“You may,” Hugh raised an eyebrow, “whenever you like. Of course, that would mean leaving this house. Do you have somewhere pleasant to go? I would have imagined all your acquaintances to be in London at this time of the year, but perhaps we can find a distant cousin who would enjoy your company in her declining years.”

Selena scowled.

“You have only to say the word,” said Hugh, “and I will set Mama to the task of finding someone.”

“You are not at all amusing.” Selena pushed her food around her plate. Hugh allowed his to remain untouched.

The Dowager, though puzzled as to why her two children insisted on arguing, joined in. “Do not play with your food, Selena. It is as well that we will dine alone, tonight, for you seem to have forgotten how to behave.”

Selena glared but said no more. Her own ball was fast approaching, and she was relying on her brother’s generosity to ensure the event was suitably splendid. She must not annoy him.

Hugh found his sister changed. Was she becoming spoiled? He preferred not to believe that to be true. He loved Selena, and usually found her nonsense amusing. She had been kind to Philomena at Christmas.

Selena took him aside later, interrupting a planned escape to his club. “Dear brother…” She twinkled so sweetly that Hugh could not resist smiling briefly in return. “I am sorry to have offended you. I see that you dislike Mr. Muldrow. I am sure I do not understand you at all, but nevertheless…”

Selena held up her hand in an imperious gesture learned from their mother, forestalling Hugh before he spoke. “Nevertheless, I will obey you and spend no further time with him. In any case, he insists on wearing a most unbecoming mustard coloured cravat.” She giggled. “Anyway, dear brother, I wanted to tell you about the delightful time I spent the other day. You had gone to see some horses, I believe, and so I went out with Lucy, to the dressmaker.”

“How interesting.” Hugh made no attempt to hide his complete lack of interest.

“Yes, you would indeed find it so if I were to tell you what happened,” Selena teased.

Hugh looked at his sister with suspicion. “What have you been up to?”

“There is no need to be so distrustful. We did nothing of which you could possibly disapprove. But I wonder whether you can guess who we met?”

Hugh groaned. Would she never tire of these childish guessing games? “Her Majesty the Queen?”

She giggled again. “Oh Hugh, you are ridiculous. No, someone we know much better than that.”

“One of your old school teachers, perhaps.” Hugh wished to put an end to the conversation. “Please tell me at once, for I agreed to meet James Hadden at the livery stables, and I do not mean to be late.”