Chapter 15 #2
Her mind went back to the encounter just a few minutes ago.
For a moment there, she saw the same fire of rebellion that had lit Chastity’s eyes a few years ago.
That Chastity had gone, leaving only an agreeable spirit.
Or so she thought. The past year had proven that; indeed, she had left that phase behind and had matured into the Chastity that she now was.
Helena nodded her head.
I am right. She is just taxed by all that is happening now. She just needs a quiet moment. Perhaps we can skip our engagements for this afternoon and tomorrow.
Helena’s rapid, angry breathing slowed, and she lowered her head in relief at her solution. Yes, that was what they needed, a break from the season. A short rest, that was all.
Matteo read the note from Helena again as his valet flitted about him, adjusting the new waistcoat and cravat that he was to wear for that afternoon’s drive with Helena and Chastity.
Matteo,
My apologies, Chastity and I will not be able to accompany you this afternoon and tomorrow to the theater. We shall, however, be ready for Lady Chapman’s dinner party the following day.
Helena
“Davis,” Matteo said, folding the piece of parchment again. “It seems that I shall not be going for that drive this afternoon.”
“Shall you be staying in instead, Your Grace?” his valet replied with his usual calm.
“I haven’t quite decided yet. I shall let you know and ring for you.”
“Very good, Your Grace.”
Since Matteo was yet unsure of what his plans for the afternoon would be, he donned his banyan as he finished his cup of tea.
Walking to his window, he cast his gaze in the direction of Huntington House. Although he could not directly view it from his window, he knew its location. Indeed, it was but mere minutes’ walk from his own residence.
Taking a sip of his tea, he wondered what made Helena cancel their drive for that afternoon. It was very unlike her. With her determined nature, every event that they had planned had pushed through until this drive.
“And it is the activity that actually requires the least effort.” He mumbled to himself.
Matteo went to his desk and took out his writing implements.
Whyever not?
-M
Helena could not help but be amused at the brevity of Matteo’s message.
“Mr. Keble, who delivered this?” Helena asked as she held the reply Matteo sent her.
“I believe it was one of His Grace’s footmen, my lady.”
“Please ask him to wait in the kitchens, ask Cook to give him some tea. I shall write a quick reply.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
“Thank you, Mr. Keble.”
Using the same piece of parchment, Helena was poised to write an explanation when her hand stilled. Perhaps it was that she found herself with nothing to do for the first time in so long that a twinkle formed in her eyes.
She wrote her reply beneath his message.
Matteo laughed aloud as he read the note—his note—that Helena had returned with her own annotations.
Is a lady not entitled to her secrets?
-H
Still grinning, he wrote his reply, again, on the same piece of parchment.
“Mr. Bordley,” he called to his butler, who waited by the door of his bedchambers and handed him the note. “Please have this sent back to Huntington House. But tell the footman to await further instruction from me before he leaves. Thank you.”
If Mr. Bordley found Matteo’s instructions curious, his facial expression did not show it, instead the butler bowed and quietly left the room.
Alone in his chambers, Matteo chuckled and rang for his valet.
Helena stifled her giggle with her hand.
“What impertinence!” she exclaimed, her giggles getting the better of her.
She read Matteo’s most recent writing again and could see him clearly in her mind, uttering the impertinent words. He would raise one eyebrow, his green eyes alight with mischief, a confident smile on his lips.
Yes, a lady is. As a gentleman is entitled to try to uncover them.
-M
The small piece of parchment was beginning to be crowded with their exchange, but she was not about to let him have the final word.
Moving to the writing table, she was in the act of smoothing down the parchment paper, when the door to the sitting room opened, and Mr. Keble entered, directly behind him was a grinning Matteo, undoubtedly bringing mischief.
“Matteo!”
His grin did not diminish at her surprised look; indeed, it seemed to have widened.
“You look surprised to see me, Helena.”
“Having arrived at the heels of your note? No, not at all, Your Grace!”
“Sarcasm becomes you, my lady.”
He pointed to her cheeks, which were now tinted pink.
She chose to ignore his comment and addressed the butler.
“Tea, please, Mr. Keble.”
The butler bowed and left the room. They sat on the wingback armchairs beside the fireplace, not noticing that they unconsciously preferred that area of the sitting room when they were by themselves.
“Now,” Matteo said, his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together. “Pray, tell me what is this nonsense about not being able to accompany me today and tomorrow? You were the one who wanted to go to the theater, if I recall.”
“It is not nonsense!” Looking at the open door, Helena lowered her voice. “I feel that Chastity is having a case of Seasonal fatigue.”
“I beg your pardon? I have never heard of such an ailment, let alone in the young ladies of the ton.”
Helena rolled her eyes at him.
“I decided to let her have a respite and take a rest until tomorrow. The drive this afternoon and the visit to the theater tomorrow night are more for us than for her anyway.”
It was true, when they had been laying down the plans for their social calendar as an engaged couple, they had added the two activities more as a display, to add to the illusion of authenticity to their betrothal.
“What you are saying is that Lady Chastity is tired?”
“Yes, merely that.”
“Well, in that case, there is really no reason why you cannot join me for a drive.”
The way Matteo stated it, not as a question, but as a fact, took Helena by surprise. She looked at him, puzzled.
“You still want to go?”
“Yes, why should we not?” Matteo leaned back casually against the chair. “I have already planned my day, and it is not very pleasant to suddenly find that I have nothing to do.”
“Well…”
“I have the greatest fondness and admiration for your sisters, but would you rather spend the rest of the day with them or with a handsome, charming duke?”
Again, Helena found herself rolling her eyes at him.
But she, at the same time, could not help but think, would she be such a bad sister if she chose an afternoon with him?
Realizing the absurdity of her thoughts, Helena laughed silently at herself.
She did want to be outdoors, and she was honest enough to admit to herself that she did, indeed, want to be in his company that day.
“Same time?” she asked.
Matteo grinned.
“If you can be ready in half an hour, I can return with the carriage directly.”