"No, but someone has to visit her if you won’t,” Maria said tartly, with a significant look that sparked a twinge of guilt in Lucius—an irritating sensation considering there was no limit to what his own family would ask of him. But it was true he hadn’t kept his promise to the dying earl to look in on Lady Harrowden and see she was well taken care of. Well, technically speaking, Lucius had done so once, but he could not fool himself into believing that one visit was true to the spirit of his promise.

“I came early in the afternoon,” Maria continued, “and I was meant to stay just for the time it took to have tea together. But it soon began to snow, and I thought it safer to stay put while the snow lasted. Thankfully, it stopped, and it is now safe to return home. I much prefer my own bed."

"A sentiment with which I highly concur.” Lucius had given a signal to Mullings and before long their two carriages were brought around to the front.

Before they made their way to the front door, Lucius said in a voice only his sister could hear, "Miss Lockhart does not have the easiest of circumstances before her. Lady Harrowden will not set herself out to be pleasant to a mere companion. She is more likely to treat her like a drudge. In fact, she seems decidedly more bitter since I last saw her.”

“Lady Harrowden is lonely. And that is why she has engaged a companion. Miss Lockhart will only be fulfilling her role. And I’m sure it’s a situation that will suit both very nicely. Miss Lockhart will earn her living, which is something she clearly needs, and Lady Harrowden will have someone to amuse her and run her errands.”

“Hmph.” The conversation irritated Lucius for reasons he could not understand, and he was ready to end it. “Do you need me to accompany you?” he asked, hoping fervently the answer was no.

His wish was granted. “It is two miles in the opposite direction, and I have both my groom and a footman. I shall be perfectly comfortable.”

Lucius nodded. “Good night, then.”

Maria exited into the frigid air, her breath coming out in a cloud. “Mind you come to my ball. I am counting on you.”

Lucius grunted and waved one hand.

Chapter Four

After Sir Lucius and his sister left and the door was closed behind them, Selena found herself alone with Lady Harrowden. The cold draft sweeping under her skirt made her shiver, and the chimney to the right of the countess gave off more smoke than warmth.

Lady Harrowden studied her in silence for a moment before saying, “Well, here you are at last. We will see how this arrangement suits, I suppose. Ring the bell there, and the maid will see you to your room."

Those were dampening words. Her brief correspondence with Lady Harrowden, cold and perfunctory in nature, should have warned her not to expect much consideration from the countess. She had nevertheless romanticized the adventure, since it was the means of escaping a disagreeable marriage prospect and a stifling home environment. To have imagined her new life as an improvement in circumstances was a mistake, and the reality came as a rude shock.