As if he could read her mind, Lord Harrowden sent her a coaxing smile. “Surely you have affectionate yearnings in your heart,” he insisted. "I cannot imagine that you truly desire a life as a spinster.”

Selena repressed a shudder from his words, which took on a sinister tone when coupled with his leering grin. She remembered that he was not her employer and took courage from that. "I consider your question impertinent, my lord.”

He raised his eyebrows and his lazy smile appeared once again. “You are out of reason cross. I am only looking out for your own interests.”

Selena finished the last bite of her bread. She coughed when she drank the coffee quickly, and the hot liquid scalded her throat. It was probably the fastest breakfast she had ever eaten, and it would not sit well. She set her napkin on the table and rose to her feet.

"I bid you good day, my lord. I have an appointment with the housekeeper to make myself acquainted with the estate."

"Why don't I show you?” Lord Harrowden said. “I promise we will not leave the warmth of this house, and I can give you the history behind each of the rooms—old stories that the housekeeper will not be aware of."

Oh no you won't. I will not fall for that again. "You are very kind, and I appreciate your offer, but I will have to decline. It is important for me to be on terms with the housekeeper, and I will not put off our interview for a second time. Good day." Selena made her escape.

Mrs. Randall had been inclined toward coldness when Selena went to make her excuses the day before. Now, as she saw Selena coming off the stairs and into the kitchen just when she promised she would come, the housekeeper’s smile held more warmth.

"I shall just restore the china back to its cupboard, and I’ll be free to take you around the house." Mrs. Randall put away the tea cup she had been inspecting and finished with the rest of the china that had been spread out for inventory.

There were twenty-seven rooms, and since they were laid out in an orderly fashion, Selena didn't think it would be difficult to remember where to find everything. She took note of where Lord Harrowden's bedroom was and was relieved to see that hers was in the other wing, much closer to Lady Harrowden’s. If she called out, the countess would surely hear her.

Mrs. Randall did know quite a bit about the estate’s history, as it turned out, so Lord Harrowden’s trump card had been a bluff. As they were winding up their tour, the housekeeper said, "I heard young Sir Lucius was here. It will do Lady Harrowden good to see him again. The families were close before the earl died.”

“Perhaps he will come more often, now that he and Lady Harrowden have...rekindled family relations,” Selena said, unsure if ‘rekindling’ most aptly fit the acerbic scolds the countess applied to Sir Lucius. She hoped he would come more often, however.