“Lord Lowell,” Parker announced from the door with a bow.
Helen put down embroidery hoop, rising to greet Lowell. Had there been any way to warn him away from Cerise, she would have done so, regardless of what it would mean for her personally. But the earl was absolutely besotted by Galway’s daughter for inexplicable reasons and would just as likely not thank her for the warning.
Lowell stayed exactly one hour. He was unfailingly polite. Spoke of safe topics and attempted to include Helen in the conversation, which was lovely of him.
Cerise purposefully turned her back to Helen.
When it came time for Lowell to take his leave, there was such stark adoration for Cerise on his pleasant features that Helen’s own heart pinched.
“Inform Lord Galway that I would like to speak to him upon his return. I will call upon him,” he said to Helen, as he took Cerise’s fingers. “Until then, my lady.”
“Good day to you, my lord.” Cerise murmured softly, batting her lashes.
Cerise’s features hardened the moment Lowell was safely inside his carriage. The innocence faded from her features. “Well, I suppose that’s that.” She came to her feet.
“My lady,” Helen started. She felt compelled to somehow divert Cerise from her course of action, for no one’s sake other than Lowell’s.
“Tomorrow.” Cerise ignored her. “We will visit Madame Laurent’s. I have an appointment for a new ballgown. Unless you feel the need to object, Miss Cosgrove?” daring Helen to do so.
“No, my lady. Lord Galway has approved a visit to the modiste.”
“Splendid. Eleven o’clock. I am retiring for the remainder of the day. Have Kate send up a tray later.”
Cerise sailed out of the room leaving Helen, once more, blissfully on her own, which was vastly preferable to enduring the girl’s company. She stared down at the pattern she’d been patiently embroidering on a handkerchief, a series of roses tied with a ribbon, wondering why she bothered. Helen didn’t care for embroidery. Nor roses. Embroidery was only a means to keep her hands busy, and it aided in her invisibility.
No one paid attention to the poor relation in the corner with a needle and thread.
She tossed the hoop aside.
Mentally Helen calculated the wages she’d saved so fervently for the last three years of working for Lord Galway. How many things, small pleasures and such, she’d gone without so that she might have the future she desired.
It wasn’t enough. Not for a cottage. Or to feed a cat.
I can’t leave.
There was no escape for Helen, at least not yet. She must ensure Cerise wed Lowell as Galway wished. Keep her from ruination before then. That was the truth, though she wanted nothing more than to abandon this entire enterprise.
Glancing out the window, she took in the color of the grass, so like those shimmering eyes glowing with bits of silver. She tried not to think of Roxboro; sot, libertine and now married, duke, but her attraction to him, her attachment, was so fierce, it was nearly impossible.
Her body remembered him, even if her heart didn’t wish to.
Chapter Twelve
Helen exited thecarriage and followed Cerise into Madame Laurent’s, one of London’s pre-eminent modistes, at least, for this Season. Having the daughter of a marquess frequent her establishment was something of a coup for Madame Laurent so Cerise was fawned over as if she were royalty. Bathing in her own self-importance, the girl nodded as she entered the shop, pausing only to pose and flutter her hands.
Helen wanted to push her into a bolt of fabric.
“I don’t need you trailing at my heels, Miss Cosgrove,” Cerise stated. “Amuse yourself by looking at hats or ribbons while I confer with Madame.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Helen wandered over to the counter, peering at the ribbons and lace on display. She ran her fingers over a length of deep blue piping, thinking how the color would freshen one of her oldest gowns. But the cost was more than she dared spend.
She chuckled under her breath. There wasn’t enough piping, lace, or ribbon in the entire city to salvage her wardrobe.Everybit of clothing Helen owned had been purchased when she’d still been companion to Enid, who had been somewhat generous when the mood struck her. Galway had never offered Helen a clothing allowance, insisting her wages were more than adequate.
They were not.
But even had she wanted to spare the coin, Helen would have resisted. Between Cerise’s stupidity and threats, not to mention the lack of trust in Lord Galway, Helen was terrified to spend a single farthing. Cerise was far too determined about Roxboro.
