Lucius narrowed his eyes. “As a matter of fact, Miss Lockhart is my choice, and that is what I came to say to you, Maria. You will welcome her with more warmth than you have yet shown her. You will receive her in Society with all the graciousness of a sister-in-law, and you will tell Mother that you are thrilled for our engagement,” he said severely. “You will show your support to this match publicly, or I will never set foot in this house again.”

He glanced at Holbeck. “And I will withdraw all support to Holbeck’s policies and bills and encourage my friends to do the same."

Maria flushed, protesting, “Lucius, you are out of your mind.”

But Holbeck lifted a hand and silenced her. "Now, Maria," he said, “the Lockhart scandal was some years back. You are always saying you hope for Lucius to be married, and he finally has a wish to do so. I say leave him be. He’s old enough to know his own mind.”

Maria glared at her husband, then folded her arms across her chest. Lucius studied her, hiding his amusement. He had been nearly certain of Holbeck’s support once he touched on political affiliations and financial gifts, with which he had been generous. Maria would come around.

“Very well,” she replied—very much in the manner of one being goaded beyond what she could bear.

Lucius did not care one jot.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Rebecca disappeared for the rest of the day, and Selena did not seek her out. She would grant her charge this one day to overcome her fit of temper before attempting their lessons again. This also gave Selena time to regain her own composure, but after such a tumult of emotions that included a heady kiss—and an audience—that was not easily done.

When Mrs. Randall brought a simple supper to the dining room that evening, she informed Lady Harrowden and Selena that Rebecca was not feeling well and had requested Alice to bring a supper tray to her room. Selena did not believe it for a minute, but she was grateful for the reprieve. At least for tonight, she would be spared blatant hostility and barbed innuendos. Lord Harrowden was not in the habit of joining them for dinner, and she had not seen him after the morning visitors either, although she had been too absorbed in her own reflections throughout the day to spare him a thought.

Needless to say, dinner conversation that evening was dull.

Selena went to bed thinking of that kiss. She could still feel the soft touch of his lips on hers when she closed her eyes, and her nerves tingled, her senses screamed from the memory of being pulled up against him in such a tight embrace. She had the sensation of falling.

What would it be like to say yes? What would it be like to be kissed in such a way any time she felt like it and to have Lucius look at her with such tenderness? To be cherished and protected and tucked away from the world. To sit with him at that small table near the fire and take supper together, discussing mundane subjects without a care in the world.