Page 82 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

A squat man of wide proportions walked up to Lord Jeffrey.

Mr Victor Harding.

“He would not be pleased to see his friend angry over me. He would even show greater displeasure if Lord Jeffrey tells him the reason for his pique,” Helena said.

“What?” Dr Frederick asked.

“Don’t bother,” Helena replied.

She saw Lord Jeffrey turn to Mr Harding and speak some words accompanied by charged demonstrations. Helena shook her head. Mr Harding would never take her side or be the voice of reason. The man had a grudge with her. He was a man given to bouts of drunkenness. During one of such episodes, he started giving false tale of the state of affairs in Europe a few hundred years ago. Helena, being a good student of history, had corrected him. He was the type of man to be easily insulted by a woman’s tongue and had reacted as thus. Helena couldn’t remember all she said that day. “Revolting, overfed bag of ignorant flesh” had been some of the words she had used to describe him after his insulting tirade. And now he was staring at her with a displeasure that humorously made his fat face look better.

Helena heard the instruments play to a crescendo. The dance was coming to an end. Lord Jeffrey would surely come to her now. As the dance ended, Helena rushed a curtsey and moved away from Dr Frederick.

“I was hoping to share more conversation, and maybe a seat by your side during the supper,” Dr Frederick said.

Helena shook her head as she moved away.

“I would love to Dr Frederick, but I need to get Justina,” Helena said.

She turned and started walking out of the room. She looked to where Lord Jeffrey had stood and couldn’t find him there. Just as she was going out the door, Mr Harding moved her way.

“Mr Harding, I hope you are enjoying your ball,” she said with as much amicability as she could muster.

“I am. A coquette like you will surely be revelling in pleasure now.”

Helena shook her head. She forced down the acerbic reply that almost rasped off her tongue.

“This is our first conversation today, Mr Harding. Am I mistaken to assume you would act as the man you are and leave the emotions struck up by words spoken in the events that involved them?” she replied, referring to their last conflict.

“I have but your animalistic character repeats itself, even the best of men isn’t enough for you. I cannot but infer that–”

Helena raised her hand to slap his face only to have it held back. She was surprised to see gloves on the hand on her wrist. She looked back to see Miss Justina.

“He is not worth it,” Miss Justina said quietly.

Helena looked back at Mr Harding. He had seen the reaction he elicited in her. It drew a pleased smile to his face. Helena shook her head and walked into the waiting room. Miss Justina followed.

“Thank you, you arrived just at the nick of time. I was about to slap the senses off his swollen head,” Helena said.

Miss Justina chuckled.

“I doubt you would have done that, even if you felt like it. You have too much good sense to draw such unwanted attention to yourself.”

“I felt like it,” Helena said, smiling as she spoke.

“I need to mention something to you. I saw one of Miss Morgana’s girls, a debutante. I saw her with–”

“Helena,” Lord Jeffrey’s voice boomed behind them.

Startled, they both turned to face him. He wasn’t smiling. He looked at Miss Justina as if she was intruding, impeding on their privacy. Helena saw Miss Justina drop her gaze and turn away. Helena held her hand, holding her back while keeping her gaze level with Lord Jeffrey. Lord Jeffrey laughed.

“You do not know me, Helena,” he said.

“I am not sure I want to,” Helena replied.

“Do I need to say more before you realise this is supposed to be a private conversation?” Lord Jeffrey said to Miss Justina.

“Don’t worry. I won’t be far behind,” Miss Justina said, drawing her hand away from her mistress and walking away.