Chapter 13
The following week passed in a succession of morning calls, promenades, card evenings, and even an assembly.
Helena found herself more accustomed to the demands of London society than she had imagined possible, though she retired each night pleasantly weary.
Still, she was grateful to accompany Georgiana through the excitement of her first Season and took quiet satisfaction in being of some assistance.
Yet, as the days passed, Helena became aware of a subtle change in Georgiana's manner.
She reflected upon it as she descended the staircase one morning in a pale yellow muslin dress. Georgiana remained unfailingly courteous, yet there were moments when she seemed distracted or oddly reserved, as though some unspoken thought occupied her mind.
Helena wondered whether she had unknowingly overstepped her place, or whether the adjustment to sharing Blackmere House with another young lady simply required more time. It was, she reasoned, as new for Georgiana as it was for herself.
The family had already taken their places at the breakfast table when Helena entered the dining room.
"Oh dear, I hope I have not kept you waiting," she said with an apologetic smile as she took her seat.
"Not at all. We have only just sat down ourselves," Beatrice assured her.
"Then good morning to you all. I trust everyone is well?" Helena smiled and addressed the table.
"Exceptionally well," Tristan replied. "I cannot remember the last time I slept so soundly. I believe the assembly exhausted me more than I realized."
Beatrice laughed. "I wish I could have slept longer, but Oliver saw fit to wake me at first light to hear every detail of the evening."
Oliver looked from his mother to Tristan with an aggrieved expression. "It is most unfair that I must remain with the nurse while everyone else enjoys themselves."
Tristan grinned. "Enjoy these peaceful evenings while you may, Oliver. Before long, you shall have no choice but to attend every one of those wretched entertainments."
Helena laughed before turning her attention to Georgiana, who alone had yet to answer her question. "And how are you this morning? Are you quite exhausted after last night?"
"Not at all," Georgiana replied with a strained smile. She turned instead to her sister. "Beatrice, shall we call upon the modiste today? I have decided one of my bonnets requires attention, and I should like to choose some new ribbon."
Beatrice glanced briefly at Helena before looking back at Georgiana. "I am afraid I promised Lady Harcourt I would call upon her this morning, but perhaps we might go this afternoon?"
Deciding not to dwell upon Georgiana's coolness, Helena smiled. "Charlotte mentioned only yesterday that she wished to visit the modiste this morning. I am sure she would be delighted if we were to accompany her."
"Thank you, but I should rather wait for Beatrice this afternoon." Georgiana's smile remained perfectly polite. "I have always relied upon her advice."
There was little room for misunderstanding. Georgiana had made her preference perfectly clear.
Helena offered a pleasant smile and turned her attention to the breakfast before her, though the meal no longer appeared nearly as appetizing as it had only moments earlier. She could not decide whether she felt more hurt or irritated.
"We could all go together this afternoon," Beatrice suggested.
Georgiana merely lifted her teacup without replying.
"No," Helena said gently. "I believe Georgiana simply wishes to spend a little time with her sister, and understandably so. We have all been so occupied with the Season that I am sure you have much to discuss."
She became aware of Tristan watching her and glanced across the table. A slight furrow marked his brow, though he offered her a small, reassuring smile that suggested he understood the exchange for exactly what it had been.
"Indeed," Tristan said at last. "Perhaps an afternoon with her sister will restore Georgiana's good humor."
Helena lowered her eyes to her teacup to conceal the smile threatening at the corners of her mouth. She ought not to have found satisfaction in Tristan's gentle rebuke, but she did all the same.
Georgiana set down her teacup with more force than was necessary. "I am in good humor, brother."
Tristan met her gaze evenly. "To most, perhaps."
Beatrice looked from one to the other, while Oliver suddenly found great interest in his breakfast.
Helena watched Georgiana's expression harden. "I simply wish to visit the modiste with my sister," she said. "Helena need not accompany my every movement."
A tense silence descended upon the room.
Whatever Helena had previously dismissed as fatigue or adjustment could no longer be explained away. Georgiana's meaning had been made unmistakably clear. Caught entirely unprepared, Helena folded her hands neatly in her lap, uncertain whether to speak or remain silent.
Tristan leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze fixed upon his sister. There was nothing raised in his voice nor dramatic in his manner, yet Helena saw Georgiana's confidence begin to falter beneath his scrutiny.
"You forget yourself," Tristan said at last. "I do not approve of such discourtesy beneath my roof."
Georgiana parted her lips to answer, but Tristan raised a single finger of the hand resting on the table, silencing her.
"I shall attribute your conduct to fatigue," he continued. "You have attended a great many engagements of late, and perhaps a day at home would be of greater benefit than another excursion into town. Or am I mistaken?"
No one spoke; the silence stretched until Georgiana lowered her eyes. "No, brother. You are not mistaken." She hesitated before adding, "I apologize."
"Not to me," Tristan replied.
Georgiana turned reluctantly toward Helena. "I am sorry, Helena."
Helena met her eyes and offered a gentle smile. "Thank you."
Georgiana looked away almost at once, and although the apology had been spoken, Helena wondered what she might do to mend things between them.
No conversation was shared once breakfast had concluded, and the family soon dispersed.
Tristan, who had not once failed to keep their customary meeting in the study after breakfast since they had married, apologized that he would be unable to join her that morning.
Nathaniel was considering the purchase of a new hunter and had asked Tristan to inspect the horse with him before reaching a decision.
As Helena climbed the staircase alone, she felt a pang of loneliness for the first time since becoming part of the household. Tristan had apologized on Georgiana's behalf before leaving, and she knew he would listen if she chose to speak of it further.
Yet what more could he reasonably do? Georgiana was his sister, and he had already rebuked her before the entire family. Helena could not bring herself to place him in the middle of a quarrel he had done his utmost to prevent.
"Helena!"
Beatrice's voice interrupted her thoughts. Helena paused upon the stairs and turned to find Beatrice following behind her. Once they reached the same step, they continued upward together.
"My sister," Beatrice began with an apologetic smile, "though I love her dearly, has always been ruled rather more by her temperament than her good sense. I fear the Season has brought her more admiration than she quite knows how to manage."
Helena smiled faintly. "Perhaps you are right."
"Do not let it trouble you," Beatrice said gently. "She is still very young, though that is no excuse for the way she behaved this morning. I hope you know how very glad I am that you are here, and I should hate for you to think yourself unwelcome."
Helena reached over and lightly touched Beatrice's arm. "You are very kind."
They walked a few steps in companionable silence before Helena spoke again. "I had thought of calling upon Charlotte for tea this afternoon. Would you care to accompany me? She is particularly fond of you."
Beatrice laughed softly. "Another time, perhaps. I think it would do you good to spend an afternoon with your friend. Besides, the two of you may speak freely without fearing you will offend me by discussing my foolish younger sister."
Helena could not help but laugh. "Very well. Next time, then. Though you shall always be most welcome."
***
That afternoon, while seated in Charlotte's parlor, Helena expressed her concern over her relationship with Georgiana.
"I cannot think what I could have done," Helena exclaimed. "It is as though, all at once, I have become an irritation to her."
"When did this begin?" Charlotte asked as she spread a generous spoonful of cream across her scone.
Helena considered the question for a moment. "I first noticed it several days ago. I cannot remember precisely when it began, only that there seemed a coolness toward me. Since then, it has become more apparent, and then, of course, there was this morning at breakfast..."
Charlotte frowned. "It sounds very ill-mannered of her. I should not have expected such behavior from Miss Wycliffe."
Helena sighed. "Nor I. I keep wondering whether I have unknowingly given offense."
Charlotte shook her head. "Whether you have or not, she ought to have addressed it privately, not behave as she did."
Helena smiled faintly. "I was grateful Tristan intervened, though I confess I wish he had not been obliged to."
Charlotte nodded in agreement. "As am I.
There is nothing more disheartening than a husband who refuses to speak when his wife has been treated unjustly.
Lord Blackmere did precisely as he ought.
Georgiana may be his sister, but you are his wife, and he made it plain that discourtesy toward you would not be tolerated. "