Chapter Twenty-One
“What do youmeanyou’re going to London? What for?” Amelia demanded truculently as Silas carried his and Helena’s bags to the carriage.
He should have anticipated this reaction, but he had been… distracted.
“And why can’t I come?” she yelled.
“I’m sorry, dear sister, but this trip is just for my wife and me.”
“And what am I to do while you’re off gallivanting in the city?” Amelia wailed. “Helena!” she cried and began to run.
Silas turned to see his wife emerging from the house, dressed in a riding habit, her hair neatly tucked beneath a hat. She stopped short as Amelia screamed her name, her eyes widening in alarm.
“What is it?” she asked his sister.
Silas sighed, shaking his head and storing the bags as Amelia launched into a long explanation as to why it was a gross injustice to leave her behind.
“I’m sorry, Amelia. I do hate to leave you alone, but it’s for the best,” Helena said soothingly, much to Silas’s relief.
He didn’t know what he would have done if Helena wanted to bring Amelia along.
“Oh!” Amelia said suddenly in a new tone. “Is this your honeymoon?”
Helena spluttered, her face reddening, looking to Silas for rescue. He just smiled, amused by her discomfiture.
“Yes,” he declared to Amelia, “it’s our honeymoon.”
She immediately subsided with apologies. “I didn’t realize.” She turned and hugged Helena. “Have a good time,” she said before tripping down the stairs to embrace Silas as well, much to his shock.
He put his arms around her and squeezed, then kissed her forehead. “I shall be sure to bring you a present,” he promised.
She waved a hand airily. “Absolutely not. You focus on each other and have a lovely time!”
Silas smiled. “Thank you, Amelia.”
She smiled back and waved as he handed Helena into the carriage and then got in after her.
“Well… that was…” He shook his head, still smiling.
“Your sister is very sweet, and she just wants the very best for you.”
He gave her a look. “I think she wants the best for you as well. She wantsmeto be the best for you.”
Helena said nothing, just reached out and squeezed his hand. He looked outside as they drove out of the gates. “Benedict will be joining us on this trip,” he said.
“Oh? Where is he?”
“He should be waiting down the road. He has a cottage just down the road from where the main road branches. We thought it would be easier than him coming to meet us at home. Fewer questions.”
Helena grinned. “You mean you didn’t want Amelia fawning over him.”
“That too.”
She gave a loud sigh. “Do you know where my uncle is right now? Will he be in London too?”
“At the moment, he is at the Downfield House.”
“My brother too?”
