“Please excuse me, Lord Jeffrey,” she said.
“I’ll be taking my leave too. I have some matters to attend to,” Lord Jeffrey said, as he stood.
Helena looked at Lord Jeffrey, but he wasn’t looking back at her. She couldn’t see his eyes.
“I hope you have not been put off by the break in our conversation,” she said.
“No, not at all.”
He looked down to her, and his eyes said, “Yes, completely.”
“I won’t take long,” Helena promised.
“Not to worry, Miss Helena. Night draws near,” he said, looking at the sky.
Helena pursed her lips. He was angry, but he looked angrier at Miss Justina than at the break in conversation. Lord Jeffrey walked behind her and got into his carriage which was still in front of the stairs. Helena stood beside its window.
“When next will we see?” Helena asked.
“I will be here at least once before the ball,” Lord Jeffrey said.
Helena nodded.
“I’ll be expecting you,” she said.
“Let’s go,” Lord Jeffrey said.
The driver flogged his whip into the back of the horses, and the horses began to trot. Helena stood and watched the carriage’s receding figure till it left her compound before turning to the stairwell.
“I hope I didn’t cause any issues. He wasn’t pleased to see me,” Miss Justina said.
“Do not bother about that,” Helena told her.
She opened the entrance door and went in, then walked straight to her father’s chambers. She knocked.
“Come in, Helena,” the Baron said from inside.
Helena pushed the door open and went in.
“Justina said you need me,” Helena said.
“Yes, I wanted to ask about this young man, Lord Jeffrey,” her father replied.
The door behind her opened, drawing Helena’s attention. The Baroness came in.
“Mother,” Helena said.
“Helena,” her mother replied.
“I presume he has left,” the Baron said.
Helena nodded.
“Good, now have a seat,” the Baroness interjected.
Helena sat on the cushion chair opposite her father, placing her hands on her laps.
“He brought the best gift I have received in a while,” the Baron said.