“I never thought to see you in Society again, even in such a small town as Woolmer Green,” he continued. “But I see I was wrong. I suppose Society is more accepting than I had imagined."

Although Miss Lockhart looked lost and vulnerable—alone—she lifted her chin.

Brave girl. Lucius was holding his breath. Should he intervene? He hesitated. This was her battle, and to stand at her side might cause even more tongues to wag.

"Perhaps not everyone is as deeply prejudiced as you are, Mr. Downing,” she answered in a firm voice. Her eyes flicked over Downing, and Lucius saw the disdain in them.

"Perhaps not everyone is as discerning,” Downing retorted. “As for myself, I have a minimum standard to uphold, as you once knew—and agreed upon. That was why we thought ourselves to be well-suited.” Downing looked around, but his eyes just as quickly snapped back to Miss Lockhart, a smile hovering on his lips that conveyed his scorn. “I must know. Whose guest are you at this party?"

Maria had heard the source of commotion and came to stand at their side. "She is no one's guest, Mr. Downing,” she answered in a ringing voice. “She is Lady Harrowden’s companion—and also governess to Miss Woodsley. I had not known you were acquainted.”

Curse Maria’s meddling, thought Lucius uncharitably. He knew very well she had orchestrated this. Holbeck’s conscious look confirmed it.

Downing’s eyes grew incredulous. "A companion-governess? Well, that explains your presence here, at least.”

Miss Lockhart’s chin fell a notch.

Lucius’s gaze flitted back to Miss Lockhart, and he was troubled by a sense of agony at her predicament. The war raged within. If he stepped forward, it was as good as declaring himself, something he could not do. If he stood up for her, even from an altruism that was foreign to him, she would be one more person who laid her charge at his feet expecting more from him. He could not do it.

Downing then glanced at Miss Woodsley, who was, for once, quiet—submissive even. “I suppose it is no surprise that a charge of yours would screech in such an unholy way. It appears I am not as prejudiced as you seem to think, Selena. Or at least not shockingly so. What I am, however, is discriminating. Not that I ever regretted breaking things off when I did—” Downing stopped short as the rapt attention of the crowd finally succeeded in silencing him.

He gave a feeble laugh and went on in a more subdued tone. “This only shows I may trust my instinct, not that I ever doubted I might do so.”

Philippa had come to stand beside Maria and was watching the interaction with a frown. She eyed Lucius reproachfully.

Downing transferred his gaze to Philippa at Maria’s side, and his eyes flashed with interest. He inclined his head in her direction, and Lucius wanted to throttle him. All around them, the crowd listened still, waiting for more morsels of gossip to turn over at the breakfast table the next day. Miss Lockhart stood stiffly, her forehead and the top of her cheeks crimson.