“Because he compromised her.” Helen said absently.
“Had it been Lady Mara, her sister, I might understand. But Lady Sophia? Roxboro must have been foxed.”
“I understand it to be his normal state,” Helen said, even while acknowledging that on the two occasions, she’d been in his company, Roxboro hadn’t seemed intoxicated. Which was ratherodd for a reputed sot considering how the gossips claimed he stumbled about at times and fell off his horse.
“The duke is bound to call upon me any day. Speak to my father. Ask for my hand.” Cerise gave one of her elegant shrugs. “I realize there will be a scandal, but we’ll weather it.”
Helen snorted, then quickly coughed to cover it up. Cerise was delusional. Roxboro wasn’t going to call on her. Or wed her.
Perhaps I am nearly as bad.
Twice today, much to her mortification, Helen had kissed Roxboro. Or allowed him to kiss her.
It doesn’t signify.
Dear lord, she’dclungto him, like some sort of brazen vine. Pressing herself into all that marvelous, debauched duke. And it was splendid. Wonderful. Life changing.
She took a deep breath.
Now was not the time to relive the incident. Given Cerise’s utter madness over Roxboro, Helen’s purpose was clear. She could not, under any circumstance, allow the spoiled brat sitting across from her to be ruined, or worse, embarrass Galway by pursuing Roxboro in public. Helen’s future, the sum promised at the completion of her duties, depended on it.
“Is there something you wish to say, Miss Cosgrove?” Cerise hurled at her, obviously put out by Helen’s lack of enthusiasm over Roxboro.
Yes. The duke couldn’t recall your name.
“My lady,” Helen used her best, placating tone. “The duke’s nuptials are mere days away. The banns have been read. Invitations sent. I find it unlikely that he would end his betrothal to Lady Sophia at such a late stage.”
“It has happened before.”
“True. However, Lord Canterbell is highly placed in Her Majesty’s government and the presiding Lord Speaker of Parliament. According to your father, Lord Damon, the duke’suncle, has political ambitions.” Helen chose her words carefully lest Cerise fly into a tantrum. “I think that even if the duke wished to end his betrothal, he might be unable to do so.”
Cerise narrowed her eyes. “Roxboro desires me. He would do whatever he must to have me.” She waved a hand. “You wouldn’t understand a gentleman’s obsession with your person.”
A part of Helen wanted to proudly inform Cerise that Roxboro, did in fact, find her appealing as he’d had her pinned to a tree while kissing her senseless. Even if he’d only done so to amuse himself.
Good lord. I shouldn’t be proud of that.
“Lord Lowell,” Helen attempted to change the subject. “Is a wonderful gentleman. He is obviously smitten with you. Your father approves.”
“Roxboro will call,” Cerise insisted. “He promised. Do you honestly think he would choose Lady Sophia, or anyone, over me? The very idea is ridiculous.” She drew a hand down her form. “Look at me.”
Helen pinched the bridge of her nose. Roxboro was correct in referring to Cerise as a cabbage. A sound left her, which Cerise took as agreement. Her charge shot her a haughty smile and turned her gaze to the passing street outside.
When the carriage arrived at the Galway home, Cerise flew up the stairs, yelling for her maid, while Helen, after discarding her bonnet, made her way down the hall to Galway’s study, prepared to endure a host of improper, thinly veiled threats and innuendos.
The door was open in invitation.
Best to get this over with as soon as possible.
Stomach pitching, Helen took a deep breath and composed herself to face Lord Galway. Only to find the room completely and blissfully…empty.
“His lordship was called away, Miss Cosgrove.” Parker, Galway’s butler announced from behind Helen, making her jump. Parker was always sneaking around and terrifying the staff. Eavesdropping and reporting back to Galway. “Lord Galway left this for you.” He produced a note.
“Away?” Relief filled her. No facing her odious employer. At least not today.
“I’m certain the note explains, Miss Cosgrove.”
Parker was stiff and unfriendly. Overly arrogant given his position in the household. Rather perfect for Lord Galway. He’d likely already read the note.
