“Oh, I am truly sorry, my lord, but I am fulfilling the role of chaperone to my sister tonight and therefore cannot dance.”
“Ah, that is, indeed, unfortunate, for I recall how beautifully you dance.”
“Another time perhaps, sir?”
The gentleman bowed with a smile and then went off to seek a more willing dance partner.
“You should have accepted, Mr. Addison’s dance request, my dear Helena.” Lady Chapman said. “You cannot expect to stand in this fashion the whole night.”
Helena stopped herself from rolling her eyes. How was she to keep watch over her sister if she herself was dancing?
“He was very kind to ask, but I am determined not to dance tonight, Lady Chapman.”
“What a shame, for you do look lovely tonight, and Mr. Addison has a large estate in the north of England. Well, have a pleasant evening, my dear. Do look for me again later before you leave.” Lady Chapman smiled and turned to leave.
Helena glanced at the departing form of her mother’s friend. As before, she could not quite believe that Lady Chapman was among her mother’s circle of friends. For one, Lady Chapmanwas the only warmhearted one among them, her mother included.
Helena shook her head, smiling at the quick conjecture from dancing to marriage that only society matrons could do.
Feeling thirsty, she walked towards the refreshment table, all the while keeping her eye on Chastity and her dance partner. With a glass of punch in hand, Helena was greeted by some acquaintances.
“Is that Lady Chastity, your younger sister, Lady Helena?”
She turned to the gentleman who voiced the question.
“Lord Scott, good evening.” Helena curtsied somewhat stiffly.
Lord Scott, Baron Emsworth, was Helena’s former suitor during her first season. They had courted for a brief month before they decided mutually that, indeed, they did not suit.
Never mind that he had courted two other young ladies while he was courting her. The fact remained that his withdrawal of his suit was quite a relief to her then. Though it did not go over so easily with Helena’s mother, nor her father—who thought his family’s large fortune made up for his much lower rank.
“A pleasant evening to you, my lady,” Lord Scott replied. Then, looking again at Chastity, he continued. “My word, she has grown into a beautiful young lady.”
“Indeed.” Helena said with a hard smile.
Do not even think about it, you scoundrel!
“And how have you been, Lady Helena? I do not recall seeing you earlier this season. Has your father, the earl, not taken up his seat in Parliament yet?”
“He is just returning from a short trip with my mother.” Helena’s mind worked to find an escape from the conversation with the gentleman. “My sisters and I arrived in London not a fortnight ago. Which reminds me, my lord, I must see to Chastity. It is her first season after all and requires much guidance in navigating her first ball.”
“But you must save a dance for me, my lady.” He smiled a full smile at her. “It has been an age since we took to the dance floor together. We must remedy that, do you not agree?”
“I apologize, my lord.” Helena smiled her full smile as well. “But I must decline your generous offer for now. I have a sister, that is right now in need of my guidance.”
His smile turned into a frown at her allusion to their past.
“I see that you are still angry with me.”
“Oh no, not at all, my lord,” Helena said, this time with a genuine smile. “I am really extremely thankful to you, for you have taught me quite a number of things regarding gentlemen of the ton.”
She curtsied again.
“I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, Lord Scott.”
She walked away leaving Lord Scott behind, and all that he made her remember.
She was with a small group of acquaintances when she felt a tingle at the back of her neck. She felt as if she were being watched. Helena turned to see a gentleman, some distance away, looking at her intently. Tall and broad-shouldered, he exuded charm. Even from afar, she would have recognized that teasing smile.
