Page 111 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“What is it?” Helena shouted to the person behind the door.

“Lord Jeffrey asked that you be summoned, Miss Helena. He says he’s in the garden,” the voice said.

Helena did not reply. She looked at herself one last time in the mirror and brushed her red hair. The strands refused to bend the way she wanted.

Even my hair knows how I feel.

She drew her dress downward before going out of the room. She walked down the passage, out of the house, and down the stairs. When she got to the edge of the garden, Helena consciously wore a hard frown. She went into the garden without missing a step, angry at the nebulous nature of what was happening in the house and anxious to find out exactly what was happening.

“Helena, my dear, today is a happy day. Why the long face?” Lord Jeffrey said on seeing her.

He was handsome, even more attractive than before. His hair was brushed backwards and with a sleek look. His top lip was a bit lighter which made Helena realise Lord Jeffrey had a faint moustache there formerly. He had shaved it.

“Your visit is quite early,” Helena replied.

“Sit down, Helena. Sit beside me, then I can tell you the good news,” Lord Jeffrey said, tapping the space on the bench beside him.

Helena hesitated. She looked into Lord Jeffrey’s eyes and saw a glint in them. He was happy about something. Helena felt a small tremor inside.

Whatever Lord Jeffrey is happy about, I doubt I’ll share the same enthusiasm when I find out.

Helena was also desperate to find out what it was, so she sat down beside him, taking care to make sure their bodies didn’t touch.

“You saw the gifts I brought for your father.”

“I saw the coaches. I didn’t know they had gifts in them. Why did you bring gifts for him?” Helena asked.

“Why won’t I bring gifts for my wife’s parents? Is that a crime?” Lord Jeffrey said.

The “wife” part of his reply stung her like a drop of hot water on bare skin, but Helena kept her cool.

“So what were the items in the gift? You wouldn’t keep that away from me now,” Helena said.

“No, of course not. Most of it is exotic clothing material from Asia and some of the darker parts of the world. I brought jewellery for the Baroness too,” he answered.

Helena nodded. She turned and looked directly into Lord Jeffrey’s eyes.

“Why did you bring so much?” she asked him.

“My dear, it’s not a fault of mine that I feel a yearning to give my wife’s parents expensive gifts, especially knowing the situation on ground,” Lord Jeffrey replied.

I am not your wife.

Helena wished she said that out loud

“What situation on ground?”

Lord Jeffrey smiled. He looked nonplused at Helena’s continuous questioning.

“My dear, I have decided to be of help to your father, and you indirectly. I have provided all the financial support he needs, and more, to get himself out of the mess he is in. It’ll be just a shame for the barony to lose a wonderful servant and leader in such an inglorious manner.”

Helena was speechless.

Father told him? So that is what they are always discussing.

Helena felt no drive to appreciate Lord Jeffrey. He wouldn’t do this without vested interest.

“I also took the opportunity to tell the Baron that we had agreed to get married. Our wedding will be taking place before the end of the year. We should prepare for our banns,” Lord Jeffrey added.