Page 29 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“Yes, Miss Justina,” the driver answered.

“Is it a long trip to Beaufort?”

“Not too long, Miss Justina. It won’t be more than an hour; we shouldn’t tarry more than ten minutes if it is,” he replied.

“Thank you,” Miss Justina answered before shutting the window and sitting on her seat.

“About an hour,” she said to Helena.

Helena had heard. She nodded and looked outside. They were moving at quite a quick pace. Huge gates separated by tall trees sped past them. They were still in Strabolgi. Helena closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure she could stay awake for the whole trip, except if it was bumpy.

“The doctor could be at the ball.”

Helena looked to Miss Justina. She had completely forgotten about the doctor in the furore of preparation. Miss Justina had this ability to know what she wanted despite what she said or did. Helena smiled.

Justina knows I took a liking to that doctor.

“He might. Why do you say so?” Helena asked.

“You told him you would love to see him at the summer parties.”

“Yes, I did. He knows many high placed families and will surely receive invites to a lot of their parties. He not being at them would probably be due to his busy schedule, not for a lack of invite. I expect to see him at this one.”

“I prefer the doctor to Lord Jeffrey,” Miss Justina said.

“Have you had interaction with Lord Jeffrey?” Helena asked.

“I have not, not personally. I have seen him with other women, though. He was at the Midwestern ball about a year ago. We both attended that, do you remember?”

Helena remembered. She didn’t remember seeing the Duke’s son there, though, but it was entirely possible that she had missed him.

“Yes, I do. I didn’t see him.”

“He came with someone. I don’t know the chit, an unfamiliar debutante. He still managed to flirt with about two other women, right in the presence of the debutante.”

Helena chuckled.

“You really observed him.”

“I did.”

“Do not worry, Justina. I am a match for any man,” Helena said.

“The doctor was courteous and cultured. I could see that you were attracted to him. And he to you,” Miss Justina said.

“Justina,” Helena exclaimed in a high pitched voice before smiling widely.

Miss Justina knew her like her favourite book. Well, it wasn’t a surprise.

I know Justina too, fantastically.

Miss Justina had been with her since she was eight. She was a child of the former chief matron of their house. The matron died suddenly, leaving her child with no one to care for her. Lady Henrietta decided then to make Justina a companion and maid for Helena. They had been together since then. They never fought, and despite their closeness, Lady Justina knew her place.

“Lord Jeffrey suits me better,” Helena said.

“How do you know that? You haven’t even met him,” Miss Justina replied in a surprised tone.

You wouldn’t understand.