“Oh, indeed. I look forward to it, Your Grace.”
Matteo bowed, smiling.
A footman approached them, respectfully cleared his throat, and announced that their carriage was ready.
When they reached Huntington House, Matteo handed them down the carriage and walked with them towards the front door.
“I shall be back to fetch you in two hours’ time. Shall we walk since Trueman House is but a few houses away?” he asked Helena.
“Oh, yes indeed, it will be much faster that way.”
“Will two hours be enough for a lady to rest and change into a different ensemble?” Matteo asked smiling.
For himself, the change in attire appropriate to an outdoor picnic would not take too long. He could only imagine the length of time ladies needed for such preparations.
That was perhaps telling how little familial feminine experience Matteo had in his life. He had no sister to wait for; he never experienced the amusement and frustration of having been ready for hours to attend a social function while your wife and sisters told you that you must wait another hour.
Poor, old Duke. Matteo smiled inwardly at Peter’s rants, rants that he knew were just for show.
In the past, he had attended very few social events with his parents. Perhaps one or two years after he had finished university. But there was never the anticipation of enjoying the event with family.
No, he had never had to wait for his mother to finish preparing for a ball. Never had he stood at the bottom of the stairs, awaiting to escort her to the carriage and tell her that she looked handsome, never had he been told thathelooked handsome.
He had never thought that would be an experience that he would like to have—until now. He saw Helena walking downthe staircase, her beautiful blue eyes watching him as well, anticipating the pleasure of attending a ball with him.
He gave himself a mental shake at the sudden gravity of his thoughts.
“Perhaps three hours?” he continued.
Helena watched as Chastity stifled a yawn. Smiling at Matteo, she answered him.
“Best make it three hours. I think a lie-down might be in order,” she whispered.
“As you wish. And perhaps arriving a tad late will ensure that more people see us together and know of our engagement.”
“Hush!” Helena slapped his arm again. She threw a quick glance at Chastity, who did not seem to hear.
“That is the third time that you have slapped my arm today, my lady.” Matteo laughed. “One would think that you find me very annoying or…”
“Or?”
Matteo moved closer to her and whispered in her ear.
“Or very attractive.” His voice dipped to a playful purr. “One would think that you are actually flirting with me.”
Helena sputtered in her surprise. She looked as if she wanted to give him an earful, but could not quite decide on the correct words. Or perhaps she knew the precise words but refused to speak them where Chasity could hear. Matteo’s shoulders shook with silent laughter.
They reached the front door. He took Helena’s hand and kissed it; his wide grin aimed at Helena. She looked like she would happily throw him off a cliff.
“Until this afternoon, ladies.” Matteo bowed to both ladies and turned to leave.
From behind him, he heard Chastity speak.
“Why, Helena, you are all red.”
Inside his carriage, he let out the laugh that he had been holding back.
Chapter Eleven
