Chapter 4
Chapter Four
“We should be at my home soon.” A man’s voice cut through her waking haze.
Helena blinked, uncertain as to where she was, not recognizing the countryside around her.
Suddenly, she remembered the man next to her, and turned to look at him with wide eyes and a gasp.
How could she have been so careless? He could have done anything to her while she was asleep. She could not believe how much she had let down her guard.
“Your home?” she asked cautiously.
“Yes.”
“Why are you taking me to your home?”
He slid her a sidelong glance. “I believe I explained to you that I am conducting an investigation into your father’s death. I have questions for you.”
“That you must ask me in your home?”
He turned to face her. “Is there somewhere else you would like me to take you instead?” he asked, a challenge in his eyes.
She blinked a few times, unable to come up with an answer. She supposed she couldn’t exactly ask him to drop her off in the streets of whatever village they were in and let her go. She had nowhere to go.
Still, she was a lady—or at least, she had been before her mother tossed her away—and to go to a gentleman’s home with no chaperone was still an impropriety.
“Will your wife be present at your home?” she asked.
His mouth twisted as if he could read her mind. “I do not have a wife.”
She bristled momentarily. “How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”
He scoffed. “I should be insulted that you would think otherwise,” he said. “I am an honorable man. Though I suppose you can be forgiven for not knowing that.”
“I haven’t met many honorable men.”
“Well, now you have. Whatever you confide in me shall be held in the strictest confidence, and I shall protect you in every way within my power. So, pray, do not hesitate to tell me what happened to your father.”
Helena swallowed, thinking about Uncle James’s last words. For him to find out that she had spoken about her father’s demise…he would surely take it out on Charlie, and she had no way to protect him except with her silence.
She pursed her lips, staring at Silas, wondering if he would throw her out of the carriage if she refused to speak.
Even if he does, I wouldn’t be any worse off than I am now.
He gave her an intent look. “What would it take for you to speak?” he asked.
Helena could well visualize him storming her former home, making accusations left and right, if she told him what she knew.
“I do not know you. I have no idea of your motives. You cannot simply expect me to trust you.”
He sighed in exasperation. “What would it take? Have I not rescued you from that convent? From imminent death, as you said?”
“And so? For all I know you are leading me to imminent death. Or worse. I don’t know.”
His brow creased once again. Somehow, even in his forbidding demeanor, there was something about him that called to her. She felt inexplicably drawn to him.
If she were honest, that was the source of her greatest worry.
“What would I have to do in order for you to believe me?” he asked.
She blinked a few times, surprised at the question.
“I have no idea. I have been in the convent since I was six and ten. Before that, the only gentlemen that I saw regularly were my father and my uncle. Even so, we did not spend a lot of time in each other’s company.
Therefore, how am I to know what a trustworthy gentleman is like? ”
He huffed, shaking his head. “We are no different from other people. A trustworthy lady and a trustworthy gentleman would act more or less in a similar manner. Have you known any trustworthy women?”
Slowly, Helena shook her head. She almost smiled at his visible frustration. It was endearing.
“What about the sisters at the convent?”
Helena let out a burst of laughter. “Absolutely not.”
He frowned. “Not a single one?”
“I was not allowed to interact with very many ladies.”
“Why not?”
“The nuns said I was too much of a bad influence, so they kept me as far from them as they could.”
He looked again, the frown now deeply set in his features, deep in thought. When it softened again, he said, “So you would never tell anyone about why you were placed there.”
It wasn’t a question, more like an observation.
“You are also perceptive, then,” she remarked.
“Handsome and perceptive? I must indeed be lucky, receiving two compliments from you within such a short span,” he said, and it reminded her of his softer demeanor only a few hours ago.
“I did not compliment you the first time,” she insisted, for she didn’t need to boost this man’s arrogance, as she was certain he had plenty of it already.
“So you admit this time was indeed a compliment?” he smirked.
Helena groaned. “Think whatever you please, I do not care.”
His smirk widened for a mere second before his expression settled into cool seriousness. “You have endured more than you deserved,” he said, tone smooth as steel. “But with me, you are safe. My intentions are only in your favor.”
“Words are so easy to say,” she said ruefully. “When my mother tossed me into the convent, she told me it was for my own good.”
He pursed his lips for a moment, and a deep disdain filled his eyes.
“I am not your mother, and I have no ulterior motives towards you,” he said after a pause. “Do you not want to see your father receive justice?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“If he was murdered, do you not want to see his killers to be held accountable?”
She looked him up and down, “The question is why do you want to see his killers brought to justice?”
They came to a stop at a large gate emblazoned with a crest she didn’t recognize. The guard lost no time in letting them in, giving Silas a bow as they passed.
He is a lord indeed, then, she thought.
They clip-clopped down a stone-paved driveway and came to a stop in front of a large stone manor.
Helena looked up at it. The building was just as imposing as the abbey, though it did not radiate the same sense of evil.
The front door flew open and a young lady came running out. “Brother! You are back at last. Where did you go? Nobody even had a clue when you even left.”
The girl, Silas’s sister, apparently, looked around the age of fifteen.
“Amelia. Go back to your—” Silas began, but the girl cut him off as she came up to them.
“And who is this?” she asked before her face broke out in a smile. “Good evening! My name is Amelia. What’s yours?”
“I—I…” Helena flicked a glance between Silas and his sister, not sure what she should say.
“Amelia, go back to your chambers.” Silas ordered.
Amelia planted her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing at her brother. “Truly, Silas, you vanish without a word, return at your leisure, and now expect me to simply curtsy and retreat without question? That is most unfair.”
Silas exhaled sharply. “Amelia, this is not a matter for you to concern yourself with.”
Her gaze shifted eagerly to Helena. “Is she a traveler stranded on the road?” she asked in a hushed, conspiratorial tone. “Or perhaps she has fled from an odious betrothal? Oh! Did you rescue her, Silas? How very heroic of you!”
Helena blinked at the rapid flurry of questions. “I—”
“Amelia.” Silas’s voice carried an unmistakable warning.
His sister pursed her lips, entirely undeterred.
“Well, you have brought home a woman, and I should like to know why. It is only polite to make proper introductions, is it not?” She turned to Helena with a bright smile.
“I do hope you will not allow my brother to frighten you away, miss. He does so enjoy scowling.”
Silas groaned. “Amelia—”
“Oh, do not Amelia me. You are forever skulking about with grave expressions and dark pronouncements, but I daresay this lady might appreciate a more cordial welcome.” She beamed at Helena. “Are you staying long? I do hope so! Silas is abominably dull company.”
Helena, against her better judgment, bit back a smile. “He does seem rather serious.”
Amelia gasped, delighted. “You see? She understands perfectly!”
Silas pinched the bridge of his nose. “Amelia, go inside.”
She heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Not before I learn the lady’s name.” She turned to Helena with a polite curtsy. “What shall I call you, miss?”
Helena offered a gentle smile. “Helena. My name is Helena.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Helena! May I also ask—”
“No, you may not, Amelia. Lady Helena will be staying with us briefly, but you cannot pester her with questions anymore,” Silas cut her off, his tone harsh and brooking no argument.
Amelia frowned for a moment, but her face quickly lit up. “You’ll be staying here? How lovely!” She hurried over to the carriage and grabbed Helena by the arm. “Pardon me, Lady Helena. You must be quite exhausted by your journey. Come with me, and I shall get you situated in no time.”
“Amelia,” Silas growled this time, “Lady Helena and I were speaking.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t be rude, brother. Can’t you see she is tired and worn out?” Amelia practically pulled Helena from the carriage. “Where are your belongings, Lady Helena?”
“I have none,” Helena responded, feeling quite overwhelmed by this whirlwind of a girl.
“No worries, I am sure we can find something for you to wear. If not, the seamstress will adjust something.”
“Amelia!” Silas hissed.
His sister simply waved airily, threaded her arm through Helena’s, and led her into the house.
Silas watched his sister lead Lady Helena away with frustration. He had no idea how he’d raised such a willful spitfire; he’d tried his best to be as stern as possible to make up for his youth.
Lady Helena seemed as bemused as he was at Amelia’s behavior, but she seemed quite happy to go along with it.
This is not a game. Amelia can’t be involved in this.
Still, he could not help but notice that the lady had misplaced her cap somewhere, her long jet-black hair now loose, hanging all the way down her back in waves.
He wondered how her hair would feel if he ran his fingers through it.
Compose yourself, Highcliff. He shook his head to rid himself of fanciful notions.
Alighting from the phaeton, he handed it over to the groom before slowly following his sister and Helena into the house.
He stood stock still in the foyer. He could hear his sister’s high piping voice talking a mile a minute, somewhere on the second floor. She seemed quite excited by Helena’s presence.
Silas could not imagine why.
With a sigh of defeat, he began to walk to his office. It was clear to him that his talk with Helena would have to wait until Amelia was done with her.
“Where did you come from?” Amelia asked, looking Helena up and down.
Helena bit her lip, “I, um, well…did your brother say you weren’t allowed to ask any more questions?”
She knew she sounded rude, but this was an innocent adolescent girl; she had to be kept far away from the dangers of her predicament.
“I suppose. Forgive me; I don’t have much occasion to speak with ladies. I haven’t even been to London yet. But you must have! I am very curious. Please do tell me all about it!”
Helena huffed in amusement. “You and your brother seem to possess a similar thirst for knowledge.”
Amelia inclined her head to the side like a curious puppy. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that you both have a vast number of questions.”
“Which you do not wish to answer,” Amelia said shrewdly.
“I would prefer to keep my own counsel until I know you both better. I advise that you do the same, my lady. For your own safety,” she replied, ensuring her tone is as soft as possible.
“I suppose that makes sense. We are strangers, after all,” she frowned, “so how come you’re here?”
Helena snorted. “You just cannot help yourself, can you?”
Amelia sheepishly shook her head. “I am dying to know why my brother took off in the middle of the day only to come back with a waif-like lady. Did he rescue you from brigands?”
Helena laughed sardonically. “I suppose he did.”
Two maids came in carrying pails of hot water.
“I am sure you would appreciate a long bath, then.” Amelia said.
“You can use this room while you stay with us. I shall just go and see if I can find something for you to wear. You are not much taller than me. I shall have the seamstress adjust some of my gowns for you.” Her eyes slid down to Helena’s bosom, “though they might be a lot tighter around here,” she said, using her hands to indicate her chest.
“I shall be grateful for anything to wear, my lady. It need not be a gown. I would be fine with a some clothes borrowed from the maids.”
“Oh pish!” Amelia cried, “you are a lady and you will dress like one. That’s what my brother always says, anyway.”
Helena smiled. “And you always obey him?”
Amelia shrugged. “He is my only guardian. I have very little choice.”
Their parents are dead, she realized.
“Oh. I am sorry. I did not know.”
“It’s all right. Our parents died when I was five years old, so I don’t remember them much. They’re just hazy impressions of well-dressed people to me. Silas was the one who brought me up.”
“How old was he when it happened?”
“He was one and twenty. I’m not sure, but I think he used to be quite a cheerful fellow. That all changed when he became my guardian. Now he tries to be all stern and forbidding.” Amelia made a face as if copying Silas’s strict mien. “Though I suppose that comes with running a duchy.”
A duchy? He is a duke, then, she thought.
What would a duke have to do with her father? She didn’t remember her father mentioning any duke before.
She’d have to discover that later. For now, she could only think that Silas was also protecting his younger sibling, like she was with Charlie.
Amelia left her to her bath then. Helena took her time reveling in the warm water.
During her time at the convent, she had only ever had cold water in her basin to wash with.
She had forgotten what a luxury it was to lie back while her limbs were scrubbed industriously, in front of a fire.
She felt her whole body liquefy with pleasure.
She sighed in contentment, feeling completely at peace for the moment.