‘You’re welcome. But I’m surprised the Duchess is not at your side. I’m sure she could deal with the likes of Fenshaw.’
‘Margaret has been called away.’
Helena frowned at him. ‘I hope it wasn’t something I said.’
‘Something you said?’ That seemed unlikely. Margaret had never been under any illusion about his relationship with Helena. She also knew that it was all over between them and Helena had never been a woman to indulge in dramatics or petty revenge.
‘Yes, I followed her into the ladies’ retiring room because I simply had to tell her how lovely she is looking.’
‘Yes, she is, isn’t she? But that is hardly something for you to feel apologetic about.’
‘Well, I may have gone on a bit about what a wonderful time we had together in…well…in the bedchamber.’
‘I see,’ Jacob said, the tension in his chest and shoulders tightening up a notch.
‘And well… I did remind her that you’ve had rather a lot of women in your life and you do tend to move on eventually.’ Helena smiled apologetically. ‘I should have kept my mouth shut, shouldn’t I?’
Jacob released a long, slow sigh. ‘No. You didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.’
‘Sorry, Jacob, I hope I haven’t ruined things for you.’
‘No, unfortunately, I am more than capable of doing that myself.’
‘Well, I had better join my husband, as I’m sure he will not like it if he sees me talking to you.’
Jacob watched her cross the room to join the Baron and knew he could not be annoyed with her. Helena had said nothing that wasn’t true, or rather, had been true of him in the past. Right now, he could not imagine a time when he would ever want any woman other than his wife. He also had no interest in partying the night away.
Instead, he would return to his townhouse, alone. So he walked across the room to say goodbye to his friend, who he was yet to speak to since congratulating him outside the church.
‘How’s married life treating you?’ he said to Henry with a level of bonhomie he did not feel.
‘So far so good,’ Henry said with a laugh, slapping Jacob on the back. ‘Who would have thought that the two of us, the most unlikely men in London, would fall in love and marry?’
‘Love?’ That was not a word he’d expected to come out of Henry’s cynical mouth.
‘Yes, love. Isn’t it wonderful?’ Henry continued, oblivious to his friend’s stunned surprise as he looked over at his bride, who was talking to her mother.
‘I have to tell you, Jacob, you were right, and I was completely wrong.’
Jacob was unsure what he’d been right about, so waited for Henry to explain.
‘Itispossible to be struck by Cupid’s arrow, even if in my case the little cherub’s aim was slightly off when I first met the future love of my life. But on the second occasion he was right on target.’ He turned to look at Jacob, wearing a decidedly infatuated expression. ‘It was at the first ball of the Season. I was bored and escaping to the card room. We passed each other in the hallway when my heart was pierced.’
He paused, still grinning in that peculiar manner. ‘I fell in love immediately, forgot all about the card room and became a reformed man on the spot. Love really can change a man, can’t it?’
He looked at Jacob as if expecting him to agree.
‘We’re planning on starting a family as soon as possible,’ Henry continued, once again looking towards Gwendolen. ‘My lovely wife is sure there’s already a little Gwendolen or Henry on the way and I do hope she’s right.’
‘Is that why you married in such haste?’
Henry laughed. ‘It’s what we told her father so he wouldn’t put up any objection to us marrying immediately. As much as we enjoyed playing the game of eluding the chaperone, we wanted to start our married life and stop having to steal time alone together. But what of you?’ he said, turning to Jacob. ‘When are you and your lovely wife going to hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet?’
Henry looked around as if trying to find Margaret in the swirling crowd of guests.
‘We have no plans to do so.’ The empty space that had taken up residence inside him since Margaret’s departure grew bigger and deeper.
They’d never discussed children and after his own childhood he knew he’d make a terrible father, but maybe, just maybe, with Margaret, things would be different. So much else had changed since he’d met her. But it mattered not now. She had made it clear they were to abide by their original agreement, so children were out of the question.
