Helena raised her eyebrows at her sister, not quite believing it. As Lord Robert and the Duke of Bridstone fell into conversation, Julia leaned toward her.
“In truth, Helena, you two did seem rather distracted in your conversation when we began walking up the hill. Is everything well?”
“Yes, perfectly well,” Helena murmured. Repeatedly, she glanced at the Duke of Bridstone, finding he was avoiding looking at her now. It was a far cry from minutes before when she had felt they could not stop looking at one another.
How did we go from pleasant conversation to fiery bickering? Will it always be like this?
She hadn’t exactly not enjoyed it, she just longed for plainer speaking and to know what was truly going on in the Duke’s mind.
“Come on, it’s time we headed home,” Helena said to Julia, knowing it was time to end their secret meeting. Enough people had now seen Julia and Lord Robert together, and she was worried what people would whisper and gossip about such a meeting. It was best they were not permitted to linger too long in the public eye.
They turned away, preparing to leave. With words of goodbye, Helena looked at the Duke, warmed to find he looked at her this time. He was smiling.
* * *
“I am not sure this was a good idea,” Christopher said to his cousin as they walked into the garden where the host had gestured for them to take their places at the garden tea party.
“You know we had little choice,” Percival pointed out with an easy smile. “Your mother is intent on us making an appearance. She may care little for theton, but she doesn’t want people to talk either. Perhaps she’s tired of hearing your name being in the scandal sheets. It was there again this morning.”
“What?” Christopher flicked his head round, coming to a sharp stop on the paving slabs a short distance away from the garden tables. He had little wish to take part in this happy party now. Laughter reached his ear, pleasant and joyous conversation, yet he felt cold and distant from it. “Another?” he hissed. He had not seen that day’s scandal sheet, for he had left too early. “What did it say?”
“Well, you might not want to know.” Percival grimaced. “Not many gentlemen wish to hear that they are rumored to have taken part in a tryst with two ladies — on the same night.”
“Oh! God’s blood,” Christopher turned round and flung his hands into his hair. “Where do they get these lies from? How can it happen? I’ve done nothing but sit at home every night since that dinner at the Carters’ house.”
“I know, I know. The sheet did say it was just whispers, and it had no knowledge of who these two ladies supposedly were.” Percival took Christopher’s shoulder. “Come on, the only way to face such whispers is to ignore them. You pulling your own hair out will hardly help such things. Come, let us talk to people.”
“I’m in no mood to talk to people nor to be here.” Christopher’s voice was deep. “How am I supposed to smile and be nice to people who are thinking me such a demon in the backs of their minds?”
“Maybe speak to someone you actually like instead.” Percival steered him between two of the tables. “Look, Lady Helena is here.”
“Why should that affect me?” Yet Christopher darted his head round regardless, seeking her out.
She was sitting at a small table at the far end of the patio. On one side of her was her aunt and on the other her friend, Miss Nancy Hardy. Helena and Miss Hardy were in deep conversation, barely looking at anyone else at the table. Whatever the two had to share had quite captivated each of them. Helena smiled then gave way to laughter. It transformed her face.
She is really rather beautiful when she smiles like that.
Christopher felt his jealousy blossoming in his chest as he wondered why Lady Helena would never smile that way with him.
“You mean it shouldn’t affect you? At all?” Percival said, latching his hands behind his back and bobbing on his toes. “Curious.”
“What is?” Christopher asked.
“These last couple of weeks our families have been mostly absorbed in watching your brother with Lady Julia. I, on the other hand, have made a different observation entirely.”
Christopher held his breath, wondering where his cousin was going with this.
“Lady Helena is not without her charms, is she?” Percival asked in a whisper.
“Didn’t notice that.”
“Why not?” Percival laughed. “What would it matter if a man did admire a young and unattached lady? There is no harm in it.”
“Just…” Christopher broke off and rubbed a hand over his face, uncertain what to say. “Let us just sit and eat.”
He chose a place at another of the tables and sat down, encouraging Percival to take the seat beside him. They fell into conversation with those around them though Christopher drew quiet as the tea went on. It was plain that all at the table had read the scandal sheet that morning. They looked at him warily with narrowed eyes. His leg bobbed under the table with restless irritation. For so long, he had ignored what the sheets said about him, thinking they couldn’t hurt him.
As he glanced at Lady Helena across the garden, he wondered if she had read what was said, and if, God forbid, she had believed it. When the tea grew to a close, Christopher no longer took part in the conversation at his table at all. He even somehow tuned out Percival’s deep laughter and his jokes that entertained all around him. Christopher’s eyes were on Lady Helena.
