It was during the time when she and Matteo had the shared mission of turning Dahlia and Peter’s marriage of convenience into a real one. They had witnessed what was quite obvious to everyone as well: their friends were falling in love with each other. But since both of them seemed incapable of acknowledging their feelings for each other, she and Matteo had seized every possible opportunity to bring them together.
“Yes, you are right. He is quite amiable and very funny.”
“And handsome too.” Chastity continued with her teasing.
“Yes, that as well.”
Chastity studied her sister.
“Helena?”
“Yes, dear?”
“May I speak plainly?”
“Of course, Chastity.”
“It seems to me that you are softening towards the duke.”
“Perhaps I am. Perhaps I am seeing qualities in him that I had not seen before.”
Even as Helena said the words, she realized that her statement was not entirely false. Although his proposal—his plan—would benefit him, it was more beneficial to her and to Chastity. There was a kindness in it—in him—that she could not ignore. A trickle of a feeling tickled her, and Helena was not quite prepared for it.
I must be careful. Though I am starting to consider Matteo as a friend, I must never forget that he is still a rake.
Tomorrow would certainly change many things, but that reminder, that warning must remain on her mind.
Matteo found himself once more in the Blue Room of Huntington House. And once again, he found himself looking out of the garden. It was a very feminine garden, as gardens went. Designed more, he thought, with comfort and enjoyment in mind than mere display. This was not surprising to him, considering that the household had five ladies in it. He could practically see Helena leading her sisters in various outdoor activities, gathering blooms, painting, and having tea under the pergola.
It occurred to him that aside from chaperoning her sisters, he did not know what Helena’s other activities or hobbies were. He made a mental note to get to know her more—if only to play a more convincing role. He did not notice the length of timehe waited, caught up in his own thoughts of Helena, and was therefore surprised to see the time on the mantle clock. Almost a quarter of an hour passed with him waiting.
The butler entered the room and, with a bow, announced his master and mistress, Edmund and Clarissa Huntington, the Earl and Countess of Huntington.
“Your Grace.”
The Earl of Huntington bowed, while the countess curtsied.
“My lord, my lady,” Matteo bowed in answer.
“I have called for tea. Will Your Grace please have a seat?” Lady Huntington said.
“Thank you.”
“I confess surprise at your request for a call, Your Grace,” Lord Huntington said. “Indeed, when Helena hinted at the purpose of your visit, it took me a while to absorb the information.”
“I understand that it is quite sudden,” Matteo spoke in his most serious voice. “I apologize; I should have intimated my intentions much earlier.”
“No, it is not that, Your Grace.” The earl answered.
“Oh?”
“It is that we are very surprised at our daughter’s decision to accept your offer of marriage,” the countess said.
Did Helena make her dislike of him known to her whole family? He had a comical vision of her listing down his faults and posting them around their home for everyone to see.
“I see,” he said instead.
“We had thought that she was committed to her decision to remain unmarried,” the countess continued.
