“He was mostly joking, of course. Well, I hope that he was. But as it turned out, he need not look for suitors for his daughters. The young ladies have done quite well on their own.”
“Yes, Rebecca is to be married in a month’s time, and two of her sisters are also engaged.” Helena smiled.
“You are friends with Lady Rebecca?”
“Yes, though not as close as Celine and Dahlia. We met during her first season. I was on my third season then and somewhat better at navigating London Society, so I felt somewhat protective of her.”
“Pray, exactly how old are you, Helena?”
“Why, with three sisters grown, how could you expect me to reveal my age to you, Your Grace?” Helena, eyes dancing, bit back a laugh.
“I am glad to finally see you smile. It is a far cry from your disposition when we arrived earlier today.” Matteo grinned at her.
Helena remembered how nervous she felt as they entered the front door of Wakefield House together with Chastity. Indeed, talking to him like this seemed to have lessened her nerves.
“Of course, I was nervous. What if someone were to find out what we are about?” She looked around guiltily.
Matteo laughed.
“Someonewillfind out if you continue acting in such a suspicious way. Will you please relax?” He pointed to the musical instruments on the stage. “There, try naming the various instruments that the Wakefield daughters will be using.”
Helena trained her eyes on the stage. She appreciated the Wakefield sisters’ accomplishments in the field of music more.
“The pianoforte, the harpsichord, a lute, a lyre, two harp-lutes, and a mandolin.” She said in succession.
Matteo frowned.
“I only see the first two, and perhaps the lyre. Where do you see the other four?”
Helena laughed this time.
“I am merely recalling the instruments the ladies used at last year’s performance.”
“Ah. Let me think of a more challenging question then.”
He tapped his chin in thought.
“I have it.” Matteo grinned. “What are the Wakefield sisters’ names? Aside from Lady Rebecca, name the other six. For there is nothing harder than putting a name to a face.”
“Truly, do all ladies look the same to you?”
“Well—”
“Never mind, do not answer that.”
Matteo chuckled.
“Go ahead, their names if you please.”
Helena frowned in concentration. Counting off the names in her fingers, she started.
“Let me see, there is Cassandra, Margaret, Georgette, Louisa, and…” Her brows drew closer together. “Oh, what were the two youngest’s names?”
Matteo made a show of drawing out from his coat pocket the handbill that was handed to him by a footman upon their entrance.
“The second youngest’s name starts with the letter S, while the youngest’s starts with an A.” He said, very much amused.
Helena fought a grin, instead she feigned annoyance and sniffed.
