Page 3 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“Good day, ladies.”

He bowed stiffly again before walking out the door with his dresser. Helena sat down on the cushion and listened as his horse neighed and galloped out of the compound. Its hooves pounded hard, causing a clattering sound against the stone floor. When Helena raised her head, she met her mother, Lady Lavinia and Miss Justina staring at her.

“What is it?” she exclaimed.

“You seem to have taken an immediate liking to the young physician,” her mother said.

Helena opened her mouth to refute the statement, but she recognized the set of her mother’s eyes. She was pulling her leg. She closed her mouth.

“It’s obvious she likes him. I’ve never seen Helena stare at a man so much,” Lady Lavinia said.

I’m not letting that comment go.

“I only responded to his comments. I am not so rude such as not to respond to comments that demand answers,” Helena said.

Her mother said nothing; there remained a wry smile on her face.

“He is a very attractive doctor,” Lady Lavinia said.

“Lavinia!” Helena shouted.

Baroness Henrietta smiled widely and turned around.

“I’ll take that as my signal to leave you young women to your gossip. I have a daughter to tend to,” she said before walking down the corridor.

Helena watched her mother walk till out of eyesight before turning to her friend.

“You really have to learn to bridle your mouth, Lavinia. I wonder how you hope to bring any worthwhile man to scratch if you keep spewing out unrefined statements like that,” Helena said.

Lavinia laughed.

“I don’t intend to bring any man to scratch for the near future.”

Miss Justina’s face became swollen with withheld laughter. Helena giggled at her friend’s bluntness.

“You are the last daughter of the Earl of Albemarle. It’s not really an option,” Helena replied.

“I know right. But I will push it for as long as I can. I still enjoy going to dances and having freedom to dance with any man I like. And I wouldn’t be able to make statements such as the one I just made if I was married. I know you don’t fancy marriage so much, so don’t play the devil’s advocate,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena laughed. She wasn’t going to dive into her thoughts about marriage this afternoon.

“What statement?” Helena asked.

“Do you really want me to repeat it? It was you who shouted my name,” Lady Lavinia.

Helena shook her head at her friend’s free mindset.

“I do enjoy going to the balls without being permanently attached to someone. I don’t fancy being at a man’s beck and call so much,” Helena admitted.

“Of course you do,” Lady Lavinia said.

“But I think it’s because I haven’t fallen in love yet. I have not met a man that will sweep me off my feet.”

Dr Frederick did do something to my legs, even if I’m not off my feet yet.

“You know behind that sturdy head and wise tongue, there was always an airhead,” Lady Lavinia said, pulling the brooch off her chest.

Helena picked a small pillow beside her on the cushion and stoned her friend with it. The pillow hit her on the head and caused her to look up in surprise.