No. never again would she apologise or ask for anything from a man.
Make herself small, so that they could feel big.
Damn the lot of them.
Helen tookrefreshments in her room as her lady’s maid unpacked with brisk efficiency, watching the late arrivals through the window of her second-story bedroom as she leisurely sipped a cup of tea.
Here came Lord and Lady Dunworth, their well-sprung carriage rolling up to the front of the house piled high with suitcases. Then, of course, Mr Barton, who was a staple at such occasions.
A smile broke her face as she watched Amelia descend her conveyance, accompanied by two ridiculously handsome footmen. She had been invited to sing for the gathering, and Helen looked forward to her performance. Once Amelia had been a famous actress and celebrated soprano, but now she was retired from the stage and only sang for the most exclusive events.
Then, Lord Holsen pulled up the drive, his blade-like nose preceded him from the carriage, and Helen chided herself for the uncharitable thought, as he had been so kind as to owe her six thousand pounds from their last encounter at the tables.
Another man followed him out from the carriage, a tall black beaver hat obscuring his features, an ebony cane dangling from an arm as he tugged on his gloves momentarily, before glancing up at the facade of the house.
Helen almost jumped back from the window in shock, as she recognised the dark blond hair curling at the high points of hiscollar, those arresting azure eyes flicking momentarily in her direction.
Calming her breath, Helen reminded herself Starling couldn’t see her, despite that it felt like his gaze had sought her out, almost instinctively.
What in the blazes was Captain Starling doing attending this party? Helen had never seen him in Lady Caroline’s company before.
Her mind racing, along with her pulse, Helen determined to seek out Amelia at her earliest convenience.
She needed her friend to steady her, she realised with a hint of annoyance.
Drat the man.
Too much rested on this weekend’s outcome to allow him to get under her skin.
CHAPTER SIX
Dinner was a boisterous affair,the guests were many and eclectic, and Helen was grateful that she was seated far away from the man who had unnerved her so.
So far, she had not had to acknowledge his presence, and that suited her just fine. She felt a confusing sense of irritation whenever he crossed her thoughts.
With the number of guests assembled, it was possible they might avoid each other entirely for most of the weekend.
Or at least, one could hope.
Amelia sat across from her, tucked between two wealthy lords who spent the meal vying valiantly for her attention, to much amusement. At intervals, the two women shared meaningful glances as they silently entertained themselves by examining their fellow guests and the scandalous goings on.
Amelia glanced meaningfully to her left, shooting Helen a quick smile. Of course, Helen already knew what she was about.
Look at Mrs Cathcart’s attention, it strays far too often to that of Lord Hemsford, don’t you think?
Helen raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement, hiding her grin behind a napkin and relaxing as her own dinner partners chattered away about the matched bay chattel they had justpurchased, boasting about careening through the street of London on a dare.
Finally, the meal was done, and the ladies of the company withdrew to the large formal drawing room. There was a troupe of musicians assembled in one corner, and the door to the games room stood wide, the front rooms of the house seemingly lit with a hundred sweet-smelling beeswax candles.
Gosh, the expense of it.
It was enough to make a lady gawk, although that would be far too gauche.
It soothed Helen’s conscience somewhat, to witness such displays of wealth. Really, what she won was a drop in the ocean to someone such as Lady Caroline, who could spend as much in one night as Helen could win in a month.
Helen, as was her way, kept to one side of the gathering. Allowing Amelia and the other young bright things to dominate the conversation as they were all served sweet sherry.
Amelia made her way over, cheeks already pink with the effects of the wine and the diverting conversation.
