“At the moment, no, she is more interested in Lord Strong.”
“Lord Strong. Now there is a fellow.” Matteo’s eyebrows rose.
“What do you mean?” Helena asked.
“Believe it or not, he is more serious than you.”
She slapped him lightly on his arm. Matteo chuckled.
“I am in earnest that gentleman would marry his responsibilities if he could. A more innocent youth I have never seen, well, perhaps Peter just after he lost his mother. Viscount Dunsmoor wants to prove himself. He is very active in Parliament, though he has much to learn.”
“That is what my father says as well. That he should learn to listen to his elders first and learn.”
“Your father is not wrong.”
“You think him too serious for Chastity?”
“I think no such thing, I only mean to relay that having known Lady Chastity as a lively young lady, I am unsure their dispositions will suit.”
“They seemed to be enjoying each other’s company during the few times they were together.”
“A gentleman—a man—always wants to make a good first impression. Well, perhaps not Peter, but?—”
Helena slapped him lightly on the arm again.
“What? Is a man not allowed to make fun of his oldest friend in the world?” Matteo chuckled.
Helena considered Matteo’s words. The viscount had not called on Chastity recently. They had assumed that his responsibilities had not allowed him the time to do so. And it appeared that they were right. She sighed inwardly; they would just have to wait and see. The best she could do to help Chastity was to advise her not to expect too much yet.
“Is Chastity taking the news of the engagement better now than yesterday?” Matteo interrupted her thoughts.
“I believe so. Well, the initial shock is over at least. She is still trying to get used to the idea, I think.”
“I hope today’s plan will finally convince her,” Matteo said.
“That is the plan, at least.”
Another signal sounded for everyone to take their seats. Guests were starting to settle down.
“Well, shall we sit as well?” Matteo gestured to a pair of chairs among the rows set up in the Wakefield’s extensive Music Room. They were just a row behind Chastity and Lord Fleetwood.
“Yes, thank you.”
If Helena thought that being the eldest child among four sisters was a challenging thing, then she had the utmost respect for Lady Rebecca Wakefield, who was the eldest among seven daughters.
The Wakefield Septet, as they had been called since their musical debut the previous Season, was composed of all the Wakefield daughters, their ages ranging from four and twenty to fifteen. Their performance last Season had been such a success that they had relented to the requests of those who attended and turned it into an annual event. Their initial audience of family and friends had now extended to acquaintances as well.
“How is it that you were invited to this event?” Helena asked Matteo. She leaned closer to him and whispered. “Was Lady Wakefield not afraid for her seven daughters?”
Matteo gave her a humorless smile, then pointed to Lord Wakefield, who sat three rows in front of them.
“Lord Wakefield was one of my father’s closest friends.” This time, he turned to Helena with a smug smile. “And if you must know, there was a time he bade me choose which daughter I would have.”
“No,” Helena said in disbelief. “Surely you jest!”
“I do not, I am telling you the truth.”
At her shocked look, Matteo laughed and continued.
