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“ Y ou cannot stay in this room another day,” Isabella announced, sweeping into Georgiana’s morning room with her usual dramatic flair. “I absolutely forbid it.”

Selina looked up from the embroidery she had been pretending to work on. “Good morning to you too, Isabella.”

“Don’t give me that tone. Georgiana wrote to me, and I came as soon as I could arrange for the baby.” Isabella stripped off her gloves and bonnet, fixing Selina with a stern look. “You look dreadful.”

“Such flattery. I’m overwhelmed by your kindness.”

Georgiana entered behind Isabella, carrying a tea tray. “I told you she’s been impossible. Three days of this stubborn melancholy.”

“I’m sitting right here,” Selina protested.

“Then act like it,” Isabella said, settling into a chair opposite her. “When did you last see proper sunlight? Your skin is practically translucent.”

“I’ve been unwell. The physician recommended rest.”

“The physician recommended rest from illness, not from life itself.” Isabella accepted a cup from Georgiana. “What you need is fresh air, conversation, and perhaps a new bonnet. Shopping solves most problems.”

Selina set aside her embroidery with a sigh. “I don’t want to go shopping.”

“Which is exactly why you need to go shopping,” Georgiana said, settling beside Isabella in what was clearly a coordinated attack. “When a woman loses interest in new gloves, action must be taken.”

“I haven’t lost interest in anything. I simply prefer quiet activities right now.”

“Sitting in corners like a wilted flower is not an activity,” Isabella declared. It’s irresponsible to ignore your friends who care for you!

Despite her dark mood, Selina felt a smile tug at her lips. “That’s rather dramatic, even for you.”

“I haven’t even begun being dramatic. Shall I throw myself on the floor? Tear my hair? I’m prepared to make a scene if necessary.”

“Please don’t. Georgiana’s servants will think you’ve lost your mind.”

“They already think that,” Georgiana said cheerfully. “Isabella has that effect on most people.”

Isabella raised her chin with mock dignity. “I prefer to think of myself as memorable.”

“That’s certainly one word for it,” Selina said, feeling lighter despite herself.

“There. You smiled. Progress.” Isabella leaned forward. “Now, shall we go willingly, or must we drag you bodily from this house?”

Selina looked at her two friends, recognizing defeat. “You’re both impossible.”

“We prefer determined,” Georgiana said. “Agnes is already preparing your walking dress.”

“You planned this.”

“Of course we planned this. Did you think we’d leave you to mope indefinitely?” Isabella stood, smoothing her skirts. “Twenty minutes to dress, then we’re leaving.”

An hour later, Selina found herself on Bond Street, flanked by her determined friends. The afternoon sun felt almost foreign after days indoors, and she blinked against its brightness.

“See? Fresh air,” Isabella said, breathing deeply. “Already you look more human.”

“Thank you for that glowing assessment.”

They began their expedition at the milliners, where Isabella insisted on trying on increasingly elaborate creations.

“What do you think of this one?” she asked, modeling a confection of silk flowers and feathers.

“I think you look like you’ve been attacked by a garden,” Selina replied.

“Perfect. I’ll take it.”

Georgiana shook her head. “You cannot seriously intend to wear that in public.”

“Watch me.” Isabella admired herself in the mirror. “Life is too short for sensible bonnets.”

Despite her friends’ best efforts, Selina felt no joy in the excursion.

The bright fabrics and cheerful chatter that usually lifted her spirits seemed muted, as if she viewed the world through gray glass.

She followed Isabella and Georgiana through shop after shop, nodding at moments but feeling disconnected from it all.

At the glove maker’s, they encountered Lady Winsley examining a display of kid leather.

“Your Grace,” she said, turning with what appeared to be genuine surprise. “How lovely to see you looking so well.”

“Lady Winsley.” Selina managed to make a polite nod. “Good afternoon.”

“And Your Grace, Lady Bingham. What a pleasant coincidence.” Lady Winsley smiled warmly. “Enjoying your shopping trip?”

“Very much,” Isabella said, though there was a cool note in her voice. “The new season’s selection is actually quite good.”

“Isn’t it? I was just choosing gloves for my niece’s wedding. Such a cheerful occasion.” Lady Winsley turned to Selina with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And how is married life treating you, Your Grace?”

Selina returned the smile, keeping her tone polite. “We’re settling in well, thank you.”

“Give your husband my regards. Such a devoted man. You’re fortunate the two of you found your way back to each other after… everything.”

There was something pointed in her voice. Just a bit too smooth, too measured. Selina looked at her more closely, but Lady Winsley’s expression remained perfectly pleasant.

“I’ll pass along your message,” Selina said, her smile tight.

“Lovely. Well, I won’t keep you. Enjoy the rest of your shopping.” With that, Lady Winsley gathered her parcels and swept off, all elegance and poise.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Isabella muttered, “She gives me chills.”

“She seemed pleasant,” Georgiana offered, though the crease between her brows said otherwise.

“Pleasant as a viper in silk,” Isabella replied. “There’s something calculating about her.”

Selina said nothing, but she had felt it too. Something beneath Lady Winsley’s polite veneer that didn’t quite ring true.

They finished their shopping without any further incident, but Selina’s spirits remained low. On their way back to Georgiana’s, she dreaded another night cooped up inside.

“Would it be possible to take a walk in the park?” she asked as they settled into Georgiana’s carriage. “I find I need more air.”

“Of course,” Georgiana said immediately. “We could all use some exercise.”

“Actually, I was hoping to walk alone. Just for a short while.”

Isabella and Georgiana exchanged concerned glances.

“Selina, that’s not wise,” Isabella said. “London parks aren’t safe for unaccompanied ladies.”

“I’ll take a maid. I simply need some quiet time to think.”

“Are you certain you wouldn’t prefer company?” Georgiana asked gently. “We could walk together. No conversation required.”

Selina appreciated their concern, but the thought of making polite chatter while her heart felt so heavy was unbearable.

“Please. Just this once. I promise I’ll be sensible.”

After some back and forth, they settled on a compromise. Selina would take a short walk in Green Park with Mary, one of Georgiana’s most trusted maids, while Georgiana and Isabella headed home to check on James.

“One hour,” Georgiana said, giving Selina a look. “If you’re not back by five, I’m sending a search party.”

Selina smiled faintly. “One hour.”

The park was quiet, thankfully. Most of London’s fashionable crowd was still out shopping or getting ready for the evening, so the paths were mostly empty. Selina walked slowly, taking in the shifting light and early signs of autumn. Mary followed a few paces behind, keeping a respectful distance.

Leaves were just turning, and the air was cool enough to hint at the change in season. On another day, it might’ve felt peaceful. Today, it just made everything feel heavier.

Near the southeast corner, she spotted a bench tucked between a stand of trees where it was quiet but not completely out of sight. She made her way over and sat down with a tired sigh.

“Mary, would you mind giving me a few minutes?” she asked gently. “You can wait by those trees. I just need a moment to myself.”

Mary hesitated. “Are you sure, Your Grace? Her Grace asked me to stay close.”

“You’ll still see me. I’m not going anywhere.”

Mary gave a small nod. “All right then. I’ll be just over there if you need anything.”

As soon as she was alone, Selina let go.

The calm mask she’d been wearing cracked.

Tears welled up fast, hot and blinding, spilling over before she could stop them.

She pressed her hands to her face, trying to keep the sobs in, but they came anyway, sharp and silent, breaking through the quiet like something torn loose.

Everything she had lost crashed over her in waves.

Her mother’s gentle presence, taken too soon.

Her father’s approval, which she had never truly possessed.

The security of her first marriage, modest though it had been.

And now Rowan’s love, which she had held so briefly before it was snatched away.

How many times could one heart break before it stopped functioning entirely? How many losses could one person endure before they simply gave up hoping for better?

The worst part was knowing that Rowan suffered, too. She had seen the pain in his eyes when he pushed her away, the way his hands had trembled when he forced himself not to touch her. He was destroying them both in the name of protection, and she was powerless to stop him.

A sound made her look up through her tears. A thud like something heavy had fallen nearby. She wiped her eyes, peering through the trees toward where Mary waited.

“Mary?” she called softly, standing to get a better view.

The maid was nowhere to be seen.

Selina took a step forward, concern replacing her sadness. “Mary, where are you?”

A twig snapped behind her. She spun around, but she saw only an empty park. Something was wrong. The air felt different, charged with a tension that made her skin prickle.

She opened her mouth to call for help, but before any sound could emerge, pain exploded through her skull. The world tilted violently, then faded to black as she collapsed to the ground.