Page 64 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

The maid curtseyed and walked away.

“Your eyes tell me you have some good gossip for me,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena laughed.

“I don’t, but we usually end up talking about something or someone. Her absence would be much preferred,” Helena answered.

“Yes, that’s very true,” Lady Lavinia answered, drawing on the neckline of her dress.

Lady Lavinia’s eyes brightened.

“So how did your outing with Lord Jeffrey go? I wouldn’t forget; did you think I would?” Lady Lavinia said excitedly.

Helena smiled, so did Miss Justina.

“It went fine. Lord Jeffrey is well known, I discover. I don’t think he stopped nodding till we left. So many people wanted to greet him,” Helena said.

“Did he cut anyone?” Lady Lavinia asked.

Helena shook her head.

“I didn’t see him do that to anyone. He is frosty with servants and stewards, but I haven’t seen him deign to return greetings to anyone of rank,” Helena responded.

“He brought you back home?” Lady Lavinia asked.

“Of course,” Helena answered, shocked that her friend would think Lord Jeffrey capable of such bad manners.

“Why would he do otherwise?” Helena asked.

“You know he has a reputation,” Lady Lavinia said.

“No, not of such ill manners, he doesn’t,” Helena responded.

Her eyes rested on Miss Justina for a split second as she remembered Lord Jeffrey’s condescending air when she spoke.

“I presume you enjoyed the discussions with him. He is a man of great learning,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena nodded her head slightly. She remembered how their discussions had gone.

Lavinia couldn’t be more mistaken.

“I did. He is a good listener,” Helena responded.

Lady Lavinia looked at her right hand. Helena noticed there was a timepiece in her fist.

“Oh, it is almost time to have lunch. No wonder my belly troubles me so,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena didn’t want to leave the garden. The air felt wonderful.

“Let’s tarry here a bit,” Helena said.

Lady Lavinia touched Miss Justina on her arm.

“Go into the house and ask for Maurice. Tell Maurice to give you a tray of biscuits and some lemonade,” she told Miss Justina.

Miss Justina nodded and walked to the house.

“I wasn’t planning to leave here either,” Lady Lavinia said as she turned back to Helena.