* * *
Jenny was so excited by the prospect of baking for the Duke’s ball she thought nothing of racing over after she was done baking for the day to visit with Helena. Even though it meant the long walk to the Comerford estate.
Jenny ran the last few hundred yards to the front door and knocked.
She asked, breathlessly, as the door was answered, “Is Helena in, I should so like to see her.”
“Come inside, Miss Jenny, and I shall see if she is available.”
The butler left her standing in the entryway as he went to enquire if she was free.
But instead of the butler returning, Helena came dashing out of the parlor and threw herself into Jenny’s arms, sobbing.
Jenny was shocked. “Helena, my dearest, why are you crying?”
“Father has banished, George,” she said, pulling away from Jenny and wiping her eyes with the back of her hands. She linked her arm with Jenny and led her to the parlor as she composed herself.
She was anxious to tell Jenny what had happened with her father and rallied as she told Jenny the tale.
“But how did he find out?” Jenny asked.
“Evidently Thomas told his uncle and he then told my father.”
“How rude of the Duke to break your confidence,” Jenny said.
“I doubted he meant it to get back to Papa, but somehow it did and once Papa found out, all has been ruined for Georgie and me.”
“What can be done?”
“I have no idea. But we are lost,” and she burst into tears once again.
“Oh, dear friend, I am so very sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“It is so good of you to be here with me now.” Then she had a thought. “And why did you come? You had no way of knowing I was in distress.”
Jenny felt embarrassed now. “No, I came because I have some good news and I wanted to share it with you. But now I fear I may upset you more.”
“Oh, Sister, you could not. Please tell me.”
“I am to go to Pemberton to make all the pastries for the Duke’s ball.”
It took a moment for Helena to register this news. “Why, Jenny thatiswonderful news.”
“And he is going to pay me a hundred pounds for the week.” Helena began to cry again. “Why are you crying?” Jenny asked, taking Helena by the shoulders.
“Because I am so happy for you,” she wailed.
They both started laughing. Then Helena stopped and looked as though she had an idea.
“What?” Jenny asked.
Helena smiled. “When I was last with Thomas, we talked about you—or at least I did. And I was saying what a wonderful person you are and how he should consider you as a wife…”
Jenny blushed. “Oh, Helena, why would you do such a thing? You know it is an impossibility. He would never consider marrying the likes of me.”
“And why not? You are charming in every way. You are a talented pastry cook, and I know he likes you.”
“Stop right now. That is a preposterous idea.”
