“I would have dealt with his threats on my own,” Silas said.
She shrugged. “Perhaps so. But I know my uncle. If he knew that I was here, he would not stop until he got me back. And if you thwarted him, only heaven knows what he might have resorted to.”
He shook his head slowly. “It is not your duty to protect my sister. It is mine.”
“My uncle would not have been in your home were it not for me, so I am sorry, Your Grace, but itismy duty.”
He sighed. “I suspect we shall not agree on this, so let us put it aside.”
“Yes, because now you’ve told him that we are to bemarried. Do you think he will keep such a thing to himself? Do you think he won’t want to confirm the veracity of that claim?”
“We will be married. It is the only way to truly protect you.”
She blinked. “And what of my brother?”
“Once we’re married, I can make a case for guardianship.”
That stopped Helena cold. She had many objections to make about this whole situation, but the thought that her brother might be safe at last… well, that was as tempting an offer as they came.
She let out a long breath. “I need a moment to process this.”
He nodded at her. “Naturally. I’ll see you later.”
And so, she marched out of the room, her mind swaying with this most sudden turn of events.
Chapter Sixteen
“Silas!” Amelia burst into the room, her face shining with happiness. “You’re getting married?”
Silas knew his decision to marry Helena was impulsive. He also knew that there was no other decision he could have made, and not just because James Porter was trying to take her away.
Now, he felt as if he was teetering on the edge of a cliff. The slightest breeze could tip him over and send him hurtling into the sharp rocks below. But he was also intending to take a leap and dive into the deep waters below, with the hope that he would survive.
Silas frowned. “That was fast,” he said.
“So it’s true?”
“Yes, it’s true. Did Helena tell you?” He would not have thought she was eager to share the news.
Amelia waved a hand dismissively. “No, the entire household is whispering about it. But the important thing is,you’re marrying Helena! We shall be sisters forever!”
Silas barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Clearly his sister had different priorities than he did. “Yes, I shall be marrying Lady Helena.”
“Oh, this is the most exciting news! When? When is the wedding?” She skipped up and down, staring at him with shining eyes.
“Well, I have to acquire a license first, and then we’ll set a date.”
“When will you get the license?”
Silas sighed, putting down his glass. “I am going to today.”
He knew that they needed to expedite things before James Porter came up with some way to stop them.
“I shall just go and pay a call on the district magistrate,” he said as he passed her on his way out of the door.
“All right. I’ll… I’ll go and let Helena know!” Amelia said and skipped out of his study.
At least one person is excited about this wedding.
