"I do not tell you everything, and her dowry is none of your concern. Miss Lockhart will serve as her governess until we can find a more suitable arrangement for her."

Lord Harrowden curled his lip at Selena. "Your role continues to grow in excitement."

"Will you frank this now, my lord?” Selena asked, deciding it was best she ignore his impertinence.

The earl took the letter to the writing desk in the corner and franked it. Selena turned to the countess, eager to escape from Lord Harrowden's cynical gaze. "My lady, shall I give this to Mullings now?"

Lady Harrowden held up a hand. "Wait, and you may accompany me to the morning room afterwards. I have something I wish to say to Richard."

The countess advanced a few more steps until she was in front of him. "I need not remind you to leave my ward alone. She does not have the bloodline to make you a wife, and I know how important that is to you. And she is not without protectors."

Lord Harrowden sent his aunt a calculating look. "I do not know what you think of me, Aunt. Naturally, a young woman under my own roof must be protected."

Selena’s jaw dropped in shock, and she quickly closed it. She couldn't believe he had the audacity to say that when he had been spouting a very different speech moments before Lady Harrowden had entered the room.

"Naturally," Lady Harrowden said with her own touch of irony. She turned to Selena. “Come. We will have tea sent."

Selena walked with her to the door, eager to turn her shoulder on Lord Harrowden.

The young ward arrived two days later, as Lady Harrowden had predicted. The moment Selena heard the carriage pull up, she closed the book she had been reading out loud and looked at the countess.

“Go on and see,” Lady Harrowden said. “I imagine it must be Rebecca.”

Selena went to the window and saw the footman opening the door of the carriage and reaching out to support the gloved hand that extended from it. “It is her, I believe,” Selena said. “Shall I bring her to you?”

At Lady Harrowden’s nod, Selena hurried out into the corridor. She reached the front door and exited into the blinding sunlight reflecting off the snow. She could see the colorful figure of a young woman walking towards the steps, followed by her maid, but it was too bright to distinguish her features until she got closer.

Selena stepped lightly down the stairs toward the girl, whose face was hidden by her bonnet as she examined the grounds and the facade of the estate to her right.

“I am Miss Lockhart,” Selena said in a friendly voice, and the girl whirled around to face her. Selena felt the blood drain from her own face as she stared at the very same young woman who had appeared on Sir Lucius’s doorstep not a week since.