Chapter 1 #2
“For always being there for me, Faith and Grace. I just wanted you to know that we know what you’ve sacrificed for us…”
“Oh, you mustn’t think of that. I am your sister; it is what we do.”
“Yes, but you have done so much.”
“And I will continue doing so.”
Helena sniffed again. Then, straightening in her seat, she continued.
“Now, you must remember all that we have talked about, remember my warnings about rakes and—”
“Helena,” Chastity put her hand over her older sister’s. “I remember everything. I promise that I shall be in my best behavior. You trust me do you not?”
“Of course, I do!” Helena reassured her. “It is the men that I do not.”
Chastity’s giggle was interrupted as their carriage door opened.
When they stood just outside the ballroom doors waiting to be announced, Helena felt Chastity’s hand grasp hers. Giving her sister’s hand an encouraging squeeze, they entered the ballroom as they heard their names.
“I’m so glad that you are here with me, Helena,” Chastity whispered.
“I shall always be here when you need me, Chastity,” Helena replied softly. “Now smile, dearest.”
Faith and Grace’s predictions indeed came true.
In fact, Chastity’s dance card was almost full, completely erasing her fears that night of being an utter failure.
The excitement of her first ball brought a brightness to her eyes and rendered her face all the more beautiful.
This, together with her pleasing manners, was noticed by everyone.
“My dear, Helena.” Lady Chapman stood beside her as they watched Chastity dance her first dance that evening. “You must be proud of your sister. Quite a number of gentlemen wanted an introduction to her. She has grown up beautifully.”
“Well, yes, I am proud of her beauty. But I am also proud of her intelligence and of her kindness.”
“Yes, of course,” Lady Chapman added. “Though it has not been so long ago when I recall your mother bemoaning her wearisome ways.”
Helena only smiled at her comment. Lady Chapman was one of her mother’s closest friends, thus she spoke to Helena with such familiarity.
“It is a shame that your mother and father could not be here tonight.”
“That it is, my lady,” Helena said. “Although we expect them to arrive from their trip to Paris tonight as well.”
“How fortunate your mother is that you can be entrusted with your sister’s welfare.”
“I am happy to see to Chastity’s coming out into society.” Helena’s eyes softened as she watched her sister move gracefully through the figures of the dance.. “I shall assist her as best as I can in securing a good future for her.”
“And you?” Lady Chapman asked, eyes direct but kind. “What of your future, my dear? You are not getting any younger, Helena. Why, very soon you shall be declared on the shelf if you do not make haste and find yourself a husband.”
Helena should have been used to the question, for it certainly was not the first time a well-meaning—or sometimes not so well-meaning—matron asked her the same question, but she still felt the sting of the words.
She imagined Lady Chapman’s reaction if she told her of the future she planned for herself. Indeed, a future that her parents promised to secure for her once she fulfilled her responsibilities to their family. A future all to herself, a future of peace and independence.
But for now, she must be the dutiful daughter. She clasped her hands together and spoke to her mother’s friend.
“My lady, I—”
“Oh, look, Lord Strong is heading this way, seeking an introduction to you and your sister, I imagine. He inherited no more than two years ago. He is quite the catch, you know.”
A handsome young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties and dressed in the latest fashion approached them.
“Lord Strong, Viscount Dunsmoor,” Helena murmured to herself. She tried to recall any unpleasant information about him, but could find none. “I recall the news of his father's passing. I do hope he has adjusted well to his title.”
“Oh yes, I daresay he has. Since he became a viscount, he has been to London but twice. And only to take his seat in Parliament. Lord Chapman tells me that he is quite a serious young man. I was very gratified that he accepted my invitation, for he has graced very few social events.”
The gentleman himself arrived. Just a few moments after him, Chastity joined them again from her dance.
“Lady Chapman, might I request the honor of an introduction to your friends?”
“Of course, my lord.” Lady Chapman said, she smiled at the newly arrived Chastity and proceeded with the introductions.
“My lord, may I present Lady Helena Ayles and Lady Chastity Ayles.” She turned to the sisters. “Lady Helena, Lady Chastity, may I present Lord Strong, Viscount Dunsmoor.”
They exchanged bows and curtsies.
“Good evening, ladies. It is an honor to make your acquaintance.” He smiled almost shyly at Chastity. “Might I have the pleasure of dancing with you, Lady Chastity?”
Chastity looked at Helena discreetly, who, in turn, nodded just as discreetly.
“I would be happy to dance with you, Lord Strong,” Chastity replied with a smile.
“I thank you.” Lord Strong bowed. “And have you ladies been enjoying the evening?”
“Indeed, sir. This being my first ball, I find it extremely enjoyable.”
“She has danced every dance, my lord.” Lady Chapman said with a proud smile.
“I am not surprised to find you the most popular lady tonight, Lady Chastity.”
“And why is that, sir?” Helena asked, looking at him in an assessing way.
“Well…” Lord Strong seemed taken aback by the question. He shuffled his feet and looked at Chastity. “Well, because of your beauty and charm, Lady Chastity.”
Chastity gave her sister a sharp look, then smiled at Lord Strong.
“You flatter me, my lord.”
“Indeed, I do not.” He looked quite serious, “I speak plainly.”
“But you are indeed correct. My lord,” Lady Chapman quickly added. “Chastity is quite popular tonight, if I am not mistaken, you were just given one of her last two dances tonight.”
Chastity blushed. Lord Strong smiled.. A friend called to him, and he made his excuse.
“I look forward to dancing with you tonight, Lady Chastity.” He bowed and sent her another shy smile.
Chastity smiled widely at her sister, clearly delighted with her successful night. Chuckling, Helena smiled at her as well.
Very soon, Chastity’s next dance partner went to their group to claim her for the quadrille. Helena was watching their progress towards the dance floor when a gentleman stopped before her and Lady Chapman.
“Good evening, Lady Helena.”
It took Helena a moment, for she was focused on her sister and her dance partner, but she finally recognized him as an acquaintance, Mr. Addison.
“A good evening to you, Mr. Addison.”
“Might I have the pleasure of this dance, my lady?”
“Oh, I am truly sorry, my lord, but I am fulfilling the role of chaperone to my sister tonight and therefore cannot dance.”
“Ah, that is, indeed, unfortunate, for I recall how beautifully you dance.”
“Another time perhaps, sir?”
The gentleman bowed with a smile and then went off to seek a more willing dance partner.
“You should have accepted, Mr. Addison’s dance request, my dear Helena.” Lady Chapman said. “You cannot expect to stand in this fashion the whole night.”
Helena stopped herself from rolling her eyes. How was she to keep watch over her sister if she herself was dancing?
“He was very kind to ask, but I am determined not to dance tonight, Lady Chapman.”
“What a shame, for you do look lovely tonight, and Mr. Addison has a large estate in the north of England. Well, have a pleasant evening, my dear. Do look for me again later before you leave.” Lady Chapman smiled and turned to leave.
Helena glanced at the departing form of her mother’s friend. As before, she could not quite believe that Lady Chapman was among her mother’s circle of friends. For one, Lady Chapman was the only warmhearted one among them, her mother included.
Helena shook her head, smiling at the quick conjecture from dancing to marriage that only society matrons could do.
Feeling thirsty, she walked towards the refreshment table, all the while keeping her eye on Chastity and her dance partner. With a glass of punch in hand, Helena was greeted by some acquaintances.
“Is that Lady Chastity, your younger sister, Lady Helena?”
She turned to the gentleman who voiced the question.
“Lord Scott, good evening.” Helena curtsied somewhat stiffly.
Lord Scott, Baron Emsworth, was Helena’s former suitor during her first season. They had courted for a brief month before they decided mutually that, indeed, they did not suit.
Never mind that he had courted two other young ladies while he was courting her.
The fact remained that his withdrawal of his suit was quite a relief to her then.
Though it did not go over so easily with Helena’s mother, nor her father—who thought his family’s large fortune made up for his much lower rank.
“A pleasant evening to you, my lady,” Lord Scott replied. Then, looking again at Chastity, he continued. “My word, she has grown into a beautiful young lady.”
“Indeed.” Helena said with a hard smile.
Do not even think about it, you scoundrel!
“And how have you been, Lady Helena? I do not recall seeing you earlier this season. Has your father, the earl, not taken up his seat in Parliament yet?”
“He is just returning from a short trip with my mother.” Helena’s mind worked to find an escape from the conversation with the gentleman.
“My sisters and I arrived in London not a fortnight ago. Which reminds me, my lord, I must see to Chastity. It is her first season after all and requires much guidance in navigating her first ball.”
“But you must save a dance for me, my lady.” He smiled a full smile at her. “It has been an age since we took to the dance floor together. We must remedy that, do you not agree?”
“I apologize, my lord.” Helena smiled her full smile as well. “But I must decline your generous offer for now. I have a sister, that is right now in need of my guidance.”
His smile turned into a frown at her allusion to their past.
“I see that you are still angry with me.”
“Oh no, not at all, my lord,” Helena said, this time with a genuine smile. “I am really extremely thankful to you, for you have taught me quite a number of things regarding gentlemen of the ton.”
She curtsied again.
“I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, Lord Scott.”
She walked away leaving Lord Scott behind, and all that he made her remember.
She was with a small group of acquaintances when she felt a tingle at the back of her neck.
She felt as if she were being watched. Helena turned to see a gentleman, some distance away, looking at her intently.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he exuded charm.
Even from afar, she would have recognized that teasing smile.
Him.
Her lips tightened into a straight line. She schooled her features and forced herself to pay attention to the conversation in the group.
Soon, the dance ended, and Helena waved at her sister to get her attention. Chastity, led by her dance partner, proceeded to her direction. She smiled at them. Looking over her shoulder once again, she was glad to note that the gentleman was no longer there.
“That was one of my favorite dances,” Chastity said when her dance partner left. “I enjoyed practicing it the most if you recall, Helena.”
But Helena did not hear her; indeed, she stood as still as a statue. The only animation she showed was her brows drawing together into a frown.
Helena drew in a deep breath to control her displeasure. She had no reason to think that he was headed her way—except for the purposeful stride that brought the gentleman closer and closer to where she stood.