Across the ballroom, Miss Lockhart walked through the double doorway, stopping him in his tracks. She held Lady Harrowden by the elbow and pivoted back to speak a few words to Miss Woodsley. The blue tones of Miss Lockhart’s dress were modish, and they set off her creamy skin to perfection. Her hair was twisted up in an elegant style with braids that crisscrossed and tiny white flowers that wove through the chignon when she turned. Her dress molded her slender figure, and the capped sleeves revealed just a hint of that smooth skin next to her long gloves. He closed his eyes, wondering if he had been bewitched. In that moment, Lucius thought he had never before laid eyes on a more desirable woman.

Miss Lockhart had not seen him, and she wasn’t searching the room for anyone. She bent her head down to listen to Lady Harrowden. She isn’t looking for me.

He took a step forward and noticed she was not smiling. Had Miss Woodsley been tiresome? Or perhaps it was Lady Harrowden who had caused her grief? His gaze shot to Lord Harrowden, standing behind the countess, who was now engaging Miss Woodsley in what looked like a flirtation. Most likely he was the annoyance, if there was one.

Lucius knew it was his duty to greet the Harrowdens, but he was reluctant to do so, preferring to claim conversation with Miss Lockhart alone. He accepted a glass of punch from a servant who was passing a tray and stood watching Miss Lockhart, ready to step in if she should be freed from the conversation of those around her.

Selena was ready to drop from fatigue, and the evening had not yet begun. There were candles in every window of the Holbeck residence as they arrived, making it so that, grand as it was, it resembled a house in a fairytale. Inside, greenery was draped along the railings, and it perfumed the house with a festive scent, mixing with the various colognes of people coming in from the cold, and the tantalizing spices wafting by as servants brought platters from the kitchen. There was a variety of dishes spread on some tables and bowls of punch on others. As people paraded before Selena, the older men in brightly-colored silk jackets, the younger men in more discreet colors, and the women arrayed in all their finery, she thought London could not boast a more extravagant party.

She turned impulsively to say as much to Lady Harrowden but saw that the countess seemed overcome by the noise and the crowds. Lord Harrowden was leaning in close to Rebecca, his face lit with amusement over some private joke he was whispering in her ear.

Selena took the countess by the elbow. “My lady, do let me bring you over to the corner where there must be a bit more air. Rebecca, why don't you follow us?”

Instead of answering, Rebecca smiled up at Lord Harrowden. “No one will mind if you take me to have a lemonade, will they?” She looked at Selena. “It could hardly be inappropriate since we are nearly like cousins.”