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Their brother snorted. “If you say so.”

“Stephen will surely hear of this,” Diana threatened.

Selina watched her siblings bicker, unable to join in as the reality of her decisions dawned on her. She hadn’t realized that by remaining adamant about her pedestal, her sister—who did not always share her views—would be affected.

She wondered just how much heartbreak her sister would have endured by losing matches in which she might have otherwise been happy.

“Will you two stop your bickering?” Martha scolded. “You’re giving me a headache.”

“We’re sorry, Aunt Martha,” the two sisters chorused, not looking in the least bit apologetic.

“On a positive note, I might have someone who would be interested in marrying Selina,” Martha announced. “He is a verydear friend—a little older than you might like, but he is a lover of books and wealthy enough to make you happy.”

“Why do I not know this eligible bachelor?” Herbert snorted.

“Because he is close to my age and has been widowed for some time, so he rarely attends public gatherings,” Martha answered. “He will be a sensible match for your sister.”

“I…” Selina started, unsure what to say.

On the one hand, she wanted to protest with everything in her against a match with a man that old, but what other options did she have? If she failed to secure a match at the end of the Season again, she would very likely be pronounced a spinster. Worse, she could doom her sister to the same fate.

“I will meet this gentleman, Auntie,” she announced.

Her words were met with a gasp from Herbert and a wide-eyed stare from Diana.

“You will?” Martha asked in surprise.

Selina nodded. “But I ask that you give me till the end of the Mulfords’ house party. If I fail to secure a match, then I will meet your friend,” she bargained.

It was the least she was owed, considering it would be no easy feat to sign over her life. She knew Diana would question her later, but she would have to make her arguments before then. It would be a sacrifice she would make if only to ensure that her sweet sister found her chance at happiness.

The carriage slowed to a halt, announcing their arrival, and discussions were put aside as they were helped out of the carriage and introduced to their hosts.

“It is a great pleasure to have you here, Lady Riddington,” Lady Mulford, their hostess, greeted with a bright smile.

Selina haad known her only briefly when she had only been the daughter of the Baron of Notting. Now that she was Marchionness, Selina had to admit that marriage agreed with her. She looked radiant as a newly wed ought to. A slight pang of envy struck her but she buried the emotion and returned her kind smile.

“The pleasure is all mine, Lady Mulford.” Martha smiled. “I believe you already know my nephew and nieces.”

“Of course. The Duke is a dear friend of my husband’s.”

“That is good to hear,” Martha answered. “I look forward to the activities over the next couple of weeks.”

“Rest assured, I’ve only organized the best there is,” Lady Mulford announced. “Come now, you’re the last to arrive, and it is dinner time.”

They were ushered quickly to the drawing room, where they were paired and then led into the dining room.

Selina noted that the seating arrangements had been organized such that she wasn’t surrounded by unfamiliar faces. She spotted Lord Howser, whom she had all but insulted once, in the seat across from her own. He appeared not to have forgotten or forgiven their prior interaction.

To her left was the Earl of Churcham, a positively pleasant fellow who immediately struck up a conversation with her.

“I must say, this Season has proved quite interesting, Lady Selina.” He smiled. “I attended a play at the theatre recently, and it was riveting. Have you seen any of late?”

“No, I’m not fond of fiction,” she answered, biting her lip. She hoped she hadn’t said the wrong thing. “I prefer biographies and science,” she added hastily.

His eyes widened, but he quickly schooled his features.

“You do not look the sort to have such interests.” He laughed uncomfortably. “I thought ladies enjoyed lesschallengingtopics.”