“As you wish.” He bowed. “If you’ll excuse me, there are matters at home I must attend to.”
He left her and went to the library.
Learning of Helen’s refusal, Lord Kinsey shook his head with bemusement. “I am surprised and disappointed. But her mother will handle this. We men are somewhat lacking in these matters, are we not? I hope to see you, Lady Greywood, and your brother, Charles, at the ball.”
Jason made his way to the front door. He doubted Helen would get her wish to accompany her father on his travels. Kinsey was determined she marry. Having decided Jason was the man he wanted for her, he made it plain that he had not yet given up hope.
There was something here he didn’t understand. Recalling her decided preference for his kisses, Jason wasn’t going to give up hope either.
“Your hat, Lord Peyton. The gardener found it in the shrubbery,” Fiske said politely, handing it to him at the door. “If I may speak for the staff, we are all very grateful to you, sir.”
“Thank you, Fiske.” Peyton jammed the hat on his head and strode out the door.
Chapter Sixteen
Diana opened the morning room door and peeked in, her face alive with curiosity. “Well? Did you accept him?”
Helen was sitting very still on the sofa, gazing into space. “No.”
Her sister plopped down beside her. “You didn’t? You refused that magnificent man? After he saved us all? After he declared his love for you?”
Helen stared down at her hands. “He didn’t say he loved me.”
“Did you give him a chance to?”
“There was no point. I am not going to marry him.”
“Why ever not?” Diana shook her head. “I don’t understand you at all. You never show any emotion. Don’t you want to be in love? To be loved? Love is the most glorious sentiment on the earth!”
Afraid to answer, Helen sagged in her chair and fiddled with the braid on her sleeve.
“Do you really want to become one of those spinsters with a dozen cats?” Diana persisted. “And live at Cherrywood caring for Harry until he marries? And once he marries, knit items for your nieces and nephews? I suppose you could then take care of Toby when he is a young bachelor. Is that a life worth living?”
“Stop!” Helen leaped up, tears coursing down her cheeks. She sucked in a shaky breath. “I would very much like to be married. Married to Peyton, if you must insist on having me admit it!” She covered her eyes with her hands, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
Diana hurried to hug her. She pulled the damp hair from Helen’s face. “Then why won’t you accept him?”
Helen drew away with a hiccup. “Because he believes me to be untouched.”
Diana gaped at her. “You’re not a virgin? When on earth did that happen? Who was it?”
Her eyes awash with tears, Diana’s image blurred. Helen gulped to relieve the ache at the back of her throat. “Remember my first Season when I came home ill with that head injury?”
“It was then? No one would tell me anything.”
“Of course not. You were thirteen years old. It was hardly fitting.”
“I am not thirteen now.”
“It was at my first ball. I foolishly went into the garden with a man, and he, and he…” She bit her lip.
Diana took her hand and led her back to the sofa. “He hurt you? Who was it?”
“Lord Lawley. I struggled with him and hit my head. I don’t remember much about it.”
“It’s a wonder Papa didn’t have him thrown in Newgate.”
Helen shook her head. “Papa doesn’t know the extent of it. Only that the man made ill-mannered advances to me and I panicked.” She covered her face with her hands. “He now thinks me timid and doesn’t respect me, although I know he loves me.”
