Page 120 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“I need to speak to you too,” Helena said.

“Let me go first. I have had this in me since you left my house. Helena, I would be a miserable man if you married Lord Jeffrey,” he said.

Helena tried to interrupt him. She wanted to tell him that she had rescinded the decision, but Dr Frederick held her wrist, stopping her while he continued speaking.

“I love you, Helena.”

Helena could not hold the blush that emanated when she heard him say that. She had never felt so excited in her life.

“I have loved you since I set my eyes on you that day in your house. I know you are about to marry him because of money; do not be bothered, Helena. I will cover the cost. I recently made a fortune due to my research.”

Helena placed her gloved hand on his arm. He was surprised she would do that in the open and stopped talking.

“I am not getting married to him anymore. I love you too. I–”

“Get your filthy hands off my wife, Frederick.”

Helena and Dr Frederick turned back sharply to see Lord Jeffrey walking towards them. His fury caused him to quake like a volcano. Dr Frederick shook his head and walked to stand in front of Helena.

“She isn’t your wife anymore,” he said.

The entrance door to the house opened, and Helena saw the Duke of Beaufort come out. The level of noise had attracted him. He didn’t shout. He only spoke to a steward who ran down the stairs to pass the message.

“The Duke asks that you all come in,” the steward said.

Lord Jeffrey looked as if he was going to come closer, but Dr Frederick stood firm. Lord Jeffrey walked in, immediately behind his mother and the pregnant debutante.

*******

“Did you really write this, Jeffrey? Did you do all this?” the Duke asked. His voice was weak, and Helena decided that was his normal manner of speaking.

Lord Jeffrey didn’t answer. He hadn’t said a word since Helena had been giving her account of everything that passed between them. She didn’t embellish or lie. She was sure there was nothing he could counter.

“Am I not speaking to you? Did you do all this that this woman and Dr Frederick claim?” the Duke said in a harder tone.

Lord Jeffrey gave no reply.

“And the young chit, she’s with child. What do you know about that?”

Lord Jeffrey dropped his gaze to the floor. The Duke shook his head.

“I have no knowledge about the letter in your hands, Lady Helena. And I am deeply sorry for my son’s ungentlemanly behaviour. And in the light of even this more recent development,” the Duke said, looking at the debutante. “If you want the engagement cancelled, it is.”

Helena was elated and hardly held herself from jumping. There was sudden movement beside her. Lord Jeffrey was coming towards her, causing Helena to step back. He got to her and held her arm.

“You cannot get away from me. You will marry me,” he said to her.

The Duke shouted, telling him to stop, but he didn’t release her. Dr Frederick rushed in between them and broke the lock Lord Jeffrey had on her arm.

“We are cultured men, Lord Jeffrey. Let us remain civil,” Dr Frederick said.

Lord Jeffrey raised his arm, but his father’s warning voice became even louder. He dropped it.

“I am sorry for that show of violence, Your Grace. We gave ourselves to our emotions,” Dr Frederick said to the Duke.

The Duke nodded solemnly.

“I wish to take my leave now,” Helena said.