He was looking at her.
Chapter Four
Baldwin’s mother was chatting with Mr. Shephard and his daughter, but he hardly heard whatever pleasantries were being exchanged. He was too busy looking at Helena Monroe.
She was even lovelier in sunlight than she had been by starlight. She had a slender, expressive face. Right now the expression was of discomfort, though. When she’d first come onto the veranda, she had met his stare, he had felt the connection he’d felt the first time they met.
But now she was looking at her feet instead of his face. And he didn’t like it.
“Baldwin,” his mother said, rather sharply.
He jerked his attention back to her and to their guests. “Terribly sorry. Welcome, welcome. I hear you are in shipping, Mr. Shephard?”
Shephard’s lips thinned slightly. “Yes, as I just told your mother, my holdings in Boston are vast, indeed. And my father fought on therightside of the war forty years ago: yours.”
Baldwin wrinkled his brow, uncertain if that was supposed to impress him. He happened to agree that the English side had been correct, but the idea that an American would turn his back on his own burgeoning country still sat badly.
“Very good,” he said with an arched brow. “Well, please come and enjoy yourselves. I’m sure we’ll find much to talk about today.”
His mother shot him a look, then said, “Yes, let me take you to your places.”
Mr. Shephard and his daughter followed her away, and Helena moved to go with them, but Baldwin stepped into her path. He hadn’t planned to do it, it just happened.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze to his and he forced a smile. “We meet again, Miss Monroe.”
“Indeed we do, Your Grace,” she said.
“Did you manage to count all your stars?” he asked.
Color flooded her cheeks, but she smiled regardless. That smile. God, but it was fetching. Filled with light and effortless pleasure and kindness.
“Not quite. I’ve a few more for the next time I’m on a terrace. You are welcome to join me if you’d like.”
The moment her words escaped her lips, his mind spun an image of doing just that. Standing on a terrace,histerrace, with this young woman. Counting stars with her like he had no care in the world. And then doing more than counting. More than kissing those soft-looking lips. More than a gentleman should do.
He caught his breath as his thoughts went wild and drew back a step. “Well, I should see to the rest of my guests. Your uncle and cousin are just there.”
He motioned his hand and then bowed slightly before he strode away. But not before he saw a flicker of hurt and embarrassment cross that lovely face. How he wanted to repair the damage he’d done, but he couldn’t.
Just as he couldn’tlikeHelena Monroe or allow this strange, immediate and very physical draw to her to develop further. That was an impossibility that he had to put away.
Helena kept a tight smile on her face and nodded along with the conversation at her table. Normally that would not have been a chore. She was seated with her uncle and cousin, yes, but somehow they had also been placed with the lovely Duchess of Donburrow—Baldwin’s sister—and her husband, the silent but devastatingly handsome duke. Alongside them were the Duke and Duchess of Crestwood, who were charming companions, as well.
And yet, despite the good conversation and smooth handling of her lout of an uncle, Helena could not be at ease. She kept reliving her encounter with Baldwin…damn it,Sheffield…just after she’d arrived.
It was humiliating to think of how he’d approached her and then dismissed her when she’d been so forward. How his face had fallen and he’d all but run away from her. She’d been imagining the man had liked her, just a little, when they talked about stars a few nights before.
Now she wasn’t certain he even tolerated her.
“Miss Monroe, you are Miss Shephard’s cousin, are you not?” the Duchess of Donburrow asked as she refreshed her tea.
Helena swallowed hard and ignored the pointed look of her uncle. If he had his way she would not be asked anything. He didn’t want her seen at all and kept reminding everyone she was serving at her cousin’s pleasure.
Another humiliation.
“Yes,” she said. “My mother is Mr. Shephard’s sister.”
“It must have been hard for your family to part with you,” the Duchess of Crestwood said. “It’s such a long journey, and I hear you will stay with us at least the Season.”
