Helene, page 7
The muffled chime of the clock buried behind a pile of books startled her and she looked around the room quickly. Not seeing Juliet, whom she had arranged to meet there, she placed herself in a more strategic position near the door.
The lack of response from Nicholas made her wish she had postponed the meeting, for she did not relish the idea of upsetting her friend again. Looking out of the window, she saw Juliet’s carriage roll to a halt and, turning to her maid, she said, “I won’t be long, Amy. Please meet me back here in half an hour.”
Juliet, meanwhile, gave similar instructions to her coachman before joining Helene inside. “You have news for me?” she asked as soon as she had greeted Helene.
“Not yet, Juliet. But I don’t expect to hear anything for a few more days. Letters always take an age when they have to cross the Channel.”
Juliet’s eyes filled with tears. “Perhaps Nicholas has forgotten about me. Maybe he is enjoying himself in Paris and doesn’t want to return to England.”
“Nonsense, dear Juliet,” Helene said hastily. “He will come. A week is nothing. Mark my words, he will be here before another week is out.”
“I hope you are right,” Juliet sniffed, “for I cannot hold off mama or the earl much longer. In fact, Mama is insisting on publishing the betrothal announcement next week.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “Helene, whatever am I going to do if Nicholas refuses to help?”
“He won’t,” Helene soothed with a confidence she did not feel. “Please believe me, for I cannot bear to see you so unhappy.”
Juliet attempted a smile. “I am sorry to be so silly, it’s just that Mama is making my life so miserable. I know I could bear anything if I knew Nicholas still cared for me.”
“He does. Why, he may well be on his way this very minute. Indeed, it is most likely that instead of answering my letter he has decided to return to England,” Helene said, warming to the idea. “And, if my assumption is correct, I expect he will be here in a few days.”
“I…I…have been thinking, Helene, and, if…if, I mean, when Nicholas comes and we have to elope…how will it be arranged?”
“I am sure Nicholas will know what to do, and I will help you get away from your mama somehow. Perhaps I should invite you to stay for a few days. I’ll think of something, don’t worry.”
“That is a good idea,” Juliet said enthusiastically. “If I am allowed to stay with you, it will give me an excuse to bring some of my prettiest gowns. I can hardly run away with the clothes I stand up in, can I?”
Helene laughed, pleased to see her friend more cheerful. “Nicholas wouldn’t notice, I’ll be bound. He will be so enraptured by your presence, your clothes will go unnoticed. Even so, I know you will feel better if you have a change of outfit.”
The half hour soon slipped by, and it was with some regret that they bade goodbye to each other.
“I won’t see you tomorrow night at Almack’s,” Juliet said. “Mama has accepted the earl’s invitation to the theater.” She shuddered involuntarily. “Just the thought of having to sit next to him makes me feel ill, and if he tries to hold my hand again, I’ll…I’ll…I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“Tread on his toe with your heel,” Helene advised half-seriously. “That should encourage him to keep his distance.”
“The very thing,” Juliet said, clapping her hands in delight. “I will see you here tomorrow and let you know if it works.”
Helene spent the rest of the day rehearsing her conversation with the captain. Even though she had been angry with him when they had parted last night, she hoped he would agree to help her. As part of her plan was based on the assumption that Captain Longford would be at Lady Ambrose’s afternoon gathering, she was slightly apprehensive when she presented herself there the next day.
The first person she saw was Percy Farthingale, and after she had greeted Lady Ambrose she walked over to him.
“The fortune hunter,” he teased as she approached. “I hope the gypsy had all good things to say.”
“You’re as bad as Captain Longford for wanting to know what the woman told me,” Helene joked. “But I tell you, that is bound to bring me bad luck.”
“Then I won’t press you,” Percy responded, “although I cannot deny that I am curious.”
“You surprise me, sir,” Helene mocked. “I thought in these lofty, intellectual surroundings one’s mind dwelt on more substantial matters.”
“You are correct, as usual,” a familiar voice intervened. “Why the sudden interest in gypsies, Percy?”
“Oh! It’s you Robert,” Percy said, shaking his friend’s hand warmly. “My sudden interest, as you term it, is because of an article I am working on. Do you realize that gypsies are carriers of all sorts of disease? They roam freely around the country leaving filth and mess every time they decamp. They are shallow, feckless…”
“I am shocked at your condemnation, Mr. Farthingale,” Helene interrupted. “They are neither dirtier than the slum dwellers nor as diseased. How can you censure such colorful people who have such spirit of adventure and freedom.”
“That’s all very well, but I fail to see what useful purpose they serve.”
“No more or less than some leading members of the ton,” Helene retorted hotly.
“Why, Percy,” Captain Longford interceded, “the very knives you wield to carve your meat have probably been sharpened by them. And, no doubt, the pots your chef uses have been crafted by those same hands. I admit there are some bad ones, but generally I have found them a most interesting set of people, helpful and extraordinarily loyal.”
Helene looked at him in surprise. “Your support is as unexpected as it is welcome,” she said with a charming smile.
Percy rolled his eyes upward in mock despair. “Preaching to the converted is always impossible, so I will save my arguments for the more pliable.” He glanced about the room and acknowledged a friend’s greeting. “Please excuse me, Lady Helene, but I see Harry Dickens has just arrived and I have some business to discuss with him.”
Captain Longford looked at Helene in amusement. “Poor Percy. He likes to hold court but cannot abide people to disagree with him!”
“Then he shouldn’t be here, for Liza and Lady Ambrose assured me that one was expected to speak one’s mind.”
“You are absolutely correct. I fear Percy’s motives for attending these Wednesday sessions are not the purest. He is always hopeful of gathering information for his newspaper.”
“I think I have a story for him, in that case,” Helene said slowly as an idea struck her.
“What is that?” Captain Longford asked sharply.
“Well, I have no proof, but…” she hesitated, uncertain of his reaction.
“Proof of what?” the captain pressed.
“It may sound a little silly to you,” Helene began defensively, “but my maid’s sister has disappeared. Papa has tried to convince me that she has either run away or been mistakenly arrested, yet…”
“Either explanation seems reasonable,” Captain Longford said, matching Helene’s earnest tone with a sympathetic look. “Wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes. However, I think the truth lies elsewhere, and Papa for some reason refuses to listen. I suspect she has been kidnapped by the white slavers.” She paused dramatically.
Captain Longford raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“Suspicion without proof is a dangerous thing,” he counseled.
“I know that,” Helene said with irritation. “And it seems unlikely that I, or anyone else, will ever obtain proof. However, if I could persuade Mr. Farthingale to write an article bringing this disgusting practice to light, maybe these people…these slavers…will think twice before kidnapping more innocent girls.”
Captain Longford looked away, unable to suppress a feeling of admiration. Her father was quite right, she was far too intelligent to be fobbed off with a lie. And obviously the warning of the danger that surrounded her had had no effect. He thought quickly of what he could say to convince her that it would be fruitless to pursue the matter. “Lady Helene,” he finally, “it may be difficult for you to believe, but there are people fighting to stamp out this sort of trafficking. Men, like your father, have done much to ease the sufferings of these girls. But, until the law is changed, the guilty parties will remain free. You see, they are only morally guilty. No jury could ever convict them, because, well…because the age of consent in England for women is ten.”
Helene looked aghast. “Ten,” she whispered. “Ten. Why they are still babies…. It’s criminal.”
Captain Longford’s mouth twisted in sardonic agreement. “I agree entirely, Lady Helene, but until Parliament can be persuaded to act to change the age of consent, there is very little anyone can do…legally.”
“You make me feel very foolish, Captain,” Helene said quietly. “For when you put the problem in perspective, you are right, there is very little one person can do.”
“I am glad you see my point,” he responded smoothly. “Don’t look so sad,” he continued, wanting to erase the unhappy expression on Helene’s face. “A young woman like you should be out enjoying herself, not shouldering such problems.” He resisted the temptation to touch her cheek and, instead, he said rather gruffly, “Come, let me take you for a ride in the park. That will surely help blow the cobwebs away.”
“Thank you,” Helene said, touched by his apparent concern. “I think that is a good suggestion. I…I also have something to ask of you. I know it is presumptuous of me, but…but you are the only one who can help.” Captain Longford wondered what scrape she had found herself in now, that she had to seek his advice. He felt a strange reluctance to getting further involved with her. His plan merely to have a pleasant flirtation seemed to have gone awry. Not only was she too self-possessed to be taken in by him, but, by asking for his help, she had assumed their relationship was based on friendship. And, she must know that he wouldn’t refuse, else she wouldn’t have asked.
“Whatever is it, Lady Helene?” he asked unwillingly. “You sound so serious.”
“’Tis better that I wait until we have reached the park, for it would never do for anyone to overhear us.”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. The trouble must be deeper than he thought for her to take such a precaution. He suddenly felt a concern which made him impatient to know what bothered her. “I’ll have my horses put to immediately in that case.”
They took their separate leave of Lady Ambrose and ten minutes later swept through the gates of Hyde Park. Slowing his horses down, Captain Longford turned to Helene. “Would you like me to dismiss my groom? Although I can assure you that he is trustworthy.”
Helene shook her head. “If you did that, then I would really become the talk of the town. No, I need him to act as my chaperone!”
Captain Longford, pleased to note that her spirits had revived a little, nodded in agreement.
“I…I want to ask you to write to Nicholas,” she said quickly, her carefully rehearsed speech forgotten. “It…I…you see, he really is in love with Juliet.”
“Juliet?” Captain Longford queried.
“Sweeny,” Helene answered impatiently. “Only he, that is, Nicholas, left her when he lost his arm, saying that he couldn’t inflict himself on such a lovely creature.”
“That sounds like Nicholas,” Captain Longford commented. “Though he never mentioned his unrequited love to me.”
“Why should he. He was trying to forget her,” Helene retorted, unhappily aware that she did not have his sympathy. “Anyway, Lady Sweeny is forcing Juliet into an unsavory marriage.” Here her voice dropped to a confidential whisper. “The earl, you know. Radford.”
“Radford!” Captain Longford ejaculated. His lip curled in contempt for a brief second before a bland expression settled on his face.
Helene, who had been watching closely for his reaction, saw his sneer. “Aha!” she said triumphantly. “Then you know the match is totally unsuitable.”
The exultant gleam in her eye caused him to bite back his agreement. The last thing he could afford to do was encourage her in involving herself in this triangle. A more dangerous adversary than the earl would be difficult to find, especially if Lord Ambel’s suspicions about him were true. As his thoughts wandered to the real and imagined dangers Helene would face if she continued to help her friend, an uncomfortable silence developed.
Helene squirmed in her seat. “Do you not agree that the match would be unsuitable?” she asked finally.
Choosing his words carefully, he said, “It would be unfair of me to voice an opinion, Lady Helene, not knowing two of the people involved.”
“You must have heard of Radford’s reputation. Why…why…it’s even worse than yours,” she broke off in embarrassment as she realized what she had said. Captain Longford laughed appreciatively. “I mean…I…well, anyway,” Helene continued, “Juliet is the sweetest creature imaginable and loves Nicholas. It’s so unfair that her mama is selling her to the highest bidder.” She countered the captain’s skeptical look with a vigorous nod. “What else is it, when the poor girl has to be sacrificed, because her papa has gambled away his entire fortune, for the handsome settlement the earl had agreed to pay?”
“I would say it is none of my business,” he said slowly. “And, I think your parents would be shocked to know that you were interfering.”
Helene stared at him, unable to believe his attitude. “Why…why…I thought you would be sympathetic, especially knowing Nicholas. All I want you to do is ask Nicholas to come back to England and…and… Her voice trailed off as she saw a noncommittal expression on his face. “You will help, won’t you?” she begged.
He had to steel himself not to agree. The clear blue of her eyes reflected her appeal and were almost irresistible. But the danger he saw ahead for her if she succeeded in thwarting the earl’s marriage plans froze the words on his lips, and he knew that it would now take all his skill to persuade her not to pursue her plan of freeing Juliet from the unwelcome engagement.
The determined set of his jaw gave Helene her answer before he even spoke. She stiffened, angry with herself for thinking he would help. She should have known better. Lifting her chin slightly, she said in a clipped, unfriendly tone. “I am sorry I bothered you, Captain. I can see I made a mistake by presuming you would help. Now, if you would be good enough to drive me home, I would be more than grateful.”
Cursing himself for mishandling the situation, he was momentarily distracted as he glanced at her. The profile she presented him, normally so enticing, was beautiful in her anger. Easy there, he said to himself, or you will be agreeing to help her before you know it. “I am sorry to say you are right,” he said instead, somewhat brusquely. “And I can only advise you to withdraw your support. If is my contention that Nicholas’ decision to stay in Paris was for the best. And,” he continued as Natasha’s image rose before him, “there is no saying but that his affections may well be otherwise engaged.”
“Then you don’t know Nicholas,” Helene replied, miserably aware that once again she and the captain were crossing swords, only this time their disagreement was far more serious. “But there is no useful purpose to our discussing him, is there? For you will not help.”
An uneasy silence fell between them as he turned the horses. He looked at her and turned away quickly, chiding himself for being sentimental. In his line of business there was no room for such emotion. “In my opinion,” he said harshly, “you are letting your friendship with this Juliet sway your better judgment. I am sure that when you have had time to consider your actions you will agree with me.”
“How dare you speak so,” Helene said furiously, although inwardly acknowledging the truth of what he had just said. “I will find some other way of helping Juliet.” The rest of the journey was completed in silence, and Helene was thankful when they pulled up outside her house. She jumped down quickly, curtly nodding her thanks. He shrugged his shoulders in frustration as he watched her disappear inside the house. What a damnable coil, he thought. He would just have to find another way to prevent her from interfering.
8
HELENE was still angry with herself for making the mistake of confiding in Captain Longford when she arrived at Almack’s that night. The ivory white dress she wore, trimmed with hundreds of tiny diamonds, seemed to reflect this anger.
“Do smile,” her mother murmured as they waited in line for the major domo to announce them. “I swear you look like an ice maiden. Whatever ails you child?” Helene gritted her teeth and pushed her cheeks out in a semblance of a smile. “Is that better, Mama?” she asked.
Lady Ambel sighed. Helene had been difficult all afternoon, ever since she had returned from Lady Ambrose’s, and had almost refused to come tonight. If she kept up this behavior, then Lord Ambel would have to have a word with her, Lady Ambel thought worriedly. Her daughter’s sullenness coupled with her announcement that she had turned down Mr. Burton’s offer had quite overset her. Indeed, if she received any more bad news, she would be tempted to retire to the country for the rest of the season.
Her spirits sank even lower as she saw David making his way toward them. Whatever could she say if Helene ignored him? However, her anxiety was premature, for suddenly Helene’s grimace turned into a genuine smile as she greeted her rejected suitor. Mystified as to the cause of the abrupt change in her daughter, but thankful that she was more cheerful, Lady Ambel echoed the greeting before she moved off to join Mrs. Pinson.
Her pleasure would have been marred had she known that Helene’s sudden change of attitude was caused by the sight of Captain Longford dancing with Sarah Downs. And that the smile was part of her determined effort to put the captain in his place once and for all. She had already decided to ignore him when she next saw him and instead concentrate her considerable charm on David.
