Mr. Downing addressed the crowd. “I don’t believe there is anything more to see here. Gregson, why don't we get back to our game?"

"You are the one who left it,” Gregson replied, “and I can only think it was because you were on a losing streak. I am more than happy to resume."

Apart from a few glances Miss Lockhart's way, both pitying and malicious, the crowd began to form another set as the musicians put their bows to the strings and began a lively introduction. Mr. Downing paused on his way to the card room.

"Mrs. Holbeck, would you kindly present me to this charming creature?” He gave a small bow before Philippa.

Philippa answered before Lucius could step in. “I assure you, no introduction is necessary. Lucius, we were speaking, and I believe we had not finished?”

Any of the usual irritation Lucius might feel toward his family vanished in the pride he had in his younger sister at that moment. She had set Downing back in his place, the toad.

“No, we have not finished. Come, then.”

Downing tightened his jaw before turning abruptly and entering the card room, and Lucius looked back at Miss Lockhart, who still stood frozen in solitude. The crowd cleared a wide berth around her. Not even Lady Harrowden had come to her aid. Lucius wanted to go to her, but Philippa was tugging on his sleeve, insistent for his attention.

Lucius turned and left the ballroom with Philippa as a sense of numbness came over him. It was utterly wrong to leave Miss Lockhart, but to make some sort of public gesture was equally impossible.

Selfish? Yes! Lucius admitted it grimly, and he despised himself at that moment. But he could not commit himself to leaping to her defense publicly when they had no understanding. He’d not even had time to ask himself if he wished for an understanding with Miss Lockhart. Lucius was turning over in his mind what was to be done when George crossed his path on the way to the card room.

“George,” Lucius called out. His brother caught his urgent look and walked forward to meet him. Leaning in, Lucius whispered, “Go to Miss Lockhart and help her.”

He had to leave quickly, or he could not be sure of what he would do. The urge to rush to Miss Lockhart’s side was growing to where he could not ignore it. Better to leave now and give himself time to think through the best course of action before he took an irrevocable step.

Lucius exited the ballroom in the hope that he would be obeyed.

Chapter Sixteen

Selena stared bleakly in front of her, and her sense of isolation was profound. She had not one friend in the entire room.

The conversation around her had resumed, and there were some whispers coming from women giggling behind their fans. It brought to mind forcibly the ball she had been foolish enough to attend just after her family's humiliation became public. She had thought her friends were better than that—that they would not care for such things, but she had been wrong. And though Bedford had been a fall from grace on a smaller scale than London, the result was the same. Selena could not escape her past.