“What is it?” she asked carefully.
Helena sent her a side glance. “He would have saved me.”
“Saved you?” Isabel repeated, not understanding. It was obvious Baldwin and Helena were deeply in love, just like every other couple in that group of friendship inside. She could not imagine Helena ever would have required saving from Matthew.
“There was a moment when it seemed Baldwin and I would not be able to wed,” she explained, her voice shaking as if the mere words cut her deeply. “And Matthew offered to take my hand to help me escape a bad situation.”
Isabel’s lips parted as she stared at the woman beside her. The very beautiful woman. Alluring and exotic, since she was an American. The idea that Matthew had ever considered marrying her made Isabel’s jealousy flare.
“I see,” she whispered.
“I’m not sure you do,” Helena retorted, facing her suddenly. “And I’m not sure how I feel about you in return. There are things about you that make me want to offer you friendship. But I doubt you, Isabel. And I fear what that doubt means for Matthew.”
Isabel swallowed. Thus far no one had been so direct about their hesitations. She found she almost appreciated it, though the confrontation was not a pleasant experience. At least it was straightforward.
“I understand your hesitation,” she said. “And I know my words will mean little if I do not match them to action as time goes by. But I will tell you that I do not want to hurt Matthew. Right now you may not believe that, but in time I hope you will.”
Helena tilted her head, and some of the hardness went out of her face. She let out her breath slowly. “So do I, Isabel. So do I.”
Matthew stepped onto the terrace and came to a stop. Isabel was there, starlight falling over her like she had been conjured from some fairy story. Or a gothic tale like the ones they had discussed together at Mattigan’s.
But with her was Helena. And by the way the two women were looking at each other, there conversation was very intense, indeed.
“Ladies,” he drawled.
Helena backed away a step and turned to him with a smile. “Matthew.”
“The others have left and I believe Baldwin was just saying farewell to my mother.”
Helena nodded. “Then I should join him.” She faced Isabel again. “Thank you for your candor. Good night.”
“Good night,” Isabel whispered, her voice barely carrying.
Helena walked away, toward him. She caught his hand as she passed by and squeezed it gently. “Good night.”
He kept his eyes on Isabel as Helena went inside and shut the door behind herself. At last they were alone. Alone for the first time since that night when their future had been sealed.
He should have wanted to pepper her with a thousand questions and accusations. But that wasn’t what came to his mind at all. No, watching her standing at his terrace wall, her hands shaking, her eyes not meeting his, what he wanted was to fold her into his arms. Comfort her. Touch her.
He shook his head. “You survived the night,” he said.
She jerked her face to his. “There were times I wasn’t certain I would,” she admitted. “There are half a dozen friends of yours ready to place a knife between my ribs if I dare to ever hurt you.”
He pursed his lips. “They are protective. I’m sorry.”
She looked back over his garden. “You ought not to be. It’s nice to have friends with such loyalty.”
“You do,” he said. “Sarah Carlton seems to be such a friend to you.”
There was a shadow of a smile that crossed her lips. “Yes. And I suppose one benefit of our union is that I would be able to help her.”
“Help her?” Matthew repeated, fascinated by the moonlight dancing off her dark hair.
She faced him. “Yes. She’s in a dire state. Once her mother is gone, she will likely be forced to go into service. And perhaps with the influence of your title, I can help her a little as she transitions.”
Matthew wrinkled his brow. His friends had their own ideas about this woman’s ulterior motives when it came to their marriage. But here was one, and it was something he could not fault. He had the same instinct to help his friends at all costs. To use what influence he had to improve the lives of those he loved.
Another thing they had in common.
