Page 63 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“Where is Lavinia?” Helena asked.

“She’s in the garden,” the steward said pointing to the garden along the path that diverged with the one going around the house.

The garden at the Earl of Albemarle’s house was detached from the house. That was the only home Helena had seen structured like that. It lay at the far right corner of the compound as if cast away from the rest of the property. Helena walked quickly. She was in a haste to see her friend so the demons that pillaged her happy heart could be cast away. She walked past the pots of hyacinths. Their flowers bloomed with a deep purple colour. Helena was impressed with their progress.

The last time I came here, they weren’t looking so good.

Miss Justina walked too close to them and got her skirt hooked on the thorns of one stalk. She raised the skirt up at the hooked point, showing the lacy designs of her petticoat. Helena waited for her maid to detach herself from the clinging thorn before she continued her walk into the garden. She knew where Lady Lavinia would be, sitting in front of the flower beds playing a game of cards with her maid or knitting. Helena was surprised to hear laughter and high pitched voices as she neared the flower bed.

She turned around the corner and saw Lady Lavinia and a young maid. Lady Lavinia was sitting at an end of the bench, talking excitedly to someone. The maid stood beside Lady Lavinia, looking downwards.

“Prince Drew,” Miss Justina whispered behind her.

Helena walked into their view. The Prince was sitting with one foot under him. He was smiling and speaking, seeing Helena a few seconds after Lady Lavinia had already seen her.

“Helena, what a pleasant surprise,” Lady Lavinia screamed.

She got up and hurried to her friend, hugging and kissing her on both cheeks. Her smiling face suddenly turned grave.

“Did the Baron’s library burn down?” she asked.

“No,” Helena blurted, shocked at Lady Lavinia’s train of thought.

“You look surprised. I was mentally going through a list of things that could cause you to visit me on a day like this,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena smiled.

Lavinia still manages to shock me with her warped sense of humour.

Helena caught Prince Drew’s gaze from his position on the bench. Prince Drew then stood up and walked to her. He bowed slightly when he got beside Lady Lavinia. Helena suspected she had broken a very interesting discussion between the two lovebirds.

“So what brings you here?” Lady Lavinia asked.

Helena understood Lady Lavinia’s surprise. Helena visited her roughly once a season. This would be the second time this season.

“Not any serious ordeal,” Helena said. “I was bored at home.”

Prince Drew bent and spoke some words into Lady Lavinia’s ears. Lady Lavinia nodded. Prince Drew looked back at Helena.

“If you would excuse me, fair ladies,” he said in his thick Irish accent before walking away.

Helena watched him leave. He swung slightly to both sides as he walked. She wondered if that was because he was so tall.

“Why are your eyes so riveted to his departing figure?” Lady Lavinia asked.

Helena shook her head.

“Did I disturb anything?” Helena asked as she sat down on the bench. Lady Lavinia sat down opposite her.

“Yes, I was thoroughly enjoying our discussion before you came. But he has gone to speak to my father; we will see later today,” she answered.

“So what were you discussing?” Helena asked.

“He was just regaling me with stories about his friends in Ireland. Even my cousins could be so mischievous, I discover,” Lady Lavinia said.

The young girl standing behind her smiled wryly. She obviously understood what Lady Lavinia was alluding to. Helena looked at the girl and back to Lady Lavinia, catching Lady Lavinia’s gaze before looking back to the girl. Lady Lavinia turned her head back to the girl.

“You can go. Justina will help me with anything I need,” Lady Lavinia said to her.