Page 6 of The Insufferable Duke
“Doing what? He could be having a midnight stroll? Besides, our families may not like one another, but that does not mean I wish to be the one who would encourage their names to be plastered across scandal sheets.” Helena tried to stop and dug her feet into the ground, but Kitty took hold of her wrist harder and pulled her forward, so she stumbled on the earth.
“Whyever not?” Kitty asked with innocence.
“It’s malicious, Aunt.”
“Or necessary.” Kitty narrowed her eyes as she led the group between the trees, the scent of pine growing stronger and stronger. “You know what they say about enemies, dear. You must strike first.”
“I was not aware the two families still wished to duel at dawn. I thought that anger had cooled to resentment.” Helena’s words went unheeded.
“What a pleasant stroll this is,” Kitty said loudly to her friends and took the arm of one young lady beside her. They walked happily together through the trees, leading Helena to follow slowly behind them.
Aunt, what good can come from this?
Helena thought more than once about returning to the ballroom to find her sister and spend her night in a more peaceful way, yet she followed Kitty still, for they were now so far from the house she did not wish to be caught alone in the garden.
They rounded a corner in the path, coming to face a clearing with a marble bench set in the middle where they found two figures sitting upon the bench. One was Lord Robert, and the other was a face Helena knew all too well, as well as her own.
“Oh, heavens!” Kitty cried excessively loudly, flinging her hands over her mouth.
Helena stood very still, dumbstruck, as she saw her sister, Julia, in the arms of Lord Robert. From how close the two were together, it was plain they had shared a kiss.
CHAPTERTHREE
“No.” The word escaped Helena in a breathy gasp.
This is not possible. Not possible!
Her world was sliding from the firm view she had of it. Poor Julia was blushing bright red as the ladies jumped back, all startled, staring with wide eyes. Lord Robert leapt to his feet and stood in front of Julia, trying to block her from view.
“What is happening?” Helena whispered, looking at Kitty who had not yet lowered her hands from her face. “Not such a wise idea to come for a walk, was it?”
“Helena!” Kitty snapped at her, lowering her hands at last.
“Ladies, it is time to return to the ballroom.” Helena took control of the situation, not knowing what else to do. “I beg of you, say nothing of what you have seen.” She marched toward Lord Robert. He stayed silent but pinkened almost as deeply as Julia had done. He looked at Helena, his eyes darting back and forth, never resting in a single place for a second.
“Say nothing? How could we not?” one lady murmured. By the time Helena had turned to glare at the lady who had spoken, she was already hurrying away, arm in arm with her friend.
“Pray, say nothing,” Kitty called, racing after the group a little down the gravel path, but they were gone all too quickly. “Oh heavens, heavens!” Kitty cried repeatedly. “What has happened? What will become of us all now?” She rounded on Lord Robert. Her look of grief morphed to one of pure rage. Her jaw stiffened, and her hand raised, pointing straight at Lord Robert. “What have you done to my niece?”
“Aunt…” Julia’s voice was meek as she stood behind Lord Robert.
“No more. No more of this.” Helena spoke over Kitty as she tried to say something again. Glowering in Lord Robert’s direction, she felt her own fury burn.
Helena would have gladly ranted and raged at Lord Robert, furious he had compromised her sister’s name and reputation, but nothing good could come from shouting now. Her focus had to be on her sister.
Julia stood tearfully behind Lord Robert and reached for his arm. That touch didn’t make him flinch. It was as if she had offered such an intimate touch before.
I will not believe it. I can’t.
“Lady Helena, Lady Kitty, I —” Lord Robert began, but Helena raised a hand sharply in the air, cutting him off.
“Not a word, I pray you,” Helena ordered, her words seething with rage. “You have destroyed my sister’s reputation tonight. The Moores have truly ruined us now, just as they always wished to.” She looked back at her aunt, fearing that perhaps Kitty was right after all.
“You know what they say about enemies, dear. You must strike first.”
Now, the Moores had struck.
“Julia, come with me.” Helena strode forward and took Julia’s hand, peeling it off Lord Robert’s arm.
