She stepped in front of them. “Good evening, sir. I am afraid Miss Woodsley is wanted elsewhere.”

The Corinthian bowed, and Selena pulled Rebecca away with a slight pressure on her arm, but they had only taken a few steps when Rebecca stretched out her hands in a different direction. Lord Harrowden was heading their way, holding a glass of champagne.

“This is to fortify you for our dance,” he said, extending the glass.

Selena put up her hand in protest. “My lord, I wish you would not leave Miss Woodsley alone at the mercy of strange men. Or think it permissible that she drink champagne.”

“Ah, but I most particularly put her in charge of Gregson—a friend of mine in the neighborhood. I knew he would take good care of her.” He turned to Rebecca. “And did he not?”

Rebecca giggled. “He was most attentive. I have promised him a dance later.”

“You really should not have—” Selena began.

Lord Harrowden tucked Rebecca’s arm in his elbow. “So you see, Miss Lockhart. All is well. And now, Miss Woodsley and I shall take a turn about the room.” He swallowed the champagne in one gulp and set his glass on the tray of a passing servant before leading her to a group of gentlemen, where he presented Rebecca.

Selena did not see how she could stop her charge from displaying herself as a most determined flirt, and her fatigue from a sleepless night and a day of running errands one after another, overpowered her. Sir Lucius chose that moment to cross the floor.

"Miss Lockhart, I…" His gaze dropped to the embroidered flower on her bodice, and his words trailed away. Selena closed her lips and met his gaze, feeling the heat of a deep blush steal over her.

"A new fashion, Miss Lockhart?" Sir Lucius asked softly. She lifted her chin, though it trembled slightly.

His gaze softened when he saw her expression, and he abandoned his teasing tone. “You chose well your color, Miss Lockhart. It brings a bloom to your cheeks. You are indeed lovely.”

Selena did not know how to respond or even if she should accept such pointed compliments from Sir Lucius when she was merely a companion. She grasped at conversation. “Your sister is in high looks. Is she enjoying her first ball? It is her first ball, is it not?”

“It is, and she is enjoying it immensely.” He nodded in satisfaction as his sister sat with the other young ladies her age. “And thankfully, I have not had to chase anyone away yet.” He gestured to the entrance of the card room. “My brother George is over there. You have met, have you not? He’s been sent down from Oxford, so I believe we will be seeing quite a bit of him.”

"I see," she said, resisting the smile that came from his wry tone—a tone she was beginning to find oddly comforting.

They stood side by side, watching the crowd, and Selena could feel warmth emanating from Sir Lucius’s solid arm. In the soothing silence that followed, she had a better chance to look George over than she’d had at the inn. His brother was a slimmer version of Sir Lucius and, with his more even features, was objectively the more handsome of the two. He was young but had probably already broken some hearts. However, Selena found Sir Lucius’s rugged build and lined face more appealing.