She was worried about everyone expecting them to set a date for the wedding. Admittedly, they would have to figure that out, but Matteo thought that they had some time still.
He chuckled again. Helena was jealous.
I must tease her about that!
He saw her in his mind as she watched the performance, leaning on the box railing at her favorite part, the illumination of hundreds of candles enhancing her glow. Perhaps, like Lysander and Demetrius, Puck had used a potion on him too, for she scarcely left his mind since they parted that evening.
Whatever this was, spell from a potion or not, Matteo found that he was loath for it to end. And from watching her, he thought that perhaps she too was enjoying being with him.
He grinned again and made his way to bed. Leaning towards his bedside table, he snuffed out the candle. This time, when he closed his eyes, he fell almost instantly asleep.
Two days after their visit to the theater, Matteo was headed to Icedale House for a call. Matteo had received a note from Peter hinting, not so subtly, that Dahlia had been hoping for a call from him. He realized that it had, indeed, been a while since he had visited his friends. The business with Helena had beenkeeping him on a steady flow of social engagements—he had never accepted this many invitations before.
And of course, the fact that he had never actually told them the truth about their situation proved a factor in his absence.
He spent nearly every day with her now. Yesterday’s drive to Gunter’s Tea Shop in Berkeley Square was a very enjoyable one. He enjoyed her company as he hoped she enjoyed his. His interest in her during the early days of their acquaintance was piqued because he found her indifference to him quite a challenge.
Matteo chuckled. Indifference was a very light word—she had thought him quite irritating. And once he knew this, he had endeavored in every possible moment to irritate her. But the truth was that he saw Helena as a challenge. One that he had hoped to conquer. But somehow, along the way, things had changed.
Those who had doubts about their engagement would certainly accept it now. To all the world, they appeared a happy couple. Between them, Matteo would dare to call them friends.
Perhaps more?
He silenced the voice that spoke in his mind. And before he could think more on it, he had arrived at Icedale House. He rang the bell, and moments later, he was shown into Peter’s study.
“His Grace, the Duke of Valen.” The butler announced.
Peter stood up from behind his desk.
“Duke,” Peter said, grinning.
Peter instructed the butler to bring tea. When the study door closed, he pointed to another door which adjoined the library, gestured for him to be quiet, and spoke in a low voice.
“Dahlia just fetched a book from the library; she will be back soon.”
“Good, I?—”
Peter cut him off before he could reply.
“We haven’t much time, let me speak first.”
Matteo raised his eyebrows but kept silent as Peter continued.
“Dahlia plans to question you about Helena. She is still in disbelief,” Peter said, then with a smirk, he added. “Thanks to that short letter of yours telling us that you two are engaged—and then not bothering to say anymore. Surely you knew that a match between our two best friends would amount as colossal news to us. She almost thought that it was a twisted joke you were playing on us.”
“Come now, Duke. You know I would never jest about such a thing.”
“Indeed, I know you would not. I told Dahlia that as well.”
Matteo nodded in gratitude.
“But why have you been avoiding us?”
“I have not.”
Peter gave him a hard stare. Matteo sighed and was about to speak again when the adjoining door to the library opened and revealed the pregnant Dahlia.
“Matteo!”
