“Well, I think it is about time that we call it a night.” Matteo offered both arms to Helena and Chastity. “Let us head back and make our excuses to Lady Eastwood.”
The next hour happened so quickly that Helena could only recall pieces of it. The three of them returned to the ballroom, saying farewell and congratulating their host, and finally riding the carriage back to Huntington House. She hardly knew how she functioned with the heaviness that was in her heart.
They sat, all three of them, without talking. Only the sound of the carriage wheels and the horses’ hooves as they hit the cobblestoned street filled the quiet within the carriage.
When they arrived at Huntington House, they were ushered in by Mr. Keble. Still silently, they entered the house.
Chastity, still pale, quickly excused herself.
“Thank you for a lovely evening, Your Grace. But I must beg to be excused, I fear that I am experiencing a headache,” she said without looking Matteo in the eye.
“Of course, Lady Chastity.” Matteo bowed. “I hope that you get your rest.”
“Thank you.”
And without a word to her sister, Chastity rushed towards the stairs.
“Tea in the sitting room, if you please, Mr. Keble,” Helena told the butler.
Helena wrapped both hands around her teacup. The warmth it infused felt good against her cold hands. The tea soothed her. She leaned back against the wingback armchair and watched the fire dance in the fireplace. Opposite her, Matteo remained silent, watching her.
“Thank you, Matteo.”
“Whatever for?”
“You know.”
“I only wish that I could have had a better excuse to pound that man.”
Helena sighed.
“But they were not really doing anything wrong, were they? They were just talking. But still, had they been seen, just the two of them…”
“But they were not, that is the material point,” Matteo said.
He held out his hand to her. Without even thinking, she took it. How was it that her hand felt warmer when it was enfoldedin his? Fingers entwined, Helena felt as if he transfused warmth into her body.
“You look tired, more tired than I have ever seen you,” Matteo said softly.
Laughing despite herself, Helena continued.
“What a truly ineffective way of making a lady feel beautiful.”
Matteo chuckled.
“You know that is not what I meant.”
Helena closed her eyes. This time, she leaned her head back as well against the back of the chair.
“The pressure that young ladies are constantly under is immense, I have seen this.” Matteo waited and continued only when she looked at him. “But yours is a different kind of pressure because it is not for yourself but for your sister’s future. I hope you know that I am here to be of any service to you and Lady Chastity.”
“You already have been of immense help,” Helena said, smiling softly at him. “You make me feel as if I am not alone in this.”
“Because, indeed, you are not, Helena.”
“Thank you, Matteo.”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
