True to her word, Lady Harrowden sent Morgan to dress Selena's hair. She was grateful for the gesture, because she was too tired to lift her hands to her head to attempt anything herself. Morgan pulled her hair into a becoming series of twists behind Selena’s head, and Selena remembered a string of white satin flowers she had that could be woven through the coiffure, and she couldn’t help but smile at the final result.

She put small gold drops in her ears, the only ones her mother had managed to hide from the creditors. "Do you know if Rebecca is ready?"

"No, miss. But I will send someone to find out from Alice.”

Selena was alone. She lingered to examine herself in the glass and was heartened by the picture she presented. The shade of blue she wore was becoming to her complexion and seemed to give back the rosy glow that had been lost from fatigue. The flower embroidered on one side was, well…a bit strange. She hoped it would not draw too much attention.

But never mind that. She had to look in on Rebecca.

As she approached Rebecca’s room, a maid exited, out of breath. “Miss. I was coming to tell you that Miss Woodsley is not yet ready. Lady Harrowden is downstairs waiting.”

Selena took in a quiet breath. “Go tell Lady Harrowden I will do what I can to hurry things along.”

She was irritated with herself. She should have spoken with Alice to make sure Rebecca began dressing early, so she would be ready on time. Selena entered the room and saw that half of Rebecca's hair was still down.

She looked at the maid. "Why is Miss Woodsley still not ready?” She attempted to keep her tone even, but her fatigue made it nearly impossible. It would not do to keep the countess waiting, nor would it be good to arrive at the party long after they were expected.

Alice lost some of her usual assurance for an upper servant, her fingers faltering for a moment. "I had many errands to run to prepare for tonight. And when we did begin the toilette—”

“Aye!” Rebecca pulled the strand of hair from her maid’s hands. “Never mind that. The party is not likely to start so soon, and we do not wish to be in advance. There is nothing worse than being the first one to a party."

"We are not likely to be first." Selena looked at the clock on the mantel. "It is nearing eight o'clock. The invitation was for seven o'clock, you are not finished dressing, and we still have to have the horses hitched to the carriage before we may be on our way. I will go see to Lady Harrowden’s needs, but I urge you most earnestly to be ready as quickly as possible."

Selena marched out the door, caught between harried and irritated. While Rebecca could appear to have a docile manner to people like the countess and Mrs. Holbeck, she was not exactly compliant. Well, at least Lord Harrowden was not in her room.