Lucius had had enough. He stood. “You must do as you deem best, Maria. George, come see me tomorrow. I may have a task for you since you now have an abundance of free time. Goodbye, Philippa.”

He had the horse saddled and rode off, allowing the repetitive swaying to settle his mind. Miss Lockhart had hinted at such things—time spent in London, mixing with Society, great loss, and her father’s death. It had been hard for her to bear, however—much harder than he had realized. Her family had fallen quite far in Society. It was enough to break off an engagement. He wondered if she had loved the man.

After searching his mind for an excuse to ride over to Harrowden Estate and finding none, Lucius turned his horse toward home. In any case, it was best, as he had business in town that afternoon. Once he met with the accountant he had found for Lady Harrowden, he would have his reason to visit.

Chapter Twelve

Where is that girl? Selena had been searching all the likely rooms for Rebecca, and she finally cornered her maid coming out of Rebecca’s bedroom.

"Have you seen Miss Woodsley? We were supposed to go into the village early this afternoon to purchase her gloves for the ball. Lady Harrowden is waiting for us to set out, and I cannot find her anywhere."

"Oh, miss.” The stout maid clutched a pile of dresses to her chest on her way to the laundering room. “Miss Woodsley said she was going for a ride. I believe she had Lord Harrowden’s groom to follow her. She set out an hour ago, so I shouldn't think she will be long."

The first concern that sprang to Selena's mind was whether Lord Harrowden had gone with her. In the three days since Rebecca arrived, Selena had caught them together twice now, without any sort of chaperone—once sitting on the same settee before the fire in the library and once coming up from the kitchen, each eating a piece of shortbread. In addition, the house had an echoing feeling to it, as servants seemed scarce. Selena did not often cross paths with one, which meant that Lord Harrowden and Rebecca were not likely to either.

Selena was worried about their increased intimacy, even though Rebecca had once made an offhand remark that it was too bad the earl was so young, as he would not be a suitable husband for many years yet. She went on to add that he didn’t possess the worldliness of Sir Lucius, and although that didn’t bode well for the hope that Rebecca had moved on from her infatuation with Sir Lucius, it did not prevent Lord Harrowden from importuning Rebecca either—something that would be disastrous to an impressionable young girl.

Lord Harrowden exited the billiard room and met Selena in the corridor, putting to rest at least one of her fears. "Well, Miss Lockhart? Have you nothing better to do?" The smirk that accompanied these words did nothing to soften the irritation that sprang up whenever she was in his presence.