Selena shook her head.

"She is worth thirty thousand pounds, and it is not tied up in any way whatsoever. There is nothing in the will that states she must be of a certain age before she can touch it. This is why it is important to keep fortune-hunters away from her, and at present, I am including my nephew in that category.”

“I will take greater care, my lady—” Selena began.

“I suppose you want to know what she’s doing here. What my relationship is to her,” Lady Harrowden said abruptly.

Selena was quick to shake her head. “I would not dream of asking so impertinent a question.”

"Rebecca was my cousin's daughter. Although her husband’s family had a considerable amount of wealth, they did not have the family name to lend her countenance. My cousin named me Rebecca’s godmother and asked if I would mind being one of her guardians if anything should happen to them. She assured me they should not bother me if they were both alive to launch her properly in Society. I appreciated the delicacy of her manner in approaching me, and I decided to grant her request.”

Lady Harrowden exhaled, a sigh of irritation. “As it turned out, my cousin died right after I made the promise, and the girl’s father died a year later. I can only suppose it was Rebecca’s frequent change in housing, and perhaps a lack of female guidance, that led to her being expelled from school.”

Selena thought about the troublesome nature of the ward. Perhaps the best thing for her would be to have her safely married, and as quickly as possible. She met Lady Harrowden’s gaze. “Would it be such a bad thing if she and Lord Harrowden were to form an attachment? After all, she has your approval, and she comes with a large dowry."

“My hesitation is not whether she is good enough for my nephew, although I told him she lacked the birth to make him a suitable wife,” Lady Harrowden replied. “I am merely aware that my nephew is not good enough for her. It’s not that I have a great deal of affection for the girl. I barely know her. But I did give my word to her parents to see to her future.” She pulled her shawl more firmly around her shoulders, and Selena jumped up to help her.

“I would like, at all costs, to avoid such a disadvantageous match for Rebecca. I have seen nothing in Richard to inspire me to believe he has a shred of goodness. Sir Lucius—I trust you will hold your tongue regarding what I am about to say—”

Selena nodded. Of course she would.

"Sir Lucius has promised to look into it, but I fear for the fate of Harrowden because of my nephew's gambling. The estate did not come with a huge fortune, but it was well enough in my husband’s care. And in two years, Richard is showing signs of having torn down everything my husband built. I do not want him to run through my ward’s fortune as well, which is precisely what he would do upon marrying her.”