Page 5 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

Her skin was still bleached white. She always compared herself to Miss Justina whenever she felt she was getting darker. She turned back to look at her maid’s skin, and the dark colour of her skin still opposed her own strikingly. She compared her skin with Lady Lavinia’s. Lady Lavinia’s skin colour was a mild cream, just in between hers and Miss Justina. Helena removed a small thread that had gotten tangled in her hair.

It’s probably from the fabric of Lavinia’s new clothes.

Her white fingers contrasted with the tomato red of her lips. She puckered her lips then eased them again. Her eyes were dry grey. Lady Lavinia once called them the most uninteresting set of eyes in England. But Helena had discovered that the contrast of the deep red of her lips with her nearly colourless eyes mesmerized many men. Her round face with flawless skin just accentuated the effect they had. She was a beautiful woman.

“You could tell me what you think about this shift when you are done admiring yourself,” Lady Lavinia said, budging Helena out of her thoughts.

She had removed the gown she was wearing and had a shift she had just bought on. It was brown and clung tight to her chubby body.

“It’s fine, fits you well,” Helena said.

She watched as her friend, dressed and undressed, trying all the clothes she bought. She criticised how some looked and praised others. Only after making her own decision on them did she ask for Helena and Miss Justina’s thoughts on them. And when they gave a different opinion, she argued against it and reverted back to the initial opinion she had.

“You insist the pink dress is spread too much below the waist. So why do you ask our opinion if it wouldn’t affect what you think?” Helena asked her.

“I just want you to talk so you won’t be bored watching me look good,” Lady Lavinia replied.

Helena shook her head at her friend’s reply.

There is always one cheeky response just below the surface.

Miss Justina walked to Helena.

“I need to prepare hot water for the Baron,” she said under very low tones.

Helena wondered if she didn’t intend Lady Lavinia to hear her speak.

“Why you? What of father’s personal steward?”

“The man has gone to the doctor’s house. He is to collect a draught that will help the Baron sleep better,” Miss Justina said.

Helena was confused.

“Why does Father need to sleep better? And I didn’t know the doctor saw him too.”

“I have been told to keep this secret as much as possible, but you are his daughter, ma’am, so you need to know. The Baron has been feeling weak for more than a week now. Mister Wallace also told me he has been unable to sleep. The Duchess calling for Dr Frederick was to treat the Baron as much as for Miss Jacqueline. She didn’t mention it to you because for some reason the Duchess ordered that no one speaks about it.”

“Why do you gossip about me? Why not tell me what the source of your jealousy is now, instead of speaking behind my back?” Lady Lavinia said to them.

She had removed the last new gown and was back in the dress she originally wore. Helena tapped Miss Justina on the shoulder, signalling her to go.

“Even if you are dressed in the most royal silk, Lavinia, I’ll still be prettier than you,” Helena said.

“That’s the jealousy speaking,” Lady Lavinia replied.

Helena pushed the disturbing news about her father to the back of her mind and walked to the bed. She sat down beside her friend.

“My cousins should be arriving this evening or early tomorrow morning,” Lady Lavinia said.

“Which of your cousins?” Helena asked her.

Lady Lavinia looked at her friend with bewilderment in her eyes. She shook her head and clapped her hands in a show of wonderment.

“How are you so smart anyway?” she asked. “You forget small details so quickly.”

“Are you going to tell me, or are you satisfied with just talking about my forgetfulness?” Helena asked her.

Lady Lavinia shook her head again.