Page 60 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“Ma’am, I didn’t hear you,” Miss Justina said.

Helena looked at Miss Justina.

“I wasn’t talking to you, Justina.”

Miss Justina nodded.

“You look rattled,” she said, “Like you didn’t want him to leave.”

Helena didn’t look at her maid. Miss Justina knew her too well. And she was a bright young woman too. She didn’t need to know too much to guess what had happened.

“I didn’t,” Helena admitted, deciding saying something along the lines of truth would be better than telling a lie that Miss Justina would see through.

“So why did he leave?”

“He said he had somewhere important to get to. He will be back next week.”

Helena hoped he would come back. She still wanted to see him.

“He’s a nice, young man, humble too,” Miss Justina said.

Helena knew she meant that in comparison to Lord Jeffrey. And she was right.

Lord Jeffrey is an arrogant man.

Helena didn’t like that, but it was the custom of men of the ton. Highly stationed men were usually very arrogant. Helena had been surprised when she discovered that the society even expected them to be so. Miss Justina picked the bowl up.

“Do you still need this warm water?” she asked her mistress.

“No,” Helena replied, “I don’t need it.”

Miss Justina carried it and walked away from the bench and around the short trees till Helena couldn’t see her anymore. Helena stood up and walked in the opposite direction to Miss Justina, deeper into the garden and to the small fountain. The spring didn’t work now, and the water there was calm. Helena looked into the water, and her image stared back at her.

Her breasts rose, pushing the dress up as she inhaled, then fell again. Dr Frederick had said a cursing word when he placed his head on her bust. She didn’t remember which word. His mouth had nibbled at her nipple. If Miss Justina had not come, he might have gotten her bust bare enough to feast on it. His hot mouth would have engulfed her dark nipples, wetting them with his tongue. Helena felt a cold wind move gently past her. Her red hair rose a little, free strands twirled in the air. She turned around and walked back home.

She was confused, and it was not meant to be. Her heart yearned only for Mr Frederick, but she knew the right thing to do, even if it was difficult. Unless her father had miraculously gotten his head out of water, there was really only one choice.

Chapter 13

Bad News

Helena waited as Miss Justina came down the stairs with her bag. Miss Justina gave the green fur bag to Helena as she opened the carriage door. Mr Booth, on seeing they were both about to enter, went around the carriage to the driver’s seat. Helena got in, and Miss Justina got in after her.

“All settled?” Mr Booth asked.

“Yes,” Miss Justina replied.

Helena shifted the rope hanging below her chin from the two ends of her hat. The hat was a bit wide, somewhat uncomfortable to wear in a constricted space like a carriage’s cabin, but Helena was in a stubborn mood. She wasn’t pulling it off. She had not planned to go to Lady Lavinia’s at Albemarle that day.

I had to move away.

Her father received a letter from the Bureau of District Accounting earlier that morning. Helena was present as the stone faced rider dropped the letter off and rode away without saying more than four disheartening words. He had ridden into the compound completely in black. Even his horse was black.

I knew a messenger so dressed could not bring good news.

The rider stopped by the five-step stairwell in front of the house. Miss Justina, who was standing beside Helena, went down the stairs to collect the letter the man stretched out.

“From whom?” Helena asked the dark rider.