Lady Harrowden sent a shrewd gaze Selena's way. “Now that you are here, you can just as easily assume the role of governess-companion. It will be more amusing for you to have another young lady in the house than to have nothing more to do than wait upon an old woman."

Selena kept her expression neutral. Any young lady who was expelled from school would likely be more trouble than she was worth. "Whatever you wish, my lady. I am here to be of service." She clasped her hands on her lap. "Have you decided when she will come?"

Lady Harrowden glanced at the letter again in reflection. “We had better answer this letter without delay. I am given to understand that the situation is dire and that they must find a place for her as quickly as possible. The school is in Essex, and she can be here within two days.”

"So soon?" Selena raised her eyebrows. “Is there anything you would have me do?"

“Inform Mrs. Randall at once, so she can prepare the room papered in rose. She will know the one. And as much as it goes against the grain, I suppose I shall have to inform my nephew." Lady Harrowden frowned. "We will write a reply at once, and then you will send a footman to request Richard to meet us in the drawing room.”

Selena copied down Lady Harrowden’s dictation in a neat scrawl, and once she had sanded the letter and folded it, wrote the direction as indicated. At the widow’s instructions, she rang the bell for Morgan to assist Lady Harrowden into her morning dress, then brought the letter with her to be franked. She promised to wait for the countess in the drawing room.

Lord Harrowden was already in the room when she entered, and she could only hope the countess would not delay her arrival, forcing Selena to be alone with Lord Harrowden for an overly long spell. She marched forward, her jaw set. Would the earl be living on top of her for the entirety of her stay?

His clever eyes missed nothing. "You have a letter you need franked?"

Selena nodded. “It is a letter Lady Harrowden wishes to send, and she will be down to speak with you momentarily, as the matter concerns you.”

"I wait upon her pleasure.” Lord Harrowden’s voice dripped with irony.

Selena took a seat as far away from Lord Harrowden as she could without appearing rude, and their silence lasted long enough that she shifted in her chair, anxious to be elsewhere.

"No need to be so stiff, my dear.” The earl pulled a box of snuff from his hand and flipped the lid open and shut without taking any. “Did you complete the tour of the house with Mrs. Randall?"

"Yes, I have seen everything, so I shall know where to find things. I hope to learn my role quickly and be of service to Lady Harrowden." Selena almost bored herself. Margaret Winter had been right back in Bedford when she said that Selena could only get work as a companion if she had conversation. A companion was only useful if they could amuse one.