“Ah, I see. Down to him marrying the younger daughter, is it not?” Isaac asked and gestured to Robert with his cane.
“That’s right, yes.”
“Hmm. About bloody time we set the past aside.”
Christopher turned and looked helplessly at his mother and aunt who both smiled, humored at Isaac’s ways.
I should be thankful that he has subconsciously made his peace with it, I suppose.
Christopher followed his brother toward the door of the house and waited to be admitted. Already darkness had fallen as they attended the dinner the Duke of Dunton had invited them to the night before.
Christopher was more nervous than the last time they had attended though it had nothing to do with the warring families. They had dredged the worst of what the two families could do with Gibbs’ foolish attempt to stop the wedding the day before. No, Christopher’s nervousness had much to do with the lady he would be seeing tonight.
Ah, Helena. What passes between us now?
All night, he had laid awake, struggling to sleep, for he thought excessively of her. Her accusation didn’t seem to matter to him anymore, not after all he had seen that day. She was fiercely passionate and protective of her sister. It was those virtues that had led to her suspicion of the Moores, something he could not fault her for.
The question remained whether they could be as they were again, or if too much had changed.
“Come in, Your Grace, My Lord.” The butler bowed to them all. “The family is waiting for you.”
Christopher walked in though he hung back, allowing the rest of the family to go before him with Robert leading the way. As they entered the vast sitting room, he saw there were two missing from the room. Both Lord Gibbs and his wife were nowhere to be seen.
Julia was the first to run forward, to greet Robert, then the Duke of Dunton came next, making a point of greeting them all in turn. Behind him, the Duchess of Dunton followed with a smile. She held onto her son’s hand, who made a beeline to talk to Isaac.
“I was wondering if you have any more stories for me, My Lord?” the boy asked good-naturedly, after all the pleasantries had been made.
“Ah, yes. Did I tell you about the time I put a tadpole in the custard? My father was livid!” Isaac said, prompting the boy to chuckle. They walked off to share more stories, and the ladies gathered together too, leaving Julia and Robert to themselves.
Christopher looked around, seeking one last person in that room, but she was missing.
Where is Helena?
“Your Grace,” the Duke of Dunton stepped toward him. “I must thank you.”
“Thank me? Whatever for?” Christopher asked in surprise as the Duke pressed a glass of claret into his hands.
“I have been reviewing the last few weeks in my mind, and something I keep coming back to again and again is how much you have encouraged the match and tried to bring peace to our families. I owe you a great gratitude for it.”
“Think nothing of it, Your Grace.”
“All these ‘Your Graces’. You and I shall get ourselves in a pickle.” The Duke laughed. “Come, as we are to be family, I would prefer you to address me by my Christian name.”
“Truly?” Christopher coughed a little on the claret, stunned by the request.
“Yes. If we are to be friends, then losing such formalities, I think, is the best way forward. My name is Benjamin. I’d be glad for you to call me as such.” He smiled broadly. For the first time, Christopher saw a little similarity in his and Helena’s faces. Each one’s countenance could be transformed by a genuine smile.
“Thank you. Then I’d be glad for you to call me Christopher, Your Grace… Ah, I did it again.”
Benjamin laughed warmly.
“Well, maybe it will take some getting used to. Please, enjoy tonight. You and I shall talk much later.”
“Thank you, Benjamin.” Christopher smiled, overwhelmingly relieved that at long last he had made progress with the Carters. They all seemed to be following Benjamin’s example, and his wife was making special efforts to talk to Frances and Laura whilst Isaac and Matthew entertained themselves together. Benjamin went to join in with their conversation, leaving Christopher quite alone.
Where are you?
He took another gulp from his claret then a figure appeared in the door, capturing his attention. It was Helena. She had dressed finely for the evening in an ivory white gown, elegant with cinched sleeves around her shoulders. The white chiffon skirt skimmed her slim curves, and white pearls that matched the color perfectly were dotted through her dark hair. She was such a fine sight to see that he stared at her across the room, dumbstruck.
