Page 54 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady
“We are going to host a small party,” he said.
“There is no need for that, Father. This isn’t my first name day and won’t be my last. Keep that money for a more important use,” she said.
“We need all we can get right now,” she wanted to add but decided it would be in bad taste.
Father already knows that.
Her mother was insistent on doing something, so she supervised the stewards in making a big celebratory meal the night before, to be eaten that morning. Helena woke up just before dawn to receive the shawl she asked Miss Justina for, as a gift. The day started out just nicely for her.
They had just settled down to eat. The table was full with plates of chicken, veal stock, sliced ham in small round bowls, and plates of poached salmon. The Baroness had made hot red sauce that was really spicy and tasted great with the meat. Everyone in the family was present at the table, except the boys who couldn’t possibly leave their school in London just because of Helena’s birthday. The Baron said grace, and they were about to start eating when Lady Lavinia arrived, screaming and singing name day songs. Helena spent a few minutes calming her down and getting her to join them at the table. Now Helena stared at her because she was wondering how Lady Lavinia managed to be so uppity all the time. Of course, she needn’t tell them what she thought.
Lady Lavinia dipped the slice of chicken on her fork into the sauce and put it in her mouth. Helena watched as she swallowed it then sipped from the cup of lemonade in front of her.
“Lady Henrietta, this meal is exquisite. You really stuck out a neck for Helena,” Lady Lavinia said.
When she saw that Helena was looking at her, she added, “If she deserves it is a completely different story.”
Helena was tempted to throw the lemonade in her cup at Lady Lavinia.
“Focus on your food, Lavinia. After we eat, we’ll have time enough for verbal jibes,” Helena replied.
“I always have time for verbal jibes,” Lady Lavinia said.
“Obviously,” Miss Melanie commented.
Lady Lavinia turned to Miss Melanie who quickly turned her focus on her meal. Helena was ready to jump to her sister’s rescue if Lady Lavinia decided to switch her playful goading to her.
Melanie is no match for Lavinia’s sharp tongue.
The Baron moved his seat back. He was done eating. He mopped at his mouth with a napkin and looked at his wife.
“Happy birthday, Helena, I do hope this day turns out more wonderfully for you than you can imagine,” he said.
“I’ll try to spoil it as much as I can,” Lady Lavinia said in a playful manner.
Everyone at the table burst into laughter. Helena shook her head.
Lavinia could never change.
Lady Henrietta pushed her chair back and followed her husband out of the room. Helena noticed Miss Melanie kept looking up, shifting her feet.
“Are you going somewhere, Melanie?” she asked.
Melanie met her gaze and shook her head timidly.
“I think she has an appointment with some of her friends. She told me something like that,” Miss Jacqueline said, drawing an unpleasant stare from her younger sister.
“You can go. I am holding no one back. My name day is also just another day,” Helena said.
Miss Melanie was elated and jumped to her feet.
“Thank you, sister,” she said before walking out of the room.
Helena nodded. She watched her sister walk out in her short, blue gown. Two stewards came into the dining room and cleared the plates of the Baron and Baroness. They also brought plates of biscuits and tasty looking cookies. Helena was full. She surely wasn’t going to eat the biscuits. Helena stood up, drawing looks from Lady Lavinia and Miss Jacqueline.
“I am going to the garden,” Helena said.
Lady Lavinia moved back from the table too.
