“On what business? I will relay your intentions to her. She is my aunt,” Lord Harrowden said at his most haughty. Selena thought she saw fear underneath.

The door to the drawing room opened, and Sir Lucius stepped into the corridor. “I thought I heard sounds of your arrival.” He favored Selena with a slight inclination of the head. “Miss Lockhart, would you kindly give these cards to Lady Harrowden and tell her I am here as well? She will be expecting us, as I sent a note ahead.”

“Of course,” Selena said and escaped before the situation could become any more uncomfortable. Let Sir Lucius fend off Lord Harrowden’s curiosity. And let her flee from Sir Lucius’s presence, which overset her in such a way she almost could not recognize herself.

Lady Harrowden was dressed and prepared for the meeting, and Selena fled as soon as she was able, going in search of Rebecca. She did not find her, and her mare was gone, so she knew that the girl had gone riding again, as she often did for hours at a time, especially when in a pique. This time there was not even a servant to go with her.

Selena spent the afternoon in what could best be described as hiding from Lord Harrowden, hiding from Sir Lucius for when the meeting came to an eventual end, and peering through the window, looking for signs of Rebecca’s return. Eventually, she heard the sounds of the meeting adjourning and stayed hidden until Sir Lucius and the gentlemen left.

Lady Harrowden did not have need of her but asked for Rebecca, and Selena promised to bring her as soon as she returned from her ride. She continued to keep an eye outdoors, and when she spotted Rebecca riding toward the estate, Selena bundled into her pelisse and walked out to the stables where the stable lad was removing the saddle from the horse.

"Rebecca," Selena said, approaching her. "We must talk."

"I do not wish to talk to you.” Rebecca pushed past her and headed toward the exit.

Selena hurried behind her. She felt foolish and guilty and not the role model she was supposed to be. True, Sir Lucius had asked her to marry him, but she had not agreed to it. In fact, she had said no. And therefore, she had no excuse to have been kissing him, especially in such an abandoned manner. It was most awkward. She finally gathered her courage and grabbed Rebecca's arm.

"Listen to me. What you saw was a mistake. I am not going to marry Sir Lucius."

Rebecca eyed her shrewdly. "Well, now. That makes it harder for you to moralize, doesn't it? Does Lady Harrowden know about this?"

Selena shook her head. "She knows nothing about any attachment." She scrambled in her mind to try to save the situation, even if it meant hiding behind an altruism whose foundation was deceit. "Of course, you can tell her if you like, but that will not exactly endear Sir Lucius to her as a suitable husband for you."