“I have found through my solicitors’ inquiries that Clifton’s sole purpose in returning to England was to sell his country estate, the funds from the sale were to settle standing debts in the West Indies, where he is to return and…”
Matteo hesitated.
“What? And what?” Helena asked impatiently.
“And reunite with his wife.”
“His wife?” Helena stood up so fast that her elbow caught Matteo’s chin.
“Matteo!”
She gasped and quickly placed her hand against his chin, checking to see if she injured him in any way.
“I apologize, did I hurt you?”
Chuckling softly despite the situation, Matteo shook his head. He placed his hand over hers.
“I am quite alright, do not worry about it.”
Helena bit her lip and dropped her hand hastily.
“I am sorry, I realize how inappropriate?—”
Matteo shook his head.
They looked at each other, eyes saying more than words could. After a while, Matteo spoke again.
“Clifton was wed to a local girl and had planned to leave England for good. This was apparently a last bid at freedom and a twisted farewell to England. I would not be surprised to find that he is already on a ship bound for the West Indies.”
“Despicable miscreant!” Helena’s hands fisted.
“I can think of a better, more deserving name to call him, but I will not say it in your presence,” Matteo said through gritted teeth.
If only he had taken more pains to find out about Lord Clifton. If only he had moved sooner and had not waited. He took a deep breath. He was tired, not just physically but in his soul as well.
“I must tell Chastity all this. I had hoped that we were wrong—prayed that we were wrong—that maybe, just maybe, Lord Clifton had panicked at being caught but would go to her, as Helena had said. But this must erase all hope in Chastity’s heart.”
Helena covered her face with her hands. It started as a gentle shake of her shoulders, but before Matteo knew it, she was sobbing uncontrollably.
He took her in his arms without hesitation. Her face pressed against his chest, her hands fisted on the lapels of his coat.
“My poor sister, all she wanted was to love and be loved in return.”
Hearing her cry in such a broken way tore at Matteo. He wanted to chase after Lord Clifton, deal him great physical harm, and then… what? He could not force him to marry Chastity; he was already a married man. What was there to do? He would do anything to stop Helena’s tears, anything to take this burden off her shoulders.
He knew then how much he loved Helena Ayles. This woman, who was unimpressed by him, this woman who challenged him, this woman who taught him what it was to give and give, even ifthere was nothing given in return. This woman who taught her what it meant to love.
And suddenly he knew what must be done.
He could not undo what happened, but he could do something for the future. He could offer something that would protect Helena and her family.
He closed his eyes and let the consequences of this solution ripple through him. The cost would be very dear, more than anything that he had ever paid. But he would see it done. For Helena.
His arms wrapped around her tightly as if meaning to never let her go. He laid his cheek on her hair and inhaled her scent. They stood that way for a long time, neither of them speaking, each comforting the other.
Matteo’s heart marveled, even as it wept, at how perfectly, how naturally she fit in his arms. Then, placing a kiss on her temple, Matteo closed his eyes and, in his mind, bid Helena goodbye.
Chapter Twenty-Five
