Tables for cards were placed around the room; the pianoforte, played by one or another young lady, added to the lively atmosphere.
“Dahlia called on me,” Helena said to Matteo, glancing at him sideways.
“How strange,” Matteo replied with a smirk. “Peter went to see me at the club as well. It was not his usual day to be there, so I know that he had gone with the intention of seeing me.”
Helena sighed before she turned to Matteo. Then, upon looking at each other, they grinned at their friends’ actions.
“What did Dahlia tell you?” Matteo asked.
“Tell me first, what did Peter tell you?” Helena said, studying him.
“As you wish,” Matteo bowed his head. “But you must forgive me if I do not use his precise words, for I fear I will offend quite a few ladies if they happen to hear Peter’s original choice of words.”
Helena covered her mouth with her hand, giggling as she imagined Peter giving Matteo an earful.
“In that case, you will please give me the abbreviated version of his speech.”
“Challenging, but I shall try my best.” Matteo grinned.
He paused for a while, then, adopting a serious expression that was very similar to Peter’s, he continued.
“What the holy, er, place where bad people go when they die, are you doing, Matteo?”
Helena burst into laughter so loudly that the other guests turned to see what was happening. Across them, Chastity, who was still conversing with Lord Clifton, turned to look at her sister. Helena waved at her, eliciting an amused smile from her sister.
“To save the other guests from being deafened by your laughter, I shall just use my own words.” Matteo chuckled. “He basically told me that I better not be treating you as a mere conquest, that he would make sure that I shall never see the light of day if I pull any of my tricks on you.”
“Peter threatened you?” Helena asked wide-eyed.
“Indeed, my lady. His oldest friend in the world. The one who has stood by him when he was the most unpleasant man in the world.”
Helena fought back another laugh.
“Matteo, I beg you, please stop.” Helena wiped at her eyes. “Chastity will be so embarrassed by me, for I have been so loud!”
“Have no fear, that is the gist of Peter’s address to me. Now, tell me about Dahlia’s call.”
“Well,” Helena started. “She started by saying that she understood the feeling of being scared to be alone.”
Matteo instantly sobered. He leaned closer to Helena as he listened to her words.
“She said that she could not blame me for my decision, but she hoped that I would not end up getting hurt.”
Matteo lifted an eyebrow.
“And how, pray tell, are you supposed to get hurt? I am afraid that she alludes to my hurting you?”
“That was the allusion, yes.”
“Hmm.” Matteo rubbed his chin. “It seems to me that I am considered the villain in this story.”
“Icannot be the villain!” Helena protested.
“And why not? You, my lady, are quite capable of hurting me, I wager.” Matteo insisted. “In fact, I dare to venture that you could wound me to the quick.”
Helena bit her lip and laughed again, tapping his arm playfully with her fan.
“Case in point.” Matteo grinned. “Judging by your past behavior, with this assault, you are downright flirting with me, Helena.”
