“I propose a false engagement between you and me.”
Matteo watched her eyes widen at his statement.
Have I gone crazy? Perhaps I have.
“You must be joking!”
His calm and serious expression seemed to convince her that he indeed was not. Helena moved to the bench and sat on it.
“If people believe us to be courting, there will be no gossip—not the destructive kind, that is. There will be no scandal, and more importantly, it will allow you to keep a closer watch on Chastity’s suitors, since there will be no unwanted advances on yourself. Your only focus will be on Chastity.
Helena sat absorbing his reasoning. Sensing that he was close to convincing her, Matteo pressed forward.
“I can be of actual help as well, for I will easily recognize every rake in London.”
As a rake myself.
Helena stood from the bench and walked about the grove in silence. Matteo stayed silent as well, waiting for her to speak. She stopped moving and turned to him.
“How will you benefit from it?”
Perhaps there is something that we may both find desirable.
Of course, she had not forgotten. He would actually be disappointed if she had. Matteo moved closer to her.
“Being connected to you would spare me the endless parade of matchmaking efforts from ambitious mamas. Indeed, I do not need a repeat of the events at Lady Chapman’s ball.”
Matteo shivered at the memory, genuinely not wanting a repeat of the experience. Being prey was not a very good feeling.
“Besides,” he continued with an indulgent smile, “we do argue so well that it is quite enjoyable. It would be such a shame to waste the opportunity of doing so frequently.”
Helena, not knowing what to say, shook her head and threw her hands up silently. She again took to walking in silent contemplation.
Matteo watched her. Her slim form, her simple coiffure, and tendrils of her golden hair danced with the morning breeze. Matteo had only seen her look this casual at Icedale Castle.
After a while, Helena stopped and went directly to face him. Matteo straightened. Eager to hear her answer. He did not want to think too much about why his heart beat so rapidly, or why he felt as if he stood on top of a cliff, poised to jump.
“Your Grace.”
“Matteo.”
Helena closed her eyes and let out a long breath. When she was ready, she looked him directly in the eyes.
“I think you are… mad.”
And without waiting for an answer, she turned on her heel and fled.
Chapter Eight
Helena sat on her bed, pillows propped behind her, and read the same line in her book for the third time. Somehow, the sentence still did not make any sense.
“What is the use?” she muttered.
She hardly remembered a word she read in the last half hour. Putting the book down on the bedside table, she swung her legs down the side of the bed and stood up.
Helena paced her room the same way she had at Hyde Park. But she felt that her mind moved at a much faster speed. His voice, his look, his words seemed to repeat themselves in her mind.
I propose a false engagement between you and me.
