“Well, yes, but they are her younger sisters; it is different.”
“And after your visit had she changed?”
“There were changes, some gradual, some dramatic. But yes, to answer you, her improvement continued until she became the Chastity that she is now.” Helena frowned. “Why do you ask?”
“Is it possible that she is rebelling again?”
Helena considered her answer carefully. Then shook her head.
“No, I do not think so. She is mostly her usual self.” Helena frowned in thought. “Except quieter now, perhaps a tad more secretive.”
“I think we should continue carefully observing this quieter, more secretive Chastity.”
Helena was secretly pleased when he saidwe. She felt warm knowing that he shared the problem—if it was even a problem—with her.
“Agreed.” She replied.
They directed the other two to the refreshment room and a few minutes later were holding glasses of ratafia, feeling indeed, refreshed.
Although Chastity and Lord Clifton stood near enough to them, they stood as a separate party and were engrossed in softconversation that neither Helena nor Matteo could hear. Helena watched her sister laugh, her eyes alive.
“Your Grace.”
A group composed of two ladies and three gentlemen approached them.
“It has been a while since we have had the pleasure of your company, Valen.”
“Matfield, Ruddock, Crowther,” then with a smile, he continued, “my ladies.”
They exchanged greetings and introductions. Helena put a polite smile on her face when she was greeted with best wishes on their engagement.
“So, this is where you have been, Valen, with the beautiful Lady Helena. No wonder we have not seen either hide nor hair of you in quite a while.” Lord Crowther said.
“Yes, I have been quite the dutiful fiancée.” He bowed at Helena.
“There is your proof, Matfield!” Lord Ruddock said in a loud voice, “Valen has, indeed, gotten himself engaged! You said it was impossible; to be honest, we all thought it was just gossip!”
One of the ladies, Lady Henderson, put her arm on Lord Crowther’s arm, and she gestured towards Lord Ruddock.
“Forgive him, Your Grace. He has had more glasses of wine this intermission than he should have.”
“He has been at it even before that.” The other lady, Lady Mclean, rolled her eyes.
“I brought my own.” Lord Ruddock said, smiling as he brought out a silver flask from his coat pocket.
“Perhaps, we should return to my box.” Lord Crowther said. “Do show yourself tomorrow night at the Club, or the night after at Ruddock’s.”
“Indeed, your absence has been missed by the usual company.” Lord Matfield added.
“You must invite us to the wedding. We are very dear friends after all,” Lady McLean said, smiling as she reached out to squeeze Matteo’s arm. “When shall it be?”
“A date has not been set yet; we are still in the process of determining it,” Matteo said lightly, moving closer to Helena.
“A long engagement then?” Lady Henderson said with a wide, suggestive grin. “Those are the most ideal in my opinion. It gives both parties the time to truly know their potential spouse,whether they will suit or not. Not too late to back out!” She laughed artfully as she slapped Matteo’s arm.
Helena was barely able to stop an eyebrow from rising. So that is what Matteo meant when he had accused her of flirting with him when she had slapped him playfully on the arm. Well, perhaps she was flirting, but it was unconscious, and not so blatantly as this! She, very decidedly, did not like this group of Matteo’s friends.
“Yes, you would know the difference, my dear Veronica,” Lord Matfield said to Lady Henderson. “That rush of an engagement of yours proved disastrous did it not? How fortunate that you were made a widow in just two years.”
