"When I went to look in on the fitting…” Selena paused, nervous about what she had to disclose. "I found Lord Harrowden in the room giving his opinion on the dress.”

"What? My nephew was in the room when she was having her gown fitted?" Lady Harrowden turned to Selena, her face a picture of rigid indignation.

"Yes, my lady. I had thought her maid protection enough, so to say the least, I was concerned to find him there." Selena searched for a way to express the rest. "All three—Alice, Madame Druard, and Rebecca herself—assured me that there was nothing untoward, even that it was perfectly natural to have him there. Rebecca protested when I asked him to leave.”

When the countess shot her a look of disapproval, Selena protested, "I know she is only sixteen. She does not know what is best, so of course I did not listen to her. But the modiste also said that he had impeccable taste, and Alice assured me he left the room when Rebecca was changing, and that there was nothing all that shocking about what happened. All I could do was to ensure Lord Harrowden left immediately.”

“It should never have happened in the first place,” Lady Harrowden said. “Why were you not there with her when she had her fitting?"

Selena felt heat rise to her cheeks, along with a flash of anger, which she swallowed. "You insisted the bouquets needed to be done today, and I knew if I helped with the fitting when there was already another woman present, I would not be able to finish the task you had given me. That is why I was not there.”

"And have you finished?” the countess asked.

"No, I…" How could Selena explain this without sounding like a ninny? She was capable of doing what was asked of her—she had to be capable of it. Her mother and sisters depended on her earnings, and Selena did not want to return to Bedford and live in forced seclusion, which was the life her mother and sisters led. And if Selena were turned off from this position, she would not easily be able to get another.

There was no way around it but to say the truth. “I was not able to finish tying the bouquets because Sir Lucius came by the greenhouse and stopped to see me."

Lady Harrowden looked displeased—even more displeased than she already was, if such a thing were possible. “How did he find you? What did he want?"

Selena looked down at her hands. "I believe he merely wished to warn me against the earl's intentions. He was concerned they were not honorable." Selena took a breath. "So I returned with him to the house to check on Rebecca and left the unfinished bouquets there. I will gladly go out and finish them after I leave you.”

“That’s when you found my nephew in the room with Rebecca?” The countess asked, and Selena nodded.

Lady Harrowden took a breath, her jaw resolute. "Do you know how much my ward is worth?"