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Chapter Twenty-Seven

Selina

S elina had come to love the time at the breakfast table with the Hollis children. It was earlier than she generally liked to take the first meal of the day, but the reward of being with them more than compensated for this. The conversation was always enlivening and never predictable.

Yesterday, the topic of discussion had been whether a sword or a hot air balloon would be a better purchase if they came into unexpected wealth. Today, Felix insisted on arguing that Pip was indeed able to pull a small cart, provided it was not loaded with too many heavy items.

He was finally forced by Hugo to admit that it would only be possible on the most manicured of roads, and the debate came to a begrudging end.

“Did your brother mention what time we can expect him today?” Selina tried to make the question sound offhand—a mere passing curiosity—but she doubted anyone was fooled.

Margaret’s gaze flicked over as she buttered another piece of toast, only to drop swiftly again.

Selina’s brows drew together at the strange reaction. “What is it? ”

“I do not believe we shall see him until later,” Margaret said, even less successful than Selina in sounding nonchalant.

“Oh.” She considered whether to pursue the subject and ended in deciding to abandon any pretense of disinterest. “Why is that?”

“He is at court,” Hugo said, shoveling an enormous mouthful of eggs into his mouth.

Selina’s heart stuttered.

“Hugo,” Margaret chided.

“What?” he asked, mouth full. “I heard you talking to him yesterday.”

“At court,” Selina repeated. “Do you mean he is at the guardianship hearing, Margaret?” Selina’s chest was tight, her pulse racing.

Margaret nodded, but Selina could only assume from the chagrin on her face that Sebastian had asked her not to divulge the information.

Why would he keep such a thing from her?

She grabbed the napkin on her lap and set it on the table as she stood. “I must go, but Phoebe will be down shortly, I imagine.”

Margaret nodded, while Hugo and Felix gave only the most cursory of acknowledgements, their focus taken up by more important things like raspberry preserves and adding more sugar to their tea.

Selina had no true plan, for there had not been time for formal arrangements with her solicitor, but she had to reach the court before the matter was decided.

The thought sent a flash of nerves through her.

George had been a magistrate, and she had attended the Quarter Sessions when one of their servants had stood judgment for poaching.

When she had suggested offering a reference of the tenant’s character, George had read her a scathing lecture on the place of women.

For her to march into the Court of Chancery and speak unbidden…he would be rolling over in his grave .

But she could not stand idly by.

It would take too long for her own carriage to be prepared, so one of the footmen helped her hail a hackney carriage. With coins to grease the driver’s fist, Selina was conveyed with all haste to Lincoln’s Inn Hall, praying she would not be too late.

She was recognized by a surprised acquaintance when she reached the building but was obliged to do away with politeness when he attempted to speak with her. She offered him a quick, apologetic smile and hoped he would understand she was not at liberty to stop for conversation.

A clerk stood by the door to the chamber, and while he looked at her curiously, he made no move to stop her. The hearings were public, but she doubted he would have allowed her to pass if he had known what she intended.

Her gaze raked over the room and settled upon Sebastian, whose grim face was turned toward the imposing figure presiding over the proceedings. He wore forbidding black robes and a long, curled, white wig.

Selina’s nerves sprang to life again as she pictured George in his place.

“The guardianship of minors is not a matter the Court considers lightly,” the master’s deep voice intoned, echoing in the large hall.

“The welfare of the children must, of course, be paramount, and yet the Court is constrained by precedent and by the legal rights of the guardian. The evidence presented by the petitioner, Mr. Drake, suggests concern for the children’s well-being, but the petition lacks sufficient demonstration of financial capacity and long-term provision. ”

Body trembling, Selina hurried forward. “My Lord,” she called out. “I beg your forbearance, but I must speak for the sake of the children.”

There was a collective gasp as all the bodies in the room turned toward her, their eyes wide with shock.

Sebastian’s head whipped around, a look of utter disbelief on his face .

She held his gaze for a moment, then forced it back to the Master of Rolls.

He regarded her with a pinched look over the top of his wiry spectacles. “Madam, you are not a party to this petition. This is most irregular. Who are you to make such an audacious request?”