Lady Harrowden sat in front of the vanity and met Selena’s gaze in the mirror. “You will discover easily enough what I require, as I will make my wishes clear at all times. However”—the countess tightened her mouth— “I expect you to be on time. I expect you to avoid scandal.”

Selena swallowed convulsively. Was the countess referring to her family’s disgrace or was she anticipating some future scandal?

Lady Harrowden continued, “I expect you will not disclose to my nephew anything personal about me. I do not want him to know when I go to sleep or when I rise. I do not wish him to know what I talk about or what I like and don't like. In fact, it will suit me very well to remain a complete mystery to him. Oh, I have no doubt he set out to please. He is amusing himself with your company, as there is not another young lady on hand more worthy of notice.”

The words cut, although Selena should have steeled herself against them by now. She had received enough insults, veiled and outright in the past.

Lady Harrowden turned to face Selena. “I am equally certain Lord Harrowden wishes to get into your good graces with the object of discovering things about me he would not otherwise learn. I will be extremely displeased if I find out you have obliged him.”

Selena resolved never to displease Lady Harrowden. She could not afford to. Shoving down the sting that came with the reminder of her low station, Selena focused rather on the implications of Lady Harrowden’s speech. "So you are not on terms with your nephew?”

"My nephew is what they call a rake," Lady Harrowden said with an impatient wave. “He is what I call a scoundrel.”

"A rake…like Sir Lucius is a rake?" Selena asked. Perhaps she was treading on thin ice to remind Lady Harrowden of her own words, but she had called Sir Lucius that very thing last night. And Sir Lucius and Lord Harrowden were not at all cut from the same cloth, from what Selena could tell. Lord Harrowden ignored her wishes, reminding Selena of her vulnerability. On the contrary, and despite the inauspicious start, Sir Lucius seemed to adhere to a gentleman’s code, and beyond that, she had to own—he appeared to greater advantage with each encounter.

"I am irritated with Lucius,” was all the countess would vouchsafe, as if that answered the question. She did not quite meet Selena’s gaze.

Morgan entered the room, and Selena stepped aside to allow her to assist Lady Harrowden to dress.

“Is Sir Lucius still waiting for me?" Lady Harrowden asked her maid.

"I do not know, my lady. I was not aware he was here." Morgan continued to tug at the countess’s stays.

Lady Harrowden studied Selena in the mirror, then dropped her gaze to Selena’s attire, her expression showing increasing displeasure. “The Twelfth Night ball will be a good opportunity to see how you carry yourself. I will give you an advance on your salary, so that you might buy material for a dress.” She narrowed her eyes at Selena’s Egyptian brown dress, which was both worn and several years out of date. “I assure you: you will need it.”