Selena, conscious of the time and knowing she still had stockings to purchase said, "Rebecca, you have five minutes to make up your mind before we have to meet Lady Harrowden again. I will address one of the other shopkeepers for my needs.”

Rebecca nodded absently, and Selena went toward the back of the store where another assistant was free to attend her. It did not take her long to make a purchase. When she returned to the front, Rebecca was speaking to Mrs. Holbeck, Sir Lucius’s sister, who had entered the shop. At her side were a younger lady and gentleman who bore a family likeness.

“…these green ones are very pretty as you say, but what color is your dress?” Mrs. Holbeck was saying.

“Rose Pompadour,” Rebecca replied.

“I believe that to be Sir Lucius’s favorite color,” Mrs. Holbeck replied with a smile, “but of course those green gloves will never do.”

Rebecca opened her eyes wide. “You know Sir Lucius?”

The fetching young lady with a riot of curls who stood by Mrs. Holbeck’s side, laughed and said, “He is our brother.”

“Oh, Mrs. Holbeck, you must introduce me to your companions,” Rebecca cried.

Selena, feeling it would be rude not to make herself known at this point, stepped forward. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Holbeck.”

Selena received a cold bow in return and wondered what she had done to receive such a frigid greeting. Mrs. Holbeck turned to the two standing beside her. “Miss Woodsley, allow me to introduce my younger siblings: Mr. George Clavering and Miss Philippa Clavering. You two are nearly the same age.”

Selena straightened as the insult sank in. She had not been considered worthy of an introduction.

“I believe you are right, Mrs. Holbeck,” Rebecca said, pulling Selena’s attention back to the matter at hand. She turned to the shopkeeper. “Please have the white gloves made up for me and sent to Harrowden Estate.”

At least someone had been able to make her see reason.

“We will meet at the ball in three days’ time, then,” Philippa said. Her brother, dark as his sister was fair, remained quiet, and Selena was relieved to see that he didn’t look particularly interested in the heiress, nor did Rebecca glance more than once in his direction.

“We will tell Sir Lucius you are here,” Selena said in an attempt to move Rebecca toward the door.

“Lucius, here?” Mrs. Holbeck raised her eyebrows in surprise. “I did not see his carriage.”

“He is at the inn helping Lady Harrowden recover from a fall, and we must not delay in returning to them.” Selena took Rebecca by the elbow to steer her toward the door and escape Mrs. Holbeck’s rude presence, but Mrs. Holbeck was the first to move.

“We will accompany you.” She took Rebecca by the arm and inquired more about her family. Selena fell behind with Philippa and George Clavering.

As they came out of the shop, Philippa turned back and whispered to Selena, “And you are Miss Lockhart, I believe. I am sorry for my sister.”