Selena bit her lip and looked at Lucius but did not say anything.

The door opened before them, and they entered the house. To Selena’s surprise, Mullings had returned, and she wondered if there had been a reversal in the financial situation at the estate. The butler’s brief glance at Selena showed disapproval, and she longed to set him straight. She did not deserve such a censorious glance.

"Mullings,” Lucius said. “Be so good as to inform Lady Harrowden that we are here."

Mullings walked forward in a stately manner and opened the door to the drawing room. “Sir Lucius Clavering, Mr. George Clavering, Miss Lockhart, Miss Philippa Clavering.” He opened the door wider, and Lucius led Selena into the room.

Lady Harrowden did not let them get far. “This is outside of enough. You have returned, but after having left Miss Lockhart’s chaperone at home, do you think she will be welcome here? Your reputation has been tarnished, Selena,” the countess admonished. “And from what I can see, you did not find my nephew and Rebecca. On the whole, you have done nothing but botch the entire affair.”

Maria stood when they entered. "Really, Lucius. I do not like the thought of you compromising any young lady, even if you went at the express request of Lady Harrowden.” She turned to the countess. "My lady, you will admit this to be so. They will now have to marry."

“Unless it is possible to cobble together some excuse,” Lady Harrowden said. “I did not think you to be so clumsy, Lucius. Who saw you? Where did you sleep these two nights?”

"Hm.” Lucius ducked his head, and Selena knew it was to hide the smile that had appeared on his lips. He looked to be enjoying himself. I’m glad someone is, she thought in exasperation.

"The vicar at Campton saw us,” he informed the countess, “right before he married us. And the innkeeper saw us at the Blue Bell Inn, when he showed us to our room."

Although Philippa and George looked amused, Lady Harrowden turned an outraged face toward Selena, and she felt the familiar panic send a blush to her cheeks. She despised being under any sort of scrutiny, especially of the negative kind.

Looking vastly uncomfortable, Maria stood and advanced toward Selena. “Welcome to our family.” Her lips stretched across her teeth in a grimaced smile and froze there. George coughed suddenly behind them.

"Lucius, how dare you disoblige me by marrying her?” Lady Harrowden said. “You did not ask my permission, and Miss Lockhart is under my employment. I would have said no."

Lucius widened his eyes but spoke in a measured tone. “My lady, you can hardly dictate her steps, as she is of age. But I did not need your approval and nor did Lady Clavering. It was to avoid such ridiculous objections as these that I married her by special license—and I have you to thank, by the way, for the introduction, which allowed me to obtain it."