Amelia swallowed but held her ground. “She is a woman, alone. You cannot just drop her off somewhere and expect she figures it out on her own! No, I am not leaving until you agree that she stays.”
His fingers curled against the desk. “This is not your decision to make, young lady.”
Tears burned in Amelia’s eyes, but she lifted her chin. “No, it isn’t. But you cannot claim to be a man of honor and then leave a helpless woman to the whims of fate! The brotherIknow would never do such a thing.”
“You do not know what is at stake here, Amelia.”
“Yes, I do. It is your honor, and the respect I hold for you, brother,” Amelia stepped forward, and for a moment, as she stared at the Duke fiercely, Helena could swear the adolescent had transformed into an adult woman.
Silas’s nostrils flared. Silence stretched between them, heavy and tense.
Then, finally?—
“Fine.” His voice was a low growl. “She stays.”
Amelia gasped. “Really?”
Before he could stop her, Amelia threw her arms around him.
The Duke froze. He did not return the embrace, his entire frame rigid, as if he had been struck.
“Thank you,” Helena murmured.
He gave her a sharp look. “Do not thank me yet.” His voice was as cold as ever. He straightened, smoothing his cuff with precision. “You stayonlyuntil I learn more about your uncle and your mother. Then I shall be able to determine what can be done for you.” His gaze flicked to Amelia. “Now both of you, leave me. I have work to do.”
Amelia grabbed Helena’s hand, practically dragging her out of the study, a triumphant bounce in her step.
As the door closed behind them, Helena cast one last glance back.
The Duke had already turned away, his face unreadable as he poured himself a drink.
But his shoulders were stiff.
And she had the distinct sense that, for all his coldness, she had unsettled him.
Chapter Six
“Iknew you’d never throw Helena out. That is not the man I know and love.”
It wasn’t long until Amelia rejoined him in the study. He sat, legs crossed, on the brown leather Chesterfield and gave her a look that demanded explanation for her behavior.
Silas barely refrained from rolling his eyes. “Do not try to manipulate me, girl.”
“I am not. Surely you didn’t mean it?” She furrowed her brow in concern.
Silas looked at his sister and found that he could not bring himself to say that he had actually meant to let Helena go. He had been frustrated with her lack of answers. Perhaps he had gotten a little too impatient, he could concede that. But he didn’t want his sister to think he had no heart.
He sighed deeply. “What have you done with her?”
“I settled her in the guest chambers, near my own quarters. She looked exhausted down to her soul, Silas. Whatever you’re working on, you can do it just as well if she’s staying here. Perhaps she’ll learn to trust you and tell you what you need to know from her.”
Silas huffed. “When did you start listening at keyholes, young miss?”
She gave him a bashful smile. “When the wisdom of self-reliance became painfully clear.”
“Wisdom?” Silas half-scoffed, half-chuckled. “You are too inquisitive for your own good.”
Amelia just smiled at him. “I wonder where I got it from.”
