Donning a cloak and riding out in disguise might see his future secured.
But then a prolonged deception could not lead to a good result. Joshua knew it would be dishonest to trick her. When his ruse was inevitably revealed, she might despise him.
Instead, he would be a riddle that she might solve. By day, he would call upon her, and show himself as an attentive companion, one whose honor was beyond question, one whose conversation and company were satisfactory. In the evenings, he would appear to her, perhaps take her for a ride, almost certainly accept a kiss. But his intentions were honorable and he would ensure that scandal never touched her name. He would guarantee the propriety of their secret meetings.
And once her ankle healed, when she came to the forest to meet the cloaked stranger as arranged, Joshua would reveal himself. The ruse would be dismissed, as was right and good, and the lady would see his true merit. There would be honesty between them.
Joshua simply had to be triumphant in winning her approval before that encounter.
He had brought the puppy.
He would replace her slippers.
In fact, he looked forward to being a little wicked, just for Miss Emerson.
The plan was perfection itself.
When Nicholas arrivedat Bramble Cottage that afternoon, Helena saw her opportunity. He had given a ride to Mr. and Mrs. Nixon from Haynesdale village at the dowager’s request, and the men unloaded their two trunks quickly. Mr. Nixon carried the trunks to the chamber by the kitchen that the couple were to have as their own, while Aunt Fanny showed Mrs. Nixon the kitchen and house. Helena was quick to help Nicholas with the provisions brought to them from Southpoint, and he granted her a smile when they were alone in the kitchen.
“You, helping me,” he said, his eyes sparkling as he teased her. “Whatever is it that you want, Helena?”
“Simply to be of assistance,” she said and he laughed out loud.
“More than that, to be sure. How much will this assistance cost me?”
She swatted his arm, for he always guessed her intentions. “No more than a tale.”
“One of the Duke of Haynesdale, I wager. You aim high in that, Helena.”
Helena was startled to realize that she had almost forgotten about the duke. “No, I do not.” She frowned. “Will you tell me about Mother?”
Nicholas sobered and leaned against the table, folding his arms across his chest. His manner turned wary, which hinted there was some detail Helena might not wish to know.
That only, of course, increased her desire to learn it.
“What about her?” he asked softly.
“What was she like? What did she look like? How did she meet Father? How did she die?”
He frowned at the floor for a moment, Aunt Fanny’s tones carrying to their ears. “She was very much like you, Helena,” he said finally, his brows drawing together in recollection. “She was lovely, truly lovely, and she liked nothing better than to laugh and dance. I don’t think Father could have found a more merry companion.” He met her gaze. “She made him smile again, and for that, I would forgive her almost anything.”
“Was there so much to forgive?”
Nicholas’ brows rose. “She was heedless. If she wished to do a thing, she would do it, and no one could persuade her otherwise. She spent money like water and nigh beggared Father with her spending. She did not gamble, but she adored dresses and shoes, bonnets and gloves and other fripperies. I do not think I ever saw the same dress upon her twice.” Helena winced for she dearly loved dresses and other fripperies herself. “Worse, she convinced Father to buy finer horses and new carriages, to rent more luxurious accommodations each time they went to London. She loved the parties and the dancing, and I would wager, the attentions of so many gentlemen.”
“But surely she loved Father.”
“I believe she did. I hope she did. He adored her.” Nicholas straightened. “Her nature was why he died, after all.”
“What do you mean?”
“He had a new curricle and a new pair of horses. Very young and sprightly, they were, not as well trained as I might have preferred. The tale is that she insisted that she would take the reins, and though she seldom did as much, he let her. It was late at night. They had been at a masquerade and I am certain that both of them had enjoyed the claret.”
Helena felt her hand rise to her lips, as she guessed the result of this choice. She knew her parents had died in a carriage accident, but not like this. Not so recklessly as this.
Not so needlessly as this.
“They collided with a mail coach. There was some suggestion that she tried to race ahead of it through the intersection, rather than waiting for it to pass.”
