Before she could reply, however, the Dowager roused herself to add her opinion, waving an admonishing finger at her daughter. “We are polite to the Muldrows, but no more than that. Remember that our house and title have been in the family since they were awarded at the Battle of Thatcham.” She nodded for emphasis and the feathers in her turban trembled. “The Muldrows are upstarts, using money earned in the dust and unpleasantness of cotton mills to supplant their betters. So many old houses have fallen into the wrong hands of late. Do you not remember our friend, poor Elizabeth Woodbridge? She was so sad to leave Bushey House.”

The Dowager’s eyes twinkled as she recalled the distress of her dear friend, Lady Woodbridge, at the loss of her husband’s fortune. “Your brother is right to warn you against such a low family, Selena.”

Hugh sipped from his glass, his fingers rigid on the delicate stem. How could his mother set his motives down to snobbishness and pride? “No, Mama.” He kept his tone carefully even. “I have no objection to Mr. Muldrow on account of his forbears. His father worked hard and deserves the place he earned in society and I, for one, am happy to receive the elder Mr. Muldrow at any time.”

The Dowager sniffed.

“However,” Hugh went on, pretending he had not heard. “I heartily dislike his son Arthur…” He hesitated. He would not speak Beatrice’s name along with that of Muldrow. He must find another reason to forbid Selena’s acquaintance with the man. “Since our days in Oxford,” he finished.

“He behaved most unkindly towards a young friend. I mistrust the man and wish Selena to choose her acquaintances more carefully.”

“Well…” Selena had sat for an unusually long period in silence, though three fingers tapped on the table impatiently. Her voice quivered passionately. “I will have you know, brother, that I will not submit to your every whim. Do you not recall that it was Beatrice who introduced Arthur Muldrow?” She ignored the Dowager’s gasp of horror and narrowed her eyes at Hugh.

Her brother winced. Selena so rarely spoke of Beatrice. Although she had seen little of the marriage, Hugh was certain his sister had been aware, from the schoolroom, of his misery.

“Beatrice was quite content that I should make Mr. Muldrow’s acquaintance,” Selena continued, her face defiant, “and her family was at least the equal of ours, and moreover one with more extensive lands and—and properties.” She stammered into silence at the expression on her brother’s face.