation, or if it were better that the two should become acquainted.

Downing appeared at his side, greeting him with a nod. “Sir Lucius.”

"Downing," Lucius returned. They stood silently for a moment, and Lucius folded his arms while Downing studied the enamel lid to his snuffbox. The air was thick with tension. It was so ridiculous Lucius wanted to laugh—as if the two men were about to face each other in the ring. He could hear the quiet strains of Selena and Philippa’s conversation to his right. Lucius would not speak first, but he was curious why Downing had chosen to seek him out.