For a moment, Peter seemed to be on the verge of saying something else, but, making up his mind, he kept quiet. But after a while, Peter spoke again.
“Matteo, for all your rakish affect, you seem far more thoughtful than you usually are.”
“Do I?”
Even without Peter’s answer, Matteo knew that his mind was kept busy by thoughts of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, sharp-tongued lady who refused to have anything to do with him.
Who he didn’twantto have anything to do with him.
Not at all.
Chapter Six
Helena lay in bed, feeling too lazy to rise. Her mind, now awake, was commanding her body to wake up as well. But it refused, and it was a good amount of time before she found herself rising. Indeed, Sally had entered her room with the intention of rousing her, mistakenly thinking that she had overslept.
As she prepared for the day, Helena ran through her mind the tasks that she must accomplish for the day. The first of which was a meeting with her father and mother. She was not exactly dreading meeting them, but she was not excited about it either.
Deciding to get the task over with. She focused and called on her willpower.
“Which names will you give Mama and Papa?” Chastity asked Helena as they left the breakfast room.
“The four gentlemen who have been calling quite regularly now. Lord Fleetwood, Lord Algate, Sir Abington, and Lord Strong.”
“What do you think they will say?” Chastity fidgeted with her hands; her smooth forehead was creased.
“That you have done very well for your first ball, I imagine.” Helena smoothed a fallen lock from her sister’s hair. “Worry not, dearest, they will be proud of you.Iam proud of you. You have displayed such growth, such grace. I can hardly believe that you are still my little Chassy.”
Chastity’s eyes softened at the pet name. She embraced Helena so suddenly that the other exclaimed in surprise.
“I am glad I have you, Helena.”
Helena sniffed as she fought back the tears that threatened to form in her eyes.
“Oh, away with you now. I can hardly meet Papa and Mama with red-rimmed eyes.” Helena said, laughing. “Be ready in half an hour, for we are to head to the modiste for the fitting of the last of your new gowns.”
“I shall.”
Chastity walked away, glancing back one more time. She smiled at her sister.
Helena took a deep breath and composed herself as she stood outside the door of her father’s study. When she felt ready, she knocked.
“Come in.”
“Good morning, Papa.” Helena curtsied to Lord Edmund Ayles, the Earl of Huntington, who sat behind his desk, a stack of correspondence laid out before him.
Then she turned to the settee beside the fire where her mother, Lady Clarissa Ayles, the Countess of Huntington, sat. Since her sisters had outgrown their need for a governess, once a month, she met with her parents in this fashion to report to them her sisters’ progress in their education.
“A good morning to you as well, Mama.”
“Good morning, child.”
“Is everything coming along nicely?”
“Yes, Mama. Faith is doing very well in her lessons with the masters. I had to find a replacement for her painting lessons, but a referral from Dahlia solved that quickly. Grace is performing well in her lessons with her tutors as well. She was having some difficulties with her French; her verb conjugations need more polishing, but she has shown significant improvement. And Chastity has had a successful first ball. Has Lady Chapman informed you of her success?”
“Yes, I went to call on her yesterday.” Clarissa leaned over to pour milk into her tea. “She tells me that Chastity danced every dance and performed gracefully. Please tell your sister that your father and I are very pleased.”
Helena smiled at her mother’s words.
