Silas did not want to indulge in wishful thinking, but he couldn’t help hoping that that was the case.
“No doubt. I need you to fetch Jeeves for me as well as Mrs. Owen.”
Saunders stepped out and spoke to the nearest footman before returning to the office. “May I continue with my ledgers now, sir?”
Silas’s lips twisted in amusement. “Of course. Thank you, Saunders. You did good work.”
Saunders half-smiled, a tentative enjoyment taking over his features. “Of course, Your Grace. It’s my pleasure to serve you,” he said before he left.
It wasn’t long before his butler and housekeeper appeared, both looking slightly apprehensive. Silas could not blame them; after all, he rarely called them to his office. Amelia was old enough to deal with most of the day-to-day operations of the household, and so he usually left her to it.
“Jeeves, Mrs. Owen, I have a very important request for you. No, consider it an order.”
Jeeves bowed and Mrs. Owen curtsied. “Of course, Your Grace.”
“I want you to go and tell all members of staff, right down to the chimney sweep, that they are not to say a word about Lady Helena’s presence in this house. Not to anyone. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” they said in unison.
He nodded. “Good. Do it now. And make sure it’s obeyed. Anyone who goes against the directive will be let go with prejudice.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” They both hurried out of the room and Silas was confident they would do exactly as he said.
“It might be too late. You know how people like to gossip. Any of the maids could already have said something to a villager who might tell the nuns,” Saunders chimed in.
“Even if they suspect something, there’s no way they can prove it.”
“And if they come here?”
“She is not a commodity to be tossed hither and thither,” Silas chided.
Saunders sighed, shaking his head. “Pardon me, Your Grace, but I feel a little sorry for her. She cannot have had an easy time with it. My cousin worked as a kitchen maid once in a convent. She said it was the coldest and most unwelcoming place she had ever been.”
Silas huffed. “Well unfortunately there’s nothing we can do about that. But we can protect her from them.”
Saunders nodded solemnly. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Silas realized the truth of his own words. Hecouldprotect Helena, and he was going to do just that, regardless of the outcome of her father’s case.
Because she was right; there was nowhere else for her to go.
What a farce… what a tragedy.
He shook his head slowly, feeling that Helena deserved much better than this.
Upon realizing that he needed help, Silas had sent a note to his friend Benedict. He was gratified when Benedict arrived at his estate the day after Saunders had returned.
Benedict was a fellow covert operative, and someone with whom Silas could share his concerns without worrying about breaking any protocols.
As soon as Benedict rode up the driveway and was announced, Amelia leapt to her feet, her face lighting up with excitement.
Helena glanced at Silas, her expression suddenly nervous.
“He is a friend,” Silas said simply before standing to follow his sister.
He heard the whisper of Helena’s footsteps behind him, her presence an echo in the hallway as they approached the entrance.
By the time they reached the front door, Benedict was spinning Amelia around in a tight embrace, her delighted squeals filling the room.
