The evening at the theater had been a thoroughly enjoyable one. Her and Matteo’s primary goal of appearing as a real engaged couple was a success in her estimation. So convinced were their acquaintances that they were constantly asked for a date for their wedding. Helena imagined it would only be a matter of time before her parents pressed her for one as well, not becausethey were excited to see her wed, but because they would like to inform their peers.
That was the only blight in the night for her. But because Matteo did not seem to be worrying much over it—and as she had done earlier in the night as well—she decided to be guided by his lack of apprehension. But it remained that she still could not shake off her worry entirely.
She shook her head, firmly deciding to focus on the pleasant memories of the night. Once again, she replayed the performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in her mind. The costumes, the laughter, the romance! But, like the mischievous Puck, Matteo kept appearing in her mind instead of reciting Demetrius’ lines.
When she reached Chastity’s room, she opened the door and peeked in. Seeing her sister sitting in front of her vanity mirror, she stepped in.
“Good night, dear Chastity,” Helena said.
“Helena!” Chastity cried. “You startled me!”
“I apologize, dearest. I had not meant to; I just came to bid you a good night.”
And since when has Chastity been so jumpy?
She frowned when she noticed that Chastity quickly pushed her vanity drawer closed. Was it a piece of parchment that she hastily dropped inside? Helena’s suspicions were awakened. Her initial reaction was to ask Chastity what it was that she hid from her, but she decided against it.
She might say that I am being controlling again. I must give her some latitude lest she start rebelling again as Matteo suggested. She will come to me when she is ready to tell me. I hope.
Helena went to her sister and, as it was when Chastity was younger, braided her hair.
“Why has Sally not braided your hair for sleep?” Helena asked in a soft voice.
“I told her that I would do it. I wanted some quiet.”
“Are you very fatigued from the night, dear Chastity? We should not have gone to the theater.”
“Helena, I am fine, really, I enjoyed going to the Theater Royal very much.”
“I am glad to hear that. I shall inform Sally not to wake you tomorrow, and sleep as much as you like. Lady Chapman’s dinner party does not start early.”
“Thank you, Helena. I would like that.”
Chastity smiled so sweetly at her that she almost forgot her worries about her younger sister.
“And what will your plans be before the party?” Chastity grinned at her. “Will you be seeing the duke before?”
Helena nodded, hoping that her heated face did not show in the firelight.
“We shall go for a drive to Gunter’s Tea Shop in Berkeley Square.”
Chastity let out a heavy sigh and looked at Helena as if she had been betrayed.
“I shall forgive you for not taking me with you if you bring me back their orange bonbons.”
Helena chuckled.
“You will probably still be asleep by the time Matteo arrives to collect me. But I promise you that I shall bring back sweetmeats for you.” She smiled at Chastity, thankful that her sister seemed to be acting herself again. “And that means that I must bring back some caraway comfits and lemon pastilles for Faith and Grace as well!”
Matteo stared at the fire in his bed chamber. It had been a long night, but he found that despite his body’s message that he needed to sleep, his mind would not listen.
Helena had been jealous. He grinned to himself. Indeed, if he had a choice, he preferred that she had not metthatgroup. But as it was, she had, and the meeting had not been a complete disaster. They were, as they had always been, excessive, exuberant, and forward. Known as the fast set, Matteo had kept company with them when he was bored, which, fortunately, he rarely was. He told Helena the truth when he said that he had decided to part ways with them. In fact, Peter had congratulated him for doing so.
“I am glad to hear that, Duke,” Peter had said. “I was starting to plan a forcible extraction. That set will not do you any good.”
Matteo would never admit it to his friend, but it was because of him, of his settling down, that he had decided to live a somewhat tamer life. It had seemed so uncomplicated, so easy—well, perhaps after he and Dahlia had surrendered to their feelings for each other, but Matteo found that he wanted a simpler existence.
Simpler? Is that what I am doing with Helena?
