When Helena nodded, he continued.
“My sister will be hosting a dinner party a fortnight from today, and she bade me to express her hope that you, Lady Chastity, and His Grace, the Duke of Valen, might join us for the evening. She has sent out the invitations just today.” Lord Scott said. “I do hope we shall hear a positive reply from you.”
When Matteo finally joined them again, Helena was more than ready to leave. Indeed, she found that she was exhausted. Their walk back to Huntington House, although a short one, appeared to cost both ladies their remaining energy.
Upon reaching the house, Chastity excused herself at once.
“I thank you for a very eventful day, Your Grace.” She smiled at him warmly despite her apparent fatigue. “I shall see you tomorrow at the family dinner.”
“I look forward to it, Lady Chastity.”
Alone in the hall, Helena pulled Matteo towards the sitting room.
“Already wanting me to yourself, I see,” Matteo said, a smug look on his face.
Helena leveled him with a stare. Matteo laughed.
They sat on the wingback chairs set next to each other beside the fireplace, where a small fire was burning. They both leaned back, enjoying the comfortable position. Outside, the sun was settingon the horizon as if it too had enough of theton’s busy social schedule.
“Matteo?”
“Helena?”
“I wanted to tell you that if you prefer not to come to dinner tomorrow, I will understand. I shall simply make up an excuse. It was an extremely short notice anyway.”
“I shall be there tomorrow,” Matteo said it with so final a tone that Helena said no more.
As if surprised that no opposition came, he studied her, his brows furrowing.
“Are you unwell, Helena?” Matteo asked, concerned.
“No, I am not. I am merely tired, I suppose.” She sighed.
“Perhaps going to two social functions in a day is too ambitious for us?”
“Perhaps.” Helena grimaced. “I must tell you, Matteo, that we have received close to twelve invitations this afternoon alone.
“Ah, well, that can only mean that our engagement is starting to be recognized and accepted by theton.” Matteo smiled. “That is great news, indeed.”
Helena closed her eyes. With her arms resting on the arms of the chair, she spoke.
“People whom I have not spoken to in years are now suddenly asking me to call on them and are inviting me to dinner parties and balls. People from my past, there was even a person whom I have an extreme dislike for.”
“We shall take the bad with the good, I suppose.” Matteo took her hand. “Who is this person? A spurned suitor? A jealous rival for the spurned suitor?”
With her eyes still closed, Helena laughed.
“More like a sworn enemy. Though back then she probably hardly saw me as nothing more than an insignificant debutante.”
Matteo scowled, already disliking this phantom enemy.
“Was she the one who invited you to call?”
Helena’s eyes blinked open and looked straight at Matteo.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“Well, it seemed very likely that the person you considered an enemy would be the one who askedyouto call instead of making the call herself. The honor must be hers first of course.”
