Page 41 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

Helena wondered how much of a chance she had at bringing him up to scratch. He hardly kept his attention on one woman for five minutes. His attitude was plain annoying. She couldn’t believe she was scheming on how to bring someone like this into an engagement.

He is such an obvious rake.

“Drew, escort me. I want to speak to Lord Jeffrey. I want to remind him of some things.” Lady Lavinia turned back to Helena and winked as she said that.

“Prince Drew, why don’t you take Justina along? My injured leg probably spoilt her chance of getting a good dance. I wouldn’t like her to go home without getting one,” Helena said.

The Prince looked at Miss Justina with an eyebrow raised as if asking her if she was ready. Miss Justina smiled and extended her hand for him. They held hands and walked behind Lady Lavinia to the dance floor. Helena watched as Prince Drew and Miss Justina stopped behind Lord Jeffrey and started their dance. The musical tunes were unending now. The musicians were playing for anyone willing to dance till the end of the ball.

Lady Lavinia, on getting to Lord Jeffrey, was welcomed with a bow and him kissing her hand. They spoke for a while. They were too far to hear, and Helena couldn’t read lips. After a few minutes of speaking, Lady Lavinia turned to where Helena was and pointed. Lord Jeffrey’s eyes followed her finger. He took a while before he saw Helena. When he did, he waved. Helena in a bid not to look snobbish offered a small reciprocating wave.

Lord Jeffrey started a slow, calm walk towards Helena. Lady Lavinia came behind him, only stopping to say something to Prince Drew that made him laugh.

When Lord Jeffrey was only a few paces away, Helena studied him closely. He was handsome.

Not cheerful handsome like Dr Frederick.

He was handsome in an imposing kind of way, a face you feared but were attracted to. His eyes were incredibly dark, shrouded more by his long lashes and thick eyebrows. His small mouth added to the womanly looks. He was white but not bleached like Helena, a dark white that would happily hide scars, Helena guessed. He was just as tall as Prince Drew but far more muscular.

He is imposing to look at, no doubt.

His eyes were penetrative. Helena felt unsettled because he seemed to look at her, through her, and every other surrounding person at the same time. His eyes were fixed on Helena since he started walking towards she and the twins, it only flickered away twice. Helena was sure he had seen everything surrounding her in just those two flickers.

With an aura so imposing, it’s easy for people to call you viscous, even if you aren’t.

When he got to her, he bent down; coming down to her sitting level.

“Good afternoon, Miss Helena. I heard about the misfortune of your injury, I hope watching people dance was balm enough,” he said.

His voice did not have the deep timbre that Helena had come to expect. It was melodious to listen to. His eyes remained riveted on her face. He had a way of locking out every other person, focusing on her like the beam of a searchlight.

He looks through me to my soul.

Helena raised her fan in a silly attempt to hide herself behind it. It was like he didn’t even see the twins behind her. If he did, he made no outward signs.

“Good afternoon, Lord Jeffrey. Lavinia must have told you that,” she said.

He looked back to Lady Lavinia who now stood behind him. He swung his neck back again swiftly, looking back at Helena.

“Yes, she did,” he replied.

“I hope she told you that I asked of you a few days ago when I met her at the library,” he said.

“Yes, she did,” Helena said, nodding at the same time.

“I would have loved to share a dance with you, but conditions have determined that it will not be,” he said.

Lord Jeffrey raised his gaze and looked around. Helena wondered what he was looking for. He signalled to someone before bending back down to Helena.

“What are you looking for?” she asked.

A steward appeared beside Lord Jeffrey. Lord Jeffrey looked at the steward with stern, piercing eyes.

“Go and get me a doctor. There should be at least one in attendance.”

The steward turned and looked as if he was about to sprint away to get the doctor, but Lady Lavinia held his arm.

“It’s been treated already,” Lady Lavinia said to Lord Jeffrey.