He took her hand again and kissed it.
Outside, he headed in the direction of Hyde Park. He needed to think. He kept off the walkways and stayed on the green to avoid any acquaintances.
He had accomplished what he had set out to do. And yet there was a tight feeling in his chest that he could not quite shake off.
Helena had said yes to his scheme. He had wanted something from her, and she had said yes. Surely that must count as a victory for him. And yet he did not feel the win, he did not feel triumphant.
Instead, he felt unsteady, as if he walked on uneven ground.
He had devised the scheme as a way to solve both their problems, and to, he admitted, have a bit of fun with Helena. He thought it a clever and efficient solution; a form of protection for her, an excuse for him. A tidy little arrangement.
He frowned and stopped beside a tree, leaning against its trunk. He had not expected her to go about it with such seriousness, or with a litany of rules.
He would play the part, and he would play it well.
“It shall be easy enough, for I have always done just that most of my life,” Matteo murmured.
He would smile, charm Helena’s family and friends, play the role of the devoted fiancé. He knew what he had to do, he would act the part of the perfect betrothed. And he would do it perfectly. He sighed.
“Then why does playing a part somehow feel different now?”
An unwanted feeling was making itself known. Discontent. A feeling that was entirely foreign to him, or at least a feeling that he had long ago forgotten.
“Perhaps I am getting old.”
He breathed deeply.
And was it also because he knew that this time, there was more at stake? For his proposal also meant that he had pledged to help not only Helena, but her sisters as well. Perhaps to be depended on by others was a feeling that he still had to get used to.
Matteo straightened and continued his walk, thinking, all the while, what was it that he had gotten himself into this time?
Chapter Nine
Helena tried her best to appear calm and serene. Seated with Chastity in the sitting room, she sorted through the various invitations and letters that awaited her attention. Her sister, on the other hand, was lazily going through the latest edition ofLa Belle Assemblée. They spent the past hour as they had normally done at that time of day.
Callers had come and gone for Chastity. Lord Algate, Sir Abington, and more, one after the other. Helena knew who her sister really waited for, but alas, Lord Strong had not yet made an appearance. Indeed, it had been three days since he had last called at Huntington House.
“Perhaps he has decided that he does not wish for a courtship with me,” Chastity fretted
“It is quite early yet to decipher who will commit to being a suitor.” Helena smoothed her sister’s hair. “For now, you mustjust enjoy getting to know the gentlemen. You never know, some might actually become your friends.”
“I do not think Papa will appreciate your next update to be that I have made gentleman friends.” Chastity giggled. “Speaking of friends.”
Chastity paused until Helena looked at her.
“Will you ever tell me how the Duke Valen’s call went? You have been most silent about it.”
Helena knew that her sister was waiting for details, and she also knew that she would not get a better opening than what Chastity had just provided then.
“It went quite well,” Helena spoke simply.
“You mean you did not argue?” The smirk on her sister’s lips told Helena that she was being teased.
“No, indeed, we did not.” Helena smiled genuinely. “We actually agreed upon many things.”
“Oh! Well, that is quite unexpected but nonetheless very good. The duke is quite an amiable companion, funny as well.” Chastity reached over to tap her arm. “Remember how he offered to carry you so that you could install the star on top of Dahlia’s Christmas tree?”
Chastity’s giggles at the memory from the previous winter had Helena smiling broadly. Indeed, it was a funny memory, looking back at it now.
