“I suppose not, but it is my role now.” Miss Lockhart stared ahead. “My father was John Lockhart of Kingsbury in Warwickshire—a gentleman but not a nobleman."

"And your mother?" Lucius glanced again at her profile and saw her tighten her jaw. Although the unusual manner in which they met cut through some of the superficiality of the ton, he was pressing her for details he usually preferred to leave alone.

“My mother is caring for my three younger sisters, who live in Bedford where she grew up. She met my father in the usual way during the London Season. The ending to their match was not in her favor, so I am doing what I can to assist her. We are an ordinary family with an ordinary tale, I suppose.”

“I don’t believe there is such a thing as an ordinary family,” Lucius said, pulling gently on the reins. “I suppose your circumstances must at times be hard to bear. I imagine it was not easy for you to leave your family and come to Harrowden?”

By now they had arrived at the estate, and Miss Lockhart did not respond right away. Lucius waited before jumping down from the carriage, curious as to her answer. He certainly would not mind a little distance from his family, but she likely pulled strength from her mother and sisters and regretted the necessity of having to leave them.

"Oh, there is no point in thinking of what might have been, is there? Rather only looking forward. After all, the future is all that is left to us.” Miss Lockhart looked pained, and he saw that he had pushed her too far.

Lucius hesitated, wondering if he should utter some form of an apology for having intruded, but in the end he said nothing as the undergroom came forward. He handed him the reins and halted the footman moving toward the carriage to assist Miss Lockhart.

“I will help her down. You—take Miss Lockhart's trunk and have it sent to her room." Lucius walked around the carriage and held out his hand to help Miss Lockhart alight. She did not move at once, and he wondered if it had been his intrusive questions that made her shrink back from him.

She surprised him then with a smile, her frank eyes turned on him from on high, as though she were placed on a pedestal. “It is the most ridiculous notion, but I have almost started to thaw under these blankets and have no wish to leave them, even if the house is warmer.”

“I believe you simply wish to punish me by making me suffer the cold while I await your pleasure,” Lucius replied, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Come. You will be much better for a cup of hot tea and a seat before the fire. I will accompany you in. I would like to see Lady Harrowden again.”

There was a gleam of humor in Miss Lockhart’s eyes as she held his gaze, and in a quick gesture, she threw off the blankets and scampered down. He held her arm close as he hurried her inside.