Dahlia seemed to be considering his answer. After a while, she shrugged.
“When did you propose to her?”
A slight frown formed in Matteo’s forehead but was gone before either Peter of Dahlia could notice. His mind raced until he finally decided to tell them a portion of the truth. He made a mental note to inform Helena of this to ensure consistency on their part.
“Actually, I asked to speak to her through a letter. I asked her to meet me.”
“You wrote to her? To an unmarried lady?” Dahlia gasped. “How improper, Matteo!”
“I have no excuse for it except that I was overcome with feeling. I had completed the letter before I knew what I was about.”
I have not really lied, so far.
Matteo tried to justify himself by repeating this.
“And then she met with you?” Dahlia prodded.
“Yes.”
“Oh,” Dahlia said thoughtfully. “Well then, she probably did have feelings for you to agree to a clandestine meeting. Helena is the most responsible person I know.”
Matteo’s heart beat fast at Dahlia’s words. Was it possible?
“When do you plan to marry?” Peter joined.
“Ah, that we have not yet decided,” Matteo said. “We are, shall we say, living in the moment for now.”
Peter and Dahlia looked at each other.
“I see,” Dahlia said, smiling. “Perhaps that is best.”
“What is? That we have not yet decided on a date?” Matteo asked carefully.
“Yes. In case one or both of you change your minds.” Dahlia said, smiling at him.
Matteo was unsure, but he thought he glimpsed empathy in Dahlia’s eyes. His gaze moved to Peter. In his friend’s eyes, he saw misgiving.
Perhaps they were called best friends for a reason, and his own best friend seemed to know—or had an inkling, at least—of what was happening with him and Helena.
Matteo was saved from a reaction when the study door opened and the butler, together with a footman, came in carrying the tea things.
Walking home, Matteo’s mind replayed his conversation with Peter and Dahlia. There was an unease in the pit of his stomach that he could not shake off. His friends knew. His instincts told him that.
“Ah, Duke. I should not be surprised,” he muttered.
If anyone could guess what he was about, it was Peter. And, Matteo realized, if anyone could guess what Helena was about, it would be Dahlia and Celine.
“Blast!”
But if there was one thing he knew as well, it was that Peter would not give away a secret. Not unless it were a literal matter of life or death.
Like he had done when Matteo got himself stuck in the chimney of one of the vacant bedrooms in their dormitory at Oxford. They were in their second year and had planned to sneak out to the local tavern. He had been torn between wanting to skin Peter alive for getting help, inadvertently telling on them and getting them in trouble with the masters, and pledging servitude to his friend for rescuing him from certain death by chimney.
The memory made Matteo smile despite his new problem. No, Peter would not give him away, of that he was sure.
Our plan will hold, but for how long, I cannot be certain.
He reached the street corner that led to his townhouse. Not wanting to head home yet, Matteo walked straight ahead.
