Her next thought was to flee. But she had some dignity left, never mind that she could not go anywhere without Lady Harrowden. She became dimly aware of Rebecca, who did not seem to know what to do and fidgeted at Selena’s side. The uncertain movement reminded Selena of Rebecca’s youth, as she took slow steps toward the countess and turned to watch Selena with wary eyes. Selena, burning from head to toe with shame, walked to Lady Harrowden’s side as well. What else could she do?

The countess stood, using her cane as support. "Get my things. We are leaving." She did not stop to see if Selena would obey or look at what state she might be in before moving toward the door, her cane making a thumping noise at her side on the wooden floor.

Selena turned to Rebecca. "Come. Lady Harrowden is ready to leave.”

Rebecca looked uncertain. "And Lord Harrowden?”

Selena had forgotten about him, and as he had not ridden alongside the carriage but inside with them, he would have to be consulted. If he chose to stay, at least it would be because he had an alternative. Selena was about to consider how to exchange words with him without entering the card room—she could only assume that was where he was—when Sir Lucius’s brother, George, came up to her.

“Miss Lockhart, how may I be of service?" George, young though he was, was looking at her, his eyes full of compassion. It brought Selena to the present, and she resisted the urge to search behind him for a sign of his older brother.

Where was Sir Lucius? And what did he think of the whole affair? He had only registered on the periphery of her consciousness when she had been confronted by Mr. Downing, but there was now more tenderness to be found in the compassionate gaze of his brother than there had been in Sir Lucius’s. All she could remember was that he’d looked stunned.

The courage that had stiffened Selena’s spine throughout the whole affair nearly deserted her now. Sir Lucius could not bear to be around her, she was sure of it.

"I thank you," she replied, looking up at George with real gratitude. He was not a friend, precisely, but he had come to her. "I need to get word to Lord Harrowden that his aunt wishes to leave. Can you do this for me? I do not know where he is."

"I will do so right away, ma’am. I believe he has not left the card room." George inclined his head to Selena and entered the room.

Selena became dimly aware that Rebecca had stayed near her rather than follow Lady Harrowden, and she said, “I must get our wraps. Lady Harrowden is waiting for us by the door. Why do you not meet her there and let her know I shall be along shortly."

With a consideration that astonished Selena, Rebecca started forward, saying, "I will get the wraps, and I will meet you at the door." She walked off before Selena had time to reply.