“She was already surprised that you came to call on me today.”
It seemed that the Ayles butler was not the only one surprised that Helena would have a gentleman caller. Matteo wondered at that but kept his thoughts to himself.
“So, Lady Chastity knows that I am here.”
“Yes, my sisters and I were all together when Mr. Keble announced your visit.”
“I think we must establish the details of how we came to be engaged.” Matteo leaned closer to Helena. “Just so we are consistent in our story.”
Helena blinked.
“Oh, yes, of course.”
“We can say that you finally fell for my charms?—”
“Matteo.”
“Ah, finally an improvement, you are addressing me by my given name,” he smiled, inexplicably satisfied. “We can say that we formed an attachment when we were staying with Peter and Dahlia.”
“Perhaps.” Helena frowned, thinking. “But just a few days ago, Chastity asked me why I was so against her being in your company.”
Matteo was both entertained and irritated. Helena had been thinking about him, but what those thoughts were, he was not sure he wanted to hear.
“Perhaps you can say that you were jealous of the attention I bestowed on her?”
The look she gave him could have pulverized rock. He laughed then, without warning, took her hand in his.
With a trace of laughter on his lips, Matteo touched his lips to the back of her hand.
“Tell her that I have been secretly in love with you since the previous winter, and that I, fool that I was, tried to deny my feelings. But our encounters over the last few days have spurred me to action.”
Helena let out a short breath. She looked at her hand held in his, then rolled her eyes and answered in a droning voice.
“I can say that I started to care for you despite your blackened soul.”
“Not quite the declaration of love that I was hoping for, but it will do.” Matteo grinned.
“If she asks, shall I say that you proposed just now?”
“Yes. This would be the perfect time for a proposal.” He started to kneel on the floor. “Shall I get down on my knees and?—”
“Will you please cease!”
But Helena’s sharp tone proved ineffective by the giggle that escaped her. For a few seconds, they grinned at each other.
Matteo could almost believe that, at that moment, they truly did care for each other.
Helena cleared her throat and suddenly looked away.
“And how long shall we stay… engaged?”
“So long as it proves useful for us both.”
“It cannot be that indefinite.” Helena considered. “Perhaps until Chastity herself becomes engaged, I think.”
“Alright.”
“Our first consideration must always be Chastity,” Helena said in a matter-of-fact manner.
