“Yes, Aunt Fanny.”
Nicholas cleared his throat, continuing despite the challenges presented. “I had the notion that Mrs. North might make a suitable chaperone for Helena this season.” Helena frowned at him, but he ignored her. Aunt Fanny looked skeptical. “As a pastor’s widow, she is unquestionably a person of high moral standards and one who could provide an excellent example to Helena. She also had a lavish debut herself so will remember many useful details.”
“She did, indeed,” Aunt Fanny said, clearly considering this as she chewed. “No expense was spared for her first season.” She smirked a little. “And to consider the result. Ha!”
“But she married for love,” Helena said. “Even if you could not see the merit of her husband, the pastor, she did. I think it is wondrous when people follow their hearts.”
Aunt Fanny gave her ward a dark look. “It is folly! Be advised that I will not suffer any such nonsense from you. You will marry well if arranging such a match is the last deed I do. Do you understand me, Helena?”
“Yes, Aunt Fanny,” she replied so meekly that Nicholas guessed that she had a rebellious scheme.
“Mrs. North could undoubtedly make introductions,” Nicholas said.
“If not ensure that Helena encounters the duke at intervals,” Aunt Fanny said softly. Helena gave a little squeak of delight but before Nicholas could insist that his friend be left out of the matter, his aunt nodded decisively. “It is a most suitable notion, but I will have expectations, you understand. This Mrs. North and I must come to an agreement about decisions.”
“I took the liberty of inviting Mrs. North for tea today,” Nicholas said. “Knowing that you would wish to discuss any details with her.”
His aunt’s eyes twinkled unexpectedly. “Did you? There is a new conviction about you, Nicholas, no doubt a result of decisive action in the field. Do not imagine for a moment, however, that you will ever guide my choices.” She shook the butter knife at him. “I will always decide my own fate, as well as that of your sister. Responsibilities such as these cannot ever be taken lightly.”
“Of course not, Aunt,” he said, trying to sound dutiful. His sister kicked him under the table, a reminder that he and Helena were not that different.
“You might ask Constance, as well,” Aunt Fanny continued. “The dowager duchess, Lady Haynesdale. I have not seen her in years and should like to have the chance to speak with her again.”
Nicholas recognized the strategy of the suggestion. Aunt Fanny would confront her old foe on her own turf, when and where she perceived herself to be in a stronger position. Aunt Fanny would see that she was doing a favor for Eliza and thus for Lady Haynesdale. She would surely treat both with condescension and perhaps even pity. He had no doubt his aunt would greatly enjoy the meeting and that the dowager duchess would be insulted.
But then, if he did not invite her, or she did not attend, his aunt would be insulted and he knew that little good would result from that situation.
“I will enquire, Aunt,” he vowed without enthusiasm. It was a moment to yearn for the simplicities of war.
“Ask the duke, too,” Helena prompted.
Nicholas had no opportunity to speak for his aunt fairly pounced on that idea. “Yes, do!” she said with uncommon enthusiasm.
“I thought the Haynesdales were untrustworthy,” Nicholas felt compelled to remind her.
“I would forgive much of what has passed between Constance and myself if the duke saw fit to offer for our Helena,” Aunt Fanny said nobly.
Nicholas shook his head with a smile. “You will never manage that, Aunt.”
“Never? Helena is a beauty…”
“And Haynesdale is disinclined to wed,” Nicholas said flatly, rising to his feet.
“Nonsense! He has a responsibility to his family to do so and I for one would not flinch from advising him as much. You, as his friend, should certainly offer such counsel…”
“If you will excuse me, I must ensure that the dowager duchess knows of your invitation, Aunt.” Nicholas bowed and left the room, glad of the reason to leave the house again.
He could only hope that Haynesdale’s mother would refuse, given past enmity between the older women. Her presence might undermine his entire scheme.
Given his fortune of the day thus far, though, he was fairly certain she would accept and a battle of words would rage over the tea tray—while he was compelled to witness it.
Not for the first time, Nicholas despaired of the complications of navigating private life. For years, he had simply commanded men, knowing his orders would be followed and the most reasonable course of action would prevail. In society, though, it seemed that even the most minor victory could not be easily won.
All he had desired was the opportunity to talk to Eliza again, but even this quagmire could not make him regret their conversation of this morning.
Yet, the prospect of another made Captain Nicholas Emerson smile.
Lady Frances Dalhousie, formerly Viscountess Hexham, knew that her hearing was not as acute as once it had been. There was nothing wrong with her eyesight, though, much less her wits, and she was beginning to fear that her ward, Helena, might never be respectably wed.
