Page 38 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“It’s not sensible for you to go in this way. You can hardly walk.”

Helena turned back slightly to see her friend just over her shoulder. Helena had not realised Lady Lavinia was no more speaking with the Prince.

“You behave as if you do not know that I came here for a reason,” Helena said.

Lady Lavinia’s eyes showed acknowledgement. She looked away before looking back.

“You can hardly walk, not to even mention dance. How do you hope to draw his admiration if you won’t be active? Push this agenda to another ball,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena thought about her father and the state of finance of the barony. Her mind flew to the loss of status that awaited her family if she couldn’t lure Lord Jeffrey to her. She shook her head.

It wasn’t something to be bargained. She had to attend the ball.

“I am attending. Are you helping me up the stairs or not?” Helena asked.

Lady Lavinia rolled her eyes.

“Let’s go upstairs, we are late enough,” she said to the others.

Miss Justina moved to Helena’s left side. Helena placed her arm over her maid’s shoulders and leaned on her. She took one ginger step after the other, hopping on just her right foot. Alistair and Abigail walked ahead, leading the rest up the stairs. They got to the top long before Helena and Miss Justina could even get to the middle of the well, but they waited. Helena heard Lady Lavinia’s voice as she spoke to the Prince behind her. Helena thought about the young man she had thought was Lord Jeffrey at the top of the stairs.

How can I allow a glimpse of a man to make me lose my comportment?

Helena shook her head.

“Is anything the matter?” Miss Justina said.

“Nothing, just Lavinia.”

“She will always find something to talk about,” Miss Justina said, laughing gently.

Helena laughed too. She had to halt her hop up the stairs for fear of losing balance. Her friend was too much of a talkative. She never ran out of words. Helena wondered if the Prince wasn’t starting to feel overwhelmed by her nature.

They continued up the stairs till they got to the top. Abigail couldn’t hide her impatience. It was all over her face.

“I think you can go in now. I’ll try to manage myself,” Helena said.

The twins said nothing. Helena was sure they had already run out of patience. Lady Lavinia walked to Helena’s front.

“Are you sure? Can you walk?” she asked.

“I can manage. Justina is here with me. You and your Prince can go in and share a dance. I don’t want to waste your time,” Helena said.

Lady Lavinia nodded and stretched her hand. Prince Drew appeared from behind Helena and took her hand in his. The twins were already inside the hall. Lady Lavinia and the Prince followed them in. Helena eased her arm off Miss Justina’s shoulders and dropped her left foot. It hurt when it touched the ground, but she was sure she could manage. She took one step on it and paused for a while, trying to get the ankle used to the weight. When she felt safe on it, she took another step. She managed to hobble and wobble her way to the big door. Helena imagined how she would look to Lord Jeffrey. She swore under her breath.

I have never been so undignified.

“Do not worry, Miss Helena. If Lord Jeffrey discovers you injured while attempting to climb the stairs, his empathy will even draw him closer,” Miss Justina said as she made to push the door open.

Helena smiled. Miss Justina could always tell what she was thinking.

Always.

“That is if he is not without pity as the word on dit suggests,” Helena answered.

Miss Justina turned the doorknob and pushed it open.

“Word on dit is always exaggerated,” she said.