“What is it, dearest?” asked Amelia with concern, pulling back and leading Helen to sit beside her on the couch.
“Oh, it is too terrible,” Helen whispered, dashing away the tears that threatened to spill at the thought of what she had just learned.
Gritting her teeth, she explained what Holsen had told her, watching as Amelia’s face darkened with growing anger.
“He did what?” Amelia cried, springing to her feet and stomping one dainty foot on the carpet.
Helen bit back a small smile at the display of ire, beyond grateful that she had someone on her side.
“We will return to London immediately,” declared Amelia, moving to the bell and ringing for her maid.
“But what about your performance?” asked Helen, watching her with alarm.
Amelia shrugged. “It will merely whet their appetites for me if I disappear mysteriously.”
She stared off into the distance, her mind already moving on to the plan at hand. “I will go and speak to Lady Caroline, she will stand behind you, and no one will dare question her opinion in public.”
“But the story will get out, and then I will be ruined at the tables,” murmured Helen, picking at the fabric of her skirts with frustration.
Amelia waved her hand dismissively. “And so what? You intended to retire anyway. Now you will merely do so a bit prematurely. Once you depart for Bath, the scandal will die down as soon as another catches thetonsinterest.”
Helen pouted, as petulant as a child at the thought of leaving under a cloud of scandal. “Why should I run? I have done nothing wrong!”
A sad smile flickered over Amelia’s face, and she stepped close to clasp Helen’s hand in a tight squeeze. “I know.I know.But it would be for the best.”
“And what of Captain Starling?” asked Helen.
Amelia flashed her a surprised look from under her lashes. “What of him?”
“Well, erm…” Helen scanned the room, desperately searching for the words to frame her thoughts.
Amelia’s brows rose, as her lips quirked. “Would you like me to have him painfully dispatched? I assure you I know just the right men for the job…”
“What? No, I-”
“I am just teasing, sweeting,” Amelia huffed, planting her hands on her hips. “But I assure you I will get to the bottom of this. If he is guilty of such a level of deceit towards you, he will have to deal with me.”
Helen rose wordlessly and wrapped her arms around Amelia, hugging her tight.
“Thank you,” she whispered, seating herself once more and letting Amelia take charge of the situation.
It was a strange feeling, to know that she was not alone, after all.
But wonderful too.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Starling wanderedthe halls of the house all morning searching for Helen. She had not appeared at breakfast, nor was she taking tea with the other ladies.
Perhaps she had chosen to remain in her rooms after the exertions of the morning?
There was yet so much unsaid between them, and with Holsen’s threat lingering in the air like an unsavoury smell, Starling found himself somewhat on edge.
There was something wrong.
Starling caught sight of Holsen across the drawing room, the man seemed far too at ease considering their discussion earlier.
Starling frowned, watching the man carefully.
