“Helena.”
“Yes, dearest?”
“Thank you.”
“Whatever for?”
“For always being there for me, Faith and Grace. I just wanted you to know that we know what you’ve sacrificed for us…”
“Oh, you mustn’t think of that. I am your sister; it is what we do.”
“Yes, but you have done so much.”
“And I will continue doing so.”
Helena sniffed again. Then, straightening in her seat, she continued.
“Now, you must remember all that we have talked about, remember my warnings about rakes and?—”
“Helena,” Chastity put her hand over her older sister’s. “I remember everything. I promise that I shall be in my best behavior. You trust me do you not?”
“Of course, I do!” Helena reassured her. “It is the men that I do not.”
Chastity’s giggle was interrupted as their carriage door opened.
When they stood just outside the ballroom doors waiting to be announced, Helena felt Chastity’s hand grasp hers. Giving her sister’s hand an encouraging squeeze, they entered the ballroom as they heard their names.
“I’m so glad that you are here with me, Helena,” Chastity whispered.
“I shall always be here when you need me, Chastity,” Helena replied softly. “Now smile, dearest.”
Faith and Grace’s predictions indeed came true. In fact, Chastity’s dance card was almost full, completely erasing her fears that night of being an utter failure. The excitement of her first ball brought a brightness to her eyes and rendered her faceall the more beautiful. This, together with her pleasing manners, was noticed by everyone.
“My dear, Helena.” Lady Chapman stood beside her as they watched Chastity dance her first dance that evening. “You must be proud of your sister. Quite a number of gentlemen wanted an introduction to her. She has grown up beautifully.”
“Well, yes, I am proud of her beauty. But I am also proud of her intelligence and of her kindness.”
“Yes, of course,” Lady Chapman added. “Though it has not been so long ago when I recall your mother bemoaning her wearisome ways.”
Helena only smiled at her comment. Lady Chapman was one of her mother’s closest friends, thus she spoke to Helena with such familiarity.
“It is a shame that your mother and father could not be here tonight.”
“That it is, my lady,” Helena said. “Although we expect them to arrive from their trip to Paris tonight as well.”
“How fortunate your mother is that you can be entrusted with your sister’s welfare.”
“I am happy to see to Chastity’s coming out into society.” Helena’s eyes softened as she watched her sister move gracefullythrough the figures of the dance.. “I shall assist her as best as I can in securing a good future for her.”
“And you?” Lady Chapman asked, eyes direct but kind. “What of your future, my dear? You are not getting any younger, Helena. Why, very soon you shall be declared on the shelf if you do not make haste and find yourself a husband.”
Helena should have been used to the question, for it certainly was not the first time a well-meaning—or sometimes not so well-meaning—matron asked her the same question, but she still felt the sting of the words.
She imagined Lady Chapman’s reaction if she told her of the future she planned for herself. Indeed, a future that her parents promised to secure for her once she fulfilled her responsibilities to their family. A future all to herself, a future of peace and independence.
But for now, she must be the dutiful daughter. She clasped her hands together and spoke to her mother’s friend.
“My lady, I?—”
