Sir Lucius turned to Selena, his mouth set in a firm line and his countenance forbidding. "I did not do it. I have been to see her but once since her husband died two years ago."

Selena studied his face. Did he truly regret having neglected his duty? Or was he just like everyone else she’d met in Society—fickle?

“Why did you not keep your word?"

Sir Lucius walked from the mantel to her side, his voice gruff when he responded. "Selfishness, I believe."

Such honesty compelled Selena to meet his gaze. She was oddly relieved. "And this is your repentance?"

"I can at least try." Sir Lucius looked up as the doorknob turned, and Selena, realizing how closely they were standing, took a step back.

Chapter Seven

It was only when Miss Lockhart stepped away from him that Lucius became aware of how near they had been. This would not do, even if she did invite a man’s confidence with her poise and gentle manner. He hoped her gentleness would not lead her into other situations, such as following Harrowden around on another pleasure walk in the bitter cold.

It was Harrowden who had entered the room. Upon seeing them together, he widened his eyes and, with a thin veneer of cordiality, said, “Sir Lucius—still here?”

Before the earl could address Miss Lockhart, she excused herself. “Lady Harrowden requested I speak with the housekeeper. I must do so.” Without another word, she turned and glided toward the door, quickly as if to escape.

When the door shut behind her, Lord Harrowden walked over to the fire where Lucius was standing and positioned himself with his back to it, facing the room. “Your arrival was timely this morning, Sir Lucius. Miss Lockhart was able to avoid having to traipse back on foot, and I’m sure she was beholden to you. But I assure you, it was not necessary. We had not long to go before turning back, and she will have to grow more stout if she’s going to serve as companion to my aunt.”

Harrowden’s arrogance goaded Lucius beyond what he could bear, and his resolve not to pick a quarrel vanished. "What were you thinking, taking a woman out in such weather with no more than a thin cloak to keep her warm? She was nearly blue with cold by the time I came upon her."

Harrowden paused for a long moment before curving his lips into a tight smile. “Perhaps you have the right of it, though I stand by my assertion that she will need to be made of sterner stuff. I was willing to show off Harrowden’s grounds, and as she will be here for some time, I thought she should see everything. I daresay she is warm enough by now."

Lucius looked toward the door, wondering what was keeping the countess. "Surely." He leaned against the mantel.

Harrowden wandered over to the escritoire and rifled through the letters there. “I imagine a man like you has much to attend to. What keeps you here?" He darted a glance from the papers to Lucius before hiding his gaze again.