“Oh, yes. As I’m sure you know, all of Dahlia’s family is composed of love matches. That is why it was a great sadness to her when she thought that hers would be the only loveless match.”
“Well, we all know how that turned out.” Matteo grinned.
“Indeed,” Helena agreed with a grin of her own.
When they reached the Marquess and Marchioness of Bolton, they greeted them enthusiastically.
“My, but do not the two of you look very good together. What a picture you make.” Lady Teresa said.
“Indeed.” The marquess agreed.
“And how is dear Chastity? Mary and Claire said that it has been very unfortunate that they have not been able to spend as much time together as they would have liked,” Lady Teresa said.
“Yes, we appear to not be able to match schedules. So much has been happening that time seems to fly by so quickly,” Helena replied.
“Oh, before you know it, my dear, you shall be married as well. What a beautiful bride you shall make, Helena, and His Grace a handsome groom,” Lady Teresa added. “And what beautiful children you shall make as well.”
The last statement made Helena blush profusely.
“Thank you, you are very kind,” Helena smiled, but Matteo felt her hand tighten on his arm.
He could tell by the stiffness of her back and shoulders that she was growing tense. They spent a few more minutes talking to Dahlia’s parents. When Matteo deemed the time spent with them sufficient, he made their excuses.
He led Helena to a less crowded corner of the ballroom and gave her a moment to recover herself.
“Better?” Matteo asked after some time.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Perhaps another drink will?—”
“Where is Chastity going?”
Matteo quickly looked to the spot where Chastity had been standing with a group of her friends. His eyes followed her as she made her way across the crowded ballroom and then, looking about her, went out a balcony door.
“She has gone out to the balcony by herself,” Helena said with a note of trepidation.
“Perhaps she just needs some air.” But Matteo himself was not convinced. He was suspicious about the wary way that Helena had checked for anyone watching her before she eventually stepped out onto the balcony.
He knew very well that ladies behaved that way when they were about to do something improper.
“Would you like to give Chastity a few minutes?” Matteo asked Helena.
Her hands were clasped together as she pondered her answer.
“If we suddenly barge right out into the balcony and see her with some friends, she will accuse me of treating her as a child again, of stifling her.” Helena swallowed. “But if we do not go after her and trouble befalls her…”
“There is an easy solution to address both,” Matteo tried to ease her tension. He could see that her worry was real. “Let us go and get some air. The ballroom has become too stifling, do you not agree, my lady?”
With a look of gratitude, Helena nodded.
Without a word, he offered her his arm, and they maneuvered their way across the ballroom. Upon reaching the same balcony door that they saw Chastity exit, Matteo stilled Helena.
“Breathe,” he told her.
Helena nodded and did as he bade.
Matteo opened the door to the balcony, and they stepped out, looking to all the world, just like a couple wanting reprieve from a crush of a ball.
