Chapter Two #2
Emily brought the ribbon, as well as a pearl necklace and a pair of pearl earrings, to Martha, who set to work putting them on her mistress. Martha gave a sad smile as she fastened the necklace around Helena’s neck.
“Your mother loved this necklace and earrings,” she said.
“I recall countless events where she would consider nothing but those earrings. Of all the innumerable pieces of jewelery she had, those were her favorite. She would dance down the hall and down the stairs on the way to meet Lord Garenshire as they prepared to go for the evening.”
Helena listened, not realizing that she was crying until the maid wiped away her tears with weathered hands.
Martha had been her mother’s lady’s maid until the countess died.
The Duke had hired another to be Emily’s lady’s maid when she was old enough, and Martha had stayed on with their family to be Helena’s.
“I miss her, Martha,” she said, her voice breaking.
Martha cupped her cheeks and nodded, her own eyes damp.
“I know, milady,” she said. “I also know how proud she would be of your strength. She would be delighted to see the lovely young women the both of you have become.”
Helena bit back a sob as Emily put a hand on her shoulder.
“Mother would always share a dance with me before they left for balls, even with no music,” she said, sniffling. “I would watch her dress and think about how I could not wait to be as beautiful and elegant as she was.”
Martha turned to Emily and smiled, nodding.
“And you certainly are, milady,” she said.
Before her family left for the ball, Helena slipped away to the music room.
Her mother’s walnut-crafted grand pianoforte shone, well-maintained, with its rich, reddish-brown hue.
The setting sun cast its shadow along the floor of the room, making it look as though a long figure were standing behind it.
Helena approached it, moving her fingers across the keys and drawing forth a melancholy tune that filled the refined space.
The pianoforte carried memories of happier times for Helena’s family, times which Helena found herself missing more and more each day.
Her mother had been patient when teaching her music lessons, and she had delighted in both her daughters performing with her on evenings when the entire family gathered in the music room to enjoy each other’s company.
Often, the three Crawford women entertained the earl with their musical and dancing prowess, and they had all been so happy.
Music had been their one shared passion, and it was the source of much delight for all four of them.
And during her betrothal, Simon had joined their family to listen to her play, admiring her talent which once impressed any within the ton who heard her play.
Now, in the wake of all the horror her family had experienced, each note echoed with the weight of everything they had lost and the absence of the happiness that could never again be theirs.
Emily found her standing at the instrument, and she approached with warmth and understanding in her expression.
As the music faded to silence, she placed a gentle hand on Helena’s shoulder, silently lending her strength.
Helena leaned against her sister and drew from that strength, just as she had countless times since their world began to crumble.
She had been Emily’s comfort after their mother died.
And since the scandal, Emily had been hers.
Helena did not know what would become of her without her devoted sister and their close relationship.
Despite all the horrible things, Helena found deep gratitude for Emily.
Their father’s muffled voice called from below, summoning them to join him so they could depart for the ball.
Emily took Helena’s hand, giving her a gentle, reassuring smile.
Helena returned it as she linked her arm through her sister’s.
Her smile was almost genuine by the time they reached their father, who was waiting for them in the entryway of their townhouse.
“My daughters, you look beautiful,” he said. There was some sincerity behind his words. But the pain and weight that lingered in his eyes took away the joy of the kindness. Still, she and Emily each kissed one of his cheeks and allowed him to lead them to the waiting carriage.
Helena sat straight-backed and silent against the velvet squabs of the coach.
Emily chatted excitedly as the carriage wound through the streets of London toward Lady Juliette’s townhouse.
He listened quietly to his youngest daughter, seeming like Helena to prefer to enjoy her delight rather than to speak of any concerns.
But Emily noticed Helena’s tension and placed a gentle hand over her restless fingers, which were folded with tense perfection in her lap.
Helena did her best to smile once more. She would do her best to hold her head high that evening.
But she knew that the evening would test every bit of her hard-won composure.