“How do you propose we handle it now?”
Helena looked in the direction of the house. She let out a long breath. There was no other way. She looked Matteo directly in the eye.
“We shall simply say that when you called yesterday, my feelings suddenly became clear to me, and so when you confessed your own feelings, I saw no reason not to accept your proposal.”
The grin on Matteo’s lips had Helena rolling her eyes.
“I like this new plan.” He leaned closer to her. “I am positively delighted to hear how irresistible you found me, so irresistible that you at once?—”
“Yes, yes, that will do.”
Matteo laughed again, and this time Helena found that she was laughing too.
“You will be very smug again to know that my parents are pleased with our engagement, but only because of your title, mind you.”
“Being a duke sometimes does have its merits.”
Helena was not quite sure if he was serious. Shaking her head, she continued.
“They will let us get on with the engagement without any intrusion on their part. Still, everything must appear proper to avoid all and any negative effects on Chastity’s chances of a good match.”
“I must act the true and proper fiancé in everyone’s eyes. Respectful, honorable, and dependable.” Matteo recited, before adding a wink. “And charming, of course.”
“Your Grace.”
“I am to be Matteo from now on.” He reminded her. He took her hand and again kissed it. “And you shall be Helena.”
“Matteo.” Helena tried to sound stern, but somehow his name sounded wistful to her ears.
Suddenly serious, Matteo tightened his grip on her hand.
“I understand what is expected. And I promise you that I shall do all that is in my power to uphold my part in this.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. Matteo.”
He smiled at her then, a light, sincere smile that somehow had a weightier effect on her than his usual charming ones.
Matteo stood up and plucked a pink rose from the vines that crawled above them. Quick and dexterous, his fingers peeled the small thorns from the stem before handing it to her. She took it, touched by the thoughtful gesture; she again saw the kindness in him. It was not something he meant to show others, she thought, but having already perceived it, she realized how natural kindness came to him.
“Thank you.”
“Shall we attend the Wakefield Musicale tomorrow?” Matteo asked.
“We have already accepted the invitation for Lady Trueman’s garden party tomorrow.”
“Ah, but we can attend both.” Matteo touched a finger to her chin. “The musicale starts at noon, the garden party in the afternoon.”
Helena felt a tingling where his finger touched her chin. She supposed engaged couples were allowed these small, harmless, affectionate gestures. So long as they remained such of course. She hardly wished to see the D—seeMatteo—sweeping her into a passionate embrace on the dance floor, after all!
“It shall be a very busy day for us then,” she replied.
“And so it shall.”
Chapter Ten
“Helena,” Matteo leaned down and whispered in Helena’s ear. “If you would kindly remove that guilty expression from your face. You look like you just committed a crime.”
Walking into the hall of Wakefield House, Matteo escorted the sisters in each arm. The reaction to the announcement of Matteo’s presence at the event was overshadowed only by the guests’ realization that he had arrived with Helena and Chastity.
