“Well, I shall hope for good weather, then,” Maria said, “and I must bid you good night. As it is, Charles will be beside himself with worry—especially since his dinner was held up." She laughed at her own pleasantry.

“Come again before the ball, Maria,” Lady Harrowden said, adding in her most acidic tone, “Sir Lucius, I suppose I shall see you here again in another two years.”

Lady Harrowden had every right to hold a grudge against him, and Lucius acknowledged her snide comment with an inclination of his head, but he did not apologize. He was not going to give the countess his head for washing.

He turned to face Miss Lockhart. He didn’t like the idea of leaving her here, and he bestowed a final glance upon her before turning to follow his sister. Her cryptic smile held a hint of mischief that made him stop in his tracks to see if she would divulge the reason behind it.

“Sir Lucius, I am much obliged to you for rescuing me from what I imagine was near certain death. I was chilled through, and I'm grateful for your chivalrous nature in taking me in so promptly—and with such an air of hospitality.”

Although her tone was perfectly pleasant, the sardonic edge to her words did not escape him.

"I am happy to be of service, Miss Lockhart,” Sir Lucius replied gravely, though the corner of his mouth twitched. There was a bite to her, this one. He bowed before the countess. “My lady.”

Alone with his sister in the hallway, the footman standing at the front door, Lucius muttered under his breath. “How is it possible you are here already? You made no mention of this when we were together over Christmas. I left St Albans precisely for some time apart from the family."

“You must blame our grandfather then for purchasing a hunting box not twelve miles from the family estate.”

“And then our father for arranging your marriage to Holbeck, who lives no more than three,” Lucius grumbled. “You said you would remain with Mother through January.”

Maria smiled patronizingly. “How often our dearest wishes are not accorded. But Mother changed her mind and said she’d rather not plan a Twelfth Night party, so I am throwing a ball here.” His sister smoothed the fur on her muff. “The number of unattached ladies far outweighs the number of single gentlemen, and I know I can count on you to do your duty.”

Lucius curled his lip. “You cannot be so naïve as to think that will tempt me."

"Oh no. Merely to warn you," Maria replied. "I know you too well to think that such a thing will be tempting. However, you may as well come, you know. You have an entire week to yourself and may grumble in your library to your heart’s content. Soon you will long for company, and this is just the event to provide it.”

"I hardly think so. Why are you at Harrowden on such a day? Surely Holbeck does not permit you to traipse about in this sort of weather. And I shouldn’t think you and the countess had much in common.”