Page 52 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“I need my mount.”

The steward nodded and walked off quickly to the back of the house. He appeared only moments later, the reins of Dr Frederick’s horse in his hands. He led the horse to Dr Frederick and handed the reins over to him.

“Thank you,” Dr Frederick said.

He mounted his horse and kicked into it. The horse walked to the gate. Dr Frederick rode the horse out of the compound, looking back at the size of the compound.

It’s a big one, with a big house in it. Lord Jeffrey has this, and more to offer Miss Helena.

Dr Frederick was not sure that Miss Helena knew of the Marquess’ intentions. He was sure she would welcome them if she knew.

He is an eligible young man, and soon to be the Duke of Beaufort. Despite whatever attraction that I think exists between both of us, there can be nothing more to it. I should put my focus in my research rather than the way my skin warms when I feel her skin graze mine. It can be nothing more than that.

Dr Frederick dragged at the reins of his steed, driving it into a run. He needed the rush of the wind against his face. He needed it to help him put his focus in the right direction.

Chapter 11

Jeffrey Visits

Helena raised her head from the book she was reading. She didn’t like the turn of the story. The hero of the story had just been killed, and she perceived a loss in direction of the theme of the book.

“Maybe there will be an even greater narrative at the end of the book that will greatly surprise me,” she said out loud.

Miss Justina raised her head, focusing her gaze at her mistress. Helena smiled and raised her left hand.

“I wasn’t speaking to you, Justina. It’s the book,” she said.

Miss Justina nodded and dropped her gaze back to the shawl she was knitting. Helena looked at the shawl. It was cream in the middle with brown ends. Miss Justina had been working on it for the past four days, and she was almost done. She was sealing up the ends of the sleeves now.

“I’d love you to gift me that for my name day,” Helena said.

She returned her gaze to the book. When she raised her eyes, they met Miss Justina’s. Her maid eyed her playfully and turned up her mouth. Miss Justina definitely wasn’t giving Helena the shawl.

“I know you are too close fisted to do that,” Helena teased.

Miss Justina shook her head and looked back at her shawl. She continued her knitting but kept shaking her head for the next few seconds. Helena wished she could tell what Miss Justina was thinking.

Only politeness to one’s mistress is keeping her from saying something chiding. I couldn’t try this with Lavinia. I wouldn’t hear the end of it.

Helena looked outside her room’s window and saw a rider enter through their gates. She walked to the window to look more closely, but the man had alighted and was standing on the stairwell, beyond where her eyes could see him properly.

“Someone just came in, Justina. Go downstairs and check who it is,” Helena said.

She had been expecting Dr Frederick for the past few days and hoped it was him.

Justina walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. She came back a short while after.

“Who?” Helena asked, as Miss Justina came in.

“Lord Jeffrey,” Miss Justina said.

Helena dropped her book. She nodded and got up. She walked to her mirror and checked herself in it. She looked great, her cheeks just a tad pink. Helena walked out of the room and down the corridor.

“Lord Jeffrey,” she exclaimed on seeing him as she got into the sitting room. “I didn’t know you would come good on your promise.”

Lord Jeffrey smiled and bowed as she got to him, kissing her hand. His lips hardly touched her skin before he raised his head.

“Why wouldn’t I? A man is only as good as his word,” he answered.