Once Selena was in her nightdress, Alice offered to plait her hair. Studying her sister’s reflection in the mirror, she could see the seriousness with which she saw to the task, the way she gripped the brush as though fearing she’d lose control of it and cause another injury. Selena should have come up with a reason for the mark that didn’t involve her maid but hadn’t expected to face questions upon walking into her bedchamber.

“She’s practicing for when she has to become a lady’s maid.” Flo sighed heavily. “We’ll all have to go into service. None of us will make a good marriage now without Lushing about to ensure it. Winslow is useless in that regard.”

“I’m going to become a wealthy widow’s companion and travel the world,” Connie said.

“No one is going into service and no one is becoming anyone’s companion,” Selena assured them. “You will all have fine marriages.”

“How will you arrange that when almost everything goes to the Crown?”

“Don’t worry yourselves over it for now.” She was worrying enough for all of them. “All will be well.” She needed to ensure it was. Alice was terrible at plaiting hair. The braid was far too loose with tendrils sticking out everywhere. “Thank you, darling. That’s wonderful.”

So many lies she’d given to her sisters tonight. She hated herself for them, but what choice did she have? They must never learn the truth; no one must ever learn the truth. The remainder of her life would be spent living a lie.

“All right, to bed now. Tomorrow is going to be a frightfully long day.” Lushing would be laid to rest. She settled in with the twins on her left and Alice on her right. Her youngest sister doused the lamp, enclosing them in darkness.

“I miss him,” Alice said quietly.

“I know, sweeting. As do I.”

“We’ll be spinsters before we have our first Season,” Connie said.

“Stop worrying about your future,” Alice said.

“Flo and I were to have our coming out. Now it’ll be delayed because we can’t very well gad about when Selena is in mourning. We need her to accompany us. Winslow would be wretched at ensuring we’re seen. It’s not fair.”

“It’s not as though Lushing died on purpose,” Alice reminded her. “We’re supposed to be comforting Selena.”

“Being squished in my bed is very comforting,” she assured them.

“Where will we live?” Flo asked.

“The day after the funeral, the solicitor will read the will. I’m sure Lushing has provided for us. And there is always a chance that things could turn out very different from what you’re expecting.”

“How?” The bed shifted, and she was fairly certain Connie had sat up with her question. “What are you talking about?”