“That is what I am guessing, yes.”
Helena’s gaze flew to Lord Clifton. What could be his intentions in such an action? The obvious answer was, of course, the one that she did not like.
He is seeking Chastity out.
“Do not take your eyes off him,” Matteo whispered.
I do not plan to.
They stayed in the hall near the boxes for the remainder of the intermission, mingling with the rest of the audience, also passing the time.
Soon Lord Clifton bid them goodbye. Chastity, who had been very animated in his presence, continued on in her cheery mood. When Sir Abbington, followed by Lord Fleetwood, approachedthem, Chastity met both of them with a full smile. She conversed with them easily, describing her reaction and feelings toward the performance.
It was inevitable that more acquaintances and friends approached Helena and Matteo. By now, very used to the greetings, opinions, and questions—the most common question, of course, was the date for their wedding—they answered them calmly, directly. Helena, in particular, proved better with practice, though a worry that their answer would soon prove insufficient stayed with her; she followed Matteo’s lead.
The signal for the start of the second act sounded, and people started walking back towards their boxes and seats.
“Shall we?” Matteo asked.
Helena and Chastity nodded. Lord Fleetwood offered his hand to Chastity; she smiled and accepted.
With her hand resting on the crook of Matteo’s arm, Helena leaned over to speak quietly to Matteo.
“I cannot wait to see the actors perform the part where the four lovers wake up and the couples are set to rights.”
“Why, Helena, I never thought you to be a romantic.”
“No, it is not that.” She rolled her eyes. “I like it when problems are solved, and everything is tidied.”
“Tidied is a correct term,” Matteo chuckled. “As a child, I had always disliked Oberon and Puck for making Titania fall in love with Bottom when his head was transformed into a donkey’s. It had always bothered me; it was just wrong for the Queen of the fairies to fall in love with a donkey.”
She laughed aloud at this.
“Admit it,” Matteo said with a teasing smile.
“Admit what?”
“You like this play because of your namesake.”
Helena bit her lip. She considered calling him absurd but decided at the last second to tell him the truth.
“You may call me silly for it, but yes, I do!” Helena giggled. “Especially when she is pursued by both Lysander and Demetrius. What young girl would not dream of being fought over by two lovers?”
Matteo grinned at her. Then with a theatrical voice, he continued.
“O Helena, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine! To what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne? Crystal is muddy. O, how ripe in show thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow!”
“Be quiet if you please, Matteo!” Helena’s blush tinted her cheeks. But the pleasure she felt suffused her countenance as well.
Reading those lines as a young girl, she had always imagined them recited to her with just such feeling. So it was no wonder that her heart beat a little faster when Matteo did just that.
Chapter Eighteen
Helena hummed as she walked, candle in hand, through the corridor on her way to Chastity’s room. In her wrapper, night clothes and bedroom slippers, she decided to check on Chastity before retiring for the night. Since her sister’s expression of fatigue, she and Matteo had been extra careful in planning the rest of their social calendar. Only one event each day, they had decided.
And what an event it was.
Helena grinned broadly.
