Helena shifted, for there was no denying the love this woman felt for her husband. Actually, that was the common thread that seemed to tangle in all the members of the duke club who had married. They all loved deeply, passionately, truly.
It was truly something to behold.
“I have a hard time imagining you as a wallflower,” Helena said with a laugh. “You are so confident and lovely.”
“Love helps with that,” Adelaide said, tearing her gaze away from the husband. “And practice. The more I dance and, as Graham calls it,exhibit, the easier it gets.”
Helena shook her head. “I used to like to dance. Not exhibit, but dancing was one of my favorite pastimes before—”
She cut herself off. Had she truly been on the cusp of telling this lady, this stranger, about her past? A faux pas of the highest order. Her uncle would be enraged, despite the fact that he always liked to imply she was a scandal in the flesh. But to tell the particulars was something different. Not to mention if she did, the story would spread through their tight little circle, and then what would happen?
Her lovely new friendships would dissolve as swiftly as her ones in Boston had.
Adelaide examined her a bit closer, but she did not press. “If you like to dance, I’m surprised you have not done it. Baldwin seemed to be taking a turn with all the unmarried ladies, though I do not see him here at present.”
Helena swallowed. “Sheffield was dancing with theeligibleladies.”
“You are not eligible? Are you married and we did not know it?”
“No.” Helena shook her head. “You are all lovely to pretend that I’m in the same sphere as you are, but it isn’t true. I’m not eligible because I’m here as a companion. Even if I weren’t I am certainly out of Baldwin—er, Sheffield’s league.”
Adelaide shrugged. “Emma felt the same way about James. Certainly I did with Graham. You would be surprised how little you know about men and what they want in their hearts. I think they are often surprised when it runs them over like an out-of-control phaeton. At least that is how Graham describes his feelings for me. Romantic, though a bit violent, I keep telling him.”
Helena stared. “I have seen Emma with Abernathe. They are so deeply in love. And right now your husband is staring at you like you are a chocolate and he’s a starving man.”
Adelaide glanced over her shoulder again, and she shivered ever so slightly as she noticed the look on Graham’s face. “The love you see now does not change the circumstances of our beginnings. I’m just saying, don’t count yourself out when it comes to Baldwin.”
“It’s different with me,” Helena whispered, and ducked her head. “With us.”
Adelaide lifted a hand and covered her smile briefly. When Helena’s lips parted, she shook her head. “I know I’m laughing, but it isn’tatyou. It’s just that I bet Meg a pound that you’d say just that. So she owes me and I thank you, for I’ll shamelessly hold it over her head.”
Helena forced a smile. She saw the humor, but Adelaide didn’t know the circumstances. The barriers that could never, ever be crossed.
“Chances at happiness come so rarely, Helena,” Adelaide said, gentler now as she took both Helena’s hands. “Don’t discount even their possibility, or there will be nothing worth looking forward to.”
Helena sighed, and her mind filled for a brief moment with those possibilities. With more kisses in gardens. With that connection that had been instantaneous and so powerful that it had set her on her heels in surprise.
“I suppose you are right,” she found herself whispering. “I appreciate the support anyway.”
“It’s yours,” Adelaide said. “From all of us.” She grinned. “Now here comes my lovely husband and Simon.”
Helena wiped her emotions away and smiled as the men joined them. Graham immediately reached out and settled his hand into the small of Adelaide’s back. Their love was palpable in that moment, and Helena was even more jealous of her new friend’s obvious happiness.
“Helena was just telling me how much she likes to dance,” Adelaide said.
“Ah,” Simon said with a smile for her. “Well, I am the best dancer in our group.”
“And the most modest,” Graham said with a laugh.
“You shouldn’t talk the way you lumber,” Simon said with a roll of his eyes in Helena’s direction.
“I take offense to that—my husband has never lumbered in his life,” Adelaide said.
Helena wondered at it all. They were all so playful and funny, and they included her so effortlessly. And it was bewitching to pretend she could belong with them. Now or in the future.
Simon shook his head. “Ignore them, they are simply jealous of my skills. I would be delighted to share the next with you, unless you have another partner in mind.”
Helena glanced to the door where Baldwin had left the ballroom moments before. Then she smiled at Simon. “I would be honored, Your Grace, as long as Meg wouldn’t mind.”
