Chapter Five #2
“I think the most you could hope for is to become a housekeeper, perhaps.” Cerise shrugged. “Maybe at one of my father’s estates. Far from London. He might take pity on you though he sent Miss Cork off with no references.”
Helen wanted to swat the smirk off Cerise’s face.
“Your concern is unnecessary,” she informed the girl across from her. “Not only do I not seek Lord Galway’s attention, but I’ve no desire to stay on in any capacity after you’ve wed, my lady. Lord Galway is my employer. You are my charge. My interest ends there. As I wish Lord Galway’s did.”
Cerise inhaled sharply.
Helen gripped her fingers tighter. Unwise to say anything, of course, but she wasn’t about to sit here and be accused of seducing Galway so that at some point in the future she might become his bloody housekeeper. As if that were her lifelong ambition.
Oh dear. I really must stop cursing.
“A burden,” Cerise snapped back, cheeks coloring.
“That is all you are, Miss Cosgrove. An impoverished, distant relation of dear Cousin Enid. Foisted upon us under the guise of her dying wish. I’ve no idea how you convinced her to do such a thing.
Not to mention your behavior with the Duke of Roxboro at the Stout ball, which was highly improper. ”
“Improper?” Helen had saved Cerise’s reputation. If she’d been seen with Roxboro…
“Speaking to a duke in such a tone. Ordering him about. If he does not call upon me, I shall blame you for scaring him off. Good lord, I’m not sure how Cousin Enid tolerated you, but she was always a charitable woman.”
Cerise’s little speech settled into Helen’s bones like bits of poison. Anger and resentment rose up so fiercely, she might combust from it.
“I was a companion to Mrs. Hendricks. Chaperone to her granddaughters. Just as I am to you. A position, not charity, my lady. Though I will say, after guiding you through society, I will not seek out such employment again.”
Cerise frowned, sure of a slight in Helen’s words, but unable to discern it.
“When we arrive at the park,” she finally answered, in her usual pretentious tone. “You will walk behind me as a…proper chaperone and lady’s companion should, since that is your position. Lady Hester plans to join me.”
As if it were a great punishment to not walk beside and converse with Cerise while in the park. Helen could have assured the girl it was not.
“As you wish, my lady.”
What is wrong with me? I am in a constant state of rebellion as of late.
Insulting Cerise, no matter how subtle was dangerous. Good lord she’d even challenged a duke and—
Helen closed her eyes, resolving to remain calm. Unruffled. It was only that the end of the Season was so near. Her future was at hand. She was bitter over Enid’s disregard. Meeting Roxboro had nothing to do with any of it.
Barely a quarter of an hour later, Cerise and Helen found themselves on the path leading around the Serpentine, Galway’s carriage parked a short distance away.
Helen stayed a step or two behind her charge, just as she’d been instructed.
A soft breeze blew through the air, bringing with it the smell of horses, the water, sunshine, and grass.
Her mood lightened. It was a good day to be out in the fresh air.
Cerise suddenly halted on the path, waving with excitement to a young lady standing beneath a large maple tree.
Genuine happiness filled her stunning features at the sight of Lady Hester Rolfe.
Lady Hester was the daughter of an earl and cut from the same cloth as Cerise; vain, spoiled, and a bit of a nitwit.
“No eavesdropping, Miss Cosgrove,” Cerise said under her breath.
As if Helen cared a whit what Cerise and Hester gossiped about. She’d had more stimulating conversations with the pot of violets in the drawing room.
Lady Hester raised a brow, but offered no greeting to Helen other than a pained look of annoyance, as if she were nothing but a worm on the path. Or a gnat.
Ferocious, little gnat.
She didn’t care for Roxboro’s description, but Helen decided it didn’t matter.
He was a debauched duke. And though she might have been more polite in his presence, Helen had been performing her duty to protect Cerise’s reputation.
She would not be subjected to Roxboro again as the likelihood of his ever calling on Cerise was non-existent.
At least, she hoped it to be.
Helen bobbed politely. “Lady Hester.” Cerise’s friend might lack polite manners, but she did not.
Lady Hester took Cerise’s hand in hers. “I was worried you wouldn’t come today,” she laughed gaily.
“I’ve convinced Miss Amhurst,” Hester nodded to an older woman with iron-gray hair visible through the window of a nearby carriage.
“That Miss Cosgrove will provide adequate chaperonage, and she need not join us on our walk.” She leaned closer to Cerise.
“I cannot abide Miss Amhurst’s limping about, at any rate. ”
Miss Amhurst had a foot that turned in, which is why she’d never married. Cruel to mock her. But not unexpected from the likes of Lady Hester.
I really must…compose myself.
“I suppose that is Miss Cosgrove’s purpose,” Cerise said lightly, speaking as if Helen weren’t standing a mere two feet away. “To be adequate.”
Helen sighed and nodded to the older woman in the carriage. “Good day to you, Miss Amhurst.”
“Good day, Miss Cosgrove.” A gloved hand waved back. “Enjoy the park.”
Cerise and Hester started down the path, arms linked, heads bent together, whispering to each other and giggling, not bothering to wait to see if Helen would follow. She had to quicken her pace to keep up.
Several gentlemen doffed their hats in passing, made motions as if they would stop and intercept Cerise and Hester, but with a subtle glare from Helen, kept walking. The last thing she needed was some stray gentleman running up to Cerise to beg an introduction. Galway wouldn’t approve.
Staring at the slim line of Cerise’s back, Helen tried to tamp down her dislike but after three years in Galway’s employ, and today’s conversation, it was incredibly difficult.
The girl had never liked her. The day of their first meeting, upon entering Galway’s home with Enid’s letter of recommendation clutched in one hand, Cerise’s opinion of Helen had been made clear.
Never mind Galway eyeing her as if she were some small cake meant for dessert.
Helen’s background had been questioned as well as her motives.
She was not made welcome and little care was given to her comfort.
I should have tossed Enid’s recommendation into the fire.
“And then what?” she said under her breath. “I had nowhere else to go.”
A sad truth. At least she wasn’t selling oranges in the street.
I must stay focused. Keep Cerise from ruination. Receive the sum promised me.
Roxboro, debauched duke, hadn’t been the only instance of Cerise throwing caution to the wind.
Helen had never seen a girl so determined to lose her maidenhead.
Hopefully, he’d prove to be the last. Cerise would be wed, the sooner the better, and could then take as many lovers as she wished. Even Roxboro.
That bothersome hum trailed over her skin, a reminder of the sensation experienced when near Roxboro. Desire, she’d finally decided. So rare for Helen, she hadn’t recognized it at first.
And for a libertine like the duke. I have lost my mind.
She thought of Roxboro’s beautiful mouth, so close to her own she could smell the bit of wine on his breath.
Shamefully, she’d wanted him to…kiss her.
Touch her. Even admitting as much was greatly upsetting.
Roxboro was spectacular to look at, but he lacked a great deal of character.
He was betrothed and intent on seducing a young lady he’d only just encountered at a ball.
Just as he had Canterbell’s daughter. But when he leaned towards Helen every nerve in her body had suddenly flared to life.
Her foot hit a small pebble, nearly sending her tumbling into Cerise.
The mere thought of kissing Roxboro flustered Helen. Never once had she contemplated Owen’s mouth in such a fashion, and she’d been about to wed him.
You’re like bedding a block of ice.
The desire Owen, her former betrothed stirred in her, was barely a whisper of what she felt just standing near Roxboro.
The duke drew every female in his direction, pulling and tugging at your skin until you were powerless to resist. No wonder Cerise was so entranced by Roxboro. If he aroused Helen—
I was not aroused, merely momentarily startled.
—than no young lady stood a chance.
“I have the most wonderful thing to tell you,” Cerise said to Hester, keeping her voice to a whisper though Helen could still make out the words. “I have met Roxboro.”
Lady Hester gasped, covering her mouth. “No.”
Cerise nodded. “He is glorious for a libertine and…” she dangled the word to her friend. “He is going to call upon me and express his admiration to my father.”
Helen gnawed furiously at her bottom lip, as was her habit when faced with…well, Cerise. She’d hoped the girl had forgotten about Roxboro, but it seemed that hope was in vain.
“Call upon you?” Hester glanced over her shoulder at Helen. “But isn’t he about to wed Canterbell’s daughter?”
“He is willing to break his betrothal. For me.” Cerise giggled. “I’ll be a duchess. I can hardly believe it.”
Helen didn’t believe it at all and rolled her eyes at the absurdity of Cerise’s thinking. Thank goodness the pair ahead couldn’t see her.
Hester, who wasn’t nearly as much of a nitwit as Cerise, appeared skeptical. “Really.”
“Yes. Entirely true. He saw me walking in the park and was struck by me. Struck,” Cerise repeated, blinking at her friend. “He would have spoken to my father at the Stout ball had it not been for my chaperone. Miss Cosgrove saw fit to interrupt us,” she ground out. “I should have her sacked.”