Thomas led her to the parlor where Willoughby was waiting to serve the tea.
Helena took off her bonnet and collapsed into a comfortable chair across from where Thomas sat down.
“Ah,” she cried out, flinging arms over the sides of the chair, leaning her head against the back, and staring at the ceiling as she held on to her bonnet. “My father is driving me insane.”
“Why is that?” Thomas asked.
“George…” she started to say, but then she stopped with the strangest expression.
“George what?”
“Nothing. Nothing,” she hurriedly said, then proceeded, “Father is constantly after me to agree to marry you.”
Thomas chuckled. “But I have not asked you to marry.”
Helena leaned forward and chuckled as well. “I know… But he issoinsistent… So, I decided to come over today to see if there might beanyoneelse you are considering. If you were to marry someone else, he just might leave me alone with his nagging.”
Willoughby came over to Thomas and asked, “Shall I serve the tea now, Your Grace, or do you wish to wait for the young lady?”
“Young lady?” Helena asked, alerted to something interesting. “Then there is someone else?” she asked hopefully.
“We shall wait,” he said to the butler. He then turned to Helena again and said. “No. No. Nothing like that. It was a chance encounter in the rain. I happened upon a young village girl and assisted her.”
“And she is here?”
“She is drying off and should join us shortly.”
“Thomas Haddington, you rogue…” she teased.
He smiled shyly. “Helena, it is nothing like that. You know me better than that. I may have a reputation as a flirt, but I would never cross the line.”
They heard the door creak open, and Jenny quietly entered.
Helena looked up and cried out, “Jenny!”
“Helena?” Jenny replied, equally surprised.
“You know each other?” Thomas asked.
Helena rushed over and took Jenny in her arms. She broke free and turned to Thomas with one arm around Jenny’s shoulder. “We are the best ever friends. We have known each other since childhood.”
“Miss Barnett, then your family is associated with Helena’s father, the Earl?”
“You might say that. Our family often prepares pies for their social events.”
“Pies?” Thomas asked, not understanding.
Extending her hand, Helena invited Jenny to join them.
“The best pies and pastries for many miles around. The Barnett Bakery—surely you are aware of it in the village?” Helena asked.
Thomas’s hopes were dashed that Jenny might be part of the aristocracy. “I am not familiar with them.”
“Well, I know you have had some of their delicious treats when you have come to our parties. We buy from them all the time.” She leaned in and whispered, “Ever so much better than what our cook can do.”
“I see.” Thomas waved to Willoughby. “We will have the tea now.”
Willoughby began serving the tea. Helena and Jenny chatted amongst themselves for a moment before Helena turned to Thomas and said, “I am so happy the two of you have met—my two very best friends. I have longed for the two of you to meet, but there was never the opportunity before now.” She studied Jenny for a moment and asked, “Is this a new dress? I have not seen it before?”
