Eyes still closed, Chastity reached for Helena’s hand and held it in hers.
Matteo ordered his carriage to head back to Valen House without him. The light was beginning to fade as he walked the streets of Mayfair. Since he left Huntington House, Matteo had walked in whatever direction his feet carried him, he was not quite sure where he had gotten himself to, but in truth, he did not care.
He had aimed to walk until the image of Helena’s face would vanish from his mind. But he should have known what a futile plan that was. Matteo knew that he could walk for days, months, years, even, yet he would never be rid of Helena’s image in her mind. Her cornflower blue eyes that darkened with her emotions would never give him a moment of peace, this he knew.
Looking around, he realized that he had reached Kensington Gardens. He had walked half the perimeter of Hyde Park without knowing it. Matteo stopped and watched the parade of carriages and the line of people walking past. How ordinary it all seemed. In a few more minutes, the street lamps would be lit, as they were lit every day, no doubt by the same person who did so every day. Life in Mayfair went on.
Matteo laughed bitterly. To think that he was part of this cycle, that he had wasted so much time pursuing all the superficial things, that he had wasted so much time proving to himself that he was no longer the little boy asking, waiting for love.
Matteo, the Duke of Valen, a man of the world, wealthy, handsome, and charming, was not immune to love.
He started walking again, this time his legs carried him to a familiar part of Mayfair. The sky grew dark when he found himself knocking on the front door of Icedale House and fervently hoping that Peter was home.
“You did what?”
Peter, who had been in the act of handing a glass of brandy to Matteo, froze at the words that issued from his friend.
They were in Peter’s study, sitting by the fire. As soon as Peter had seen Matteo’s countenance, he knew that his friend was troubled.
Matteo reached out and took the glass from Peter. He drank from it and answered his friend in an even tone.
“You heard me.”
“Matteo, have you gone insane? What about Helena?”
“Our betrothal was never real, Peter, you know that. You and Dahlia both. From the start, you knew that. I appreciate you for not giving me a hard time about it.”
“What aboutnow?” Peter said with a hard stare at his friend.
Matteo turned from him.
“As soon as the Earl arrives home, I shall explain to him that Helena and I have decided to break our engagement, and then I shall make a formal offer for Lady Chastity’s hand. I daresay he will not refuse the offer, especially not under the circumstances. The man only seems to care that his daughters marry respectably.”
Matteo could not help the bitterness in his voice. He sighed. He put the glass of brandy down on the table and rose from where he sat. He went closer to the fireplace and braced his hands onthe mantle, wanting the warmth of the fire to defeat the cold he felt within.
There was no other sound in Peter’s study save the crackling of the burning firewood. Peter walked over to his friend and laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Matteo, are you sure of this decision?”
When Matteo turned to look at Peter, he knew his friend already knew the answer.
“Then what about yourfeelingsfor Helena?” Peter belabored.
Matteo scrubbed his face with his hands, frustration rife in his countenance.
“I am not worthy of her!” He almost shouted. “She deserves better than a man like me. A rake! An empty man! How can I love her the way she deserves to be loved when I myself am deeply lacking?”
“I do not think that is how she sees you, Duke.”
“I know what people see, Duke. I have been that man for too long.” Matteo said quietly. “I am not deserving of her. But I can be of service to her, I can do her some good.”
Matteo suddenly chuckled, earning a confused stare from his friend.
“Had I not told you back then that I could do Helena some good?”
“But—”
“I have made up my mind. Peter.” Matteo stared at the fire. “I am only keeping my word to Helena after all, honoring my vow to help her protect Lady Chastity, to secure a good future for her sister. To protect her and her sisters.”
