Page 64 of A Pure Lady for the Broken Duke

He turned to leave and stopped. “Will I be seeing you at the Duke’s ball?”

“Unlikely.”

“Then good afternoon.”

* * *

Upon his return to Pemberton, Thomas spent the rest of the afternoon, until tea time, going over details with George on his father’s investment.

At one point, he was interrupted by his Grandmamma with issues regarding the ball, but he quickly attended to those and returned to his business with George.

Helena appeared promptly at four, smiling and delighted to see George again. They warmly embraced, and then Helena said, “Darling George, we absolutelymuststart looking for our new home. As I was riding over, I saw a sign for the most delightful little house for lease—well, it was a cottage really. And I thought it would suit us just fine until we can afford to buy—when Aunt Rosemary’s money comes through. And it has the most charming cottage garden with…”

George needed Helena to understand their predicament. He gently took her by the shoulders, looked into her eyes and said, “Stop. Stop. We are not even near planning the wedding and already you are setting up house and spending your Aunt’s money. Please, my dear, let us take our time. Thomas and I have a lot of work to do on our project and you must find some way of reconciling with your father. I do not want us to marry while there is still acrimony in your family.”

“But…”

George put his finger on Helena’s lips to silence her. “No buts. Let us take a break, have some tea, and relax for one moment… please?”

Thomas was amused by this little show. Of course, he knew Helena all too well, and her impulse to have everything she wanted when she wanted it. Thomas rang the bell and Willoughby appeared.

“Is it a nice enough afternoon to have tea on the terrace?” Thomas asked.

Helena brightened up. “Oh yes, let us.”

“Tea under the portico, if you please, Willoughby.”

“As Your Grace wishes.”

* * *

Thomas allowed Helena and George to do most of the talking during tea. But he had one most important task he wanted to accomplish with Helena before she left.

“Of course, Mother knows about the engagement, although I have sworn her to the utmost secrecy,” Helena said. “And she wants us to go to London to have the wedding gown bespoke. I told her I care not, but she insists, and it would berather funto have everything just right.”

George replied, “Thomas and I must go to London after the ball, perhaps the three of us could go together and meet up. You will be staying at your London house with your mother, of course?”

“Of course. I was thinking Dippleward and Phipps for the dress, but Mother thinks Stevens, Carruthers and Downey would be best. What do you think?” Helena asked George.

He smiled. “I have no idea, my dear. You might as well be listing wine merchants for all I know about dress designers.”

“Yes, I expect that is rather outside your sphere.”

Thomas could see that Helena was thinking of leaving as she picked up her reticule and fished inside for something.

He interrupted her by saying, “Helena, dear friend, I was wondering if you might do me a huge favor?”

Helena looked up with some surprise. “Of course, whatever I can do.”

“It is about Miss Jenny…”

Helena suddenly erupted by saying, “Oh yes, I heard. What a disaster her poor sister fell and broke her ankle. And I hear she will not be baking for you after all.”

“Alas, she shall not.”

“And this favor?” Helena asked with a sly smile.

“I should very much like it if you and George could bring Miss Jenny to the ball with you.”