Page 118 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“Yes, sit down Helena,” he said, pointing to the chair in front of his table.

He waited till Helena sat before speaking again.

“Are you sure you want to marry Jeffrey?”

Helena was shocked and managed not to react. But her father was astute, and his wry smile told her he knew.

“Yes Father, with all my heart,” Helena said.

Her heart lurched as she said so, and the pain clutched tighter. Helena dropped her gaze, fearful that her eyes would soon water and give up her ruse.

“Look at me, Helena.”

Helena shook her head. Water had pooled in her eyes, and she had no ’kerchief with her to dab at them. They fell in steady streams, breaking off at her lashes and splashing as they hit her lap.

“Why did you encourage him if you didn’t want to marry him?” the Baron asked with the most caring voice Helena had ever heard from him.

“I want to marry him,” she said in a voice that refuted her words.

“No, you don’t. I would have asked you for your say before accepting his proposal. But I was excessively excited; Lord Jeffrey had just paid off our debts, and it made me lose focus.”

Helena managed to raise her eyes to look at her father.

Was he giving her a way out?

“Do not marry him Helena if you don’t love him.”

Helena shook her head vigorously.

“No Father, what will happen to us? We will lose the barony. We will lose everything,” she said, her voice rising higher than she would have wanted. But she could hardly control it now, it and the tears that gushed down her cheeks.

“Love is the most important ingredient in a marriage, Helena. I will not sacrifice the rest of your life for mere economic status. I have discussed with your mother and we have agreed that you break the engagement if you don’t love him. If he wants a refund, we will give it to him,” the Baron said.

“What will happen to us?” Helena asked, rubbing her cheeks.

“I’m not sure, but I know things will work out. If you do not love him, don’t tie yourself to him. Marriage is a bond. Nothing binds tighter than love,” the Baron said.

Helena opened her mouth to refuse her father’s offer when her mother spoke from behind her.

“That is final, Helena.”

Helena turned back to look at her mother. The Baroness stood with arms outstretched, urging her daughter to her. Helena ran to her mother, throwing herself at her and hugging onto her tightly. The tears didn’t stop coming down, so she pushed her face into her mother’s shoulder pads.

This means there’s nothing holding me to Lord Jeffrey. I have to go to Beaufort. I have to end this now.

Helena pushed away from her mother and ran to the door.

“Thank you, Father, Mother,” she screamed as she ran out of the room and down the corridor.

Helena ran out the house and met Mr Booth in front of the stairwell.

“I need to get to Beaufort now, Mr Booth. Prepare the coach.”

*******

Helena alighted from the coach. Her excitement at cancelling the engagement with Lord Jeffrey had become apprehension as she neared the Duke’s house. And now that she saw him discussing with the Duchess, apprehension had become fear.

“Helena,” Lord Jeffrey exclaimed on seeing her.