However, it was time to face the music. Lady Harrowden was likely to be incensed, and she had every right to be. It mattered little that Selena had the protection of her husband; she knew they were in the wrong.

Lucius saw her worried look and cupped her cheek with his hand. "Do not worry about a thing." He laughed suddenly in recollection. “I should not think she could eat you.” That made Selena smile.

As Lucius assisted her down from the carriage, the noise of another carriage crunching over the melting snow reached them. He looked up, then turned to Selena, his eyes twinkling.

“This should prove interesting. It's my brother George, and from the looks of it, Philippa, as well. I suppose if I am to introduce my wife to my family, I would most like to start with these two."

"Lucius!” George reined in and greeted Lucius with a look of relief. "You are here. Briggs was surprisingly closed about your whereabouts, and as I know you did not leave for London, nor would you go visit Mother without absolutely needing to, I thought, perhaps, I might find you here."

George stopped suddenly as his eyes lit on Selena, but it was Philippa who spoke. "You are both dressed for traveling," she exclaimed. "What has happened? This morning, Maria heard a rumor about Miss Woodsley running off with Lord Harrowden. I suppose you were persuaded to go after them? Good afternoon, Miss Lockhart. Did you have success?”

Selena pressed her lips together and looked at Lucius for support. He reached for her hand and squeezed it, and both George and Philippa's eyes widened in surprise.

"Lucius, you have something to tell us," Philippa said, her smile broadening.

"I do. You are no longer addressing Miss Lockhart. You may call her Selena, for she is Lady Clavering now."

"Never say so, Lucius," George said in wonderment. "At last you are leg-shackled.”

Lucius held out his arm, and Selena slipped her hand through it for reassurance. "Leg-shackled is not exactly how I would term it," he said wryly. "This was a love match."

George clapped his hand over his mouth. “I beg your pardon Miss…Lady Clav…Selena,” he managed at last.

“Your success with the ladies is assured, George,” Lucius said in a droll voice.

Philippa clapped her hands together. "Oh, I just knew it! I could tell from the way you looked at each other that there was going to be a match."

Lucius frowned at her. “You knew nothing,” he objected. “I assure you I was not so transparent.”

"Perhaps not from the way you left her to fend for herself, Lucius,” Philippa countered dryly. "But I knew it would not be long before you came to your senses."

Selena took a deep breath. "I suppose there is no better time than the present to inform Lady Harrowden that our mission did not succeed.”

Lucius squeezed her hand in encouragement.

They began to walk toward the house when George spoke up from behind. "And Maria," he added. "Unless she has already left, she is here visiting the countess now."