Now, Lady Margueritte Norris, she was still beautiful, and from the way Lord Stuart looked at her, still popular with the male of the species.
“It has been an age since we have spoken,” Lady Norris said. She took Helena’s hand and drew her nearer. “We must catch up. So much has occurred since we last met.”
You mean since you tripped me and made me spill punch all over Celine’s gown?
“Yes, it has been quite a while.”
“I understand that you are finally engaged. And to the Duke of Valen no less!”
She could see both disbelief and envy in her eyes, though veiled, she remembered very well how Margueritte was to be fooled.
“Yes.” Helena tried to keep her smile from wavering. “Finally.”
“Oh, but what happened to your manners, my Lord Stuart?” Lady Norris gestured to Chastity. “You have not yet introduced me to your other friend.
Lord Stuart introduced her to Chastity, with Lady Norris describing herself as Helena’s old friend.
Helena caught herself before she rolled her eyes. If only Celine and Dahlia were here.
The conversation went on for a few more minutes until Helena could not stand it anymore and excused herself and Chastity, saying that they must go to Matteo.
“You must call on me, my dear Helena.”
“I shall endeavor to, Margueritte.”
They curtsied and bid each other goodbye.
“We must hurry away, Chastity, before she decides to schedule a date and time for a call.” Helena hissed.
“But why would you not want Lady Norris to call on you? She is your old friend.”
“Old friend, indeed.” Helena sniffed. “I have never called her that, quite the opposite in truth.”
Chastity raised her eyebrows, intrigued.
“Suffice it to say that she was a nightmare to the rest of us girls during our first season. She was theton’sfavorite then, and she never let us forget it.”
“Oh, what a terrible thing.” Chastity frowned. “But perhaps she has changed now?”
“I highly doubt it.”
“But perhaps she has. She invited you to call on her; does that not say that she wishes to resume your friendship?”
“Such as it was?” Helena lifted an eyebrow.
“Lady Helena.”
Three other ladies approached them, all of whom were long-time acquaintances, and all of whom issued their own invitations to her and to Chastity for various social functions.
Helena had barely extracted Chastity and herself from the group when she found herself standing before a bowing Lord Scott.
Chastity, who had recognized him at once, could not prevent the flash of surprise and dislike in her eyes. She bowed belatedly.
“My ladies,” Lord Scott smiled at them. “I had wanted to greet you earlier in the day, but you both appeared very busy with your friends.”
“Lord Scott, a good day to you.”
“My sister, Lady Wilson, if you recall her, Lady Helena?” he paused, waiting for her confirmation.
