Page 22 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

There’s something strong between her and the young man.

His mind flew back to his meeting with Miss Helena. There was something there too, something a bit too puerile and complex to describe, but he had felt something. And she had felt something too.

Surely.

Chapter 5

The Most Eligible

It was just about striking noon on Wednesday. Helena was sure although she didn’t have her timepiece. She stood up to go in and check the time when she heard the big clock in the sitting room ring. It was noon now.

Lavinia was supposed to have come here yesterday. I imagine she’ll be here even earlier today. Aren’t we going shopping anymore? Aren’t they?

Helena had decided she wasn’t going shopping with them anymore. She couldn’t act as if she didn’t know the financial situation of her family.

That would be irresponsible.

She had just finished reading a book on dynasties in Asia. Now she was about to open another when Miss Justina showed up.

“Is anything the matter, Justina?” Helena asked.

“Nothing ma’am. I was not doing anything inside. I felt like I should join you in the garden,” Miss Justina replied.

Helena loved Miss Justina’s company. Despite her low station, Miss Justina was the most thoughtful of all the people she could describe as friends. Miss Justina was also the one of the people telling Helena to get married. She had been the first.

“Have your seat beside me,” Helena said, pointing to the space on the bench she sat on.

Miss Justina sat down and didn’t say anything. Helena returned her concentration to her book and had promptly forgotten that someone was beside her when Miss Justina broke the silence. She asked a question, but Helena did not hear what she said.

“You said?” Helena asked.

“Did you find out about the Baron’s poor health?”

Helena closed her eyes for a moment. She wasn’t sure she was allowed to tell Miss Justina about it.

“Yes, I did.”

Miss Justina waited a bit without saying anything.

She’s waiting for me to continue. I’m sorry, I can’t.

“I hope he’ll be getting better soon then,” Miss Justina added after an awkward minute of silence.

“Yes, I hope so too,” Helena said, grateful that Miss Justina didn’t prod any further.

“Lady Lavinia must really be enjoying the presence of her cousins. She hasn’t showed up here in a bit,” Miss Justina said.

“Exactly my thought although I think it has more to do with the handsome Irish prince.”

Miss Justina looked surprised. Then realisation crept into her eyes.

“I had forgotten that she mentioned the arrival of a prince along with her cousins,” Miss Justina said.

Helena laughed, and then she placed one finger at the page she was reading, closing the book around the finger.

“The last time she came here, we found out she’s already taken a liking to this Prince Drew. I am really eager to see the man that has the heart of my dear Lavinia tied up in a bunch,” Helena said.

“Lady Lavinia, the chief proponent for delayed marriage, falling in love? This is surprising,” Miss Justina exclaimed.