Page 9 of The Haunted Duke

Helena placed her mallet in the holding rack and walked up the small hill toward Patricia at the same time as Jeremy threw Alex over his shoulder like a sack of grain and carried the giggling boy up the hill.

“You can keep playing, young man,” Patricia said to Alex as Jeremy set him on his feet. She shooed him away as she gave him a wink, and with another burst of giggles, Alex lay on his back in the grass and let himself roll down the hill Jeremy had just carried him up. Helena and Mary-Anne gasped, but Patricia and Jeremy only chuckled as the boy came to a gradual stop at the bottom, clearly unharmed as he spread his arms and legs out wide, and giggled up at the fluffy white clouds in the bright blue sky.

“You two will have time for leisure after your wedding,” Patricia ordered like a general, gesturing for them both to take a seat. “For now, there are plenty of preparations that we must focus on. I am far too old and sickly to be running around to do them, so it falls on you two.”

Helena turned to her mother with a hopeful look. While she used to enjoy attending parties, she had never had the opportunity to host one and was not at all sure how to begin.

“You are helping us as well, are you not, Mama?” she asked.

Helena’s heart sank as she watched her mother’s smile turn remorseful.

“I am afraid I must travel back to London for a day or two, my darling. There are some… affairs for me to settle,” Mary-Anne replied, her tone matching the remorse in her eyes. “However, I promise to help as soon as I can return.”

Helena’s sinking heart dropped harshly in her stomach. Mary-Anne’s only reasons for being in London were right in front of her: herself and Alex. Unless…

“What kind of affairs?” Helena asked, trying to hide her growing apprehension with her casual tone.

Mary-Anne’s smile was forced as she replied, “I need to meet with one of your father’s old business associates. It is unavoidable, I am afraid. But I will return as soon as I am able, I promise.”

Helena swallowed the lump in her throat. Her mother had not named him, but she did not need to. Lord Ingram still would not loosen his grip, not even now, with the wedding approaching. The thought of what her mother would endure to keep him appeased made Helena’s hands curl in her lap. Soon, she promised herself.

Soon, I will put a stop to it for good.

“In fact, the carriage he is sending for me should be arriving within the hour,” Mary-Anne said, getting up from the table. “I should go and get ready. Please, everyone, have a wonderful evening, and Your Grace, thank you so much again for your gracious hospitality.”

“Oh, do call me Patricia, as I have no desire to address you respectfully in return. We are about to be family, after all,” Patricia insisted.

Helena’s smile returned, even if it was only a small one, as she watched Patricia and her mother talk for a moment as if they were old friends. After quick kisses on her cheeks and then on Alex’s, who immediately rolled himself down the hill again afterward, Mary-Anne waved goodbye and headed toward the large house.

“Focus, Helena!” Patricia insisted, clapping her hands.

Helena turned away from watching her mother leave and offered Patricia an apologetic smile.

“Your mother will be back when she gets back, worry not,” Patricia advised as she pulled out several pages from her portfolio. “What you should be focusing on are the wedding party preparations. There is much to prepare for before we begin our festivities, and I do not like waiting until the last minute to have things in order.”

“Yes, Your Gra…” Helena began to say, but as Patricia shot her a glare, she caught herself. “Er, I mean, Grandmama. Of course, you are right. How may I be of assistance?”

Patricia scoffed.

“Oh, you will do more than just assist, my dear,” she replied tersely.

“Be nice, Grandmama,” Jeremy jested, patting his grandmother’s arm. “Helena is not yet used to your ways. She does not know when you are teasing yet.”

“I am not teasing,” Patricia stated matter-of-factly. “You must both take command of this endeavor.”

Helena swallowed, intimidated.

“I will do my best not to disappoint you,” she replied, forcing herself to sound confident.

Patricia beamed as she patted Helena’s hand.

“I am sure you will not, child, and take heart. Jeremy is excellent at planning such affairs. Even if he does become distracted at times with the drink.”

“Touché, Grandmama,” Jeremy retorted, toasting her with his tumbler of whiskey.

“He will not be your only port in this particular storm either, Helena,” she went on. “Damien does not trust Jeremy to keep a sober head on his shoulders, and even though he was not able to come and assist, he has sent the Duke of Redgrave in his stead.”

Jeremy chuckled and then drained his glass.