Page 53 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

Helena heard Miss Justina’s feet shuffle behind her. She walked to the entrance door causing Lord Jeffrey to follow her. She stood behind the balustrade at the balcony. Lord Jeffrey came to stand beside her.

“I hope I did not take your attention away from something very important,” he asked.

“What could be more important than a visit from the Duke of Beaufort’s son?” she asked.

Lord Jeffrey laughed and answered, “A lot.”

“I am on my way to London, on an assignment on my father’s behalf. So I decided to drop by,” he said.

“Oh dear. Thank you very much for your visit. I felt you would spend a bit more time with me.”

Lord Jeffrey shook his head.

“It pains me so that I won’t. I have a curricle waiting for me down the street. The driver needed to get something done, so I quickly borrowed one of the horses. I will try to bring you something from London,” he said.

Helena blushed.

“You need not bother, Lord Jeffrey,” she said.

“Except for your name day, which is in two days time,” Miss Justina said mutedly but enough for Lord Jeffrey to hear.

Lord Jeffrey looked back, and when he turned back to Helena, she saw irritation in his eyes. A feeling of anger rose up quickly in her.

Why would he look at Justina with such disapproving eyes? She isn’t one of his stewards.

Helena pushed the ire away. He was leaving. There was no need to go into an argument with him. The disgust in Lord Jeffrey’s eyes had been replaced by amusement.

“If that is the case, then I will be here that day. There is a play at the Beaufort theatre that day, if we could go together,” Lord Jeffrey said.

Helena was tempted to say no but saw it impolite to refuse his first request.

“I will prepare myself for your arrival,” she answered.

Lord Jeffrey nodded and bowed again. He ran down the stairs and mounted his horse in a swift motion.

“Till I arrive, My Lady,” he said, as Helena watched him ride out of the compound.

Helena looked back at Miss Justina and bit down on her lip. She didn’t know whether to feel pleased at his visit or annoyed with the hubris he showed when Miss Justina spoke. She shook her head and went into her room. He left her feeling ruffled.

He might not as well have come.

*******

Lady Lavinia cut a piece of the chicken with her knife and picked it up with the fork. She was putting it in her mouth when she looked up. Her eyes met Helena’s.

“Why do you stare at me so?” she asked.

Helena smiled.

“I noticed too,” Baroness Henrietta said.

Helena looked up and noticed everyone at the table had their eyes on her. They were expecting an explanation.

“Am I not allowed to look at my friend? Your eyes make me feel uncomfortable,” Helena said.

“She’s allowed,” her father said, supporting her.

Helena looked back at her food. Today was her name day, and she had instructed that no money be spent on celebrations. Her father wasn’t having it, at first.