Helen bit her lip to stop from laughing at her little jest. Not suitable given the circumstances.
Roxboro’s gaze landed on her mouth unexpectedly. That, combined with the flutter of her…lady parts made Helen rather unsteady. Composing herself, she gestured at Cerise.
“I am pleased to hear you say as much, Your Grace. Undue speculation, given your betrothal to Lord Canterbell’s daughter, would be highly unwelcome.”
There, she’d called out Roxboro. What could he do? Ducally smite her?
But Roxboro didn’t smite her, only regarded her intently.
Good lord, he was justbrilliantstanding there. She had to struggle to maintain her composure with the humming and fluttering occurring over every region of her person.
“You are so tiresome, Miss Cosgrove,” Cerise snarled in Helen’s direction. “You know nothing of the duke’s situation, which is somewhat complicated, is it not, Your Grace? And betrothals are broken every day.”
Roxboro made a small, noncommittal sound.
“My apologies, my lady, but what have I misunderstood? Perhaps the duke might wish to explain the situation to me. You are betrothed Your Grace, are you not?”
Roxboro’s betrothal to the Lord Speaker’s daughter, Lady Sophia, was unlikely to be broken foranyreason, and especially not for Cerise. Canterbell was highly influential. He had the queen’s ear. He would never allow his daughter to suffer the humiliation of a broken betrothal.
The duke didn’t answer, only kept that slightly amused look on his handsome features.
“Having never been betrothed before, Miss Cosgrove, or dare I say even courted,” Cerise sniffed. “I doubt you understand how such things are handled in society. Nothing is impossible for a duke.” Her hand glided lightly over Roxboro’s arm.
Helen had been courted. Once. She knew well the intricacies of a broken betrothal after having experienced one. Cerise couldn’t have known, but her words stung all the same.
But you didn’t love Owen. Didn’t even like him much.
“I understand perfectly well.” Helen glared at Roxboro, determined to ignore her skipping pulse and…the annoying twist in her mid-section. “On this particular matter, I believe Lord Galway would share my opinion. His lordship sent me in search of you, my lady. If we do not return, Lord Galway might come upon us, and I do not think either you or the duke would wish that.”
There was a small amount of grudging respect glinting in Roxboro’s eyes, hidden amidst the irritation as he regarded her. Turning to Cerise, he finally spoke. “Unfortunately, my dove. I believe Miss Cosgrove is correct, much as I hate to admit it.”
“She is?” Cerise said, bewildered. “But Your Grace, you could speak to my father tonight. We don’t have to wait. He is in the ballroom.”
“Undue speculation from the other guests before I can fix matters would only cause talk, my dove. I fear we will need Lord Gangway’s support in this matter.”
“But,” Cerise pleaded. “This is the perfect opportunity to explain your position. My father would be thrilled. That you had a change of heart after seeing me in the park.”
“Ah, yes.” But Roxboro didn’t sound…certain.
He had to be foxed.
Helen accompanied Cerise to the park because the girl wasn’t permitted to go alone. Not once had she seen Roxboro strutting about, and the duke was hard to miss given he typically fell off his horse on a regular basis.
“I would prefer to speak with him in private,” Roxboro murmured. “We don’t want to cause a scandal, do we?” He leaned over Cerise in such a way that her slender form was completely hidden by his own. Helen could not see a thing, though she could hear him whispering to her in a soothing tone. She was about to interrupt them once more when Roxboro straightened.
“Off with you, my dove. I’ll call upon you and your father soon.”
“You promise?” Cerise whined, mooning over him.
Roxboro bowed and took her fingers. “Nothing could keep me away.”
It was all Helen could do not to roll her eyes in derision. He was betrothed to a powerful man’s daughter and would marry Lady Sophia. Roxboro had only been trying to steal a kiss or perhaps take a liberty, but he certainly wasn’t going to break his betrothal.
Cerise nodded, then sailed past Helen without so much as a glance, skirts belling out around her as she made her way back to the safety of the ballroom.
The crisis had been averted, which was a great relief.
Helen spun about, anxious to be away from the duke a man who was far too charming but one she could easily resist. The hum along her skin was a result of the fear over Cerise’spotential ruination. She was no green girl. Roxboro had little effect on her.
