The two friends laughed together, and it felt just like old times. When they would meet with their friends, the other members of the Untamed Hearts, they would joke, laugh, and talk freely because there was no judgment among friends. Because where the Untamed Hearts were concerned, each member knew that every person was different and thus every person should not be held to the same ridiculous expectations and standards.
“Shall we walk?” Helena suggested. She took Anna’s hand and started to lead her along the stone path.
“This garden…” Anna let out a low whistle. “It is…” She exhaled. “Something else.”
“It’s a bit much, isn’t it?” Helena agreed as she looked around the magnificent garden. “And I do not think I have ever seen Sebastian use it.”
The garden was as large as it was colorful and bright in splendor. Twice the size of the manor, to walk its edges might take as long as thirty minutes. A good thing too, as there was much to talk about, and thirty minutes might not cut it.
Anna laughed. “Appearances. I dare say my husband would eat from gold-plated cutlery if it wasn’t such a waste of good gold.”
“Oh, don’t let Sebastian hear you say that. He might do it just to prove that he can.”
More laughter shared as the two women walked, and Helena worked her way up to what she really wished to talk about. Albeit, with some reluctance, as it was a topic she was mightily uncomfortable broaching.
“What brings you here?” she asked. “I can only assume that after seeing me again at the ball, you were reminded of how much you missed me.”
“If that is what you wish to hear,” Anna scoffed. “Although I will admit, I did not see nearly enough of you. And I still have not met your husband. Where is he hiding?” She peered around the garden as if expecting to see him.
“He is…” Helena grimaced, realizing that she had no idea where her husband was. But that was on purpose. “Busy, I am afraid,” she said. “You really should have sent word ahead if you wished to see him.”
“You’re not hiding him, are you?” Anna narrowed her eyes. “Keeping him all to yourself, I think. What’s the matter? Afraid I will embarrass you? That I will recount some stories from the past that will make him see through the love-cloaked veil he wears when he looks at you?” She laughed. “I promise I will be nice. Or nice enough.”
If there was one thing that Helena hated, it was having to lie to her friends. She had always been honest with them because they, above everyone else, had never judged her for who she was. And the fact that she had lied to Anna so freely only a few nights ago made her feel like the worst person on earth.
She grimaced, her stomach twisting into knots. “Anna, there is something I need to tell you.”
“Oh?”
“It concerns my husband and…” She swallowed. “My marriage.”
“What of it?”
Another shameful grimace. “It is not what you think… or what anyone thinks. In fact, it is not even close to what you have been led to believe.”
“Helena…” Anna was looking at her as they walked. “What are you saying?”
Having no choice, Helena divulged everything to her friend. Starting at the beginning, she told her about the novel she was writing, the clandestine meeting she arranged with Mr. Ramsay, the trap she walked into willingly, and Sebastian’s rescue of her… followed by the deal they made.
“I had no choice,” she explained pleadingly. “And I did not consider how it might look—to my friends, I mean. Those I love. All I wanted was for people to believe that we were happily married so that the ton would not question the haste of our engagement. And Sebastian was eager to do the same. A little too eager, truth be told.” She laughed awkwardly. “He is quite the actor, and he sold the lie better than I expected.”
“So.” Anna’s brow was furrowed, her grip on Helena’s hand loosening. “Everything you have told me about you and your husband is a lie?”
“I am so sorry,” Helena sighed. “I-I did not mean to hurt you. I did not think it through. In my mind, this would be a simple thing, and nobody else would be harmed. And now…” Her chin was wobbling. “Now I have lied to my friends and family, and I hate that I have.”
Anna did not speak for a few moments.
They were still walking, but it was done in silence as Anna looked ahead, brow furrowed, lips pressed together in thought. Helena watched her the entire time, her heart thumping in her chest, the sickness creeping in slowly until it almost overwhelmed her.
“Well?” Helena prompted desperately. “Say something! Even if you mean to curse me out, as I very much deserve.”
“I am not going to curse you out.” Anna came to a stop and turned to face her. In her eyes, there was a triumphant smile. “But I will say that I knew something did not add up. In truth, perhaps I should be cursing myself for falling so hopelessly and utterly for the lie.”
“You…” Helena blinked. “What?”
Anna rolled her eyes but could not hold back her grin. “I should have known something was amiss. And honestly, I am ashamed that as your dear friend, I did not realize it sooner. Shame on me.”
“No.” Helena shook her head. “This is not—you did nothing wrong!”
