Page 68 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

She powdered her face and brushed her long hair before walking back outside. She met Lord Jeffrey already sitting in the sitting room.

“Lord Jeffrey,” she said.

“Miss Helena, good afternoon,” Lord Jeffrey answered, bowing stiffly.

“I do have to better grasp the timing of your visits,” she said.

“This one would have been hard to grasp because I decided to come here on a moment’s whim,” he answered.

Miss Justina and Lady Lavinia sat on the opposite chairs, looking interested but saying nothing.

“I brought some, uhm, merchandise,” Lord Jeffrey said.

Helena laughed.

“Merchandise,” she repeated.

Lord Jeffrey stood up and gestured to her.

“If you would follow me,” he said.

Helena followed Lord Jeffrey outside the house. He walked to his carriage, which was still parked in front of the stairwell. As the driver and coachman saw him come down the stairs, they jumped down from their positions and moved to the carriage door. Lord Jeffrey walked to them and nodded his head, saying nothing. The coachman opened the door and walked into the carriage. He stuck his head out a short while later, extending a big package out to the driver who collected it and placed it on the final step. The coachman brought out four more packages. After that, he got down and closed the door, waiting for Lord Jeffrey’s next order. Lord Jeffrey gestured for them to return back to their positions.

“What are these, Lord Jeffrey?” Helena asked.

“A friend of my father brought many such parcels for us yesterday. They contain silk of the finest make. I decided to bring some for your father, one for you,” Lord Jeffrey said.

Helena covered her open mouth with her hand. She had not expected such a gesture from Lord Jeffrey. She never imagined him, capable of such benevolence.

This is so different to the reports I have heard of him.

“Lord Jeffrey, thank you very much for this kind gesture, but there is no need for …”

“Nonsense,” Lord Jeffrey interrupted.

He pointed to Miss Justina standing at the top of the stairwell.

“Come take these in.”

“No,” Helena said quickly.

“Go and get stewards to carry these in, Justina,” Helena said.

Lord Jeffrey looked at Helena, and his eyes weren’t kind. He looked surprised that she had disputed his order and angry that she had the guts to do so. Lady Lavinia started coming down the stairs, and Lord Jeffrey shifted his gaze to her.

“Lord Jeffrey, although my friend is still too shocked to be appreciative enough, I want to say thank you on her behalf,” Lady Lavinia said.

“Ah, it’s no problem at all,” Lord Jeffrey answered.

Miss Justina appeared again from within the house. Two stewards came after her. Three of them went down the stairs. The stewards overtook her and walked to the parcels as Miss Justina joined Lord Jeffrey.

“My Lord, the Baron asks that you come in to see him,” Miss Justina said, looking to her mistress as she ended the statement.

Lord Jeffrey nodded. Miss Justina turned, leading him into the house and to the Baron. Helena didn’t move. She watched them climb up the stairs and disappear behind the closing door.

“You do not look overly impressed,” Lady Lavinia said, moving to stand beside Helena.

“I am. This is a wonderful surprise,” Helena answered.