Page 27 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

That’s true.

“So you plan to soon leave me as a spinster,” Helena said.

“Woah, let’s slow down a bit. You are speaking as if we are engaged, officially or unofficially. He hasn’t even mentioned marriage,” Lady Lavinia said.

“Who’s getting engaged officially?” Miss Justina said as she came back to them.

Helena looked at her standing maid.

“Do I have any?” she asked her.

“Yes, ma’am, you have two white gowns. You’ve hardly worn one, so you can wear it whenever you please without starting up a fuss,” Miss Justina said.

“What of white shoes, hat, all the other accessories?” Helena asked.

“The only thing you have in the colour white, asides your gowns are your socks, of which you have too many pairs.”

Helena shook her head. She could not avoid shopping. She could only reduce it.

“So is Lady Lavinia getting engaged?” Miss Justina asked.

“It’s in the works obviously,” Helena said eying Lady Lavinia. “Despite Lavinia’s claim that it’s not.”

Lady Lavinia did not speak. There was a smile still occupying her mouth.

“Who would have thought of that? Lady Lavinia – freedom from the chains of marriage – getting married? Well, stranger things have happened,” Miss Justina said.

This time, Lady Lavinia made to playfully beat Miss Justina, but the maid was watchful and quick. She slipped to the side and burst into laughter along with her mistress.

“I didn’t say I was getting married,” Lady Lavinia said.

“But from all indications, Prince Drew is rather interested in you and you in him. There’s only one thing that could result from such affectations,” Helena said.

“So Miss Helena, now that your best friend is plotting and scheming to leave you in this dance of spinsterhood, do not tell me your feet do not tire?” Miss Justina said.

Lady Helena laughed.

“They tire, they tire, I tell you.”

“What we need now is a man worthy enough, eligible enough to be brought up to scratch,” Miss Justina said.

Dr Frederick Cooper, the handsome physician with a touch like fire.

Her fingers tingled as she remembered the effect the doctor had on her. He would have been a great fit. She still wanted to see him, but her family issues demanded more than the weightless pockets of a physician. They demanded deep pockets and heavy vaults.

Like the pockets of the Duke of Beaufort, they demand Lord Jeffrey Rutledge.

“Why seek one when the best of them is showing interest? You are hot commodity among the ton, Helena. Set your hooks into Lord Jeffrey, make him yours,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena laughed. She had never set out to get any man in her life. She was more interested in books and following the juiciest gist at any moment. She did have feminine wiles. She had teased many a man only to stop them in their tracks while they attempted to come closer. And she had heard that Lord Jeffrey could be strict and domineering. Those were the kind of men she avoided.

“You’d have to be careful with him, though. They say he could be mean,” Miss Justina said.

Helena nodded.

“A lot of things we hear are grossly overrated,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena looked at her friend. Lavinia was desperate for Helena to be in the same boat with her.