"I will do what I can, my lady."

Lucius left Lady Harrowden not dissatisfied. She had met with the accountant and solicitor, and after examining her accounts, and the details of her jointure and portion, they determined that although she had been bearing a disproportionate amount of the household expenses, her income was largely untouched. The dower house was part of her jointure, so she would be able to remove to it. She would have a place to stay, and she would have an income, but Lucius sensed a frailty to Lady Harrowden regarding the looming scandal and knew it wouldn’t be easy. And now, it was time to secure his own future.

He was oddly cheerful, despite having been turned down in marriage. He knew Selena loved him. She could not have melted into his embrace in such a way if she were cold toward him. But her fear of rejection was holding her back, and if Society’s rejection was a hovering threat, his sister’s was an immediate one. Maria’s interference was one thing he had the power to stop cold—and as for the opinion of the ton? Well, it mattered not at all, and he would see that Selena was shielded from it.

It was time to pay Maria a visit.

He was shown into the study, where Maria sat with Holbeck, and she stood in surprise. "Lucius, I did not tell Cook there would be another plate for dinner. We were not expecting you.”

Advancing into the room, Lucius gave a nod to Holbeck and replied, "I'm not staying for dinner. My mission will be brief. I have come to tell you that you will have to host Philippa this Season because I am getting married."

Maria dropped to her chair as if stunned and clasped her hands together. "That is such good news. I assume it is Miss Woodsley? I saw the two of you at dinner the other night."

Lucius took a seat in the only remaining armchair. “I wish you will rid yourself of the notion that I have any interest in Miss Woodsley. Would it change your mind to know that she came to my house, unaccompanied, with the object of seducing me? That is why she was sent home from her school. Apparently, she saw me once and determined that I was the one she wanted. Is that the kind of wife you would choose for me?"

Maria darted a glance at Holbeck, who evaded her gaze. "Well, she is young. She simply lacks adequate training, which she is now receiving with Miss Lockhart. And she has made it apparent that she is attached to you…"

Lucius looked at his sister in exasperation. "Is her fortune so important to you that you would overlook such behavior? You must have windmills in your head if you think I can. No, it is not Miss Woodsley."

Realization struck, and Maria cried out, "For heaven's sake, Lucius. Not Miss Lockhart!"